The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Disc Golf Discs
Disc golf is a popular outdoor activity for people of all ages. Choosing the right disc can be daunting if you’re new to the sport. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of selecting discs that are perfect for your playing style. Let’s get started!
What are Disc Golf discs?
Players in the flying disc sport known as “disc golf” hit a disc at a target while following golf-like rules. Polypropylene plastic, also known as polypropene, is a thermoplastic polymer resin used in a wide range of applications. A 9 or 18-hole course gets typically used for the sport (baskets). A disc is thrown from a tee pad or other area toward a basket-shaped target by players, who continue throwing from where their previous throw landed until they reach the basket.
When selecting a golf disc, keep the following things in mind:
- Disc Type
Disc golf discs get divided into four main groups: putters, midrange discs, fairway discs, and distance drivers.
The four categories of discs are based on their speed or how quickly they fly through the air. They are not interchangeable because of the design.
- Putters work best for catching chains as they float through the air.
- Midrange discs occupy the middle ground between putters and drivers, providing more distance while requiring more control.
- Use a fairway driver for straighter shots that midranges can’t reach.
- Distance Drivers are for traveling farther distances and switching sides while flying.
How to choose the right weight?
The average weight for a disc golf disc is between 150 and 175 grams, with some exceptions, like discs made of special plastic blends that weigh less or midrange discs with wider diameters. Generally, people use heavier discs for more controlled shots. Putts thrown with a heavy putter are less likely to be affected by the wind, so many players prefer them. People also often favor mid-range and approach shots as heavy disc because they don’t need distance as much as they want excellent control.
Plastic is important
The stability of disc golf discs (resistance to high-speed turns) is plastic-dependent, meaning that different plastics will provide various levels of stabilization. This affects how the disc flies because not all discs are created equal in terms of their resistance to turning. And the majority of disc golfers agree that this is generally true. Innova manufactures overmold discs that meld two plastics together, one encircling the outer rim with a different plastic in the inner core. There are currently mid-range and putter options available. Alternatively, MVP/Axiom also offers overmold disc styles as well.
To make it easier to compare how different discs fly about one another, Innova developed a flight rating system. Many other manufacturers have since adopted it. Even for those who haven’t, a buyer can use a set of numbers to help them compare discs from various manufacturers. Speed, Glide, Turn, and Fade are the four categories used by the Innova flight rating system to categorize flight paths.
SPEED:
Speed ratings on discs typically fall between 1-14, with putters being the slowest at 1-3. These are used at low speeds and by any player. Mid-range discs are 4-5 and need more speed to achieve their desired results when thrown.
GLIDE:
The second rating is a 1-6 glide; this describes how far the disc will stay in flight. Generally, discs with a higher number will fly further than those rated lower.
Turn:
Third, the flight rating system is turned. A disc’s turning capability is ranked from 1 to -5, with -5 meaning it turns the most. The lower the number, the more powerful turn will be.
Fade:
The final rating scale ranges from 0 to 5, with 5 denoting perfectly straight discs and 0 denoting discs that deviate significantly during their final flight.
The Final Words:
When choosing disc golf discs, it is essential to consider the following factors: disc types, weight, and plastic. These factors will affect how the disc flies, so selecting a disc that meets your individual needs is necessary.
With multiple options available on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose just one. But by keeping these factors in mind, you can quickly narrow down your options and find the perfect disc for your game. Thanks for reading!