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.
From a noodle armed old fogie’s perspective, going with calm and flat-
1. 250′ for both
2. backhand- used to be a 173g GStar Katana until I lost it a few weeks ago. Now using a 152g GStar Daedalus.
forehand- depends on the day. Today I used a 152g Star Wraith. Last week it was a 174g z-line NukeSS.
3 & 4. under calm and flat? backhand- 310′ throwing a 150g GStar Sidewinder, forehand 325′ with the same disc (lost in Grandpa’s Pond, hole 7)
farthest ever was about 500′, downhill into a 15 kt quartering headwind. The wind caught the disk it just never came out of the turn. Found it about 4 fairways over.
1. What distance do you typically throw a good drive in moderate wind conditions on flat ground for the longest backhand and forehand distance?
100 mitres
2. What is your go-to distance driver for max distance on backhand and forehand throws (be sure to include plastic and weight)?
Pharaoh- FH
3. How far was your farthest throw ever?
121 metres
4.With what disc was your longest distance throw?
Destiny – Latitude 64
1. BH 300 Ft, FH 330 Ft
2. Innova Corvette (always) in Champion both FH and BH at 168g
3. 353 ft.
4. BH using the disk from #2
1. What distance do you typically throw a good drive in moderate wind conditions on flat ground for the longest backhand and forehand distance?
300ft
2. What is your go-to distance driver for max distance on backhand and forehand throws (be sure to include plastic and weight)?
Lat64 Bolt gold 175gr
3. How far was your farthest throw ever?
330ft
4.With what disc was your longest distance throw?
Lat64 Bolt gold 175gr
I always seem to throw the bolt 20-30ft further than anything else.
Listen to me the Canon the cannon the cannon
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 – 360 ft
Forehand – 300 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 – 169 Innova Champion Tern
Forehand – 170 Innova Champion Roadrunner
3. How far was your farthest throw ever?
Backhand – 480 ft
Forehand – 380 ft
4.With what disc was your longest distance throw?
Backhand – 163 Innova Star Tern
Forehand – 171 Innova Champion Wraith
1. 325′ and 275′
2. BH- Innova pro Orc 177g
FH- Innova Pro Shryke 175g
3.farthest throw ever? A Backhand, 420′
4.With what disc was your longest distance throw? Innova PRO Orc 177g
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 – 360ft
Forehand – 330ft
2. What is your go-to distance driver for max distance on backhand and forehand throws (be sure to include plastic and weight)?
Backhand – 173 Royal grand grace
Forehand – 172 Esp force
3. How far was your farthest throw ever?
Backhand – 428ft
Forehand – 402ft
4.With what disc was your longest distance throw?
Backhand – 174 Lucid Trespass
Forehand – 172 Esp Force
1.
BH: 350-390
FH: 330-380
2.
BH: 171g Neo Enigma
FH: A beaten in 175g Star Wraith
3.
BH: 430
FH: 415
4.
BH: 171g Neo Enigma
FH: 175g New C-Line DD3 on a chop
Right now I throw a 164 I-blend Pharoah the farthest backhand, about 300-320 if thrown just right (I’m an old AM player). Forehand it would be a 164 g Destroyer flexed just right about 300 feet as well. The farthest I’ve ever thrown was probably right about 400 with a 166 Pro Katana.
1. Average backhand about 280, forehand 200
2. 157g VIP Air Westside Sword for backhand, 153g Star Mamba forehand
3. 295 feet
4. Neutron Streamline Jet 168g
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: 400′
–Forehand: 325′
2. What is your go-to distance driver for max distance on backhand and forehand throws (be sure to include plastic and weight)?
–Backhand: 173g Innova Swirly Star Wraith
–Forehand: 167g Discmania Neo Enigma
3. How far was your farthest throw ever?
–farthest measured Backhand: 458′
4.With what disc was your longest distance throw?
–Halo Wraith, 173-175g.
