Types of Discs Used to Play Disc Golf

Series Summary

The game of disc golf, also called Frisbee golf, D-Golf, and frolf is very similar to traditional golf, only played with flying discs rather than clubs and golf balls. Its origins date back almost 100 years, but modern disc golf developed in the 1960s around the UC Berkley campus. Today there are thousands of disc golf courses across the globe, and it continues to gain popularity as fun and affordable (usually free) outdoor recreation.

In this video series our expert Patrick Kitten offers you all the basic information you need to know to get started playing the game of disc golf, including the types of discs and accessories you’ll need, various throwing techniques, and the basic rules and how to keep score. He even offers tips and advice about competing in tournaments, which you should be ready for by the time you finish these free lessons!

Video Transcript

"Hello, my name is Patrick Kitten I am with the Wind Riders Disc Golf Club. We are here today in beautiful McKinsey Park in Lubbock, Texas. First off, really a new beginner player needs about three discs to get started. These are the 3 typical discs that you would have; a driver - very sharp, aerodynamic, throw it far, the mid-range disc - a little blunter, it goes a little straighter and it typically works pretty good into the wind, and a putter - putters are made to stick to the change and drop in the basket for that good score. Drivers let’s talk about the drivers first. Drivers are always more aerodynamic, they are going to go faster and farther than the other two discs. The aerodynamics just means that it is going to slip through the air a little bit faster. Another characteristic to consider is the weight, this one in this case is a hundred and seventy-five and this one is going to be a little bit less. Another characteristic is the over stable and under stableness of the disc. Over stable means that it is going to turn left really fast on a right hand backhand throw. For beginner players the preference is to go lighter disc and less stable. At many places where you can purchase discs there will be a chart that will tell about that. The next disc to talk a little bit about is the upshot disc. Upshot disc typically are more blunt, yet not as blunt as the next one, the putter. They are more for a straighter shot typically because you want more accuracy towards the basket. Usually they are a little bit heavier from 170 to 178 or so. The next disc to talk about is the putter, putters typically are relatively heavy, in this case, 175 grams and more blunt so that when you hit chains they stay in hopefully. That is the three basic discs the driver, the upshot disc, and the putter. "