Best Disc Golf Drivers for Beginners

Beginner Picking out first Disc

Summer is here and disc golf courses are becoming overcrowded throughout the country. During this annual flock to the courses the great sport we call disc golf is being discovered by thousands of new rookies. As beginning disc golfers learn about the complexities of the game, the first thing they typically want to know is, “what are the best disc golf drivers?”

To a new disc golfer, the ‘best’ driver typically means the one that will fly farthest —  It’s all about getting distance. Beginners rarely want to start out with a “slow” midrange or putter.

When a new disc golfer first glances the many varieties of available drivers, they often assume that high speed discs will go farther. Experienced disc golfers know this is rarely the case. Until a player develops sufficient technique, other discs are best.

True, not all new players to the sport will start be at the same skill level. Define beginner as you would like. What we want to know is which disc is the best for your typical beginner.

Best Discs for New Players

We’ve asked the following questions to our site visitors:

  1. What prior disc-throwing experiences did you have before you played disc golf?
  2. What drivers do you recommend for new disc golfers?
  3. What discs worked well for you when you were new to the game? Why?
  4. What new discs have you seen work well for beginners that you wish you would have had?
  5. What disc advice would you give to a beginner?

Hopefully, advice from experienced disc golfers will help you select discs that will decrease the learning curve, and help you to get better more quickly.

Summary of Your Responses

After carefully reading all of your posts these are the main tips you’ve shared:

1. Disc golfers come from many different backgrounds including, but not limited to:
Ultimate, Catch-and-throw Frisbee, baseball, discus, catch with the dog, and badminton. Ok, that last one might not be true..

2. Here is a list of the most recommended drivers for beginners according to this post:

**22 other discs were mentioned one or two times.

3. Here are some discs that worked well for the experienced players when they were starting:

**20 other discs were mentioned one or two times.

4. Here are some discs that the experienced players wish they had when they started:

Others also mentioned:

5. Here are some common tips from the experienced players for those new to the sport:

  • Try driving with a putter, then moving to a mid-range, then finally a driver.
  • Play disc with others who are experienced and ask for tips.
  • Watch YouTube videos to learn proper throwing form.
  • Focus on your form first, not your distance.
  • Play often, and practice your throws in an open area.
  • Don’t get discouraged, and HAVE FUN!
One common theme among beginners is the desire for drivers that can provide maximum distance. However, it’s noted that beginners often assume that high-speed discs will automatically lead to longer throws, which experienced disc golfers know is not necessarily the case. Until a player develops the necessary technique, high-speed drivers may not be the best choice.
Based on the responses from the disc golf community, several drivers have emerged as popular choices for beginners.
Additionally, there were mentions of 22 other discs that were recommended one or two times, highlighting the wide variety of options available to beginners.
Experienced players also shared their experiences with discs that worked well for them when they were starting out. Some of the mentioned discs include the Innova Valkyrie, TeeBird, Shark, and Roc, among others.
Furthermore, there were mentions of discs that experienced players wished they had when they were beginners. The Discraft Buzzz was a popular choice with 7 votes, even though it’s not a driver. Latitude 64 Diamond received 3 votes as well. Several other discs were mentioned in this category, showcasing the diversity of options available to disc golfers.
Finally, the experienced players offered some common tips for those new to the sport. These tips included starting with a putter, then transitioning to a mid-range disc before moving on to a driver, playing with experienced players to seek guidance and tips, watching instructional videos on platforms like YouTube to learn proper throwing form, emphasizing form over distance, practicing frequently in open areas, and maintaining a positive attitude and having fun on the course.

This summary is a great overview of many posts. Feel free to read more below and find some real gems of advice!

