Best Disc Golf Discs For Women
Like many of you, I frequently find myself exploring the world of disc golf discs, looking for the perfect discs to improve my game. However, as a male disc golfer, I also know that the disc preferences of female disc golfers may differ from my own. Knowing the importance of inclusivity and representation within the sport, in this blog I wanted to examine the disc selection specifically tailored to meet the needs and preferences of women players.
I will highlight the best disc golf discs for women, acknowledging the unique considerations and nuances that might influence their choices. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started, finding the right discs can significantly impact your performance and enjoyment on the course. So, let’s dive in and explore the best disc options for women disc golfers.
Why Different Discs?
Let’s start by clearing up the reason that we should discuss different discs for women versus men in the first place. On average men are stronger, have longer arms, and have bigger hands than women. In many circumstances, these traits affect one’s ability to throw a disc with more power, which gives men a wider variety of discs and weights that will work for them. The skill level of a disc golfer also affects their disc selection, but all things being equal, men have a physical advantage in the sport of disc golf. Therefore, certain discs will help women throw farther.
Throwing with less power, whether it is for physical reasons or because of skill level, affects the flight of the disc. There are several disc characteristics that cause a disc to fly a certain way. Throwing with the proper power for those characteristics is important. Let’s look at those characteristics and talk about a discs flight numbers.
Briefly, the four-number flight rating system that disc golf has adopted to describe the flight of a disc is the best way we have to categorize our discs. The four numbers represent (in the order they appear on the disc or a website):
- Speed – the relative speed you need to be able to throw the disc in order for it to fly correctly.
- Glide – How long the disc will stay in the air
- Turn – The amount the disc will drift to the right (RHBH throw) at the fastest parts of its flight
- Fade – The amount that the disc will drift to the left as it starts to slow down
Which Flight Numbers Should You Consider
Each of the numbers have a range that affect whether or not the disc will work for you, your skill level, and how you want to disc to fly. Here is the number range women should consider for the four categories listed above:
Speed (Range 1 to 14)– It is important to get the disc speed to match your power/skill. Unless you are a more advanced player, stick with discs that have a speed of nine or less. Any faster and your disc won’t fly like it should. Again, this is because the disc needs to be thrown at certain speeds, and unless you have the power to hit those speeds, you will not be able to get the distance you need.
Glide (Range 1 to 7) For the most part, you should look for with the most glide as possible. Look for 5-7 glide for the longest distances possible. As your skill improves, you might want a disc with less glide. Until then, maximum glide!
Turn (Range -5 to 2) Getting a disc with a lot of turn will help you get big S-curve throws for maximum distance for your power. The further the turn number is away from zero, the more it will turn. Look for discs that have -5 to -2. A 2- or even -1 disc would be better for throwing in a headwind than a -4 or -5.
Fade (Range 0 to 5) If you don’t have the skill or power to throw faster discs, you really don’t need anything with more fade than 2. Throwing discs in the 0 to 2 range will serve you well.
The Importance Of Weight
It is important to include a weight range to help find discs for someone with less power or skill. It takes less effort to throw a lighter disc, so it is easier for someone who doesn’t have the power to still throw the disc fast enough to fly like it should. Look for discs in the 150-165g weight range, where possible.
Best Drivers For Women
Drivers are the disc of choice for getting the most distance out of a throw. They have the widest rims of all disc types. That wider rim means they need to be thrown at faster speeds than slower discs. Drivers can be used after people develop a certain level of skill.
Latitude 64 Diamond – Ladies, if you’re looking for a disc to help you get good distance on your drives while you work on your form, check out the Diamond. This mold is part of the ‘Easy-to-use’ series and is made for players who don’t have as much power or skills. The Diamond comes in lighter weights, which helps you be able to get good drives and upshots. Check it out today!
Innova Leopard – If you look at which discs are found in many Innova beginner sets, you’ll find the Leopard. This low-speed fairway driver has a little bit of turn to assist in achieving longer flights. If you get this mold in DX plastic, it will season to a great flight for people who don’t have the power necessary for faster, more stable discs.
