Farthest Flying Disc Golf Discs: The Real Max Distance Drivers

Last year we posted a survey asking you which disc you reach for if you want the longest drive possible.  Well, we want to know if your farthest flying disc has changed, so we’re asking again. And like last year, we’ll randomly select a few of you to win a $50 Infinite Discs gift card. you can read last year’s results below. Then post your response to the questions:

  1. What mold and plastic do you reach for when you want to get the longest distance possible (assume that wind is not a factor)?
  2. About how far are you throwing on a max drive attempt?
  3. Is your max drive a forehand or backhand?

Here are the results for last year.

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

Farthest Backhand Disc Graph

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.

 

Innova Destroyer - farthest flying backhand disc

Top Five Farthest Flying Discs for Backhand Throws

  1. Innova Destroyer
  2. Infinite Discs Pharaoh
  3. Innova Wraith
  4. Infinite Discs Emperor
  5. Discmania DD3

 

Farthest Forehand Disc

Graph showing farthest flying forehand disc golf discs

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

Innova Destroyer, Farthest flying disc for forehand and sidearm throws.

  1. Innova Destroyer
  2. Innova Wraith
  3. Infinite Discs Emperor
  4. Infinite Discs Pharaoh
  5. Discraft Nuke

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

Graph showing farthest flying disc golf discs based on maximum throwing distance.

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

Graph showing the top forehand discs broken down by players max throwing 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.

Bar graph showing the farthest flying discs made by each disc golf brand

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?

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 for 2023:

Mason K

Jerry B

Joshua T

Jacob R

Matt Y

Now it’s your turn to contribute to the 2024 results. Comment below to let us know the answers to the following questions:

  1. What mold and plastic do you reach for when you want to get the longest distance possible (assume that wind is not a factor)?
  2. About how far are you throwing on a max drive attempt?
  3. Is your max drive a forehand or backhand?

We tallied the votes and picked a few winners. The most popular disc from your voting is the Shryke, with most Shryke voters picking Star plastic. The Star Corvette was in second place.

We randomly selected five people who commented and awarded them an Infinite Gift Card. The winners are:

Jason F who reaches for his Champion Shryke when he wants to go for distance.

Rodney T prefers an Opto Saint for his bomber.

Vince R likes his Star Shryke on the long throws.

Dawson F uses a Jade to crush drives.

Michael C launches Sunny Vanillas the farthest.

All winners have been emailed

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.

211 comments

  • 1. Axiom Neutron Wrath 172 gram

    2. Axiom Mayhem Plasma 174 grams

    3. 410 feet?

    4. Axiom Neutron Wrath?

  • Jonathon Wheelwright

    Decent contnditions, I’ll hit about 430′ backhand, and 400’forehand.

    For Max distance, I pull out a splatter S-Blend Pharaoh for forehand and backhand. It’s 175g.

    My furthest thro ever was 491′ with a 175g serius Scorpius.

  • 1. What distance do you typically throw a good drive?
    Backhand: ~400
    Forehand: ~300
    2. Go-to distance driver
    173g Opto chameleon Ballista
    3. Farthest drive ever
    550
    4. Which disc was your max distance throw
    175g Opto Ballista Pro

  • Forehand only here because my back hand is awful!!

    1. The distance you typically throw with a good drive.

    400ft

    2. What your go-to distance driver currently is.

    175 metal flake glow Emperor

    3. How far was your farthest throw ever.

    450-475 didn’t measure exactly but know certain distances based on landmarks on the fairway

    4.With what disc was your max distance throw?

    175 Swirly S-blend Pharoah

  • 1. What distance do you typically throw a good drive in moderate wind conditions on flat ground for backhand and forehand throws?
    RHBH – 168 Star Destoyer
    RHFH – 173-175 PFN Star Destroyer

    2. What is your go-to distance driver for max distance on backhand and forehand throws?
    RHBH – 167 Sline DD3
    RHFH – 173-175 Star Wraith

    3. How far was your farthest throw ever?
    Backhand – 420
    Forehand – 450

    4.With what disc was your max distance throw?
    Innova Star Wraith

  • 1. Aqua 173g royal grand rive flip up to around 500’
    2. Black with blue raptor eye rives 173g (2) – flat to finish around 480’
    3. (If rollers count) 176g pro wraith 550’ was my furthest

  • 1. Typically about 295ft to 315ft for both forehands and backhands.

