The four different categories of disc golf discs are distance drivers, fairway drivers, midranges, and putters. Although most disc types can be swapped out and thrown, each disc is designed for specific shots and situations. Here’s my overview of the different discs and their main uses!
Full Answer
What is disc golf?
The sport was formalized in the 1970s and shares with golf the object of completing each hole in the fewest strokes (or, in the case of disc golf, fewest throws). A disc golf hole begins from a tee area and ends at a target, the most common of which is an elevated metal basket.
What is the difference between disc golf rounds and tournaments?
For scoring and winning disc golf rounds, the player with the lowest total score after the round is the winner. Most casual rounds finish after playing all 18 holes on the course, while professional disc golf tournaments consist of multiple rounds, either at the same course or switching courses each round.
What does 2 for 1 mean in disc golf?
Also referred to as two for one. Two-meter rule – A rule stating that if a disc lands in a tree or other object and is two or more meters above the playing surface, a penalty stroke is received. It is an optional rule, rarely used, that is at the discretion of the tournament director.
Why choose DGA discs?
Find out why more and more players are turning to DGA discs as their go-to choice. Create an event people will want to come back to by providing more value and better packages that only DGA offers. Check out disc golf rules for recreational play, learn about course development, and more from the company that invented it.
What are the 3 types of discs?
There are four main types of disc golf discs - distance drivers, fairway drivers, midranges, and putters. Choosing the right type of disc for the right situation can make all the difference in your score!
What is a disc golf disc?
0:061:51What is Disc Golf? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you're thinking golf you're halfway there actually the sport is disc golf some call it frisbeeMoreIf you're thinking golf you're halfway there actually the sport is disc golf some call it frisbee golf and as Tyler shows us it's not as easy as it. Looks. The experts say it's all in the wrist.
What are the three types of discs used in disc golf?
There is a wide variety of discs used in disc golf and they are generally divided into three categories: putters, all-purpose mid-range discs, and drivers.
What are the types of discs?
Disc golf discs fall into four primary categories: distance drivers, fairway drivers, midrange discs, and putters. Discs are not used interchangeably – they are designed to behave a certain way / fit into one of these four groups classified by their speed, or how fast they fly through the air.
Why is it called disc golf?
Headrick coined and trademarked the term “Disc Golf” after inventing and patenting the original Disc Pole Hole. Headrick had originally wanted to call his invention a Frisbee Pole Hole but ran into issues over the Frisbee trademarked belonging to Wham-O where he had served as Vice President.
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.
What is the most popular disc in disc golf?
1. Discraft Buzzz – Mid-range (5, 4, -1, 1) The Buzzz is #1 on this list because it's hands down the most popular disc golf disc used today.
How do I choose a disc golf disc?
How to pick out discs using the flight ratingsSpeed ranges 1 to 14. Speed is just about the single most important factor when looking for disc golf discs. ... Glide ranges 1 to 7. ... Turn ranges 1 to -5. ... Fade ranges from 0 to 5. ... Don't worry about what the pros throw… ... Skip the drivers. ... Weight matters. ... Plastic matters.More items...
What disc should I throw?
The best disc for learning how to throw is a neutral mid-range or an approach disc. A neutral disc's Turn and Fade characteristics are 0, or very close to it.
How do you tell the difference between disc golf?
The most obvious distinction is a disc golf disc is smaller than a frisbee, but more dense. Frisbees are designed specifically for throwing and catching, with a tall profile and rounded outer edge. Disc golf discs are designed specifically for only throwing and not catching.
What is a driver disc?
A disk driver is a device driver that allows a specific disk drive to communicate with the remainder of the computer. A good example of this driver is a floppy disk driver.
How do I play a disc?
1:293:21How To Play Disc Golf - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's important to keep your points of contact at all times until the release then you're allowed toMoreIt's important to keep your points of contact at all times until the release then you're allowed to follow throughout the tee pad.
Why is disc golf so popular?
It's easy to see why disc golf is growing in popularity, especially among those over 50. Its rules are simple, and it's easy on joints and muscles, inexpensive and promotes social connections. Players throw a disc at a target called a disc golf basket on a course with either nine or 18 holes.
How is disc golf similar to golf?
The biggest similarity that disc golf has with golf is that a course is played in very much the same way. Where soccer, basketball, and hockey are played on a court that goes back and forth between two baskets, disc golf has 18 baskets. The 18 baskets are going to form a course, just like regular golf.
How do disc golf discs fly?