 

74 comments

  • 1) None.
    2)Any understable driver at a lighter weight. Wait to build up the arm and skill for a heavy driver with a big name and reputation. I like a Innova Roadrunner or Nuke SS.
    3)To be honest I really liked an old Gremlin I found at a garage sale. It had a wonderful glide and I could use it for driving as well as midrange shots. The key was it was a bit on the light side (166g) so I could master the basics but still have fun with some long throws.
    5)Any starter 3 pack (say from Innova) is great for a beginner.
    6)Start slow and use Youtube. Lots of really great vidoes on how to play. Also, play lots and lots or find a field and just spend and hour or two throwing.

  • 1) What prior disc-throwing experiences did you have before you played disc golf?

    Last February I moved into a house next to a public park/disc golf course. What started as a great place to let my dog pee on not my lawn soon touched off my decent into full-blow disc golf madness. Prior to the discovery, I handled for my college’s ultimate team for all four years. While I haven’t played for a long time, since February I’ve thrown at least nine holes every day.

    2) What drivers do you recommend for new disc golfers?

    As a new player, I can’t make any recommendations for other new players. I have a strong and consistent flick and really like Wraiths, and I really did not like the Westside Discs King (couldn’t control under-stability)

    3) What discs worked well for you when you were new to the game? Why?

    Please see above.

    4) What new discs have you seen work well for beginners that you wish you would have had?

    Again I must plead new-guy status 🙁

    5) What disc advice would you give to a beginner?

    Stretch before you play, build your throw from your core, think of yourself as a clay pigeon chucker.
    There’s no harm in asking questions of more experienced players. The most intense learning experiences (and best performances) I’ve had have come when I’ve asked to jump in with a handful of superior players. Don’t be bashful, just watch, listen, and learn.

    Get some.

  • 1. My prior experience was with ultimate frisbee.
    2. I would recommend the dx teebird and dx beast in light weights. Both are great discs that teach you how to throw straight. They also have decently small rims so you can get your relase down.
    3. My first ever disc was the dx teebird. This discs really taught me how to throw consistently straight. I loved this disc! (Until I recently put a hole in it.) Definitely one of the best discs I have every thrown!
    4. I have seen the latitude 64 gold line river work very well for beginners! They are able to throw the discs very straight with great distance, (for a beginner). It glides miles!
    5. I would tell them to use your legs in your throw, not just your arm. Also if you have a big backyard at home buy a movable basket and practice, practice practice practice! Also get your putting motion down! Putting is one of the most important parts of the game! Even if you land a drive withing 10 feet of the basket you still have to be able to make a putt! And to just have fun on the course.

  • 1. What prior disc-throwing experiences did you have before you played disc golf?
    Playing catch in the back yard

    2. What drivers do you recommend for new disc golfers?
    I actually do not recommend a driver for a new disc golfer. If anything I would highly recommend an understable to stable midrange to use as their 1st driver. Some suggestions would be Buzzz, Meteor, or Comet by Discraft, Core or Fuse by Latitude 64, or a Roc by Innova. If you do go with a driver I would recommend something light and again understable to stable.

    3. What discs worked well for you when you were new to the game? Why?
    I loved my Buzzz’s for the longest time.

    4. What new discs have you seen work well for beginners that you wish you would have had?
    Diamond by Latitude 64. My 6 year old can rip it every now and then!

    5. What disc advice would you give to a beginner?
    I would say probably a Core by Latitude 64. This disc is not as understable as say a meteor or comet but not as stable as a Buzzz. It has a nice flight path for people with lower arm strength. Also in the premium plastics this disc will last forever and fly the same for years to come!

  • Hunter Dunning. The advice that I would give to a beginner is to take your time throwing don’t rush your throws and I would also tell them that you need to find a few discs that you like and stick with thoses discs but still be open to trying any other discs and one more thing you really don’t need a lot of disc wens day July 10th 2013 time3:12

  • I think the archangel is the most bang for your buck a beginner could get. Super cheap, doesn’t require a big arm, lots of glide and fairly stable flight.

