
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?
So what do the numbers on a disc golf disc mean? The four numbers on a disc golf disc are a flight ratings system that represent the true characteristics of a disc golf disc as it flies through the air, including the speed, glide, turn, and fade of the disc. Basically, how a disc is supposed to fly. Speed: how hard the disc must be thrown.
What do you need to know about disc golf?
Jan 26, 2021 · What do these numbers stand for? Simply enough, these numbers represent that specific disc's flight ratings, or characteristics. In order, these ratings are: Speed Glide Turn, and Fade Okay, but, What are disc golf disc ratings? Let's take a look at each of the ratings and break down what they are and their significance. Speed Speed is typically the first number seen on a …
What is the best golf disc?
Sep 01, 2020 · The first number on a disc is it’s Speed rating. This number is usually a value between 1-14, with 1 being the slowest and 14 being the fastest. As a beginner, you’ll find that slower discs are easier to throw as they require less power and are oftentimes more accurate.
Which disc golf brand is best?
Jun 01, 2020 · 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. Turning Fast

What do these numbers stand for?
Simply enough, these numbers represent that specific disc's flight ratings, or characteristics. In order, these ratings are:
What are disc golf disc ratings?
Let's take a look at each of the ratings and break down what they are and their significance.
Glide
The second number is in reference to the amount of glide that disc is rated for.
Turn
This rating is severely underutilized by beginner players when they are trying to learn how to throw. Many people, myself included, want to try to learn right away how to use fast speed drivers with stable to overstable flight patters to account for mistakes in form and technique.
Fade
Fade is the amount of "hook" that a disc is likely to have at the end of it's flight pattern. Some discs are meant to be great for doglegs and navigating around objects while others require a straighter approach to the basket or landing zone.
How many numbers are on a disc?
Updated: Dec 29, 2020. As you start handling discs or even shopping for them, you may begin to notice that some of them have a series of 4 numbers marked on them. You may ask yourself,
What is the third rating in disc golf?
When a disc is thrown back hand by a right handed thrower, the “Turn” indicates how much a disc will want to “turn over” during its initial flight upon release ( disc golf lingo for a disc going flat and straight before finishing to the right) and will be rated with a scale between +1 and -5.
What is the second number on a disc?
The second number found on a disc is going to be the Glide rating. Glide will be rated on a scale between 1 and 7 with 7 being the highest. Glide can be described as a disc’s tendency to stay afloat when thrown.
What is the speed rating on a disc?
The first number on a disc is it’s Speed rating. This number is usually a value between 1-14, with 1 being the slowest and 14 being the fastest. As a beginner, you’ll find that slower discs are easier to throw as they require less power and are oftentimes more accurate. Think of throwing a baseball vs a wiffle ball.
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.
What is a skip 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 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.
How fast can a disc fly?
Depending on the disc manufacturer the numbers can range from 1 to 14. The speed of the disc also indicates the disc’s purpose. Putters range from 1-3. Midranges disc has a 4 or 5 rating.
What is the speed rating of a fairway driver?
Fairway drivers range from 6-8. Finally, distances drivers have a speed rating from 9-14. Faster rated discs can handle being thrown into the wind because they cut the wind better. Slower rated discs don’t do well when thrown into the wind and must be thrown with more force when throwing upwind.
What is the third number in a sequence?
The third number in the sequence is the turn rating. It describes the tendency of the disc to curve when it immediately leaves your hand. 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.
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.
What is an overstable disc?
Overstable refers to a flight that turns left (RHBH throw). Spike/Spike Hyzer is a shot that lands almost vertically and doesn’t skip. Skip is a shot that is meant to fly after it hits the ground. Understable discs are much more speed sensitive than stable or overstable discs.
What is high speed turn?
High Speed Turn is the tendency of a disc to turn over or bank to the right (for RHBH throws ) during the initial part of the flight. 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.
What is the fastest disc to fly?
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 low speed fade?
Low Speed Fade is the discs tendency to hook left (for RHBH throws) at the end of the flight. Fade is rated from 0 to 5. A disc rated 0 will finish straightest, while a disc rated 5 will hook hard at the end of the flight. High fade discs are usually used for Spike and Skip shots.
What is the glide number on a disc?
Glide is how long your disc can maintain it flight and is what is referred to as flight time or loft. Discs with more glide are usually better for new players because they don’t require as much power or technique to fly for long distances. The higher the glide number, the longer maximum distance you should be able to produce from a throw.
What is the fastest disc?
Speed is how fast a disc is capable of travelling through the air, if you have enough power to propel it. Obviously a driver disc that has a rating of 14 has the potential to be the fastest disc possible because they have the widest wingspans allowing them to soar much faster than the smaller width discs.
What is fade in golf?
Fade is the discs tendency to hook left (for RHBH throws) at the end of the flight. A disc that has a rating of 0 will continue through the end of the throw in the straightest path possible. A disc that has a rating of 5 will hook left very hard at the end of the flight.
How long has Innova been in business?
Innova has been in the disc golf game for a very long time. In fact, they have been in business for over 35 years starting back in 1983 when they started developing disc golf discs and equipment for an already growing sport.