A disc is like a gyroscope in that it uses gyroscopic inertia, the tendency of a gyroscope to keep spinning in the same plane without twisting and turning. With no spin, a disc is inherently unstable, and with no speed, no lift is generated, so a combination of these factors is needed for a disc to fly.
What is disc golf?
Disc golf has a vocabulary of its own. There are lots of “words” you’ll hear on the disc golf course that you won’t hear anywhere else. This guide is designed to help you understand the different disc golf lingo and help you understand what the avid discers are talking about when you join them for a league or tournament round.
What is an A-tier disc golf tournament?
A disc golf tournament type where only paid PDGA members are allowed to play. A-Tier tournaments have at least three rounds, are played over multiple days , and the tournament director is not allowed to play. At the time this dictionary was written, PDGA A-Tier tournaments require a minimum of $3,000 be added to professional players payout purse. Events can only be approved for A-Tier status after multiple years running as a B-Tier event.
Why do you have to throw mandos in disc golf?
Mandos are established to improve the safety, challenge, and design of a course. Holes can have multiple mandos where you must throw left, right, under, or even over certain marked objects. One of the most famous mandos in disc golf is the triple mando wall built for the United States Disc Golf Championship.
How much does a PDGA membership cost?
PDGA membership costs $50 per year for amateur players and $100 per year for professional players.
How much does a B-tier disc golf tournament cost?
A PDGA B-Tier is a class of tournament that consists of at least two different disc golf rounds and has a minimum of $750 in added cash for pro purse payout.
What is an air bounce in disc golf?
Air Bounce. Throwing your disc in such a way that the disc suddenly “bounces” or “rises” into the air early into its flight. Throw this type of shot to get beneath low lying branches. Air bounces are commonly used in Ultimate Frisbee, but very difficult to do in disc golf.
When gripping a disc, what is the side of the disc opposite the player's hand?
When gripping the disc, the side of the disc opposite the player’s hand. The position of the wing-up, down, or level-determines the release of the disc to be hyzer or anhyzer.
What is a frisbee disc?
Frisbee – The name for the traditional circular flying disc. The Frisbee is a trademarked product by Wham-O toys. Serious disc golfers don’t usually refer to golf discs as Frisbees. Frisbee Golf – Another term for ‘disc golf’ that is typically used by recreational players.
What is 150 class disc?
150 class – A class of discs that weigh less than 160g. 150 class discs are the only golf discs allowed in some countries.
What is an albatross in golf?
Albatross (double eagle) – When a player completes a hole three under par. Anhyzer (Anny) – When a player throws a disc at an angle (for a RHBH player) that has the left side of the disc higher than the right upon release. The goal in using this type of throw is to get the disc to fly to the right initially.
What is a basket in golf?
Basket – A device designed to catch a disc by using a number of chains to stop its flight. Bead – A ridge or edge on the bottom of the rim of a disc. Birdie – When a player completes a hole one under par. Black ace – When a player throws from a tee pad into an unintended basket in one throw.
What is a fairway driver?
Fairway driver – A disc that has a speed rating of 6-9. Commonly used for shorter holes or on second throws on a long hole. This is a driver, but does not have a rim as thick as a distance driver. Fairway ace (Field ace) – Throwing the disc into the basket from a long ways away, but not from the tee pad.
What is a mando in math?
Mando – Short for ‘mandatory’. The route a disc must take around an object, such as a tree or pole. Usually, an arrow will mark the direction the disc must take. With double mandos, the disc must pass between the two objects.
What is fade in discs?
Fade – The last number of the common four-number flight rating of a disc. Refers to how far the disc drifts to the left (RHBH throw) as it slows down near the end of its flight (low speed stability).
What is an ace in disc golf?
An Ace is essentially a hole-in-one. When you drive off the tee pad and your disc goes in the basket in one shot, that is considered an Ace in disc golf. Scoring an ace is an incredibly difficult task and is often seen as a badge of pride among players.
What is a disc golf basket?
A disc golf basket, or sometimes called a cage, is the target players aim at while playing the game. Typically, the target is made of a metal basket on a pole with chains hanging down over the basket. Players complete each hole by throwing their disc into the chains, which causes their disc to drop down into the basket.
What is a backhand throw in disc golf?
A backhand throw in disc golf is a throw made with the disc in front of the body, starting with the reach back, then the pull, then the release and follow through. It is the most common throwing style in disc golf and looks similar to a traditional frisbee throw.
What is push putt disc golf?
