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:
- What mold and plastic do you reach for when you want to get the longest distance possible (assume that wind is not a factor)?
- About how far are you throwing on a max drive attempt?
- 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
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 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:
- What mold and plastic do you reach for when you want to get the longest distance possible (assume that wind is not a factor)?
- About how far are you throwing on a max drive attempt?
- 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 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.
1. 375 is my typical good distance that I’m typically happy with.
2. Go to distance driver for max distance isthe Ballista.
3. 525 foot. (Downhill and with a tailwind.)
4. Opto Ballista at 169grams.
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 – 340-360 ft. Neutron Trace 173g
Forehand – 250-275 ft. Halo Star Teebird3 168g
2. What is your go-to distance driver for max distance on backhand and forehand throws?
167g Star Shryke
3. How far was your farthest throw ever?
430 ft.
4.With what disc was your max distance throw?
160g Star Shryke
1. About 250-300 ft
2. Innova Katana
3. 390 ft
4. Innova Katana
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)?
2. What is your go-to distance driver for max distance on backhand and forehand throws?
Bb6
3. How far was your farthest throw ever?
400’
4.With what disc was your max distance throw
Bb6
1. Neutron tantrum 174g about 450’BH and 390’ FH
2.I use the tantrum for BH and FH
3. 541’
4. Fission Octane- I lost it:(
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 – Z Heat 173g – 300’
Forehand – Proton Wave 173g – 325’
2. What is your go-to distance driver for max distance on backhand and forehand throws?
Backhand – Fission Wave 167g
Forehand – Proton Wave 173g
3. How far was your farthest throw ever?
Just shy of 400’ (flat ground)
4. With what disc was your max distance throw?
Fission Wave 167g
1) for backhand, a black I-blend 168g pharaoh distance 340-380 and on a forehand my go to is a color glow Nathan queen 170g wraith distance 280-320.
2) same discs answered in question 1. Sometimes I’ll use a s-line dd3 on a slight turnover line for max distance backhand though, but generally it’s the pharaoh.
3) roughly 440ft
4) first run hades.
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)? – Innova Krait, Champion, 169g
2. What is your go-to distance driver for max distance on backhand and forehand throws? – Backhand: Champion Tern 164g, Forehand: Grand Rive 174g
3. How far was your farthest throw ever? – 450’ on flat ground (once for forehand and once for backhand)
4.With what disc was your max distance throw? – Champion Tern 164g (backhand) and Champion Krait 169g (forehand)
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)?
310 ft backhand only
Royal grand grace 168g
2. What is your go-to distance driver for max distance on backhand and forehand throws?
Royal grand grace
3. How far was your farthest throw ever?
345
4.With what disc was your max distance throw?
Royal grand grace
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)?
325 BH ESP Nuke SS 174
375 FH ESP Force 173
2. What is your go-to distance driver for max distance on backhand and forehand throws?
ESP Nuke SS
3. How far was your farthest throw ever?
475
4.With what disc was your max distance throw?
Star Boss
1. 380-400ft
2. MVP Wave
3. 420+
4. Blizzard DD2
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)?
About 250’ backhand, 150’ forehand, with the discs in my next answer. I’m new and still working through form issues.
2. What is your go-to distance driver for max distance on backhand and forehand throws?
Backhand: a 162g I-blend Maya
Forehand: a 166g Proton Crave
3. How far was your farthest throw ever?
291’
4.With what disc was your max distance throw?
A 162g I-blend Maya
1. BH 380′
FH 300′
2. BH 170g Star Destroyer
FH 175g Star Teebird3
3. 480′ flat with wind helping a flex throw.
4. 175g prodigy A3 400
1&2. BH: royal grace 172 or star shryke 175g 410ft
FH: i blend Pharoah 171g or S line Dd3 173g 380ft
3&4. BH: royal grace 477ft. FH: Halo shryke 173g 425ft
Good BH drive 490-530
Good FH drive 350-380
Go to disc : s-line & C-line DD3’s
Farthest throw 584
Disc used- C-line DD3
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-350 -375 ft
Forehand- 300 – 325 ft
2. What is your go-to distance driver for max distance on backhand and forehand throws?
Backhand- Discraft ESP Scorch 170 g
Forehand – Discraft Z Scorch 171 g
3. How far was your farthest throw ever?
420 ft
4.With what disc was your max distance throw?
Discraft ESP Scorch
1. Typical good drives:
Backhand: around 250 ft on a very straight glide-y flight, beat-in Opto Explorer, 171g
Forehand: 300 ft on a hyzer, 3 year old 165g Champ Firebird that I throw all the time. Flies more like a Teebird at this point.
2. Go to distance driver:
Backhand: My aforementioned Opto Explorer
Forehand: Opto Saint 173g, flies on a great S-curve. The Saint is a special disc, I’ve never owned a disc more perfect for distance.
3, 4. Farthest throw ever:
Backhand: 310 ft with 168g Champ Leopard3
Forehand: 345 ft with 173g Opto Saint
1. What distance do you typically throw a good drive in moderate wind conditions on flat ground for backhand and forehand throws?
About 350-375 feet
2. What is your go-to distance driver for max distance on backhand and forehand throws (be sure to include plastic and weight)?
Go to is a s-line DD3 173 grams
3. How far was your farthest throw ever?
450ft
4.With what disc was your max distance throw?
with a beat in 173g dd3 in a tailwind
Typically I throw 375-400′ on a max distance flat throw with no wind. My farthest throw was almost 650 off hole 1 at toboggan, but I was nowhere near the hole! I threw a 400g barstamp D3 and it turned and glided forever almost to the road off 17s fairway. Super fun flight, but not helpful for my score!
1. I typically throw about 375 on backhand and 330 forehand.
2. My go to distance driver is a 169 g MVP wave. I think it is fission plastic?
3. My farthest throw ever was 450 feet.
4. My farthest throw was with a dynamic discs 176g Captain.
1. Pretty new still so my backhand I throw about 260, forehand I can get a lot further, but haven’t cracked 300 yet.
2. My go-to driver for backhands is actually just a 165g, star plastic innova mako3 right now as my backhand is pretty weak. As for my forehand throws I prefer to use my 171g, champion plastic Innova Orc.
3. My farthest throw was 293 feet.
4. Innova Champion Orc, 171g.