Farthest Flying Disc Golf Discs: The Real Max Distance Drivers
I was doing some field work a while back and pulled a new Pharaoh out of my bag. It was a light-weight disc that I had recently purchased. I gave it a toss, along with all of the other drivers I was throwing, and I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the new Pharaoh was the farthest disc in my bag!
That particular disc hasn’t held the title of ‘farthest flying disc in my bag’ consistently, but it did get me thinking about which molds people throw when they want maximum distance. I know what my buddies throw for max distance, but I wanted a bigger sample size so, I reached out to our readers for input with a “farthest flying discs” survey and the results below are taken from that study.
Farthest Flying Disc Golf Discs
We’ll take a look at the top discs for backhand throws, forehand throws, and which disc was number one for certain distance ranges. We’ll also look at the top molds from the survey to find out the max distance drivers from each manufacturer. Here are the survey results!
Farthest Backhand Disc
Taking first place with the most people choosing this disc as their farthest flyer with a backhand throw is the Innova Destroyer. This perennial fan favorite regularly takes the title of most discs sold at Infinite Discs. It has been a hot seller since it was introduced a decade and a half ago. The speed 12 disc flight gives disc golfers a gentle turn with a solid fade, allowing for lots of power while still creating the S-curve that we love when we’re throwing for distance.
Spoiler alert: The top four molds for farthest flying backhand disc are the same as the top four forehand molds, but in a different order. Taking second place is the Infinite Discs Pharaoh. Third place goes to the Innova Wraith, with a similar flight to the Destroyer, but slightly lower speed. Forth place is the Infinite Discs Emperor, which also has a flight similar to the Destroyer. Rounding out the top five is the Discmania DD3, another mold whose flight delivers the long S-curve.
Top Five Farthest Flying Discs for Backhand Throws
Farthest Forehand Disc
Taking the top title for farthest forehand disc is, once again, the Innova Destroyer. I think it’s safe to say that this disc will go far for most players. The stability of this mold helps fight the torque off the tee that a forehand throw generates, so it can get a long flight and a reliable finish. The Destroyer’s little brother, the Wraith, picked up second place for forehands. Two Infinite molds occupy the third and fourth spots, the Emperor and Pharaoh respectively. The long-flying Discraft Nuke holds the last of the top five spots.
Top Five Farthest Flying Forehand Discs
Two Tips for more Forehand Distance
Connor has a couple tips to get MORE FOREHAND DISTANCE. Watch this video to improve your sidearm throw.
The Farthest Flying Discs for Each Arm Speed
In our survey we asked what is your max distance, then we took the disc you threw to achieve that distance. While the Destroyer was the farthest flying disc overall according to our survey results, not all of us have the arm speed to get a Destroyer Max Distance.
So what are the best discs for distance for beginner and intermediate players? This chart shows the flight range for max throws, and the most popular disc to achieve that distance.
Backhand Max Distance by Arm Speed
Low Arm Speed – Less than 300 Feet Total Distance
Although there are lighter-weight discs in the faster molds, I would expect to see a few different molds for the shorter max distances. For those of us who throw a max drive of less than 300 feet, the Innova Valkyrie is our most popular choice. The Valkyrie has a lot of turn and a mild fade. That extra turn helps players who don’t have the speed to generate the longer drives that more experienced players have.
Moderate Arm Speed – 300-350 Feet Distance
Another Innova mold was the preferential disc for those people who throw 300-349 feet. The Innova Mamba is an understable driver that can be thrown on a hyzer angle to achieve extra-long turnover drives. Thrown flat, the Mamba can be amazing roller disc, too. For more info, check out this list of best distance drivers for beginners.
Intermediate Arm Speed -350-400 Feet Distance Range
The disc at the top of the list for the 350-399 foot range is also the number one choice for backhand and forehand shots. The Innova Destroyer is what more people reach for overall, and for those who max distance is 350-399 feet. The Destroyer was easily in first place, winning by quite a margin.
Max Distance for High Arm Speed Throwers
The number one disc for people who throw 400+ feet was a close race. I would have assumed that the Destroyer would be in first place, but the Destroyer came in second, behind the most popular choice. Taking the top spot for the big arms is the Infinite Discs Pharaoh. The Pharaoh doesn’t fade as much as a Destroyer, but it has plenty of glide for some smashing drives. That mold is available in a variety of plastic types and weights, including some signature discs.