Push putting is a putting style in disc golf that is more of a toss than a throw. Push putts have low spin and more height as they travel in an arch. This makes them more susceptible to wind and lowers the distance they can be thrown, but does increase accuracy over spin putting.
What is disc stability?
Stability in disc golf is the description of a discs flight path. There are three classifications of disc stability: Understable, Stable and Overstable. Understable discs have more turn than fade and are more susceptible to turnover. Stable discs generally fly fairly straight and flat.
What does it mean when a disc is thrown flat?
Nose down in disc golf refers to the angle of the flight of a disc being level to the trajectory of the throw. Which essentially means the disc is thrown flat. Nose down doesn’t always mean level to the ground. Rather, the disc should be level to the plane on which it’s thrown.
What is a mando in golf?
Mando. Mando is short for mandatory and is a typically a tree or other obstacle that the throw must be to one side of. A mandatory’s purpose is to restrict the path a disc may take to the basket. Often times, the mandatory will block off a much easier path to the basket, making the hole more difficult for players.
Important Notes About These Rules
The first thing we should note is that some of these rules might change depending on the environment and who you’re playing with. The PDGA has an official rulebook that covers every little detail that you might come across during a tournament round.
General Rules of Disc Golf
Since there are too many rules and regulations to fully understand, here’s a simplified guide of which rules you should know to play disc golf.
Disc Golf Scoring Rules
For scoring and winning disc golf rounds, the player with the lowest total score after the round is the winner.
Rules for Your Equipment
There are regulations for each type of disc golf disc, from putters to drivers. For local and official tournaments, it’s important to follow the PDGA standards to avoid throwing an illegal disc.
Who Throws Their Disc First?
When starting a new hole, the first person to throw from the tee is the player who had the best score on the previous hole. The lowest score takes the box and will continue to hold it until they get beaten out on one of the next holes.
Final Thoughts
This was a simplified overview of the important disc golf rules that every player should follow. There are a lot of regulations and specifications that go into each rule, so if you’re interested in learning more you can visit the official rules of the PDGA.
Best Discraft Fairway Drivers
The Undertaker has become the instant favorite for many disc golfers that have given it a throw or two. Any player with enough arm speed should throw this fairway driver to see how easy and predictable it is to use.
Education
Check out disc golf rules for recreational play, learn about course development, and more from the company that invented it.
DGA Welcomes Catrina Allen
https://youtu.be/RKBp5lLBXow We are honored to have Catrina Allen, disc golf's…
DGA Welcomes Catrina Allen
https://youtu.be/RKBp5lLBXow We are honored to have Catrina Allen, disc golf's…
Why do disc golfers mark their discs?
Most disc golf players mark their discs so if they get lost in the woods or a water hazard and someone else happens to find the disc later on, they know who it belongs to and it can be returned to its rightful owner. Let’s say you lose your disc deep in the woods and can’t find it despite searching for 20 minutes.
Why do disc golfers put their phone number on their discs?
Many players also put their phone number to help aid in returning the disc more quickly if it is ever lost.
What is the PDGA rule for a mini marker disc?
A player receives one penalty throw for each subsequent throw of an unmarked disc.”. This is PDGA Official Rule 813.01 and you can find this rule in your PDGA handbook or online.
Why was it so hard to determine which disc made it farther down the fairway?
Deciding which disc made it farther down the fairway was difficult because neither of the discs were marked. Ultimately, only warnings were issued but since McBeth warned the marshal prior to the disc being thrown, it could’ve easily resulted in a penalty throw for Owens instead.
How to mark a disc?
How to Mark Your Disc. The easiest and most popular way to mark your disc is by writing your name, phone number, and PDGA number (if you have one) on the bottom of the disc with a Sharpie. This helps to distinguish your disc as unique.
What can you do to make your discs unique?
Stamps. If you want to be unique, you can have a custom stamp created to mark your discs. This is a cool way to personalize your discs because the design can be of your own creation and it will definitely be recognizable among other players.
Why is it important to put a marking on a disc?
We learned that it’s important to put some sort of identifying mark on your disc because you never know if you and another player could be throwing discs that look exactly the same and you need to be able to tell them apart.
What is a disc?
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What is the name of the publisher of the DiSC?
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What should the primary tee sign on a golf course indicate?
The primary tee on each hole should have permanent signs indicating the hole number, length (s), teeing direction (if needed) and par for that skill level (see next section). When a hole has more than one target location, it’s helpful if the current location can be identified on the sign.
Why do golf courses have two sets of tees?
