Full Answer
How does disc weight affect stability?
Changes in disc weight do not inherently affect the stability of a disc. However, as disc weight decreases, the speed/power required to throw the disc also decreases and more effort can be put toward throwing the disc. Discs thrown with more speed/power will have a lower HST value with more of a right-turning line and increased distance.
Do you worry about stability in disc golf?
Don’t worry if you’re not, because we’ll go over this in detail. What is stability in disc golf? Stability is a disc’s tendency to turn over to the right, fly straight, or fade to the left, during the beginning of flight (For rhbh throws). Discs, when released, will fly according to how stable, understable, or overstable they are.
Do weighted disc golf discs fly better in the wind?
There’s a huge impact on the flight path when looking at different weighted discs. Heavier discs like most distance drivers are more stable and will perform better when thrown in the wind. Lighter disc golf discs are more likely to turn over completely, and will usually get less distance when it’s windy.
How do you weigh a disc in disc golf?
In disc golf, the weight of the disc will be measured in grams. The weight of a disc will normally be written on the underside of the disc, near the middle of the disc. Discraft discs have a sticker placed on the underside of the rim that lists that discs weight.
How much does disc weight affect stability?
It depends on the situation. In general, lighter discs fly farther than heavier discs, but heavier discs may fly farther in a headwind due to their greater stability. A safe bet for the average player is to throw discs weighing around 160-165 grams for best distance.
How does weight affect stability?
2:123:03Does weight affect the stability of the disc? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo if if you're able to find some say like an enforcer down around that weight range and maybeMoreSo if if you're able to find some say like an enforcer down around that weight range and maybe that's an air enforcer or something like that I do think that'll fly a little bit less over stable.
How does weight affect a disc golf disc?
Does Disc Golf Disc Weight Matter? Simply put, yes, the weight of your disc golf disc matters and can significantly affect the flight of your golf disc. On the most basic level, lighter discs take less effort to throw than heavy discs and as a result are often more accurate.
What determines the stability of a disc golf disc?
The degree to which a disc resists high speed turn determines the disc's stability. Discs that have a lot of high speed turn are understable. Discs that have a moderate amount of high speed turn are stable, and discs that resist turning right even at high speeds are overstable.
What is a good weight for disc golf?
Competing players use the heaviest, 178-180 grams, weight class mids in general. The 150 class and 165-169 grams weight classes are best for junior players and beginners. The most common misconception is that heavier discs fly further. Lighter discs work well for players at all levels.
What is a good weight for a disc golf disc?
Golf discs can vary in weight from 120 to 180 grams. While some models come in this wide array of weights, a more common selection for most discs is 165 – 175g. Many new players to the sport assume that the best weight to start with is 175g, as this is the weight of most traditional Frisbees ® (ultimate discs).
Do heavier discs fly further?
A little easier to get out there, but not as much control and even less control in wind. ALL else being equal, lighter discs will go farther than heavier discs.
Do pros use max weight discs?
Pros will typically use heavier discs in the mid-section to improve their disc golf, not because they have access to different weights of disc, but because they have the expertise to use the heavier weights to their own game advantage.
Do pros throw max weight discs?
Flight Physics Increased mass leads will sustain more spin and maintain maximum velocity, and that should (in theory) make the discs travel longer distances. There are reasons why the PDGA puts a 175-gram weight limit on drivers for competitive play.
What is the most stable disc?
The 13 best stable distance driversInfinite Discs Pharaoh (13, 6, -1, 2) ... Innova Shryke (13, 6, -2, 2) ... Discraft Crank (13, 5, -2, 2) ... Dynamic Discs Renegade (11, 5, -2, 3) ... Innova Beast (10, 5, -2, 2) ... Latitude 64 Flow (11, 6, -0.5, 2) ... Westside Discs Sword (12, 5, -0.5, 2) ... MVP Octane (13, 5, -1, 2)More items...
How do I know if my disc is Overstable or stable?
The most effective way to tell if a disc is overstable or understable is to throw it. Try throwing the disc backhand and aiming straight. For right-handed players, an understable disc will turn to the right and an overstable disc will turn to the left. A stable disc will go straight.
When should you throw an Understable disc?
