
What Disc Golf Numbers Mean
- Speed. The first number on a disc is it’s Speed rating. ...
- Glide. The second number found on a disc is going to be the Glide rating. ...
- Turn. Next, we will find the third rating known as Turn. ...
- Fade. Lastly, we come to the 4th rating on a disc known as Fade. ...
- Putting It All Together. ...
Full Answer
What are the numbers on disc golf discs?
What Disc Golf Numbers Mean
- Speed. The first number on a disc is it’s Speed rating. ...
- Glide. The second number found on a disc is going to be the Glide rating. ...
- Turn. Next, we will find the third rating known as Turn. ...
- Fade. Lastly, we come to the 4th rating on a disc known as Fade. ...
- Putting It All Together. ...
What do you need to know about disc golf?
Let’s check out the three different types of discs:
- Driver: this is the disc you will almost always use first for your tee shot. These discs are meant mostly for speed and distance.
- Mid-range: this disc is used mainly for approach shots close to the basket and for tee shots when the basket isn’t too far away. ...
- Putter: putters are meant to travel short distances as accurately as possible. ...
How much do you know about disc golf?
- Can drive 300 feet
- Makes 30 foot putts half of the time
- Can throw backhand and forehand well
- Has developed some other skills
What is the disc golf Metrix?
What is the Disc Golf Metrix. One of the most important parts of the Disc Golf World Tour is the Disc Golf Metrix. The Disc Golf Metrix allows competitors, media, and fans to look at a scorecard at a deeper level than in the past. No longer will you see just a hole-by-hole score.

What do the numbers mean on disk golf discs?
These four numbers represent different characteristics of the flight. The four numbers are: speed, glide, turn, fade. For example, let's take the Discmania FD. The FD has flight ratings of 7, 6, -1, 1. That means this disc has a speed rating of 7, glide rating of 6, turn rating of -1, and a fade rating of 1.
What does the 5th number on a disc golf disc mean?
First you'll see the four digits which equate to speed / glide / turn / fade, followed by a fifth number which is the old-school Discraft flight number. So now players who like one system or the other can have both for easy reference.
What does the speed number on a disc mean?
The speed rating of the disc is on a scale of 1 to 14 indicating how fast a disc should be thrown to achieve its intended flight path. More specifically, disc speed is a measure of the disc's aerodymics and is primarily determined by the width of the disc's rim.
How do you read disc golf?
3:599:08What Do The Numbers On The Disc Mean? | Flight Rating SystemYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSystem. So if we look at the mako 3 my favorite mid-range discs it's a speed of 5 a glide of five.MoreSystem. So if we look at the mako 3 my favorite mid-range discs it's a speed of 5 a glide of five. So it glides quite a bit a turn of zero. And a fade of zero. So this disc.
What are the 5 numbers on a disc?
TURN +1 TO -5 A disc with a +1 rating is most resistant to turning over, while a -5 rating will turn the most. Discs rated -3 to -5 make good roller discs. Discs with less turn are more accurate in the wind. Discs with more turn are easier to throw for beginners.
How do you tell if a disc is over or Understable?
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. If the resulting number is positive the disc is said to be overstable.
Do higher speed discs go further?
You shouldn't take this to mean that because a disc is a higher speed, it will automatically fly farther. Most players need lots of practice and training to throw a high speed disc correctly. In fact, many beginners will find that slower speed discs fly farther for them than higher speed discs.
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 far should a speed 7 disc go?
Speed 6-7 can go much further then 300, 450-500 in top pro power hands.
What is a good disc golf rating?
Players who average the course layout SSA will have a rating of 1000. As of 2021, top pro players who average scores lower than SSA have ratings over 1000 ranging up to 1050. PDGA amateur men average around 860 and women around 725.
How many discs should a beginner have?
In order to play disc golf, you need at least 3 discs: a driver, a mid-range, and a putter. But you should carry at least 6 discs (2 of each type) with you whenever you go out to play a round.
How far should a beginner throw disc golf?
According to the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA), you can expect beginners to throw disc golf discs at an average distance of around 175 to 250 feet. This is typically approximately 80% of their ultimate throwing distance, becoming farther as they gain more experience in the sport.
