can anyone play disc golf?
YES!
Skills needed:
1. Throw a frisbee.
2. Walk in the park.
If you're able to do those two things you can absolutely play disc golf. It is for all ages and all levels.
1. Throw a frisbee.
2. Walk in the park.
If you're able to do those two things you can absolutely play disc golf. It is for all ages and all levels.
Here's what you'll need to start
discs
Minimum
Standard Frisbee.
You probably have one in the garage.
Cost: $1.00-$5.00
You probably have one in the garage.
Cost: $1.00-$5.00
Recommended
At least 3 regulation disc golf discs.
One putter, one midrange, and one high-speed driver.
Cost: Starter pack with 3 discs is around $30.
One putter, one midrange, and one high-speed driver.
Cost: Starter pack with 3 discs is around $30.
Bag
MINIMUM
Any bag will do.
Disc golf starter bags are inexpensive and hold up to 10 discs.
Disc golf starter bags are inexpensive and hold up to 10 discs.
Recommended
Official disc golf bag or backpack.
They hold a lot of discs, water, car keys, etc.
Easy to carry around the course.
Can purchase additional wheels to pull it around.
They hold a lot of discs, water, car keys, etc.
Easy to carry around the course.
Can purchase additional wheels to pull it around.
disc golf course
MINIMUM
Disc golf basket to practice.
You can purchase a portable basket or just find one at the local disc golf course.
An open field.
You can purchase a portable basket or just find one at the local disc golf course.
An open field.
RECOMMENDED
9-18 hole disc golf course.
I use the Udisc App to help find courses near me.
The App has a built-in GPS to show you the course and make it easy to find holes.
I use the Udisc App to help find courses near me.
The App has a built-in GPS to show you the course and make it easy to find holes.
SIMILARITIES to traditional golf
On any given disc golf hole, you're trying to throw your disc into the basket in as few shots as possible.
Typically, the Par on the hole (how many throws it should take the average player to complete the hole) will be 3. That means that if you get the disc into the basket in 3 shots, you scored a Par. If you get it in 2 shots, that's a birdie. Just like traditional golf. Good golfers are always hunting for birdies.
Typically, the Par on the hole (how many throws it should take the average player to complete the hole) will be 3. That means that if you get the disc into the basket in 3 shots, you scored a Par. If you get it in 2 shots, that's a birdie. Just like traditional golf. Good golfers are always hunting for birdies.
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What are the four numbers on my disc?
If you've thrown a few discs already, you may have noticed how differently each disc can fly. There are a few factors that affect the way your discs fly, and a good disc golfer is highly in tune with their discs so they can throw the appropriate one for the appropriate situation.
If you have a disc with four numbers on it, you've probably wondered what they mean. Innova, one of the leading disc manufacturers, does an excellent job of explaining the numbers on their site. Click here for the link, and see their flight ratings chart below.
If you have a disc with four numbers on it, you've probably wondered what they mean. Innova, one of the leading disc manufacturers, does an excellent job of explaining the numbers on their site. Click here for the link, and see their flight ratings chart below.
for beginners:
It does take some getting used to the complexities of the flight numbers but don't worry, if you're a beginner, here are my recommendations:
Don't purchase a high speed disc just yet. They look cool and having a 14-speed disc might seem like a neat idea, but you won't be able to throw it very far and it will fade hard. Once you improve your throwing mechanics, you can start climbing the speed rating scale, but for now, I'd recommend nothing faster than a 6 speed disc for your long drives.
Starting out, you'll want to purchase a "flippy", or understable disc. See the "TURN" portion of the chart above. You want negative numbers for now. "Flippy" refers to the disc flipping up to flat when you throw it on a hyzer angle, or turning when you throw it flat. Beginners throw lots of hyzers and you'll want the flippiness to help you out. The Learning Center explains what hyzers and other angles are.
Don't purchase a high speed disc just yet. They look cool and having a 14-speed disc might seem like a neat idea, but you won't be able to throw it very far and it will fade hard. Once you improve your throwing mechanics, you can start climbing the speed rating scale, but for now, I'd recommend nothing faster than a 6 speed disc for your long drives.
Starting out, you'll want to purchase a "flippy", or understable disc. See the "TURN" portion of the chart above. You want negative numbers for now. "Flippy" refers to the disc flipping up to flat when you throw it on a hyzer angle, or turning when you throw it flat. Beginners throw lots of hyzers and you'll want the flippiness to help you out. The Learning Center explains what hyzers and other angles are.
A great beginner disc is the Innova Leopard:
Speed: 6
Glide: 5
Turn: -2 (Flippy)
Fade: 1
It was my starting disc although I was also one of the silly ones who went out and bought high speed discs too soon. I learned the hard way, so I'd love to help you save time and money.
Speed: 6
Glide: 5
Turn: -2 (Flippy)
Fade: 1
It was my starting disc although I was also one of the silly ones who went out and bought high speed discs too soon. I learned the hard way, so I'd love to help you save time and money.
my disc only has one number, or none at all
The four-number flight rating system was created by Innova, but there are other disc manufacturers who use their own ratings. Discraft, for example, uses a one-number system which indicates the overall stability of the disc.
Discraft flight rating numbers go from -3 (understable, or flippy) to +3 (overstable).
Beginners will want to choose lower-speed, understable discs (see my explanation above).
If your disc has no numbers on it, you can do a quick search using my favorite tool, the Marshall Street Disc Golf Flight Guide:
https://www.marshallstreetdiscgolf.com/flightguide
It's easy to search for your disc using "find on page" in your browser. You can also sort the discs by manufacturer.
Discraft flight rating numbers go from -3 (understable, or flippy) to +3 (overstable).
Beginners will want to choose lower-speed, understable discs (see my explanation above).
If your disc has no numbers on it, you can do a quick search using my favorite tool, the Marshall Street Disc Golf Flight Guide:
https://www.marshallstreetdiscgolf.com/flightguide
It's easy to search for your disc using "find on page" in your browser. You can also sort the discs by manufacturer.