Links to Max Backhand Throws Discs
Under 300 feet – Innova Valkyrie
300-349 feet – Innova Mamba
350-399 feet – Innova Destroyer
400 + feet – Infinite Discs Pharaoh
Farthest Forehand Throws by Distance
Forehand Throws Less than 350 Feet
For the sidearm drivers out there, the Innova Wraith is number one among disc golfers who throw under 300 feet. The second place overall winner is a speed 11 disc with a glide, turn, and fade that is similar to the Destroyer. The Wraith was also the top disc for people whose max drives are in the 300-349 foot range.
Forehand Throws between 350 and 400 Feet
Extending the max forehand range to 350-399 feet we find the Destroyer once again on top of the list. Since this distance range was the most popular, it allowed the Destroyer to end up as the most popular forehand disc overall. However, it was not the most popular for the 400+ range.
Sidearm Throws 400+ Feet
For those players who can flick a disc more than 400 feet, their disc of choice is the Infinite Discs Emperor. The speed 12 Emperor was released in 2019 and has become a staple for many disc golfers. It has a lot of glide and a strong, reliable fade. People who can throw 400+ will appreciate the Emperor’s ability to keep from overturning, while allowing a nice s-curve. Lesser- distance players will find the mold is still excellent in lighter weights.
Links to Max Forehand Throws Discs
Under 300 feet – Innova Wraith
300-349 feet – Innova Wraith
350-399 feet – Innova Destroyer
400+ – Infinite Discs Emperor
Farthest Flying Distance Drivers by Brand
So far in this survey we have only seen a few different manufacturers mentioned. There were actually many brands that received at least one vote. Here are the top 10 manufacturers, with the total number of molds that people chose as their farthest flying disc.
It is never a surprise to see Innova at the top of any disc golf list. They have been around for four decades and offer more high-speed drivers than many smaller brands have total molds available. As we’ve seen in our annual State of Disc Golf survey, smaller brands are definitely taking an increasing amount of market share from Innova. However, Innova is still offers such a variety of discs that it will still end up on the top of lists like this.
Top Selling Distance Drivers by Brand
Check out the top selling distance drivers offered by the top 10 brands in the links below”
The farthest discs from each disc golf manufacturer
And finally, we look at which molds from each manufacturer that were selected the most times in the survey. Did YOUR farthest flying disc make the list?
- Axiom Crave
- DGA Hurricane
- Discmania DD3
- Discraft Nuke
- Dynamic Discs Sheriff
- Infinite Discs Pharaoh
- Innova Destroyer
- Kastaplast GrymX
- Latitude 64 Grace
- Legacy Cannon
- Lone Star Discs Bayonet
- Millennium Scorpius
- MVP Wave
- Prodigy F7
- Prodigy D3
- Quest Raging Inferno
- Streamline Trace
- Thought Space Votum
- Thought Space Freetail
- Vibram Lace
- Viking Discs Ragnarok
- Westside Destiny
Survey Results: Max Distance Discs
We asked YOU about your farthest flying disc, and you responded by the hundreds! We randomly selected 5 winners to receive an Infinite Discs gift card. Each person was contacted via email. Congrats to the winners:
Mason K
Jerry B
Joshua T
Jacob R
Matt Y
While the survey is complete, feel free to comment on your farthest flying discs so that it is easier for other disc golfers to find the disc that will provide them with maximum distance. Be sure to mention the disc mold, weight and plastic variation that gives you the most distance.
Ted Hegemann
Ted is the Chief Writer at Infinite Discs. He is responsible for the State of Disc Golf Survey articles and most of the "best discs" posts. Ted runs all kinds of local disc golf leagues and tournaments and tournaments in Northern Utah.
After 18.5 years, I wish I had a little more distance, but will take what I’ve got.
1.) My normal average distance on flat ground in calm conditions is about 430-450 feet backhand. Before my shoulder surgeries, it was about 400’ even on forehands, but in the rebuilding process right now with my forehand. Working to get it back to about 325’ by the end of the year forehand.
2.) For the backhands, the two max distance are my 168g Luster Emperor and my 172g Concrete Emperor. Just depends on the wind and if I’m throwing flat or big flex. For forehand, it is currently my 174g Halo Emperor or my 175g Halo XCaliber.
3-4.) My longest flat ground throw ever was 493’ with my 167 I-Blend Emperor, on an absolutely perfect high flex line. My longest throw ever in general was 592’ at the Ledgestone Open last year with my 169 Concrete Emperor on a full power flex.
