Disc Golf Drivers

Best Distance Driver for Disc Golf

If you are becoming addicted to disc golf, you aren’t alone!  Thousands of people are taking up the sport each year.  It is a great way to get fit and really tests your athletic abilities.

If you are starting to build a collection of discs, one of your first purchases should be a high quality distance driver.  Distance driver discs are designed to cover large distances and are used on very long fairways.  They feature very aerodynamic designs that cut though the air and glide well.  A good distance driver will easily shave a few shots off each round.

This guide will take a closer look at disc golf distance drivers and offer you some tips on choosing the right distance driver.  We’ll then share 5 of the best distance drivers for disc golf!

About Disc Golf Drivers

A distance driver is an important tool in any disc golf player’s arsenal.  It helps you cover the maximum distance possible with a single throw, which makes it ideal for very long fairways.

Distance drivers have excellent speed, which can be useful in certain weather conditions.  For example, you may want to get the disc past some trees before the wind can get hold of it and change its trajectory.

Some distance driver discs are designed to have a straight line of flight, while others will cut to the left or right.  There are discs with an extra thin edge that is designed to cut through air more easily and have excellent glide — which is very useful for throwers with less power.

Distance drivers can be propelled incredible distances.  The current world record for a throw with a distance driver stands at 1108 feet (338 metres)!  It was achieved by David Wiggins Jr with an Innova R-Pro Boss driver disc.

How to Find The Best Disc Golf Driver for Distance

Here are a few of the key considerations when buying a disc golf distance driver.

What material the distance driver made from?

As golf disc has become more popular, the kinds of technologies used in the sport have become more advanced.  There are now many types of plastic polymers to choose from when buying a distance driver.

Each plastic has a different feel, level of reliability, and level of durability.  They range from cheap plastics designed for beginners through to high end plastics made for professional players.  When comparing distance driver disc materials, always consider:

• The disc’s grip
  The disc’s “grip” refers to how it feels in your hand.  A softer, flexible disc with a rubbery coating is often nicer to hold in your hand and is easier to spin.  There may also be a texture or bead on the disc to improve your grip.  If you are playing in wet conditions, using a high grip disc allows you to retain more control over your shots.  For sunny play, you can opt for a disc with more durability.
• The disc’s durability
  This refers to how tough the disc is.  More expensive discs tend to have a higher level of durability and are more likely to survive high velocity collisions with trees and baskets.  In general terms, the harder the disc is, the more durability it has — but a hard disc may not feel as good in your hand.  It can sometimes be a trade off between grip and durability.
• The disc’s reliability
  Some plastics tend to maintain their flight characteristics longer than others.  A cheap disc might start to lose its shape after a few months of play, which will alter its trajectory and reliability.

Disc manufacturers use different names to describe the plastics they use in each product.  For example, DISCRAFT uses the following categories:

• FLX — High flexibility, excellent durability, high grip, great in all weather conditions
• Ti — Excellent durability with slightly less grip, used by many professionals
• ESP — Slightly less grip than the Ti
• Z — Less grip again, but excellent durability which makes it a great choice for dry weather
• Z LITE — A very light plastic with high durability, but less grip
• PRO D — Excellent grip and flexibility, but low durability.

How much does the distance driver weigh?
The weight of the distance driver affects its velocity, how it feels in your hand and how far it travels.  Heavier discs can give you more control over the trajectory of your shots but they require more strength to throw long distances.  If you opt for a lighter disc, you will find it easier to obtain long throws, but your accuracy might suffer.  Highly skilled players usually opt for lighter discs, but they have a level of precision which is better than the average player.

Most discs weight between 150 to 180 grams, with the maximum allowable weight for competitive games being 175 grams.

What color is the distance driver?
Distance drivers come in a wide variety of colors.  Consider the types of terrain you play on before choosing a disc’s color.  If you play in lush green forests, you can reduce your chances of losing a disc by choosing one that is bright orange, pink or yellow.  If you play in the desert or on sandy terrain, a black disc would work well.

You can also color coordinate your discs, using blue discs for drivers and red discs for putters.  This will make it easier to choose the right disc when browsing your golf disc bag.

Your skill level
You skill as a player will determine the kinds of discs that you successfully use.  If you are just starting to play disc golf, choose a medium to heavy disc that has excellent stability.  Try very high velocity discs after you have gained some experience on the course.

The Top 5 Best Distance Drivers For Disc Golf

These distances drivers are all well made and guaranteed to perform well on the course.

Innova Disc Golf R-Pro Boss Golf Disc

This is the famous disc that was used to achieve that record breaking 1108 feet throw.  It is an extremely fast disc with decent stability.  This disc suits high-skill power players who have spent a fair amount of time on the course.  It has a very slight turn that can be useful if you have a cross-wind or obstacle far off in the distance.  It is available in the weight ranges 151-159 grams and 160-164 grams.

Discraft Nuke SS Elite Z Golf Disc

This is a maximum distance disc golf driver that is ideal for players who are new to the game.  Its high stability makes it easy to throw long distance shots on target.  It is available in three weight sizes, ranging from 167 grams to 174 grams.  It works well in all weather conditions, making it a great all-rounder for new players.

Innova Star Destroyer

This is a slightly heavier distance driver that can be used by players of medium-to-high skill levels.  It is a 21.2 cm diameter disc available in six different weight variants, from 130 grams all the way through to 175 grams.  Its aerodynamic design makes it the perfect disc for long drives and pushing into headwinds.

Axiom Proton Insanity Driver

The Insanity driver is a very stable long distance driver made from Proton plastic.  It is ideal for throwers with average power.  This driver delivers a very straight trajectory and can be used by players of all skill levels.

Discraft Crank Elite Z Distance Driver

This is a very fast disc that can still be controlled well by players of any skill level.  It retains more accuracy than many competing distance drivers capable of high velocities.  Its narrow rim makes it easy to hold.  An excellent choice for players just starting to get into disc golf.

We hope you enjoyed reading our guide to the Best Distance Driver for Disc Golf!  For more buying guides and informative articles, subscribe to the blog or follow us on social media. Make sure you check out our list of great disc golf bags.