New To Disc Golf

How to choose your first discs

The large selection of discs can be overwhelming at first, so let’s take a closer look at some of the best options for beginners in disc golf.

Starter sets

A starter set, like the ones you can see here, is an ideal solution for beginners who want to get into disc golf without breaking the bank. These sets typically include three discs: a putter, a midrange, and a fairway driver – all the essential elements to start your disc golf journey. The advantage of these starter sets is that they are designed with beginners in mind. You don’t need to spend hours considering which discs are best for you; you can simply grab one of our sets and head to the disc golf course. There are different variations of starter packs available, and you can find a selection of the best starter packs right here on our website.

Creating your own starter set

Another option is to explore our range and choose between 2-5 discs that best suit your needs and playing style. The advantage of this approach is that you can tailor your set to your individual skill level and preferences. You can select discs made of higher-quality plastic, which will form a solid foundation for your disc golf collection and enhance your playing experience. The only drawback to this method is that you’ll need to invest time in doing the right research – however, this also provides knowledge about disc golf in the long run :). To make the process easier for you, we have prepared a comprehensive guide that can assist you in making the best decisions.

Putters

How you choose your putters can vary from person to person, as it depends on your individual playing style and preferences. One recommendation here is to visit one of our stores and try out different putters to find out what works best for you. This allows you to get a feel for the discs and make an informed decision.

If it’s not possible for you to visit a store in person, we have compiled a list of some of our most popular putters. Regardless of which one you choose from this list, you can be confident in getting a reliable and effective putter for your disc golf arsenal.

For many, the different disc golf putters may feel very similar in their flight characteristics, as they are often used close to the basket. Therefore, we encourage you to consider the feel in your hand rather than the actual flight numbers on the disc. If you need more in-depth guidance, you can also contact us by phone, and we will be happy to explain further. You can, of course, browse our entire catalog of disc golf putters here.

Latitude 64 Zero Medium Pure pink
Latitude 64 Zero Medium Pure
Innova DX Aviar blue
Innova DX Aviar
dynamic-discs-classic-blend-deputy-fit-1000x1000x100
Dynamic Discs Classic Deputy
discraft-putter-line-roach-fit-1000x1000x100
Discraft Putter Line Roach
D-Line P1 Flex 2 White
Discmania D-Line P1 Flex 2

Midranges

At the beginning of your disc golf journey, a well-functioning midrange disc is often what can give you the greatest success on the course. This is where you can build your precision and control. Therefore, we recommend starting with a disc that has a neutral flight path and is suitable for players of all levels. Here are some examples of midrange discs that fit this description and can be a good starting point for you.

While it may not have the greatest potential for distance, the trade-off of sacrificing a bit of distance to achieve even higher accuracy, in our opinion, will give you a better score out on the course.

A midrange is an excellent tool to get to know your disc golf game. It exposes all the flaws and quirks you may have, and it flies fantastically when your technique is on point. If you want to improve hitting fairways and develop better disc golf skills, you should definitely find yourself a midrange to practice with.

Of course, you can also browse through all our midranges for disc golf and find the one that suits you best. You can find all the midrangers right here.

kastaplast-k1-svea-fit-1000x1000x100
Kastaplast K1 Svea
latitude-64-opto-fuse-fit-1000x1000x100
Latitude 64 Opto Fuse
discraft-z-buzzz-orange-fit-1000x1000x100
Discraft Z Buzzz
Discmania Neo Origin pink
Discmania Neo Origin
M4 400G Midrange Driver - 400G
Prodigy 400 M4

Fairway Drivers

We all want to see the disc fly far, and drivers can certainly achieve this, but they also require more precision in the throw and form, which can be challenging, especially for beginners. Therefore, we recommend starting with a slower driver rather than a distance driver.

A disc with a speed rating of around 7 or 8 is a good place to begin. This allows you to gradually build your throwing technique, as these discs are more forgiving and easier to control for players at all experience levels.

In the beginning, it’s often challenging to achieve the perfect throwing technique, and to compensate for this, a more understable disc can often result in longer throws. A disc with a turn rating of around -2 or -3 works well in this context. Here are some examples of such discs that we recommend. It can be challenging to grasp the concepts of overstable and understable, and you can read more about it here.

