Best Disc Golf Approach Discs

a disc golf basket behind a tree

You can have the best drive you’ve ever thrown, but if you aren’t close enough to putt into the basket, you are going to have to make an approach shot. Make a good approach and you can drop your putter in the baskets. Mess up and you might end up working hard to get in the basket.

Approach shots are important, and which disc you chose to approach can give you the confidence you need to make a good shot. In this blog we will talk about approach discs and explore which ones are rated the highest, and which ones sell the most. That will let you know which discs other people have found success with, and can help shape your decisions.

a professional disc golfer

Wait, what IS an approach disc?

OK, you really could use any disc to try to land near the basket to give yourself a putt. If you have to cover a lot of ground before you get to the basket, you might need to use a higher-speed disc. For shorter, technical shots you’ll likely use a midrange or putter. (Of course, there are exceptions, even for shorter shots.) For this blog, we are going to be talking about putters, since they are categorized as putt/approach discs. That should give us the most accurate results.

In this blog we will look at three things:

  • The best-selling approach putters
  • The highest-rated approach putters
  • Other popular discs that we see on the course

Top Selling Approach Discs

Here are the discs that people buy the most:

Red MVP Pixel with blue rim and black stamp

1 Axiom Pixel

2 Discraft Zone

3 Infinite Discs Tomb

4 Infinite Discs Alpaca

5 Discraft Luna

6 Gateway Wizard

7 Axiom Envy

8 Discraft Zone SS

9 Latitude 64 Pure

10 Axiom Proxy

Highest Rated Approach Discs

Here are the discs that people give the highest reviews:

Blue Paul McBeth 5X signature Zone with black stamp

1 Discraft Zone

2 Axiom Envy

3 Gateway Wizard

4 Infinite Discs Tomb

5 Dynamic Discs Judge

6 Westside Harp

7 Latitude 64 Pure

8 Innova Aviar

9 Discmania P2

10 Infinite Discs Alpaca

Honorable Mentions

Other popular approach discs:

Kastaplast Berg

Yellow Kastaplast Berg with Black Stamp

There were two players on my card at league this week that bag a Berg. It is the go-to for several members of our club. I see a lot of Bergs at tournaments and other events. It is a low glide, low speed putter that will handle high-power throws. It is a great mold for accurate approach shots.

Prodigy PA-3

A Prodigy PA-3

The PA-3 is a beaded putter that flies super straight. Its straight flight and mellow fade make a great combination for tactical approaches. It comes in a variety of plastics, so you can get the exact feel that you need to give you the confidence to attack the basket.

Axiom Proxy

An Axiom Proxy disc golf disc

A favorite of Simon Lizotte, the Proxy is another straight disc that can handle some torque. It has the same core as the Envy. The Proxy can serve you well as a putting putter, drives off the tee, or accurate approach shots.

Thought Space Athletics Praxis

A thought space athletics praxis disc golf disc

This straight-flying disc can handle forehand and backhand shots with ease. It flies straight with minimal fade. The beadless Praxis can be used by people of all skill levels. Plus, with Thought Space Athletics, you’re sure to get a disc with some of the best stamps in the business!

MVP Watt

An MVP Watt disc golf disc

The Watt is similar to the Ohm and the Pilot. The beadless putter has a deep rim that will give you deadly-accurate straight flights. Its neutral flight numbers mean you can shape your shots and approaches with confidence.

What is Your Go-To Approach Disc?

Did your favorite make our list? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Let’s hear what disc you think is the best approach disc and why!

For more information about the discs on the list, check out the best disc golf approach putters in our store, Infinite Discs!

Best Disc Golf Approach Discs

pile of approach putter disc golf discs

The Best Disc Golf Approach Discs

The disc golf putter is the true workhorse of the sport. It’s the disc you trust for drives off the tee, precision approaches, and that final putt into the basket. While you can throw any disc for any shot, you probably aren’t reaching for a high-speed driver when you’re inside 100 feet. Or putting with a fairway driver (unless it is a tap in or a short putt). The disc golf putter, on the other hand, is a versatile tool that shines in a variety of shot types.

What is an approach disc?

Obviously, any disc golf disc can be used to approach a basket. Since the goal of approaching the basket is to land as close as possible to make your putt as easy as possible, you don’t want to worry about big skips. Using lower speed discs that will sit down easier helps you achieve that goal. That makes putters a great choice for an approach disc. Midrange discs can also be used effectively.

