Picking out a new driver is a lot like dating: You might find one that is incredibly good looking, but they just aren’t a good fit for you. You want a disc that will meet your needs and be reliable. How do you find your disc soulmate? In this blog we will give you a few tips to help you decide what disc golf driver you should get for your skill level. That will improve your chances of landing a keeper.
While there are many discs out there that can satisfy the needs of disc golfers with a variety of skill levels, here are also many molds that are really for people with specific skill levels. Let’s look at several different levels of disc golfers and see what distance driver molds might work well for them.
Beginners
Since the beginner’s skills aren’t honed yet, the discs they throw will need to be different than those players who have a more advanced technique. Younger players, older players, and less athletic players also fall into this category. Since people in this category don’t have the ability to throw a disc at the speed necessary for the disc to fly correctly, they need to look for certain discs that will allow them to get better distance. Here are a couple tips to help people in this group choose their next disc.
Speed
Since beginners can’t throw faster discs, they should look for discs with a speed rating that are low. Look for speed nine or less. (If you aren’t familiar with a disc’s flight ratings, including speed ratings, check out THIS BLOG). Lower-speed discs don’t have to be thrown as fast, so beginners can get closer to being able to throw a lower speed disc with enough power to get good distance. There really isn’t much need to throw discs faster than about speed nine.
Turn
Look for discs with a lot of TURN (the third number in the flight rating). Look for -2 to -5 for the turn. Discs with these turn ratings are considered understable. Since the discs is designed to ‘turn’ to the right (for RHBH players), beginners will get more of an S-curve out of a disc with a lot of turn,
Weight
A disc that is lighter than another will be easier to throw at higher speeds. Throwing a disc fast takes skill and most beginners don’t have that skill yet. Looking for discs that are lighter is kind of a cheat code that will help newer players get more distance on their drives and upshots. Look for 150-class discs (150-159 grams) to help you gain more distance while you work on your form.
Intermediate players
Given some time and experience, most players improve their disc golf form and skills. As that happens, the discs they are throwing may not work as well as they did when the player was just starting out. Typically, discs will fly more understable as a players skill increases. Here are some of the things that intermediate players should consider when buying a driver:
Speed
Intermediate players can look for higher speeds than beginners. They can graduate from using control drivers to throwing distance drivers. Speeds up to speed 10 or 11 will be fine for this level of skill.
Turn
You will notice that discs that normally gave you a nice S-curve are starting to turn too much, since you are throwing with more power. By looking for discs that have a bit less turn (-1 or -2), you can get that S-curve back. You also might want to get a couple overstable discs (with ‘zero’ for the turn) in case you are throwing into a headwind. Keeping some of your older discs with a lot of turn in your bag might also come in handy if you are throwing into a stiff tailwind.
Weight
With increased skill and arm speed come decreased need for lighter discs. Discs that weight between 160-170 are still lighter than max, but heavier than discs that are a better fit for newer players. Try throwing discs in this weight range and see if your long drives are a little longer and more controlled than throwing your old, lighter discs.
Advanced players
You’ve been playing for a while now and your form is much better than when you started. You are getting more distance out of your long drives than ever before. You will also notice, just like you did when you went from beginner to intermediate, that your formerly stable discs are turning more. You are going to have to look for discs that can accommodate your skills and throwing speed. Here are some of the disc qualities you should look for:
Speed
You can now handle higher speed molds up to speed 13 or 14. You may only want to throw speed 11 or 12 so the rim isn’t too wide for your hand. But, if you can handle speed 12 discs and can comfortably hold a faster disc, you now have the power to throw them. You’ll still have lower-speed discs that you can use. They will just be more overstable and heavier. You can also use some of your formerly go-to distance discs, but now they will be your turning drivers or rollers.
Turn
Since you are throwing faster at this skill level, you don’t need discs with much or any turn to them. Look for 0 or -1 turn, and a little more fade. These discs are considered overstable. You will like a least one of your more flippy discs in your bag for tailwind or uphill shots. However, for your long drives you will be looking for turn-avoiding flight numbers.
Weight
You can now handle max-weight discs. Look for 170-175g discs, to give you the most distance and control for your skill. Lighter discs might be more difficult to hit your lines, since you will need to put them on more of a hyzer angle so they don’t flip too much.
Find The Perfect Disc
With these tips you’ll be able to find the disc that is right for you, and hopefully have a happy, long-lasting relationship with it! At least until you get even better and have to start looking again…
