Disc Types
In traditional golf, you have more than just one type of club. While you can play an entire round of golf with a single club, your score will be much better if you have a variety of clubs to choose from throughout the round.
The same is true for disc golf. When you first start playing disc golf, you may wonder why disc golfers carry so many discs in their bag... it's because they all fly different! Let's take a look at the different types of discs that you can use in disc golf!
Types of Discs
Putters
Much like traditional golf, a putter is typically what you would use when you are looking to put a disc in the basket. Putting typically takes place within 60 feet or so, but it can certainly be further from time to time.
Unlike traditional golf, in disc golf, putters can also be used for drives and approach shots. Because they tend to have fairly neutral flights and higher glide, they are ideal for nice controlled shots that call for a soft landing. If you would like to see what a putter is capable, just watch James Conrad!
Mid-Ranges
A mid-range disc is for just that... shots that fall between putters and drivers. Typically, players can throw a putter around the same distance as a mid-range, but a mid-range offers a more controllable throw. With the rim of these discs being slightly less blunt than putters, they will be able to fight through the air for efficiently, resulting in more consistent results.
Typically, as players get more experienced, they will tend to prefer throwing putters or mid-ranges, but they definitely both serve a purpose.
Drivers
Usually, when someone starts playing disc golf, they want to throw as far as possible. To do so, they will grab the fastest driver that they can find and chunk it down the fairway!
Unfortunately, this is a terrible idea if you are wanting to learn good form and improve your game. For beginners, we wouldn't really recommend going above a disc that is a speed 9. Most players find that a good speed 7 fairway driver is a good balance of distance and accuracy.
Starting Out
We recommend that new players start with the basics. Although it's not the most exciting thing to do, it's typically best to start out with just putters and mid-ranges. Go to your local par 3 course (or field) and practice throwing nice, straight line. Throwing neutral putters is a great way to learn good form, because the disc will show you what you are doing wrong. When a good, neutral putter is thrown straight, it will go straight with very little turn or fade. If the disc dives to your right (RHBH) after you release it, that shows that you are releasing the disc on anhyzer instead of flat. If the disc starts fading left (RHBH) as soon as you release it, that shows that you are releasing the disc on a hyzer line instead of flat.
Drivers are fun to throw, but they are also very good at hiding mistakes made by newer players. Unlike most putters and mid-ranges, drivers often have a good amount of turn and fade action during their flight. These movements make it hard to tell if the disc is thrown properly or not. Once you can throw putters and mid-ranges consistently straight, go out and get yourself a neutral/understable fairway driver. With the exact same form, starting learning your new disc!