Since most putters are labeled as “putt & approach” discs, it would help to know the difference between a “putting putter” and an “approach disc”. Unfortunately, there isn’t a rule that defines the difference between the two types of discs. Generally speaking, putters used for drives or approach shots are overstable, premium plastics, with more glide than putters used for putts. However, you can always find disc golfers who putt with molds that have the qualities of an ‘approach putter’.

Fortunately, most of the discs on our list would be considered approach putters by a majority of disc golfers, so are effectively looking at the top approach putters. In this blog, we’ll look at three things:

  • The best-selling approach putters
  • The highest-rated approach putters
  • And some of the other approach discs we see on the course.

Let’s go!

Top-Selling Approach Discs

Here are the discs that players can’t stop buying this year:

infinite discs alpaca disc golf disc

  1. Infinite Discs Alpaca
  2. Axiom Pixel
  3. Discraft Zone
  4. Discraft Luna
  5. Axiom Envy
  6. Gateway Wizard
  7. Infinite Discs Tomb
  8. Axiom Proxy
  9. Streamline Range
  10. Prodigy PA-3

Highest-Rated Approach Discs

Want to know which discs have the best reputations? According to player ratings, these are the top approach discs:

Blue Paul McBeth 5X signature Zone with black stamp

  1. Discraft Zone
  2. Infinite Discs Tomb
  3. Axiom Envy
  4. MVP Glitch
  5. Innova Pig
  6. Kastaplast Berg
  7. Streamline Range
  8. Westside Harp
  9. Innova Rhyno
  10. Westside Maiden

Popular Approach Discs Seen on Courses

Some discs may not top the sales charts or the ratings, but they’re everywhere on the course. Let’s highlight a few of the classic approach discs that deserve a shout-out:

Innova Gator

Blue Innova Gator disc golf disc. The Gator is an overstable, bead-edged beast that thrives in windy conditions and tight lines. It’s technically a midrange, but many players treat it like an approach disc due to its overstability and reliable fade. Plus, it’s a great disc for both backhand and forehand shots.

Check out the Gator HERE

Dynamic Discs Justice

Purple Dynamic Discs Lucid Justice disc golf disc

The Justice is about as overstable as it gets. If you need a disc that laughs at headwinds and dumps hard to the left (for RHBH players), the Justice is your friend. It’s perfect for flex lines and sharp doglegs where you need a reliable finish.

Check out the Justice HERE

Innova Aviar

A black Innova Aviar with a white stamp

The Innova Aviar has been a staple among disc golfers for decades. It is less stable than many discs on our lists, and more likely to be used as a putting disc. However, many disc golfers love the reliability and feel of the classic disc.

Check out the Aviar HERE

Discraft Zone OS

 If you are looking for a disc that can handle a little more arm speed, or you’re throwing into a headwind, the Zone OS should be on your radar. It is beefy enough for the best players, yet it can be used by less experienced players as a utility disc. Even if you already throw a Zone, you’ll find shots that will call for the OS.

Check out the Zone HERE

Latitude 64 Pure

Peach colored Latitude 64 Pure with gold stamp

The Pure is an easily shapable putter that many people use as an approach disc. It will hold it’s line on an anhyzer shot, straight shot, or even a hyzer shot, without big skips or massive fades.

Check out the Pure HERE

Discmania P2

blue discmania p2 disc golf disc

The P2 is known for its versatility, especially in different plastics. S-Line P2s are more overstable and great for driving, while D-Line P2s beat in to give a straight, floaty flight. Whether you want a disc that can hold an anhyzer or one that fights back for a hyzer finish, the P2 delivers.

Check out the P2 HERE

The Axiom Envy

An Axiom Envy in burst colors. Yellow rim and a black stamp disc golf disc

The Envy has been a staple in the approach game for years, and it’s no surprise it still ranks among the best. Known for its versatility, the Envy can handle smooth hyzers, straight shots, and even turnovers when beaten in. The popularity of James Conrad’s legendary “Holy Shot” at the 2021 World Championship only boosted its fanbase. Available in a wide range of plastics and colors, the Envy is a must-try for any disc golfer.

Check out the Envy HERE

What’s Your Favorite Approach Disc?

Is your go-to approach disc on the list? Do you have a favorite that we missed? Share your thoughts in the comments below—let’s hear what disc you think is the best approach disc and why!

For more details, check out the best disc golf approach putters in our store, Infinite Discs!