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.
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 – 475 ft
Forehand – 425 ft
2. What is your go-to distance driver for max distance on backhand and forehand throws (be sure to include plastic and weight)?
Backhand -175 Gold line Ballista Pro
Forehand – 175 Gold burst Ballista Pro
3. How far was your farthest throw ever?
Backhand – 553 ft
Forehand – 478 ft
4.With what disc was your longest distance throw?
Backhand – 171 Opto Ballista Pro
Forehand – 175 Champion Boss
Avg good backhand: 450ft (173g Ballista Pro or 172g DD1)
Avg good forehand: 430ft (174g Orbit Rive or 174g Halo Boss)
Max backhand: 597ft (151g Gstar Destroyer), full weight disc max 551ft (171g Ballista Pro).
Max forehand: 463ft (174g Raptor Eye Rive)
And I have one several pro events Canon
1 – BH: 320ish, FH: 300
2 – BH: MVP Plasma Catalyst, 168g, FH: Axiom Neutron Defy, 161g
3 – BH: 355 measured in the field, but have hit around 375 on the course recently
4 – BH: MVP Plasma Catalyst, 168g
1) 425ft golf distance BH
2) 2021 GG S-blend emperor FH and BH
3) 511ft flat ground
4) Legacy Discs First run Icon Cannon (big distance anny line)
1. Bh-400 Fh-N/A
2. Bh-Supreme Tresspass 175g Fh-N/A
3. 512′ [20′ elevation drop]
4. Supreme Tresspass 175g
1. What distance do you typically throw a good drive in moderate wind conditions on flat ground for the longest backhand and forehand distance?
Forehand: 340 ft
Backhand: 320 ft
2. What is your go-to distance driver for max distance on backhand and forehand throws (be sure to include plastic and weight)?
Forehand: F2 Daedalus – 175g
Backhand: UV Color Change Thrasher – 175g
3. How far was your farthest throw ever?
450ft
4.With what disc was your longest distance throw?
Star Daedalus – 175g
Ted,
This is a great topic. I took up disc golf at 62 after “winning” a couple really, really beat in discs as a white elephant gift in December of 2021. My first round with the gifted discs was at Suwanne Creek DGC in Suwanee GA. I was hooked instantaneously ever after a +25 round. Since I’ve researched and collected many, many discs from many manufacturers. Aside from recreational rounds, some tournaments and field work along with extensive reading/YouTube videos I have discovered many things. That said here are the answers to your distance questions.
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 – 280-300 feet
FH – 260-275 feet
2. What is your go-to distance driver for max distance on backhand and forehand throws (be sure to include plastic and weight)?
BH – Innova G-Star Katana 149g
FH – Innova Champion Katana 162g
3. How far was your farthest throw ever?
BH – 373 feet (Innova Katana listed above with a tail wind)
FH – 293 feet (Axiom Mayhem 172g
4.With what disc was your longest distance throw?
The light weight G – Star Katana
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 is usually 350ft and forehand is 320ft
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 backhand disc is a GStar 165g Tern
Go-to forhand is a 175g halo star Orc
3. How far was your farthest throw ever?
414ft
4.With what disc was your longest distance throw?
GStar Shryke 165g
325-330 RHBH (I don’t have much forehand)
Innova Champion Daedalus 173g
425’
Scorch
Lightweight x plastic nuke (164) or dx plastic destroyer (165)
Perfectly seasoned distance crushers!
1.Usual distance: BH-320’ , FH-275’
2. Discs: BH-Star Destroyer 173g, FH- Champion Thunderbird 175g
3/4. Farthest: 450’ downhill with Star Destroyer 173g
Typically, in moderate conditions and on flat ground I can throw back hand drives 450 ft and drive a sidehand 375 ft.
My go-to distance driver for max distance on both backhand and forehand throws is a 2023 Anthony Barela tour series Venom in swirly ESP plastic that weighs 170 to 172 grams. This disc is very domey and has tons of glide along with a very comfortable rim.
My farthest throw ever went 510 feet and was achieved with a back hand drive using a star boss.
