
What determines a disc’s stability?
The stability of a disc is affected by the 3rd flight rating, or the high-speed turn of a disc. 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.
What is the turn rating of a disc?
The turn of a disc is based on a sliding scale with numbers from 1 to -5. A disc with a 1 to 0 turn rating is overstable. A -1 to -2 rating is a stable to slightly understable disc. And a -3 to -5 rating is an understable disc.
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.
How do you calculate disc golf scores?
To calculate a rating for a round of disc golf, use the PDGA calculation of stroke value for that round. The PDGA will assign a course score that equals a 1000 rated round. If shooting over the course score, multiply the number of strokes over by the value of a stroke, and subtract from 1000.

What number makes a disc stable?
STABLE – A stable disc has a High Speed Turn number that cancels its fade. For example, a disc with flight numbers 9/5/-2/2 would be considered Stable. A short cut method for determining whether this disc is over or understable is to add the last two numbers in the flight numbers, in this case: -2+2=0.
What does the stability rating mean in disc golf?
Simply put, a disc's stability rating determines its flight path. For a right-handed player throwing backhand (or a left-handed player throwing side-arm), the higher the stability rating, the more fade the disc will have to the left, and the sooner it will start to turn to the left.
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.
Is a heavier disc more stable?
Heavier discs are more stable and so they can take higher speeds and still retain their stability. This means that a heavier disc will be better than its lighter counterpart in a headwind (when on high speed). Because of this, they can achieve more distance when the wind is coming at you due to their stability.
What is the most stable disc golf driver?
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...
Do Understable discs fly farther?
Understable discs go farther than overstable discs of a similar speed, so an understable mid can encroach on some fairway drivers, and have zero fade.
Why do pros use Overstable discs?
When thrown on a hyzer, an overstable disc wants to find the ground. The more stability a disc has, the quicker it will want to dump out of the air and land. This means that the less stability the disc has, the longer it will take to find the ground when thrown on a hyzer.
Does more spin make a disc more stable?
A disc with more RPMs will act more understable than its slower spinning counterpart not to mention it should travel faster and further. You will have to throw the disc harder to get it to travel at the same speed with less spin and still it will not travel as far.
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.
Are lighter discs more stable?
Weight has little to do with stability. Some discs in some plastics might mold differently in various weights, but many do not. Heavier weights definitely do mask form flaws significantly more, so if you have problems with oat it will seem like the lighter disc is less stable.
How does disc weight affect stability?
0:353:03Does weight affect the stability of the disc? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLike between 148 to 150 s that the amateurs were getting the disc to turn slightly. And that theMoreLike between 148 to 150 s that the amateurs were getting the disc to turn slightly. And that the pros were just getting the disc to completely hyzer flip and then turn out.
How do I make my disc golf disc less stable?
Tuning your disc won't make it sound better, but bending the wing can get you some results. Some people say bending the edges down will make a disc understable and bending them up will make it slightly overstable. Other people say never to bend the disc in this manner.
What does over stable disc mean?
Overstable is a term that describes a disc's stability, its overall flight pattern, i.e. where it lands compared to from where it was thrown. Overstable Discs: Turn opposite the spin when thrown flat, straight and with average power. That means. RHBH (right hand back hand) throw will spin right and turn left.
What does Discraft stability mean?
1:164:50What's DISCRAFT's 5th Flight Number? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo discraft's stability system tells you how much a disc wants to go. Left straight or right soMoreSo discraft's stability system tells you how much a disc wants to go. Left straight or right so their stability. System ranges from three to minus three so if you have a disc with a three stability.
When would you use a stable disc?
Generally, understable discs are the best option for beginners with lower arm speed because they are simply easier to throw farther. Because these discs require less power and less release accuracy, they are more forgiving and give newer players more distance.
Which Discraft plastic is most stable?
The Big Z Line plastic blend is the most durable that Discraft makes. You'll have no worries about what this disc hits because it's long-lasting and will keep its flight pattern through anything.
What is the fade rating on golf discs?
This is the more natural flight path for sharp edged discs. These discs get a positive rating of (1) for a subtle fade, or higher (2.5) for a harder turn.
What direction does an overstable disc fade?
Overstable discs fade away from the direction of the spin of the disc. In the examples above, the spin on the disc is clockwise (to the right), so an overstable disc fades left. The chart will need to be reversed whenever the spin on the disc is reversed.
What discs are good for hyzer shots?
Overstable discs are great for throwing hyzer shots on dogleg left holes, long distance 'S' shots, overhand air shots or for holding a line into a headwind, understable for anhyzer shots on a dogleg right or for roller shots, and stable discs for navigating tight, straight fairways.