  • i started disc golfing back in the early 1990’s and i am now 50 years old. i have thrown disc from virtually every manufacturer that has come along over that time period. i remember in the beginning that many disc i tried throwing were just to overstable for me. the modern disc of today are much more unfriendly to someone just starting out. the disc that worked well for me when i started were lightning disc like the number 1 driver ( it was called the mitchell B 25 back then ) most serious disc golfers today wont even consider these disc but for the new guy its the place to start and they have been around since 1984 so that does say something. the plastic is cheap and beats up quickly but as all old timers know dings and gouges can be fixed using a bic lighter and losing a 10 dollar disc hurts a lot less then losing a 20 dollar disc. another disc that worked well for me in the beginning was the discraft eclipse. it was a great straight flyer for someone who has not yet developed a strong power throw. i know that my view on this is a little old time, but when i started you only had 3 choices, innova, lightning and discraft. now there are so many choices it almost boggles the mind. my best advise for the beginner no matter which disc manufacturer you choose, stick to fairway drivers and midrange drivers. learn to throw these well before ever even considering picking up one of the modern wide winged distance drivers.also practice putting every chance you get with a good quality putter like an MVP ion or a vibram sole, it will make all the difference in your game.

  • What prior disc-throwing experiences did you have before you played disc golf?
    Frisbee

    What drivers do you recommend for new disc golfers?
    I would have to recommend the Teebird, leopard, or Sidewinder from Innova. These disks are all beginner friendly when first purchased.

    What discs worked well for you when you were new to the game? Why?
    I would say my multipurpose Roc it seemed to be the straightest disk in my bag with more glide then I was expecting.

    What new discs have you seen work well for beginners that you wish you would have had?
    Definitely the Discraft Buzz, man does that thing move in the air when you least expect it plus it is versatile for mid range shots that need that extra carry distance.

    What disc advice would you give to a beginner?

    Practice in a field or park, the best spot you can learn from is in an open area that has plenty of room for you to not loose sight of your disks. Learn to throw at a standstill or just take one step before you incorporate any type of x step. Also do not try and “kill” the disc relax the arm muscles while keeping a firm grip on the disk and use your body rotation to help you “rip” the disk out of your hand.

  • True beginners should get 3 discs. A DX Aviar, DX Roc and DX Leopard. After that they can go Pro Leopard after the DX Leopard gets too flippy or Star Valk/Sidewinder if they are fast learners.

  • 1. I played a lot of catch and throw with my buddy in a indoor facility but I liked being outside a lot and another one of my friends talked me into coming to play a round of disc golf with him and was hooked day one.

    2. I would by far say the Leopard because it was the first driver I purchased and now I own two DX, one champion, and a light weight star. This disc is going to stay in my bag for some time because nothing comes close to the distance I got out of this when I first started.

    3. Still going to say the Leopard because I have a champion Valkyrie and that is still taking some getting used to and actually I throw faster speed more overstable drivers than that disc.

    4. I would say I wish I had my Vibram Summit putter when I first started because it is an amazing putter and went through a few putters that just weren’t right for me until this one.

    5.The way I started improving in such a short time is playing with the experienced players I do in my area, watching youtube videos of world champions going over what they do and modifying from them, lastly is practicing and practicing often. I usually put in about 16 to over 20 hours a week into practicing and I play in a band, go to college, and work 3 to 4 days a week so don’t tell me you don’t have time to practice.

  • This may be a little off topic but after you have played with a lower speed slighly understable disk for a while should your next frisbee be a faster speed or the same speed at a higher stability?

    From what I understand most would seem to say a higher speed but at what point would you start experimenting with higher stability discs?

    • I’d say try both. It’s also nice to have more overstable discs for utility shots and windy days, even if they are more stable than what will provide you with max distance.

      Start experimenting with more stable drivers when you feel you have control with your beginner driver and start seeing some high speed turn to your throws. If your slow understable drivers fade hard every time, it’s probably not time to try anything else yet.

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