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what do the numbers in disc golf mean

by Mrs. Michelle Koss Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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What Do the Numbers on Disc Golf Discs Mean?

  • Speed. What Does It Mean? Speed is generally the rate at which the disc can travel through the air. ...
  • Glide. What it refers to? ...
  • Turn. 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.
  • Fade. What Does It Mean? ...

Full Answer

What do the numbers on a disc golf disc mean?

What Do the Numbers on a Frisbee Golf Disc Mean?

  • Meaning Of Numbers on The Golf Disk. The number that is available on the golf disk will represent the characteristics of the disk and how it will fly in the ...
  • Purchasing Discs Suitable for Your Style. As in the market, there are a lot of discs available however you need to choose one as per, you’re playing style.
  • Comparing Discs. ...

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 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 does disc mean in golf?

Disc golf seems to have brought the term over from traditional golf, but it still has a significant meaning in the sport of disc golf. Players will refer to the target basket as the pin. If a player says that they want to land their disc at ‘Pin High’, then it means that they are attempting to land their approach disc as close to the basket ...

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What do the numbers on the disc golf mean?

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 mean?

0:114:50What's DISCRAFT's 5th Flight Number? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what is this fifth number and what does it mean well if you want the short answer it's simplyMoreSo what is this fifth number and what does it mean well if you want the short answer it's simply their old school stability. System however if you want to better understand their stability.

How do you read disc golf?

6:089:08What Do The Numbers On The Disc Mean? | Flight Rating SystemYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt can take a lot of torque. So now that you understand the four-numbered flight rating system thereMoreIt can take a lot of torque. So now that you understand the four-numbered flight rating system there are a few important reminders factors that greatly affect how a disc flies.

What does the third number on a disc mean?

The third number from the left will be a +1 through -5, and it indicates how much the disc will turn while in flight — it's also sometimes called high-speed stability (HSS). The turn number is the amount the disc will curve immediately after you let go of it.

What speed disc should I throw?

Disc golf throws generally fall into three categories and recommended disc speeds: Putts usually use low speed discs to maximize accuracy. Approaches and midrange shots usually use medium speed discs to balance speed and accuracy. Drives usually use higher speed discs to maximize distance.

How do I know if my disk is Overstable or Understable?

One quick way to tell if a disc is Overstable or Understable is to look at its Turn rating. 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.

What do the 4 flight numbers mean on a disc?

The four numbers on the disc indicate the speed, glide, turn, and fade of the disc in the same order. The flight rating system is often used by players to compare different discs and how they will perform during the flight in the air.

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 the most Understable disc?

The Mamba is one of the most understable disc golf discs ever made and sports a ridiculous -5 turn rating (turn ranges from 1 to -5, with -5 being the most turn). The Mamba is the best disc on the market for roller shots.

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.

Is Overstable or Understable for forehand?

understable discIf you need a forehand to get distance from a standstill, being able to throw a faster, more understable disc is often easier than trying to smash a big flex shot with an overstable one.

What is a Hyzer Flip?

A Hyzer Flip is very similar to an S-Shot but follows a straighter line. An understable disc is thrown very fast with a hyzer angle of release. The disc turns or “flips” up and brings its nose down in the process. This allows for a long straight glide.

What are the numbers on Discraft disc?

Discraft uses a single number based on where the disc lands after completing its flight. 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.

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 is RHBH disc golf?

RHBH – Short for 'right-handed backhand'. A type of throw where a person throws with their right hand with a backhand throw. Other throws are RHFH for 'right-handed forehand', and the equivalent throws for left-handed players, LHBH and LHFH. When discussing disc flight it is important to make this distinction.

How is disc golf speed measured?

How to measure arm speedTake the farthest distance you consistently throw and divide by 35.Radar gun.Find a non beat in disc in non premium plastic, that flies the way the numbers say it should. (Ricky W will not be participating in this one).

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 Golf Disc?

The four numbers correspond to the following characteristics: speed, glide, turn, and fade .

What are disc golf flight numbers?

People are often confused by these mystical numbers and sometimes don’t even pay any attention to them! The Disc Golf flight numbers are what determine the disc’s flight path, a crucial component of having an accurate throw and improving as a disc golfer.

Why is a high glide disc good?

Discs with high glide tend to stay in the air for much longer, so this disc is a great way to counteract a slow arm speed. When the release velocity of a disc is slower, a disc loses its lift, so a high glide disc will help keep it in the air longer.

Why is there no maximum glide disc in disc golf?

This is because their extremely high exit velocity combined with a high glide disc would likely create too much lift, and wouldn’t give them the intended flight path.

Why are high speed discs so interesting?

High speed discs are incredibly interesting, because although they have the potential to go much farther, if the disc isn’t thrown with proper form it will take a complete different flight than the intended path. This disc is ready for the next record-breaking throw, but it needs the right person to be behind it. If a beginner tries to throw this disc, it will likely fly in an extremely overstable path and land much farther left than intended.

How low can a rhyno disc go?

It is a very slow flying discs, but experienced players can throw the disc up to 250-300 feet. It has a nice thumb groove for an ergonomic grip, and extremely low glide which makes it good for short lay ups that can’t go past the basket.

What is the most common flight number system for disc golf?

There are multiple types of rating systems, including single number, 3, and 4 number. The 4 number rating system created by Innova Discs is the most commonly used disc golf flight number system in the world today.

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.

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 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.

What does fade mean in a game?

Fade will show how many discs will turn to the left when it will be close to the ending of its flight. The numbers will be from 0-5 on the discs. If it has the lowest number that is 0 then it means that it will finish straight at the end of the flight. However, if it has number 5, then it will hook hard at the end of the flight.

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.

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 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 understable disc?

Understable discs are much more speed sensitive than stable or overstable discs. An understable disc will often fly stable to overstable at low speed. Beginners tend to throw discs at lower speeds. For more information on these terms or others, refer to our Glossary of Terms.

What are the flight ratings on Innova discs?

The Innova Flight Ratings System was designed as a way to describe a discs intended flight. Flight Ratings are broken into four main categories: Speed, Glide, Turn, & Fade. These characteristics can be used to rate various aspects of each disc’s flight. Each disc has a distinct "personality"; the flight path that makes that disc unique. Flight Ratings can be used to compare Innova golf discs to each other. Other companies have adopted a similar system, but it’s important to note that flight ratings shouldn’t be used to compare discs between brands since each company rates discs differently. We have over 90 disc models to satisfy a wide range of players and throwing techniques. To learn more about what each of these characteristics mean, refer to the descriptions below. Flight Ratings are based on right hand backhand (RHBH) throws.

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.

Which plastic discs have the highest flight?

While the flight ratings should give the thrower a good expectation of a disc’s flight, the exact flight is dependent on many factors like the particular material it is made with and, the throwers style and speed. Champion plastic generally produces the most high speed stable discs, followed by Star, DX, Pro, and R-Pro.

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