Understanding The Different Disc Types

While there are thousands of different frisbee golf molds on the market, and hundreds of different plastic types, there are three basic types of Frisbee Golf Discs:

Frisbee Golf Putter

A Frisbee golf putter is essentially just a blunt nosed disc. It is shaped more like a traditional Frisbee, but is usually heavier and of a smaller diameter than an Ultimate Frisbee. The shape of disc golf putters allow them to fly slower and straighter than midrange discs and drivers. Just because the disc is called a "putter" does not mean that it cannot be thrown far. Experienced Frisbee golf players regularly throw putters farther than 200 feet. The advantage of throwing a putter is that it can stay straight whereas a driver will almost always fade out at the end of the flight.

Frisbee Golf Driver

A driver is a much more aerodynamic disc that will cut through the air much faster than a putter. This gives it potential to provide more distance, nut, because of the shape of these frisbees, they will "fade" at the end of the flight. This means that rather than flying straight they curve off (to the left for a backhand throw of a right handed player or to the right for a forehand throw).

When drivers are not thrown with enough power, they will fade almost their entire flight. This is why most beginning Frisbee Golf players struggle to get distance with a driver and always end up far left of where they are aiming

Frisbee Golf Midrange

A midrange frisbee golf disc is kind of like a cross between a putter and driver. It's rim is slightly more aerodynamic than a putter, but not as aerodynamic as a driver. In general, midranges also have a slightly larger diameter than do putters and drivers.

Midrange discs can provide more control than other discs and work well for disc golfers who like to throw approximately the same throw and power they use a driver for on shots that are not quite as far. Many new players find little use of a midrange as long as they have a good driver and putter that work for them.

Why do I need so many discs to play a round of Frisbee Golf?

The short answer is that you don't. In fact, most new players will probably get the same results their first few times playing whether they play with one discs or multiple discs. New frolfers will often find that they can throw their midrange just as far as they can their driver. In some ways it is better to just throw one or two discs so that you can get used to them and learn and understand the way they fly.

As you get better at frisbee golf, you will find that it is beneficial to have different disc types at different stabilities for the different shots you will face on the course.