Understable discs can be utilized for long panning anhyzer shots that drift from left-to-right the entire flight path. They are great for hyzer flip shots, where you throw the disc on a hyzer release angle. When done right, it will flip up to flat and fly really far before fading softly at the end.
How do discs fly?
Discs, when released, will fly according to how stable, understable, or overstable they are. Stable: discs will usually fly straight when released flat. Understable: discs will turn over to the right when released flat. Overstable: discs will usually fade more to the left at the beginning of flight when released flat.
What is an overstable disc?
Now overstable discs are those that are not really meant for beginners. These discs, normally in the driver category because of the design of the disc, require a lot of speed in order to fly straight during flight. That means you need to have a lot of arm strength and power behind your throw. Overstable discs usually fade into the opposite direction of the disc’s spin. So for a rhbh thrower, the disc will spin right and turn to the left. But these discs are usually the most predictable for better players, which is why pros love them so much.#N#These discs work well in a variety of situations including: serious headwind, skip shots, and for when you need a disc that finishes hard left.
What is the best understable disc for beginners?
Best understable discs for beginners. The Innova Leopard is definitely one of the best beginner fairway drivers. It literally comes in Innova’s beginner disc golf pack. Check out the Leopard here on InfiniteDiscs.com or you can get it in this beginner pack on Amazon. I also love the Latitude 64 River fairway driver.
What is the difference between an overstable disc and an understable disc?
Whereas understable discs turn over more to the right at the beginning of flight. When first thrown, overstable turns more left and understable turns more right. Check out Ivan Katz’s explanation of overstable and understable.
How to improve disc golf?
1. Master turn and fade: hopefully you’ve begun to understand turn and stability as you’ve gone through this post. But you need to take it a step further in order to improve and master stability. Learn how low-speed fade can affect disc flight.#N#2. Throw the right discs for your skill level: we’ve talked a little bit about discs and skill level in this post, but we stress this important concept all over our site. Make sure that you are throwing discs that pair with the skill level you are currently at. Understable discs are mainly for beginner players, stable discs are for intermediate players, and overstable discs are for really good players. Simple, right?#N#3. Why not learn a little bit more about disc flight?: knowing the physics of disc flight can be helpful and can give you a small advantage on the course. Check out or post, “How Does a Disc Golf Disc Fly Through the Air?”#N#4. Learn about Hyzer and Anhyzer: understanding how the disc flies according to release angle can really affect your disc golf game. Learning this allows you to use stability and angle together to be able to throw any shot on the course. Check out our post, “What’s the Difference Between a Hyzer and an Anhyzer?”#N#5. Practice: this is probably one of the most taken for granted tips for getting better at anything in the world of disc golf. But I still post it as a tip all the time. Want to get better at driving? Go practice. Want to putt better? Go practice. And if you want to master stability and how discs fly, go practice. This tip is simple and easy, too.
What is high speed turn?
High speed turn is a flight characteristic of a disc to turn to the right (for RHBH thrower) during the fastest part of its flight (the early flight.) The degree to which a disc resists high speed turn determines the disc’s stability. Discs that have a lot of high speed turn are understable. Discs that have a moderate amount ...
What does stability mean in discs?
Stability is simply how a disc immediately flies after it is released from the throwers hand straight and flat. The level of stability in a disc will determine if it is going to turn to the right right away, fly straight through the whole flight, or fade to the left early on in the disc’s flight.
How many grams should a disc be for a golf putter?
Newer players may prefer a disc in the 170-172 gram range since it can be thrown farther, but it is more sensitive to windy conditions. For throwing putters, I would go with one that comes in around 172 grams to get the best control and distance possible.
How much does a disc golf disc weigh?
Legal Disc Golf Weight – According to the PDGA Guidelines, a legal disc golf disc must not exceed a maximum weight of 200 grams. Besides the legal weight, there are common weights that each type of disc will be. For putters, mid-ranges, and drivers, the majority of discs will fall between 165-175 grams. Most disc golf brands offer ...
Why are drivers at least 165 grams?
Most drivers are at least 165 grams because of their ability to be thrown accurately in most conditions on a course. Discs that are lighter than 165 grams might struggle with headwinds or tailwinds and won’t get the maximum distance that you’re aiming for.