What is a good disc golf rating?
Players who average the course layout SSA will have a rating of 1000. As of 2021, top pro players who average scores lower than SSA have ratings over 1000 ranging up to 1050. PDGA amateur men average around 860 and women around 725.
What does the last number on Discraft discs mean?
Discraft's rating system gives a number from -3 to +3. The best way to explain this system is to think back to the 4 number system. If you add the last 2 numbers from the 4 number system (Turn and Fade) together you will approximate the number in the Discraft system.
What are the extra numbers on Discraft discs?
It is numbered from 1 to 14 and is the measurement of the disc when traveling in the air. The greater the number is on the speed rating, the faster the disc needs to travel through the air to perform optimally.
What does speed glide turn fade mean?
Basically, how a disc is supposed to fly. Speed: how hard the disc must be thrown. Glide: how long the disc can stay in the air. Turn: how much the disc turns to the right when first thrown (rhbh thrower). Fade: how much the disc turns to the left at the end of it's flight (rhbh thrower).
What is the glide number in disc golf?
The glide measurement is next, and the array goes from 1 to 7. This numbering system focuses on loft when in flight. For the newest players, discs with more glide are very favorable for all-out distance. On the other hand, less glided discs have better accuracy, especially in situations where wind is a factor. So, the higher the number, the more glide a disc golf player will get from their Frisbee.
What is the best number for a roller disc?
When looking for roller discs, -3 to -5 are a perfect number. Less turn-able discs are definitely more accurate in the wind.
What are a Skip and Spike Shot?
A skip shot is when the disc hits the ground and bounces up to fly again, before finally settling. A spike shot, or a spike hyzer, is the kind of shot that hits the ground vertically, and stops dead in its tracks.
What is the fastest disc in golf?
The first category, speed, is the degree in which a Frisbee travels through air, and it ranges from 1 to 14. If a disc reads “14,” this is the fastest disc on the market today. This is also the Professional Disc Golf Association’s (PDGA) most legal option to use. The faster the disc, the more you will see it cut through the air with less exertion. If your disc reads “1,” you can expect the disc to need more power for it to be thrown in the wind.
What are the four categories of Frisbee?
These four categories are: Speed, Glide, Turn, and Fade.
Why are long drivers impacted the most?
Different types of plastics can really throw the number system off. Long drivers really are impacted the most because of the thin plastic construction. If you use Champion and Glow Champion brands, they have less of a high-speed turn than other plastics like Driver Pro, Star, and GStar.
Do glow discs keep their characteristics?
The latter named discs keep their characteristics year after year, while the Champion and Glow Champion may start to breakdown soon rather than later. Other plastic discs, whose flight characteristics could change over time, include the R-Pro, DX, CXT, and KC Pro.
How do disc numbers help in disc golf?
Your disc numbers help you strategize and choose the best possible disc for each throw. This is one area where disc golf resembles regular golf. Just as a golfer would make a specific choice to use a wedge for a particular shot, and he would not tee off with his putter, a disc golfer needs to choose specific discs based on the distance to the target and other conditions.
How many numbers are on a disc golf disc?
Discs intended for disc golf will have four numbers on top. These numbers represent the flight pattern when the disc is thrown, and they are identified from left to right as follows:
What factors affect the glide of a disc?
The factor that influences glide more than any other is the shape of the disc. This shape is what air passes over and under when the disc is in flight. In addition to shape, the glide is affected by the player. The way you throw your disc and the angle you use will have an impact on glide.
How does a disc affect the wind?
The way you throw your disc and the angle you use will have an impact on glide. If you choose to throw the disc at an angle where the wind is under the disc, it will achieve more glide. If there is more air across the top of the disc, it will have less glide. Less glide is also inevitably going to mean less distance.
What size are Frisbees compared to discs?
Disc golf dics are smaller and denser than frisbees. Frisbees can be around 12 inches in diameter , whereas a disc will be 8 inches.
Why is a high turn disc rating important?
A high turn disc rating will help a beginner achieve a longer flight. Understable discs, those with a high turn rating, will naturally want to turn over. You have to get the hang of throwing these in different winds, which will affect the turn. Again, we emphasize the need to practice, practice, and practice some more!