You can see a selection of good beginner-friendly fairway drivers below. If you don’t find the perfect disc for you, you can also explore our entire range of fairway drivers right here.

latitude 64 blue river opto
Latitude 64 Opto River
F7 300 Fairway Driver - 300
Prodigy 300 F7
latitude-64-gold-burst-diamond-fit-1000x1000x100
Latitude 64 Gold Burst Diamond
Innova Champion Valkyrie Yellow
Innova Champion Valkyrie
Discmania Neo Essence
Discmania Neo Essence

Distance Drivers

In general, we do not recommend distance drivers for beginners. This is something you should explore once you have gained a bit more experience throwing your fairway drivers. But if you are still considering your first distance driver, here are some discs that we would like to recommend to you. These discs are suitable for players who want to explore longer throws, but we emphasize the importance of building a solid basic throwing technique before moving on to distance drivers.

It’s also important to note that speed is not synonymous with distance! Technique is the most crucial aspect when looking at the disc golf game, and your throwing technique is the most critical factor in how far the disc will go. That being said, a distance driver does have the potential to go farther than other discs. However, this should be supported by good technique, and one cannot exist without the other. If you need more help and guidance with this, we also offer Personal Coaching, which can help you get closer to your disc golf goals.

It’s possible that in our brief display, you may not find the distance driver that suits you perfectly, so you can always browse through our extensive selection here.

innova-champion-beast-red-fit-1000x1000x100
Innova Champion Beast
discraft-esp-scorch-fit-1000x1000x100
Discraft ESP Scorch
discmania-active-premium-astronaut-fit-1000x1000x100
Discmania Active Premium Astronaut
latitude-64-opto-sapphirepink-fit-1000x1000x100
Latitude 64 Opto Sapphire
fit-1000x1000x100-730
Kastaplast K1 Grym

What do the flight numbers mean? 

On a disc, there are four numbers that precisely describe four different aspects of the disc’s flight. These four aspects are known as Speed, Glide, Turn, and Fade. It’s important to understand that these numbers can vary between different disc manufacturers, meaning that a Speed rating of 13 from one manufacturer may not necessarily correspond to the same value from another manufacturer.

Let’s briefly explain what each of these four aspects means:

  1. Speed: This number indicates how fast a disc needs to be thrown to achieve its optimal flight path. Higher numbers indicate that the disc requires a higher throwing speed.
  2. Glide: Glide describes the disc’s ability to maintain height and fly a longer distance while in the air. Higher numbers indicate better glide.
  3. Turn: The Turn rating indicates how much a disc will curve to the right (for right-handed throwers) at the beginning of its flight. Negative numbers indicate a tendency to curve to the right, while positive numbers mean the disc will curve to the left.
  4. Fade: Fade indicates the disc’s stability towards the end of its flight. A high Fade rating means the disc will decelerate and make a more dramatic left turn (for right-handed throwers), while a lower Fade rating results in a more gradual finish.

Remember to take these numbers into account when selecting your discs as they will help you find the right disc for your throwing style and preferences.

Speed

The first number is Speed, and it indicates how fast or aerodynamic the disc is. It also serves as an indicator of how hard the disc needs to be thrown for the remaining flight numbers to behave as specified. If a disc has a speed higher than what you are capable of throwing, it will behave more overstable (fade more). Speed numbers range from 1 to 14.

The Speed rating is crucial because it helps you choose a disc that matches your throwing speed and abilities. It’s essential to find a disc with a speed that matches your throw, as a disc that is too fast can be challenging to control, while a disc that is too slow won’t reach its potential in your throw. So, it’s a good idea to select a disc with a speed that matches your own throwing performance.

Glide

Glide describes a disc’s ability to stay in the air and maintain height. High glide can result in longer throws, but it can also make the disc more susceptible to windy conditions. As a beginner, finding this balance is often worth considering.

Glide ratings range from 1 to 7, where higher numbers indicate better glide. Discs with high glide can give you extra distance as they fly farther on the same power. However, you should be aware that discs with high glide can also be more affected by the wind, which can impact their stability and accuracy.

As a beginner, it’s essential to find the right balance between glide and stability to achieve good results, especially in different weather conditions. It’s a trade-off that can vary depending on your individual playing style and preferences.

Turn

Turn describes a disc’s resistance to turning over (the disc moves from left to right during a right-handed backhand throw). Turn typically comes into play in the last third of the flight, followed by fade.

The lower the number, the more likely the disc is to turn over, and discs with low numbers are generally called understable. Turn ratings range from +2 to -5, where a positive number indicates that the disc tends to turn over in the opposite direction of a right-handed backhand throw, while a negative number indicates that the disc has a natural tendency to turn in the same direction as a right-handed backhand throw.