For backhand a good consistent throw about 5 out of 10 times is 375′, forehand 390′ but more inconsistent (at least one of those is turfing it at 100′).
My backhand and forehand go-to is a VIP Destiny 168g.
My farthest flat-ground throws are 444′ backhand with a Neutron Jet 175g on a hyzerflip to sky anhyzer line, and forehand 431′ with an Opto Havoc at 175g on a very steep hyzerflip to turnover line. Farthest measured was 496′ off a top-of-the-world hole with an Envy which feels like it shouldn’t count.
You have to love Santa Cruz De La Vega for the on top of the world. I’ve got a Champion Tie Dye wraith that I love.
1. What distance do you typically throw a good drive in moderate wind conditions on flat ground for the longest backhand and forehand distance?
I have a bad back so my throws are mainly arm and i have to throw mainly understable discs. Forehand I can reach 200ft or so. Backhand about 250ft.
2. What is your go-to distance driver for max distance on backhand and forehand throws (be sure to include plastic and weight)?
Backhand Prodigy F-7 300 122g
Forehand Inova Star Mamba 142g
3. How far was your farthest throw ever?
About 500ft. It was on the beach and just caught the wind right. I wasn’t sure if it was ever coming down.
4.With what disc was your longest distance throw?
Inova Halo Star Beast 158g
1. Rhbh 360, rhfh 270.
2. BH DGA PL Tempest 172g FH DGA PL hurricane 169g
3. How far was your farthest throw ever?
BH 460 FH 320
4. Vibram medium Lace 172g
My go to for the last 10+ years has been a 175g Champion Boss. Interestingly, I haven’t had as good success with the Glow Champ Boss (although I still keep it in my bag. I prefer a flatter top too as I get better HSS with them.
I thought I already posted, but don’t see it, so if this is a double post, I apologize.
My go to for the last 10+ years is a 175g Champion Boss. I prefer flatter tops as I get better HSS with them. Interestingly, I haven’t had as good results with the Glow Champ Boss (although I still keep one in the bag).
I’m not the cannon that I was when I was playing every day, but I can still eek out 400’ on occasion. At a tournament, I threw a First Run Protostar Champ Boss 545’ in 2013 (https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxALiSTslzPM-jBY-qzMXxzgr1POiSG_EO?feature=shared) it wasn’t quite flat, but as it was thrown across a valley, it landed just a little below the elevation of the tee pad.
I’m a backhand thrower that uses forehand for more “shaped” shots. If I need distance, it’s RHBH every time.
Farthest throw 302ft
Disc discraft titanium heat 173g
Backhand throw. My normal max distance is 250 to 270 usually my most reliable distance is from a latitude 64 jade thatvis 175g and goes consistently 250 ft
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: 360-380 FH: 275-300
2. What is your go-to distance driver for max distance on backhand and forehand throws (be sure to include plastic and weight)?
BH: Innova Champion Mystere 172g
FH: Dynamic Discs Lucid Escape 173g
3. How far was your farthest throw ever?
BH: 423 ft.
4.With what disc was your longest distance throw?
Innova Champion Mystere
1. What distance do you typically throw a good drive in moderate wind conditions on flat ground for the longest backhand and forehand distance? 350 ft. bh , 300 ft. fh
2. What is your go-to distance driver for max distance on backhand and forehand throws (be sure to include plastic and weight)? Echo Star Destroyer 175g or discmania DD1 horizon plastic 171g for both fh and bh
3. How far was your farthest throw ever?
410 ft.
4.With what disc was your longest distance throw? Hades 166 g
1) BH-375ft/FH-280ft
2) BH-Lucid Captain 173g/FH-Lucid Escape 170g
3) 404ft
4) BH Westside VIP Destiny 172g
1. Avg BH ~ 280ft
Avg FH ~ 300ft
2. BH: 160g Star Shryke or 160g Star Charger depending on wind.
FH: 163g Fission Photon
3. Longest – 380ft
4. 160g Star Shryke