Disc Golf Tips for Beginners

DX plastic means Innova's least expensive plastic (great for getting into the game without dropping a lot of $). DX plastic has a great feel and beats in very easily, which actually makes it increasingly easier to throw.

Drivers:

The driver is the hardest disc to pick out. You may throw one driver 250 feet straight down the middle and with the same throw another driver will fly 40 feet way off to the left. Understanding how a disc is meant to fly compared to how it flies for you is the ticket to selecting drivers. If you've never thrown, all you can do is guess. If you've thrown before, you can gauge how your disc was flying before and make a more informed decision. Below is a general guideline to selecting from the beginning drivers.

Leopard: If you've never thrown a driver, the Leopard is a good choice. Its lower speed makes it easier to fly the way it was designed. Flat and straight with a small turn and fade.

Archangel: If you've thrown a driver, and it tends to hook hard in the direction opposite your throwing hand (for backhand throws) the archangel is a good choice. This disc has a ton of glide, meaning it will float longer than most other discs. Faster than the Leopard, it has more distance potential, though its higher speed means it needs a slightly bigger arm to get it fly. This disc has a very understable rating, which means it will accommodate weaker snaps (the amount of rotation put on a disc) but also that strong snaps will, much like a curveball in baseball, cause the disc to turn with the spin and land far left or right from center, depending on the direction of the spin (clockwise=right; counterclockwise=left).

Sidewinder: If you've thrown before and feel remotely comfortable off the tee, this disc will give you the potential for long straight drives. This will S-curve very easily (when a disc turns with the rotation and then fades back to land straight.) S-curves tend to equal greater distance as the disc is cutting forward and staying airborne the whole time it turns and fades.

Valkyrie: Much like the sidewinder, but able to handle more snap. If you have experience throwing, this disc may be for you. The Valkyrie is good for huge S-curve drives, but it takes more power and snap than the other drivers on this list to get it fly. If underpowered, it will hook against the rotation of the disc and drop very fast. It is a rare beginner that can overpower a Valkyrie. A safe bet for bigger arms just starting out.

Midranges:

As you grow as a disc golfer, you'll throw your midrange every which way you can imagine. Starting out,essentially you want a midrange that flies straight and flat. These discs are designed to facilitate a beginner's throw to fly flat and straight without strain. Comfort in the hand and upon release plays a huge part in a midrange.

Stingray: The easiest to throw straight. Larger diameter disc than the drivers. Small rim. Will turn with strong throws.

Cobra: 2nd easiest to throw. Larger diameter. Easy to throw straight. Won't turn quite as much as the Stingray with strong snaps.

Skeeter: 3rd easiest to throw. Regular diameter. Excellent straight disc. A good snap will send this disc straight with little turn. To turn this disc it must be overpowered.

Shark: 4th easiest to throw. Larger diameter. Great first disc for throwing hyzer approach shots (shots that are thrown the direction of the throwing arm and hook back against the rotation of the disc). Flies straight with moderate snap. Most difficult of the four to turn.

Putters:

When it comes to putters, they all fly short and fairly straight. Comfort is the most important factor. Flight characteristics are worth noting, but will not come into affect nearly as much as drivers or midranges as a putter is only in the air for a few seconds.

Wedge: Very small rim. Will turn with strong snaps.

Sonic: Low-profile grip with a ridge for your thumb. Will turn with strong snaps. Low glide; designed to drop quickly to prevent overthrows.

Aviar: The standard putter. This is by far the most thrown putter on the market. It has the standard disc golf putter lip (similar to a shrunken catch disc). It is designed to be thrown at a slight hyzer or to fly straight with stronger snaps.

Buying your first disc golf disc? Check out our selection of Beginner Friendly Discs Here

Not sure what to choose to get started? Let us help with our Disc Golf Starter Sets.

Our customized Disc Golf Starter Set provides a way for beginner's shopping online to get some of that same treatment off the website as they would in the store.

Click here for the sets available.

