Recommendations
Before any beginner buys a bunch of discs, we recommend that they do a bit of research about what kind of discs they will need. Most new players make the mistake of buying 2-3 new discs every week until they find something that they like. You can save a good amount of time and money if you start your disc shopping experience with some good knowledge about what you should be looking for.
Here is what we recommend for newer players that are just getting started with disc golf!
Building your bag
Although you can certainly enjoy playing disc golf with a single disc, a good variety of discs will allow you throw different shots which will ultimately improve your score in the long run.
Where do you start? What do you look for?
For a well-rounded beginner bag, we recommend a...
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1-2 Putters for Putting
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Typically a cheaper plastic (most are $8-13)
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You can get multiple of the same putter for practice
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1-2 Putters for Throwing
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Typically a premium plastic
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Neutral/Overstable for accuracy
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Understable for easy distance and turnovers
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1 Neutral/Undertable Mid-Range
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Good for point-and-shoot
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Easy to control angles
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1 Overstable Mid-Range
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These are good for approaches
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They fight wind and are more predictable
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1 Neutral/Understable Driver
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For max distance shots
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Used when accuracy isn't the main priority
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Typically your workhorse driver
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1 Overstable Driver
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You won't get max distance with this
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It is for fight wind and accuracy
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For for certain situations
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Putters
When it comes to putters, it really comes down to personal preference. Some people prefer beaded beaded putters like Judges and Links while others prefer beadless putters like Lunas and Wardens. For the most part, beginners are capable of throwing or putting with just about any putter out there. It really comes down to how it feels in your hand. A few pieces of advice that we can give with putters is...
1) You will notice a very little difference in how each putter flies when putting within 30 feet.
2) Overstable putters tend to be more accurate/consistent but will take a bit more effort to get to the basket. They are also better for fighting the wind.
3) Neutral/Understable putters require less effort for longer putter because they have more "glide" but they are also affected by the wind more making it harder to be accurate from further away.
4) If you look around at different putters, you will find them priced from $9-$20. Some of this is because of the plastic they are made out of (we recommend softer plastics for putting and more of a premium plastic for throwing) and some of it is because who's name is on the disc. - For Example: Paige Pierce's Fierce retails at $19.99, but it is modeled after her signature putter, the Deputy, from when she was sponsored by Dynamic Discs, and the Deputy retails from $8.99-$13.99 depending on what plastic you want. They are the same basic disc, but one is more affordable, especially if you are wanting several of them to practice with.
Here are some good putters that we recommend:
Arranged from Understable to Overstable (left to right)
Mid-Ranges
For mid-ranges, you want a bit of variety. For any disc, some will feel better in your hand than others, but there are some things to consider when picking out your mid-ranges.
1) Try to avoid too much overlap in your discs. If you already have a good mid-range that goes nice and straight, then there is no reason to add another one to your bag. This will just hurt your confidence and make you second guess which disc to throw when its time to throw.
2) We recommend that you start with a good point-and-shoot disc. This is a disc that has fairly neutral flight numbers. The "turn" and "fade" tend to be between 1 and -1 for this disc.
3) We know that beginners are often told, "start with understable discs", which is true when you are trying to get good distance... but disc golf isn't all about distance. Generally, you need a good overstable approach disc that you can't throw crazy far but has a nice, predictable hard "fade" every time.
4) Since mid-ranges are more for accuracy and less for distance, we don't recommend that you use anything that is too lightweight. You will get more distance but sacrifice accuracy.
Here are some good mid-ranges that we recommend:
Point-and-Shoot Mid-Ranges from Understable to Neutral (left to right)
Overstable Mid-Ranges for Wind and Approaches
Drivers
For drivers, you want to find distance with and accuracy. For any disc, some will feel better in your hand than others, but there are some things to consider when picking out your drivers.
1) Try to avoid too much overlap in your discs. If you already have a good neutral driver that you like, then there is no reason to add another one to your bag. This will just hurt your confidence and make you second guess which disc to throw when its time to throw.
2) Just like mid-ranges recommend that you start with a good point-and-shoot fairway driver. This is a disc that has fairly neutral flight numbers. The "turn" and "fade" tend to be between 1 and -1 for this disc. We also recommend a good overstable fairway driver to help fight the wind or get around corners.
3) For most people, their workhouse fairway driver has flight numbers similar to 7/5/0/2 or 9/5/-1/2. We recommend starting closer to a 7 speed and going from there. In reality, you aren't sacrificing that much distance staying at a 7 speed, but you will be more accurate since the lower speed is most likely better suited for your current arm speed.
4) When you are just getting started, try to resist the urge to pick up a distance driver. Typically, you will be able to throw further and more accurately with a good fairway driver while you are developing a faster arm speed. If you decide to get an distance driver, we recommend going with a lighter weight.
5) Lightweight discs can certainly be a way for newer players to get more distance, just be aware that the wind will affect these discs more because of their lower weight. A good lightweight driver is the Latitude 64 Sapphire. It's a great combination of weight and stability!
Here are some good drivers that we recommend:
Drivers from Understable to Stable (left to right)
Drivers for Wind from Stable to Overstable (left to right)