Many new courses are being developed with two or more sets of tees to better serve the different skill levels of players in the community , even if all the tees aren’t installed right away due to budget constraints. Some courses install additional sets of baskets as well.
How many holes are there in a golf course?
HOLE COUNT: Most courses are 9 or 18 holes. There are several with 12, 24 or 27 holes. It's better to install a well-designed, dual tee 12-hole course than it is to install a cramped 18-hole course on the same piece of land. It's tradition the number of holes be divisible by 3 but is not required.
How does a well balanced golf course work?
Ideally, a well-balanced course has a mixture of holes that go completely through the woods, partially through woods and mostly in the open.
Where should the tee be on a golf course?
The tee for the first hole should ideally be the closest to the regular parking area. The target for the last hole should not be too far from the parking area and relatively close to the first tee. If possible, try to locate at least one other hole in the middle of course near the parking area.
Can disc golf be played in public parks?
LAYOUT: Disc golf courses can be enjoyed safely in many different types of public parks and private areas, whether the space is used exclusively for disc golf or shared with other activities. Here are some basic ideas about the layout to keep in mind when designing a course.
Can you use a golf cart on a disc golf course?
Except for some disc golf courses on traditional golf courses, carts are not utilized as a regular part of the disc golf game. The normal challenges presented by the sometimes-rough terrain utilized for courses make it unrealistic to accommodate everyone on every hole.
What is a Disc Golf Bag Tag?
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What is a disc golf bag tag?
Bag Tags are a way to make a round of disc golf more competitive. You can purchase them at different clubs and they are distributed in order of purchase.
A–
- A-Tier
A disc golf tournament type where only paid PDGA members are allowed to play. A-Tier tournaments have at least three rounds, are played over multiple days, and the tournament director is not allowed to play. At the time this dictionary was written, PDGA A-Tier tournaments … - Ace
Throwing your disc into the basket on your first shot off the tee box. In disc golf, it is common to have any spectators sign the “ace shot” when witnessing a disc golf ace.
B–
- B-Tier
A PDGA B-Tier is a class of tournament that consists of at least two different disc golf rounds and has a minimum of $750 in added cash for pro purse payout. - Backhand
A throwing style in which the player points their right shoulder towards the target in an RHBH (Right-hand backhand) throw. The disc is then pulled across the chest from left to right and released. A backhand throw (RHBH) will cause a normal disc golf disc to fade to the left near th…
C–
- C-Tier
A class of disc golf tournament with the least strict requirements. C-Tier events can consist of a single round of disc golf and do not require any additional payout. Disc golfers do not need to be members of the PDGA to play in C-Tier tournaments but if they are not members need a $10 no… - Card
In tournaments, leagues, and competitive disc golf settings players play in groups called “cards.” Your “card” will all write their scores on a single scorecard to be turned in to the tournament director at the completion of the round
D–
- Deuce
Completing a disc golf hole in two shots. - Disc
A plastic circular object used in disc golf is commonly referred to as a Frisbee.
E–
- Eagle
Completing a hole two shots under par. A two on a par four or a three on a par five-hole. Also the name of the first bevel edge disc made by Innova Champion Discs.
F–
- Fade
The path of a disc during the slower portion, or “finish,” of a disc’s flight when it naturally turns left (RHBH) or right (RHFH). - Fan Grip
A grip style where the fingers are extended and not wrapped tightly together. This grip style is typically used for shorter control shots.
G–
- Green
The putting area. Sometimes referred to as the area within the circle but oftentimes refers to the area near the basket where a normal putt shot is possible. - Grip lock
When a disc gets stuck in a player’s hand causing them to accidentally release later than expected usually causing a poor throw.
H–
- Headwind
Wind blowing directly at you. A disc will fly more understable in a headwind (for RHBH, your disc is more likely to turn right). For best performance, throw more overstable discs when throwing into a headwind. - Helix
see “flex shot.” Also the name of several discs manufactured by Lightning Discs.
J–
- Jump Putt
A putting technique using a forward jumping motion to increase distance. A jump putt is only legal outside of 10 meters (32.8 feet) from the basket.
L–
- Lay-up
A strategic throw designed to set up the next shot. Examples include an approach shot that prepares for an easy putt or a conservative drive that avoids a water hazard. - League
A group of disc golfers that get together, typically on a weekly basis to play competitive disc golf — usually for small cash payout or prizes. A league is often referred to as a mini-tournament. Joining a disc golf league is an excellent way to get disc golf tips and improve your game.