
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?
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. Glide: how long the disc can stay in the air.
What do you need to know about disc golf?
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 …
What is the best golf disc?
Jan 26, 2021 · Generally, when you pick up most stock disc golf discs, you'll find a series of 4 numbers printed on them. What do these numbers stand for? Simply enough, these numbers …
Which disc golf brand is best?
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 …

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 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.
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 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 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 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 does speed mean on a disc?
What Does It Mean? Speed is generally the rate at which the disc can travel through the air. It can also be interpreted as how hard the disc must be thrown to perform at its maximum. The first of the four numbers you see represents the speed count. The speed rating is represented on a scale of 1 to 14.
What is the most important factor in golf?
Speed is the single most important factor to determine other related characteristics that are glide, turn, and fade. It determines whether or not the golf disc will fly correctly and cover the optimum distance.
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.
What is low speed fade?
Low-speed fade generally refers to the disc’s ability to hook left at the end stage of the throw. Fade is rated from1 to 5. 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.
Is disc golf the same as golf?
Disc golf is very similar to golf and presents the same challenges, whether it is making a long putt, being forced to throw from a bush, or around a tree in the middle of the fairway. However, there are some significant differences when it comes to golf. The practice of disc golf is free, and it is not necessary to rent, for example, a golf cart.
What are the different types of discs in golf?
In Disc Golf, we find three different types of discs: Putter, Midrange, and Driver. This last category is then divided into two to make a correct classification. Putters are precision or short shot discs, midrange discs are midrange discs and are more unstable than putters, and drivers are long-range discs and are the most precarious of all.
Is disc golf a hobby?
The sport of disc golf can be a lifelong hobby. It attracts both young people and adults and is also played with people with disabilities. It is easy to learn and does not exclude any person. Many people who play Discgolf also play Ultimate and vice versa.
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.