Where is the weight on a disc?
For most discs, the weight is located and written on the bottom of the disc. Sometimes we have discs with no given weight or it’s been worn down from use and time. If that’s the case it can be slightly frustrating not knowing the weight of the disc you’re throwing.
Can you throw a lighter disc farther?
A lighter disc can often be thrown farther especially for newer players, but it comes at the cost of stability and control. Throwing max weight discs required more technical form and overall strength to shape your shot and control the disc.
Legal disc golf weights
Picking discs for the course or weather you’re playing in can give you an advantage over your fellow competitors. To try and stop discs which aren’t in the spirit of the sport and abuse the rules of the sport the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) has laid down some standard rules for discs.
What weight discs do pros use?
Many people assume that the pros use different discs to the rest of us, or that somehow their equipment is better. The truth is that most pro players use discs on the open market.
Do heavier disc fly farther?
Many folks claim that heavier discs fly further because they feel solid in their hands, seems sensible?
How do I know if my disc is overstable or understable?
If you’ve been around disc golf players long enough, you’ve probably heard someone passing judgement on another players disc
When should you throw an understable disc?
So why would you throw an understable or overstable disc when you could just throw a stable disc?
What factors affect disc flight?
Plastic. Although not as significant as other factors affecting disc flight (such as speed/power levels), the type of plastic can influence how a disc flies. As a general rule, the discs made of more durable (e.g. premium) plastic will have a more overstable flight and discs made of less durable (e.g.
How does air density affect the flight of a disc?
Air Density. Differences in atmospheric conditions will influence the flight of the disc. Specifically, air density changes are inversely proportional to changes in altitude, temperature, and humidity. Taken individually, if altitude, temperature, or humidity increases, the air density (e.g. air resistance) decreases.
What is an OAT disc?
Off axis torque (OAT) occurs when the rotational force of a disc is not centered on an axis that goes through the center of the disc in a direction perpendicular to the flight plate at the time of release.
Which wind will push discs forward?
Top. Wind. Tailwinds will tend to push discs forward and have the effect of increasing HST values, with less of a right-turning line and the potential for more distance. Headwinds will tend to push against discs and will have the effect of decreasing HST values, with more of a right-turning line.
Does disc weight affect stability?
Disc Weight. Changes in disc weight do not inherently affect the stability of a disc. However, as disc weight decreases, the speed/power required to throw the disc also decreases and more effort can be put toward throwing the disc.
Do discs fade at lower speed?
This means discs will begin to turn at a lower speed thres hold and discs will begin to fade at a lower speed. Lower air density would have the opposite impact. Discs will maintain speed better with a higher overall cruising speed window where discs will require more speed to turn and fade.
Stability 101
Whether you’re a professional with years of experience in the disc game or you are just starting out, knowing how you can improve the stability of your disc will drastically improve your disc golf game.
MOLD
The three types of disc molds are overstable, neutral, and understable. But which one is ultimately best? Well, that really depends on what you’re looking for.
TYPE OF PLASTIC
Growing up, you’ve probably had a disc made from the worse plastic imaginable. When you threw it, it may have flipped over in the wind, flown completely off course, or simply made a good outdoor plate. When it comes to disc golf, the goal is to research the types of plastic, as each one will fly differently
WEIGHT OF DISC
Heavier discs may provide more stability, while lighter plastic will allow your disc to fly further. Some plastics, though lightweight, greater durability than heavier versions, so always do your research before settling on one disc.
NOSE ANGLE AND FORM
Nose up, nose down, or somewhere in between, each way that you hold your disc has a significant impact on how your disc will fly. There are three types of hyzer and nose angles: hyzer, flat, and anhyzer, and nose up, flat, and nose down.
ARM SPEED
You may have noticed that the pros, even with an unstable disc, tend to have a lot of stability, which has almost everything to do with speed. The faster you can rip your arm through a decent throw, the more stable it will be.
DISC CONDITION
You may think that the best type of disc is a new one, but there are pros with years-old discs that would disagree with you. The way your disc is dinged from years of use will ultimately help it fly better. So, enjoy the dings. You may find that your favourite disc becomes the one with the most damage.