    2. 170G Halo Wraith for forehand, 169G Star Valkyrie for backhand.

    3. 380ish ft

    4. 169G Big Jerm Halo Boss on a backhand. Might have gone farther if I kept it lower and it didn’t hit some trees.

  • 1. What distance do you typically throw a good drive in moderate wind conditions on flat ground for backhand and forehand throws (be sure to include plastic and weight)?

    171g neutron insanity. I don’t throw forehand unfortunately

    2. What is your go-to distance driver for max distance on backhand and forehand throws?

    157g proton Insanity. Aiming for a very steep hyzer flip/turnover that fails forward. I don’t throw forehand unfortunately.

    3. How far was your farthest throw ever?

    345ft

    4.With what disc was your max distance throw?

    Shryke- but it was muscled and hurt my shoulder :(.

  • 1.) RHBH – 270ft; RHFH – 295ft
    2.) RHBH – 169G Innova Star Valkyrie; RHFH – 170G Innova Halo Star Wraith
    3.) 381ft
    4.) 167G Innova Halo Star Boss (Big Jerm stamped)

  • Halo Pharoah all the way you guys have my favorite distance driver!

  • 1. What distance do you typically throw a good drive in moderate wind conditions on flat ground for backhand and forehand throws (be sure to include plastic and weight)?
    Backhand: 300, star plastic 172-175
    Forehand: 275, star plastic 172-175

    2. What is your go-to distance driver for max distance on backhand and forehand throws?
    Backhand: star wraith
    Forehand: star destroyer

    3. How far was your farthest throw ever?
    350 with the help of wind lol

    4.With what disc was your max distance throw?
    Star wraith

  • I have a beat up splatter pharaoh that bombs! I can get it over 400 on a back hand and 320 or so on forehand! By far my best flyer and go to driver!

  • I have a very stable domey 167g destroyer that glides and out drives far and away anything else in my bag. It’s my go-to bomber until it gets too flippy

  • 1. What distance do you typically throw a good drive?
    Not a ton- probably 275-300.

    2. What is your go-to distance driver?
    Used to backhand a blizzard katana, but it’s too beat up so now it’s a champ mamba. Forehand the Groove!

    3. How far was your farthest throw ever?
    Maybe 350

    4.With what disc was your max distance throw?
    Blizzard katana

  • 1. What distance do you typically throw a good drive.
    400’
    2. What is your go-to distance driver for max distance on backhand and forehand throws?
    MVP Octane
    3. How far was your farthest throw ever?
    440’
    4.With what disc was your max distance throw?
    MVP Octane

  • Mine is a Erika Stinchcomb Halo Pharaoh. These things glide for days and are very forgiving compared to other high speed drivers. The grip is amazing and they fly great backhand and forehand.

  • 1. BH 350-380ft, FH 320-350ft
    2. BH 157g 4x McBeth Star Destroyer, FH 170g CloudBreaker 3
    3. 405ft
    4. 168g Pro Destroyer

  • 1. My disc I throw in the wind right hand back hand is a Grady shue swirly PD ROTY bottom stamp. Super reliable.
    2. My go to distance driver is the creator series swirly cloud breaker max weight blue and white swirl.
    3.480ft
    4. 7th run I-blend Pharaoh.

  • 1. 420’ BH 350’ FH

    2. BH Erika Stinchcomb Halo S-Blend Pharaoh
    FH Halo Star Destroyer

    3. On flat ground I recently hit 500’

    4. 2008 Glow Champion Wraith

  • 1. The distance you typically throw with a good drive.

    300 feet

    2. What your go-to distance driver currently is.

    Kona panis I-blend emperor 172 gram

    3. How far was your farthest throw ever.

    350 ft

    4.With what disc was your max distance throw?

    Kona panis I-blend emperor 172 gram

    I can only throw sidearm

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