1.) BH: about 330ft on a golf shot
FH: I typically only throw forehands for short tee shots or upshots about 200ft or less
2.) BH: 169g Pro Destroyer
FH: Eclipse Hex
3.) BH: 471 ft
FH: 325ft
4.) BH: 169g Pro Destroyer
FH: Opto-X Culverin
1. 440 bh and 350 fh
2. Star Corvette 173g bh
Star destroyer 170 fh
3 Farthest bh 615
Farthest forehand 405
4. champ sidewinder 172g BH
star wraith 167g FH
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 – 450
Fh – 300
2. What is your go-to distance driver for max distance on backhand and forehand throws (be sure to include plastic and weight)?
Bh – Nuke
Fh – Nuke
3. How far was your farthest throw ever?
520
4.With what disc was your longest distance throw?
Hades
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: 370
FH: 220
2. What is your go-to distance driver for max distance on backhand and forehand throws (be sure to include plastic and weight)?
BH: 168g GStar Shryke
FH: 166g Fission Tesla
3. How far was your farthest throw ever?
BH: 402′
FH: 250′
4. With what disc was your longest distance throw?
BH: 158g Fission Crave
FH: 166g Fission Tesla
1. What distance do you typically throw a good drive in moderate wind conditions on flat ground for the longest backhand and forehand distance?
On average I’m throwing a solid 360ft backhand and a 280ft forehand.
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 distance driver for backhand and forehand is my Nuke elite Z 172g.
3. How far was your farthest throw ever?
Farthest throw was 481ft with backhand.
4.With what disc was your longest distance throw?
Longest distance throw was with a gold line burst Bolt.
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 – 375 ft
Forehand –275 ft
2. What is your go-to distance driver for max distance on backhand and forehand throws (be sure to include plastic and weight)?
Backhand -166 Neutron MVP Wave
Forehand – 170 Fission Axiom Crave
3. How far was your farthest throw ever?
Backhand – 427 ft
Forehand – 281 ft
4.With what disc was your longest distance throw?
Backhand – 174 Alpha-Solid Loft Bohrium
Forehand – 170 Fission Axiom Crave
(I’m old… only playing 2 years- getting better!)
1. BH 300ft FH 250ft
2. BH Star Mamba 158g FH Star Wraith unknown weight
3. Probably around 350ft, didn’t actually measure it
4. Star Mamba 158g
Average backhand 325
Average forehand 300
Low bullets on both (6ft off the ground)
Max backhand 162 star Mamba or 158 star Wraith
Max forehand 165 star Wraith
Longest measured BH throw on flat ground 353 with 162 star Mamba. I have thrown farther but un measured
1. BH 350, FH 290
2. BH 168g Opto Bolt, FH 172g Big Z Zeus
3. How far was your farthest throw ever?
4.458 ft BH w/ 171g VIP Westside King (I miss u kingy )
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: Dynamic Discs Lucid Vandal 175g, 390ft
Forehand: Discmania Lux Vaper Enigma 169g. 340ft
2. What is your go-to distance driver for max distance on backhand and forehand throws (be sure to include plastic and weight)?
Discmania Lux Vaper Enigma 169g
3. How far was your farthest throw ever?
445
4.With what disc was your longest distance throw?
Innova Glow Champion Tern
Typical accurate comfortable flat with no wind:
BH- 410-420
FH- 350-380
Big distance lines with tailwind and flat:
BH- 510
FH- 400
Best driver for accurate distance:
BH- star destroyer and Proton Mayhem
FH- champion destroyer
Longest drive:
630- Proton Mayhem at distance competition from elevated platform
Honorable mention
Blizzard Boss 155g- 476 in distance competition on flat no wind.
1. A good drive for me is 325-375 Backhand. And 225 Forehand
2. I tend to utilize slower distance drivers 9-10 speed to get the most. My arm doesn’t generate the kind of spin/speed that a 12-14 speed needs to get going, so my 2 go to drivers are 172 champion Beast and a 173 Gstar Thunderbird. To be honest I haven’t gone out and tried to max out my distance in a field in a LONG time though.
3. Longest throw ever was 382 (of course that’s UDisc distance so take that for what it’s worth).
4. Longest was with my Gstar Thunderbird listed above.