Disc Golf Discs for Beginners

Best Disc Golf Discs for Beginners

Below you find some great information about the best disc golf discs for beginners. If you are new to disc golf — Welcome!  It is a fast-growing sport that is fun and exciting.  If you have played your first few games and are interested in starting a collection of golf discs, this is the article for you.  We will explain the different types of disc golf discs and provide some advice for choosing the perfect golf discs for beginners.  We’ll then share 5 golf disc sets that are perfect for beginners.  Let’s jump right in!

What types of discs are available?

Think of disc golf discs like golf clubs.  Each type of disc has unique flight characteristics that affect its trajectory.  You will be using different kinds of discs for different kinds of shots. The four disc categories are:

Putt and Approach Discs
These discs are used when you are close to the basket or attempting to land your disc in the basket.  They are slow-flying discs, which helps to prevent you from overshooting the basket.  Most putt and approach discs fly in a very straight line, as they are used when you are aiming directly at for the basket.

Most putt and approach discs have a very grippy surface, which gives you incredible control over the angle of the disc.  They tend to be smaller in diameter, which is useful when you are trying to land the disc in the basket.  These discs also come in handy whenever you need to throw a very straight shot that avoids obstacles.

Midrange discs
A midrange disc has a more aerodynamic design than a putt and approach disc.  This allows it to be thrown faster and travel for longer distances.  This type of disc is a great choice for long approach shots to a basket.

Control drivers
Control drivers are used for very long shots where you still need to maintain a lot of control over the disc.  They have a very aerodynamic design with a thin edge to glide through the air.  They are a useful type of disc for long drives where you have obstacles that must be avoided.

Maximum distance drivers
This type of disc can be thrown extremely long distances.  It has the narrowest edge of all discs, making it very aerodynamic.  It cuts through the air effectively and can glide exceptionally well.  The downside to using a maximum distance driver is that they can be more difficult to control.  Beginners can sometimes struggle to throw this kind of disc accurately.

What should you think about when buying a disc?
Before you jump in the deep end and start buying discs, here are a few aspects you should consider:

Consider the disc’s stability

The disc’s stability refers to how much the disc curves when thrown.  Discraft uses a scale of between -3 to +3 to describe how much stability each disc has.  A negative stability (under-stable) indicates the disc will curve to the right, while a positive stability (over-stable) rating means it curves left.  A 0 stability rating means it flies in a fairly straight line.  Innova refers to stability as the disc’s turn (how much the disc turns right) or fade (how much the disc turns left).

It can be useful to have an under-stable or over-stable disc in your collection to compensate for issues with your individual throwing style.   They can also be useful to get around obstacles on the course.

Consider the disc’s weight

The disc’s weight can affect how easy it is to handle the disc and how stable it is.  Heavier discs tend to be over-stable, which means they curve a little more to the left.  This can be useful if you are a right handed thrower.  However, keep in mind that throwing a heavier disc can make it more difficult to achieve long distance throws.  Beginners often find using a light disc easier.

Consider the material used to make the disc
There are many different types of plastic used to make disc golf discs.  The material used has a dramatic effect over how the disc feels in your hand, how it flies when thrown, and how much durability it has.

Most manufacturers use different names to describe their plastics.  For example, Innova uses the designations CH (Championship plastic), PL (Pro plastic), and DX (Economy plastics).  DX is the most affordable, but it has less disability than CH or PL discs.

The more expensive discs maintain their flight characteristics for a longer period.  That means they are reliable when thrown.  Manufacturers usually have more details on the qualities of each plastic on their websites.

Flight ratings system

Now that you understand which attributes to look for, you can find discs that match your requirements.  Some companies use a flight rating system to help you understand the characteristics of each disc.  Innova, one of the biggest disc manufacturers, uses four categories:

1. Speed (1 to 14)
   How fast the disc can travel through the air.  A speed 14 driver will be extremely fast and capable of traveling long distances.  It has a very narrow edge and performs well when thrown into a headwind.
2. Glide (1 to 7)
   This rating describe the disc’s ability to maintain altitude during flight.  New players should choose discs with a high level of glide, to help them obtain more distance with less effort.
3. Turn (+1 to -5)
   This rating describes how much the disc turns to the right.  A -5 disc will turn strongly to the right, while a +1 disc resists turning right.
4. Fade (0 to 5)
   Fade describes the disc’s tendency to turn to the left when thrown.  A disc with a 0 rating flies fairly straight, while a disc with 5 fade turns quickly.

5 of the Best Disc Golf Discs For Beginners

While there is no such thing as a “beginners disc” it is easier to be accurate with certain kinds of discs.  Discs that have the following characteristics usually work well for beginners:

• They have excellent grip
• They are easy to throw
• They are reliable in their performance and help you develop proper throwing technique
• They will still be useful even as your skills improve
• They are useful in many different situations

The following collections of discs have all of those characteristics.  They will help you do well on the disc golf course from day one.  Let’s check them out.

Discraft Beginner Disc Golf Set (3-Pack)

This is a best-selling collection of 3 discs from Discraft.  This set contains a driver, mi-range disc and putter.  These discs are ideal for players of any skill level and are approved for PDGA play.  The models and plastics used in these discs may vary, so you can try out different kinds of discs and get a feel for each type.

Innova Disc Golf DX Starter Set 160-175g

The Innova Disc Golf DX Starter Set contains 4 discs (putter, mid-range driver, fairway driver, distance driver) and a minidisc.  They are medium-weight discs, so they are easy to control and can be thrown long distances.  Each disc is made from DX plastic, which offers excellent grip and a high level of durability.

Dynamic Discs Easy To Throw Prime Disc Golf Starter Set 145-159g

This is a set of three lightweight discs in the 145 gram to 159 gram range.  The set includes a Dynamic Discs Prime Breakout (Driver), Dynamic Discs Prime Proof (Midrange), and Dynamic Discs Prime Gavel (Putter).  These discs have excellent grip and can be easily controlled by a novice player.  Each disc glides well and has a high level of durability.  This is the perfect kit for a younger player looking for lightweight discs.

Disc Golf Starter Pack

If you have only started disc golf, but you are well-and-truly in love with the game — this is the pack for you.  It is a large collection that includes 4 disc golf drivers, 2 mid range golf discs, and 2 putters.  All discs are made by Discraft, one of the leading manufacturers of disc golf discs.  The discs come from the Discraft D, X, Z, and ESP lines, so you will have a varied arsenal of discs to choose from.  Each disc is very durable and has excellent grip, making them easy to control.  This set is the perfect choice for a very keen beginner.

Innova Disc Golf Standard Set

This is a fantastic beginners disc set from Innova.  It includes a DX Beast driver, DX Valkyrie driver, Shark mid-range disc, Aviar putter and a Wright Life mini.  It also comes with the Innova Standard disc golf bag.  This is a well made disc golf bag that makes carrying your discs, drinks, phone, and clothing much easier.  This is another great choice for a beginner who is already in love with disc golf and wants to play frequently.