1. What distance do you typically throw a good drive in moderate wind conditions on flat ground for the longest backhand and forehand distance?
Roughly 350-370ft
2. What is your go-to distance driver for max distance on backhand and forehand throws (be sure to include plastic and weight)?
For backhand I throw a 158g 400g prodigy d1
I dont typically throw forehands for distance if i am its a 172g 400 d2
3. How far was your farthest throw ever?
440ft
4.With what disc was your longest distance throw?
158g Prodigy 400g D1
I’m less than a year into my disc golf obsession so my answers may cause some to scratch their heads because I’m still tweaking my form and figuring out what discs I can throw accurately and predictably.
1. What distance do you typically throw a good drive in moderate wind conditions on flat ground for the longest backhand and forehand distance?
With no trees getting in the way about 400ft FH and maybe 350ft. BH
2. What is your go-to distance driver for max distance on backhand and forehand throws (be sure to include plastic and weight)?
For backhand, Prodigy D3 Max(400 plastic, 174). For forehand until a few weeks ago I’d have said the same disc but currently I’d reach for the destroyer (star plastic, 176)
3. How far was your farthest throw ever?
About 440ft. Overshot a 409′ hole by about 30 ft.
4.With what disc was your longest distance throw? Prodigy D3 Max
40 year old who started in 1997. I have lost some distance after a shoulder surgery but I’m trying to get back to my prime. Michigan player that’s why I throw Discraft and MVP.
1. What distance do you typically throw a good drive in moderate wind conditions on flat ground for the longest backhand and forehand distance?
Backhand – 350ft
Forehand – 315ft
2. What is your go-to distance driver for max distance on backhand and forehand throws (be sure to include plastic and weight)?
Backhand – 174 MVP Wave
Forehand – 175 Discraft Esp Force
3. How far was your farthest throw ever?
Backhand – 452ft
Forehand – 373ft
4.With what disc was your longest distance throw?
Backhand – 175 Discraft Z SurgeSS
Forehand – 173 Discraft Esp Pulse
1. What distance do you typically throw a good drive in moderate wind conditions on flat ground for the longest backhand and forehand distance?
A: bh – 325′
Fh – N/A (100′)
2. What is your go-to distance driver for max distance on backhand and forehand throws (be sure to include plastic and weight)?
A: bh – 165g Discraft Hades
Fh – N/A
3. How far was your farthest throw ever?
A: 375′
4.With what disc was your longest distance throw?
A: TSA Mantra
1. What distance do you typically throw a good drive in moderate wind conditions on flat ground for the longest backhand and forehand distance?
BH: 400ft
FH: 375ft
2. What is your go-to distance driver for max distance on backhand and forehand throws (be sure to include plastic and weight)?
BH: Seasoned 170g Red Star Destroyer
FH: Newer 171g Neutron Photon
3. How far was your farthest throw ever?
425ft flat legit distance
4.With what disc was your longest distance throw?
168g Domey Red Sockibot Star Destroyer
1. 380′ backhand, 370′ forehand (but fh is far less consistent)
2. 169g domey star wraith
3. Excluding my ~700′ throw down a ski hill, 418′ on flat ground
4. 171g pfn star wraith that’s flippier than my go-to wraith from question 2
1. 330′
2. Aura Construct 173g
3. 375′ air shot (419′ roller)
4. Aura Construct 173g (glow Mantra roller 175g)
1. 350 or so bh 300 fh
2. 173 star Corvette bh and 175 halo star tern fh
3. 400ish ft bh
4. The Corvette, that baby sails
1. 425
2. BH: Raptor Eye Rive 173
FH: 170 Z undertaker
3. 467
4. Opto Ballista Pro 171
1. Typical LHBH goes about 380-400. LHFH is similar, maybe closer to 370-380 on average.
2. Go-to Max distance LHBH disc is my 174g Gummy C-blend Pharaoh. Max-distance LHFH is 175g S-Line DD3, super beat in.
3/4. Farthest throw ever was 523’ on a LHBH 360 with a Jessica Weese Cheshire Cat stanp Champion Shryke.
1. 250-300 FH-BH
2. Forehand – Remix Haymaker on a flex
Backhand – It’s gotta be my Halo RR. I can get it to flip and subtle fight on a Hyzer and it’s all good
3. It’s 350
4. With a thrasher thrown to the heavens.