Placing an order:

What are my weight choices?
Players are often more concerned with weights than colors. We try to keep our weight selections up-to-date, which means we will ship your discs within the weight range that you specify. We will contact you with options if we have run out of your weight range selection at the time we process your order. When ordering, be sure to use the 'comments box' to tell us about your specific needs.

What are my color choices?
Colors will vary by manufacturer and model and sometimes by weight. To select a general color preference, click the drop-down box on the disc listing and select either Bright Color, Dark Color, White, or No Preference. Bright colors include orange, yellow, light and lime green, pink, light blue, light purple, etc. Dark colors include Red, Dark Blue, Black, Brown, Dark Green, Burgundy, etc. Colors will vary by manufacturer and model; some colors are available only in certain weight ranges.

If you have a strong preference as to a precise weight and/or color, we encourage you use the ‘Special Requests’ box or to call us. While we do maintain an extensive inventory, sometimes the disc in your perfect weight and color is just not available.  By contacting us, we may be able to find an acceptable substitute.

Will I get the same Dyed Disc as the one pictured on your site?
Generally speaking, no. Unless we indicate differently in the description, the disc pictured will be a representation of the model.

What is the ‘Special Request’ box for?
This text box allows you to customize every item you purchase. Want a special color or weight? You can specify it here. This allows us to know exactly what you are looking for. Having more than one option will help in fulfilling your order more quickly.

Will you send something I did not order if you are out of stock?
No. If you order a specific weight class or color and we do not have what you order in stock, we will contact you in order to best provide you with the product you want.

Can I change my order after it has been placed?
We process orders very quickly. Orders placed before 12:00 p.m. will usually be shipped that day. While we endeavor to satisfy every customer, there are times when it is difficult or impossible to make changes to an order. If you require a change to your order, please send our customer service team an e-mail by clicking here or call us at 888.237.6884.

Refunds and Exchange Policy

Our service is guaranteed. If you aren't happy with your order, our policy is quite simple: We will do whatever it takes to make it right . . . and that includes refunding your purchase price in full for the unused merchandise that is returned. We guarantee your satisfaction, and promise friendly and speedy service. Orders received Sunday afternoon through early Friday morning are usually shipped within 24 hours of their receipt. Thus, next-day or second-day air shipments made on Friday generally will not ship until Monday. If placing an order on Thursday or Friday, and you need it delivered on a Saturday or Sunday, give us a call for options.

Shipping & Delivery:

What do you charge for shipping?

U.S.A.: Like our prices, the cost of shipping is subject to change. Currently, orders totaling $75.00 or under will be charged $6.00. We offer free shipping on orders over $75.00 (exceptions apply). For second-day air service your invoice receipt will show $25.00; for next-day air your invoice will show $45.00. These are average amounts and will be adjusted with the actual shipping cost before your card is charged.

Please note that regulation targets are not shipped for free. The price of shipping will be added before the order is shipped. Please call or email us to find out how much shipping will be.

Canada: Your invoice receipt will show a $21.00 shipping charge for all orders. This will be adjusted to reflect the actual cost of shipping via UPS Standard, U.S. Air Mail, or the carrier of your choice (if available from Kansas City). Orders over $75.00 (before shipping) will receive a $6.00 shipping allowance.

Europe: Your invoice receipt will show a $34.00 shipping charge for all orders. This will be adjusted to reflect the actual cost of shipping via U.S. Air Mail, UPS, or the carrier of your choice (if available from Kansas City). Orders over $75.00 (before shipping) will receive a $6.00 shipping allowance.

Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Taiwan, Africa, and other Asia & Pacific Rim: Your invoice receipt will show a $36.00 shipping charge for all orders. This will be adjusted to reflect the actual cost of shipping via either U.S. Air Mail, UPS, or the carrier of your choice (if available from Kansas City). Orders over $75.00 (before shipping) will receive a $6.00 shipping allowance.