Infinite Discs Sphinx – Not only does the Sphinx have a lot of turn for longer flights, but it is available in very low weights. The Sphinx is also available in I-Blend plastic, which is a bit cheaper than other premium plastics.
Other great drivers for women:
Best Midrange Discs For Women
Midrange discs are used for shorter drives and approach shots. They are usually speed 4 or speed 5. They are also used for more controlled and precise shots. Their reaction when they hit the ground is much less pronounced than with drivers, making them easier to hit the area you’re aiming for.
Discraft Buzzz – One of the best-selling discs of all time, the Buzz is a straight-flying disc that is great for learning to shape your shots. Its rim size makes it easy to grip and comfortable to throw. The Buzzz is a great disc for people of all skill levels.
Infinite Discs Kon Tiki – This understable midrange is a great one for women to consider. It has a low profile and small rim depth. That makes it easier to grip for people who don’t have big hands. As your skills improve, the Kon Tiki can be used for finesse shots.
Latitude 64 Fuse – The Fuse flies straight and has minimal fade. Not only does the Fuse come in a variety of plastics, it also comes in a variety of weights. If you need to start with a lighter weight, including 150-class, you have that option.
Other midrange discs to consider:
Best Putters For Women
Although putters are usually the only disc you will be using for shots inside the 10-meter circle, they are also used as approach discs and even drives off the tee. They fly for the least distance of any disc type, due to their round nose and slow speed.
Innova Aviar – The Aviar was PDGA approved for play in 1984. It remains popular today. Many other brands have produced their own ‘versions’ of the Aviar.
Dynamic Discs Judge – A beaded putter, the Judge flies straight with minimal fade. If you prefer a beadless version of the disc, check out the Dynamics Discs Warden. Both are available in a variety of plastics.
Infinite Discs Alpaca – Only a few years old, the popular Alpaca is a great mold that has found favor among pros and amateurs alike. This versatile mold is just as effective as a putter or an approach disc.
Comment And Win!
We want to get your opinion about the best discs for women
place was another popular Infinite mold, the Pharaoh. It accounted for about 5% of all Distance Driver molds. Wrapping up the top five is the Aztec, Infinite’s speed 10 driver.
Line Era by half a percent of all Control Drivers sold. There was a neck-and-neck race for third place with two Infinite molds. The Centurion ended up beating the Sphinx by a fraction of a percent. Rounding out the top five is the ever-popular Innova Firebird, not too far behind the Sphinx.
amazing Discraft Buzzz. The Buzz made up 12 percent of all Mid’s sold last year. Taking second at around 5% is the Innova Mako3. Just a smidge behind the Mako3 is my favorite, the Infinite Anubis. Another smidge back and you have the Thought Space Athletics Pathfinder. Bringing up the rear, a tick behind the Pathfinder is the Innova Pig. The interesting thing about the Pig, is that for many this disc is classified as a putter or at least an approach disc.
seller for 2022, the Infinite Alpaca. Just a couple years old, the Alpaca has quickly become a favorite of many disc golfers. The Alpaca was the best seller in the Putt/Approach category AND the number one selling mold in all categories in 2022.
be used to approach a basket. The ease of shaping their flight combined with their softer landing compared to a higher speed disc increases the number of shots that you might feel the need to pull out a midrange. Which midrange are we reaching for the most often?
and the Buzzz feels amazing in the hand. It comes in a variety of plastics, too, so you can choose the one with the feel and stability that is right for you. One thing to point out with those high number for the Buzzz is that the percentage does NOT include the Buzzz’s siblings, the Buzzz OS, Buzzz SS, and the Buzzz GT. If you add those molds to the numbers, the Buzzz family sales would be over 17% of all midrange discs sold at Infinite last year!
As we see more new companies and molds enter the market, we will see them chipping away at market previously held by molds we have been playing with for years. Sometimes those molds will succeed in the short term due to some great marketing. Even molds that have been around longer than some of us have been playing can receive a boost when a top-tier pro starts throwing that mold. Ultimately, the hype will fade and the cream will rise to the top, and we will see the most popular molds more often in the future. Let’s take a look at some of the previous years’ top molds to see which names are still making the list.