Understanding turn is important because it helps you choose the right disc for specific throwing situations. A disc with high turn is more forgiving and can help correct errors in the throw, while a disc with low turn is more stable and requires more precision in the throw. It’s a crucial factor in creating the desired flight path and control.

Fade

Turn describes a disc’s resistance to flipping over during flight (the disc moving from left to right during a right-handed backhand throw). Turn typically becomes noticeable in the last third of the flight, followed by fade.

The lower the number, the more prone the disc is to flipping over, and discs with low numbers are generally referred to as understable. Turn ratings range from +2 to -5, where a positive number indicates that the disc tends to turn in the opposite direction of a right-handed backhand throw, while a negative number indicates that the disc has a natural tendency to turn in the same direction as a right-handed backhand throw.

Understanding turn is important because it helps you choose the right disc for specific throwing situations. A disc with high turn is more forgiving and can help correct errors in the throw, while a disc with low turn is more stable and requires more precision in the throw. It’s a crucial factor in creating the desired flight path and control.”

Disc Golf Stability

In disc golf, there is a wide range of discs with varying speeds and stability levels. A disc can be classified as overstable, neutral, or understable. In the following, you can learn more about these different stabilities and get guidance on choosing the right disc for your equipment collection.

Overstable

When a disc is described as overstable, it means that it has a significant fade and will turn sharply to the left (for a right-handed backhand throw) during the flight. This can be seen in the last number of the flight ratings that come with the disc, where a typical overstable disc will have a fade rating of 3 or higher. Overstable discs are suitable for throwing in windy conditions and can also be used for executing long throws with a turnover technique.

Example of overstabel discs:
Force, Rive, Deflector, Splice, Zone

Neutral

A neutral disc is a type of disc golf disc designed to fly on a straight path without significant deviations. This makes it an excellent choice when you need to throw through narrow gaps or precise routes on a disc golf course. While most discs may have a slight fade at the end of their flight, a neutral disc will typically straighten out and fly almost straight without significant movements to either the right or left. This makes it a versatile and reliable disc that fits a wide range of throwing situations.

Example of neutral discs:
Undertaker, FD, Buzzz, Origin, Crave

Understable

An understable disc is the opposite of an overstable disc. A typical understable disc will have a flight rating of -2 or -3 as the third number. This type of disc is often used by beginner players because it requires less power and precision to throw. When thrown correctly, an understable disc will turn to the right and then fade (for a right-handed backhand throw) at the end of its flight.

Example of understable discs:
Hades, Essence, D Model US, Sol


Rules & Guidelines

Basic rules

Start with your first throw: Go to the tee pad for the first hole and get ready for your first throw. When you’re ready, throw your disc towards the basket, which is your target. After your throw, step aside and let others on your card or in your group take their throws.

Switch to the nearest disc: Once everyone has thrown, go to the nearest disc in the group that landed farthest from the basket. Let the person who threw that disc take their next throw. Continue this process until everyone in the group is close to the basket. Remember to count your own throws.

Putting: When everyone is close to the basket, the person farthest from the basket should attempt to putt the disc into the basket. This usually involves short throws, with the goal of getting the disc into the basket with as few throws as possible. Keep putting until all discs are in the basket.

Recording the score: After the hole is completed, move to the next hole’s tee pad and record the number of throws for each player on the card or in the group. This will give you an idea of how each player is doing compared to par for the hole.

Continue to the next hole: Play the next hole by repeating the same steps as described above. Keep playing through all the holes on the course in this manner.

This is the basic procedure for playing a round of disc golf. The goal is to use as few throws as possible to complete the course, and the player with the fewest throws wins. Disc golf can be a fun and challenging activity that combines precision, technique, and strategy.

Guidelines

When playing disc golf, there are also some important guidelines and etiquette rules you should follow:

  1. Avoid throwing if people or animals are at risk of being hit: Safety should always be a priority. Make sure there are no individuals or animals nearby who could be harmed by your throw before you release the disc.
  2. Warm-up: Before starting a round, it’s a good idea to do a brief warm-up to prepare your muscles and technique. This can help prevent injuries and improve your performance.
  3. Let faster groups pass: If you’re playing slower than another group of disc golfers, allow them to pass if they wish. This ensures a smooth gaming experience for everyone.
  4. No litter on the course: Respect nature and the course by refraining from littering. Pack your trash and take it home with you or dispose of it in dedicated trash bins.
  5. Remember to have fun: Disc golf is fun and challenging. Regardless of your skill level, remember to enjoy the game and the time you spend outdoors.

These guidelines and etiquette rules contribute to creating a positive and safe gaming experience for all disc golfers on the course.