What are the numbers on a disc?
For stable discs, look for a set of numbers close to these: 1 Speed 9 2 Glide 4 3 Turn -2 4 Fade 2
What are the numbers on a disc?
The four numbers on the disc are referred to as the flight rating system . This system was developed by Innova Champion Discs with the purpose of describing each disc’s flight characteristics. The system has since been adopted by most discs manufacturers. The four numbers in the rating system stand for: Speed, Glide, Turn, and Fade.
What is a disc with a rating of 1?
So keeping with the right-handed player throwing a backhand shot, a disc with a + 1 rating is considered overstable and will turn left. A disc with a 0 rating is considered stable and will fly straight. While a disc with a negative rating is considered understable and will turn right. The more turn a disc has the less accurate it is in the wind.
What does a fade rating mean on a disc?
It describes how the disc finishes at the end of it’s flight. A fade rating of zero indicates that the disc won’t fade and will finish straight. A higher fade rating means that as the disc slows down the more likely the disc is to hook.
What is the second number in the sequence?
The second number in the sequence is the glide rating . It shows how well the disc maintains loft while in the air. The higher the rating the easier it is for the disc to remain in the air. The numbers in this rating range from 1 to 7. Discs that have more glide are easier to throw farther distances. Discs that have less glide are easier to throw with accuracy and do better in windy conditions.
What is the third number in a disc sequence?
So for a player who is right-handed and throwing a backhand shot, the more turn the disc has the more likely it is to move to the left or turn over. The turn rating ranges from + 1 to -5.
Why is a disc considered a distance driver?
The disc would be a distance driver because of the speed rating. The disc would have a lot of glide and would stay in the air quite easily. If you are a right-handed player throwing the disc backhanded the disc would fly to right after leaving your hand. We know this because of the -4 turn rating.
Which is more accurate, a disc or a glide rating?
For shots that require more accuracy like putts and approach shots, a lower glide rating may need to be considered as the disc should be more accurate. You don’t want your shots floating past the target. In windy conditions, discs with less glide tend to be more accurate.
What are the four numbers on a disc golf disc?
The ratings can be categorized into four true and basic characteristics. These are speed, glide, turn, and fade.
What is a golf disc's ability to turn over to the right?
If we take the example of a right-hand backhand throw, turn describes the golf disc’s ability to turn over to the right as soon as the disc is thrown. This particular flight trait is measured by a count of 1 to -5. A +1 turn rated disc is the most resistant to turning while a -5 rated disc will have more turn and often termed as a roller disc.
What is the glide count in golf?
Glide refers to the golf disc’s ability to sustain loft during flight. In other words, it is the measure of how long the disc can stay up in the air. The glide count is measured in a range of 1 to 7. Palpably, 7 describes the longest glide while 1 means the shortest glide.
What does "turn" mean in golf?
Turn is often a measure of the stability of a golf disc. More turn means more under-stability. In an actual case, beginners take benefits from under-stability. These discs are easier to throw and beginners can easily get the most out of their throw combined with low speed and a high glide count.
Why is it important to have a higher glide disc?
As you can already assume, the glide is important because it keeps the golf disc in the air. If you’re among the players who’d want more distance when throwing a disc, then opting for a higher glide disc is the most evident choice. The same advice is given to the beginners and amateurs as well.
What is the difference between a fade disc and a 5 fade disc?
It usually kicks in after a disc has traveled its majority of the flight. A 1 rated fade disc will hardly have any fade effect and finish straight. On the other hand , a 5 rated fade disc will sharply hook at the left in the case of a right-hand backhand throw.
Why use a high fade disc?
Moreover, you can carry out flex shots with a high fade. Not to mention, if you have to overcome windy rounds , a high fade disc with a little technique will do just that.
What is a disc golf number?
Disc golf disc number is nothing but the four numbers on discs that have been introduced by the renowned company dealing in disc golf-related premium products, Innova discs. Innova started putting this numbering concept in 2009, though it has spread informally for long.
What are disc numbers used for?
