The seemingly endless plastics, weights, and color combinations available for disc golf discs can make shopping for them seem like a daunting task. However, if you’re unfamiliar with disc golf, looking to buy discs as a present, or just curious about the differences between various discs, we’ve got you covered. Here’s your guide to know what are the different types of discs in disc golf.
Golf discs are classified into four types: distance motorcyclists, fairway drivers, midrange discs, and putt and approach discs. It’s true that different discs perform better for different shots, but in general, discs are categorized by how fast they “fly” or how cleanly they cut through the air.
Let’s get to know about each type of disc in disc golf.
What Are the Different Types of Discs in Disc Golf?
Most golf discs fall into four main categories: drivers, fairway drivers, midrange discs, and putters. For beginners, the most important thing about a disc is how far it goes. Here’s all about each type of disc in the golf disc.
1) Distance Drivers
True to their name, Distance Drivers are capable of covering great distances. However, the highest speeds are necessary for them to maintain their designed flight characteristics. As a result, players with slower swing speeds may not benefit from the wider rims and sharper noses of distance drivers.
When thrown with enough force and accuracy, these discs can travel over 400 feet. However, if you don’t know what you’re doing, you’ll end up frustrated by your inability to control the disc’s trajectory and its resulting lack of distance.
Maximum distance drivers have rims with a thickness of at least 2.1 millimeters and a speed rating of at least ten.
2) Control/Fairway Drivers
Discs with the control or fairway driver designation simply cannot travel as far as those with the distance driver designation. In addition, drives from the fairway are easier to control because they are more stable, fly more straight, and have thinner rims.
With their smaller rims and reduced top speed, fairway drivers are easier to control than their long-range counterparts. As a result, fairway drivers are ideal for shorter drives, straighter flights, tighter lines, and less end-of-shot skip because of their reduced distance potential.
Novice disc golfers are typically better off with fairway drivers than max distance drivers.
3) Mid-Range Discs
Midrange discs have rounded, less aerodynamic edges and fly more slowly. However, some discs with a midrange can fly nearly perfectly straight. As with fairway drivers, many midrange discs are simply older discs that were once considered to be distance drivers. Midrange discs are intended to provide maximum control and precision without overshooting the target.
Midranges have smaller rims that fit comfortably in the hands of the majority of people and typically have slightly deeper inner rims than drivers. As a result, midranges are extremely useful for navigating narrow fairways and landing close to the basket.
4) Putt and Approach Discs
The putter is the slowest disc in a round of disc golf. Typically, they are easy to control and do not wander too far. Unlike drivers, putters almost always travel in a straight line. They are effective not only for basket shots but also for approach shots that land close to the hoop to set up easy putts.
Putters are the slowest-spinning discs, so they are less likely to deviate from the intended course. While putters are designed to land in the hole, they are also less likely to travel too far from the hole. In addition to developing a solid short game, the use of putters is crucial to scoring well.
How Many Discs Do You Need to Play?
Disc golf can be played with just one disc, but it’s best to have a driver, midrange, and putter on hand. Most players prefer having multiple options for each disc type, but it is not necessary for inexperienced disc golfers.
As you add more discs to your bag, the best way to improve your skills would be to find a control driver and consistent midrange.
Once players gain a deeper understanding of the game, they will typically purchase discs with varying stabilities. Having both an understandable and an overstable driver will facilitate the execution of certain shots.
Bottom Line
Hopefully, you now understand what are the different types of discs in disc golf. Beginners should begin their first round of Disc Golf with three discs: one putt-and-approach, one mid-range, and one fairway driver.
A player at the Intermediate or Advanced level would benefit from all four disc types and require multiple discs with varying fade and turn numbers.
Thank you for reading!