What is the speed rating of a disc?
Speed ratings range from 1 to 14. Discs with a lower speed rating tend to be easier to throw, but might not go as far. If you're looking for more distance, speed ratings on the higher side of that range will accomplish that, but could be harder to throw. The harder a disc is to throw, the less room there is for error.
What happens if you throw a disc with a negative turn rating?
If a disc has a negative rating for turn, and you aren't seeing any turn when you throw it, you might not be getting it up to the desired speed. The same can be said for fade. If you're seeing more fade than you'd expect, you might be struggling to get that disc up to the desired speed. Flight Rating: Glide.
What is the turn rating of a FD3?
As a comparison, the Discmania FD3 has a 0 rating for turn. Without even throwing the two discs, you can expect more turn on the FD than the FD3. One reason why you see most beginner discs with negative turn ratings is the result if you aren't able to get a disc up to speed.
What does fade mean on a disc?
Fade can be also be described as the low speed stability. As the flight of a disc begins to end and the disc begins to lose power, the fade will begin. For discs with a higher fade rating, like the Discmania PD2, you might see the fade begin earlier than a disc with a lower rating and you'll see it finish harder.
What happens when you throw a disc at full speed?
Using the Discmania CD3 as an example, when thrown at full power, or more specifically, the speed that the disc wants for it's desired flight, you'll see a good turn begin and the disc will move to the right at the start of the flight. Let's say you aren't able to get the CD3 up to full speed.
What does each number on a disc mean?
For any Discmania disc, you'll find a series of four numbers and each one represents something about that the flight of that disc. Many in disc golf will always look for flight ratings and will always be curious about them for any new disc they are interested in. Others tend to ignore them.
Why don't you see distance drivers recommended for beginners?
You can also think of speed as the amount of power you need to put behind the disc in order to get the intended flight out of it. This is one reason why you don't see distance drivers recommended for beginners.
What is the speed of a disc?
Speed is the rate at which a disc can travel through the air. Speed 14 Distance Drivers are the fastest, having the PDGA maximum legal wing width. Faster discs cut into the wind with less effort and are best when throwing up wind. Slower discs take more power to throw upwind, but they’re easier to throw more accurately and may actually go farther downwind. High speed discs are not recommended for beginners as they require more power to fly properly.
What is the difference between stable and overstable discs?
Stability is a description of the disc’s flight path. Understable means a flight that turns right (RHBH throw). Stable is a flight that doesn’t turn. Over stable refers to a flight that turns left (RHBH throw). Spike/Spike Hyzer is a shot that lands almost vertically and doesn’t skip.
What is glide disc?
Glide describes the discs ability to maintain loft during flight. Discs with more glide are best for new players, and for producing maximum distance. Beginners wanting more distance should choose discs with more glide. Discs with less glide are more accurate in high wind situations.
How does disc stability affect weight distribution?
Disc stability is influenced by the shape of the disc and how weight is distributed across it . A lot of these factors can be a result of the plastic choice. The shape of the different parts of the disc can also have a significant impact. Parting line height is thought to be the biggest factor in disc stability.
What is the turn rating of an understable disc?
This is typically the third number on the disc. Understable discs are rated -5 to -3, stable discs are rated -2 to -1 and Overstable discs are rated 0 to 1. So the closer the turn rating is to -5, the more Understable it will be, and the closer the turn rating is to 1, the more Overstable it will be. Different disc stabilities will come in handy ...
How to tell if a disc is overstable?
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.
Why use an understable disc?
Even though the disc turns right in its flight, it will still fade back to the left. If you are trying to throw anhyzer, a shot that is meant to go to the right, using an understable disc will help with the movement to the right.
How does plastic affect disc stability?
Plastic stiffness can also affect stability. Stiffer plastics tend to be more overstable and more flexible plastics tend to fly more stable than the stiffer blends. Dome height may also play a role in disc stability. Flatter discs tend to be more overstable and discs with a higher dome tend to be stable.
What determines a disc's flight characteristics?
There are a bunch of factors that determine a disc’s flight characteristics, but one of the most commonly referred to is a disc’s stability. Knowing a disc’s stability is a huge factor in knowing how the disc will fly. Two of the most common and sought after stability types are Understable and Overstable.
What makes a disc fly more overstable?
A more concave bend in the wing shape will make the disc fly more overstable, while flatter wing shapes will be less stable. Some discs are beaded. A bead is a small added rim of plastic at the bottom of the disc. Beaded discs tend to be more stable to overstable. Beading is most common on putters.