Each disc follows a particular flight path. The numbers are used to identify the characteristics of each disc during their specific flight path. Because each disc has its distinct flight path for reaching the target after being thrown in the air, this characterization also helps in comparing individual models of the disc against the other. This, in turn, helps the beginner golfers to pick discs according to their requirements and understand the way different discs fly. The numbering system includes Speed, Glide, Turn and Fade of the disc, which I will be discussing further in the following paragraphs. To know that, what do disc golf disc numbers mean, it is essential to learn about this numbering system.
What is disc golf?
Disc golf is a flying sport. This sport is being played following the rules of golf, but here players throw disc towards a target, which is usually a type of basket. For primary choosing and learners, it is best to choose lighter discs, having around 166grams of weight. Pro golfers mainly want more massive discs. Disc golf discs have specific disc numbers used for the flight rating system, and this is what I am going to discuss in this article. I will try to apprise you; what do disc golf disc numbers mean.
Why is it important to read disc golf numbers?
Learning how to read disc golf numbers is important especially if you are a new disc golfer. It will help in so many ways in improving your skills and also on your disc selection during the game.
What are the numbers on a Discraft disc?
Those four numbers can be called characters which will determine the different aspects that affect the disc flight. The four numbers on the disc indicate the speed, glide, turn, and fade of the disc in the same order.
What is the speed rating on a disc?
The Speed. The first number found on the left side of the flight rating system is the speed rating. It is numbered from 1 to 14 and is the measurement of the disc when traveling in the air. The greater the number is on the speed rating, the fastest the disc travels in the air. Usually, the faster discs easily cut in the air with less effort ...
Why do players use the flight rating system?
The flight rating system is often used by players to compare different discs and how they will perform during the flight in the air. Based on my experience, I can say that each disc has a distinct character and flight pattern which makes every disc unique to each other.
Why use a disc with a low glide rating?
If you are just starting, I would suggest using the disc with a higher glide rating because it will give more distance during the throw.
What does 5 fade mean on a disc?
Meanwhile, if the disc has a 5 fade rating, it has the best chance to go to the left at the end portion of the flight. The fade rating of the disc can also be referred to as the stability of the disc when it is losing power at the end of the flight. The fade will come once the end of the flight starts.
What is the third number on a disc?
The third number is the turn and is usually numbered from +1 to -5. This rating is the indicator of the chances of the disc to curve to the right during the beginning of the flight. This is usually applicable when the disc is being thrown by a right-hand-backhand thrower. The disc with the +1 rating will have more resistance from turning over while the -5 has the more tendency to turn to the right.
What does the number on a golf disc mean?
The number that is available on the golf disk will represent the characteristics of the disk and how it will fly in the air as it will be the flight rating system. It will also represent the speed of the disc in the air, glide, and fade as well. This is the basic idea of how the disc will fly so if you have a certain number on it then, it will show the true character of that particular disc.
How many glide numbers are there on a disc?
Glide will show how much distance it can cover when you throw it (How long the disc can stay in the air). Glide can be rated with numbers from 1-7 and if the higher number is there on disc, then it will be good for new players and if you want a disc to be in the air for more time then you should choose the disc with a high glide number.
Why do you need to know disc ratings?
The reasons why you need to know about the disc ratings are to know about the disc physics as it is important before you throw it as a player. The physics of disc flight control will help you to understand the fact that how the disc will fly.
What does speed mean on a disc?
Speed will show how hard the disc can be thrown. So, it is the ability of the disc to cut the air to fly at a good speed. Speed rating can be between 1-14 and numbers with higher values mean that the disc will go far away with less power and similarly if the number on it is lower then, it will cover less distance with even more power. So, the number identifies the speed of the disc when thrown.
What number discs are most resistant to the turn?
The lower the number, the more the turn will be. The higher the number, the fewer chances of the turn. So, the +1 number disc will be most resistant to the turn. However, if you have numbers between -2 and -5, they will make a good roller disc.
Can you choose discs for glide?
As in the market, there are a lot of discs available however you need to choose one as per, you’re playing style. If you know about the glide only then you can decide if you want the disc to cover a longer distance in the air. So, if you have basic knowledge about the discs only then you can decide the disc as per your game style else, it will be difficult for you to go with the discs.