Mexico: Your invoice receipt will show a $24.00 shipping charge for all orders. This will be adjusted to reflect the actual cost of shipping via either U.S. Air Mail or other.

How will I know my order has been shipped?

Once we have finalized your order, we will send you a personal email detailing when we expect it to be shipped out.  We will also attach an invoice specifying your processed and completed order.

Can I use UPS Ground if my address is a P.O. Box?
No. UPS does not ship to P.O. Boxes. If you provide us with a P.O. Box and select UPS Ground, we will contact you in order to retrieve a street address or offer to ship USPS Priority Mail.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Frequent Flyer Program (FFP)?
This is Disc Golf World’s Customer Loyalty program, designed to give our repeat customers discounts for making us their one-stop shop.  For every $100 you spend on products, you will receive a $5 credit toward your purchase that day.  You can sign up in-store at Disc Golf World; or for our online customers, you can sign up here.

Can you offer any suggestions for me personally?
If you are a beginner check out our “Beginners Start Here” section, which highlights discs that we feel are best suited for players just getting into the sport. If you have more specific questions, please feel free to email us or give us a call. We will do our best to guide you in the right direction.

I want to buy a gift for someone, but I have no idea what to get.  Do you offer any suggestions?
Due to the shear amount of different styles of discs in the market, the best advice we can give is to purchase either an Online Gift Certificate, or a Paper Gift Certificate that we can mail to you.  Online Codes may be used on anything we offer on our site.  Paper Gift Certificates can be used here at our Kansas City location.  509 E 18th St., Kansas City, MO 64108.

Can I get a discount if I order a lot of discs?
Please see our Wholesale / Bulk orders page for more information.

Can I pay with a check?
Yes. Please make all checks payable to Disc Golf World.  Mail your check to 509 E 18th St., Kansas City, MO 64108. Once we receive your payment we will have your order shipped out immediately.

Pre-orders:

A pre-order is a pre-paid sale on an item that we have not yet received in our warehouse.  Customization cannot be guaranteed, but please indicate your preferences in the “Special Request” box and we will do our best to fill the order to specification.  Ship dates are estimates and cannot be guaranteed.  Orders must be paid in full to reserve the item.  Changes or cancelations to the order can be made at any time by the customer prior to 24 hours before the estimated ship date.  Once the order has been processed for shipment, any changes to the order would fall under our return policy.  It is possible, in the case of a change in production by the manufacturer, that Disc Golf World may need to change or cancel the order, in which case you will be contacted with options.

Disc golf is played much like traditional golf. Instead of a ball and clubs, however, players use a flying disc, or Frisbee®. The sport was formalized in the 1970′s, and shares with “ball golf” the object of completing each hole in the fewest number of strokes (or, in the case of disc golf, fewest number of throws). A golf disc is thrown from a tee area to a target which is the “hole.” The hole can be one of a number of disc golf targets; the most common is called a Pole Hole® an elevated metal basket. As a player progresses down the fairway, he or she must make each consecutive shot from the spot where the previous throw has landed. Trees, shrubs, and terrain changes located in and around the fairways provide challenging obstacles for the golfer. Finally, the “putt” lands in the basket and the hole is completed.

Disc golf shares the same joys and frustrations of traditional golf, whether it’s sinking a long putt or hitting a tree halfway down the fairway. There are a few differences, though. Disc golf rarely requires a greens fee, you probably won’t need to rent a cart, and you never get stuck with a bad “tee time.” It is designed to be enjoyed by people of all ages, male and female, regardless of economic status.

Established in 1987 by disc golf Hall of Famer Rick Rothstein, Disc Golf World is one of the oldest disc sports companies in the game. When we first opened, we sold stuff the old fashioned way: through phone sales and our now antiquated Disc Golf World Sales Catalogue. We have since grown into the largest disc golf store in the Midwest through our online store, our brick and mortar shop in Kansas City, MO, as a regional and national wholesaler, and as the instigator and merchandiser of the Ice Bowl®—an international network of winter tournaments for charity.