Disc golf is played much like traditional golf, but instead of hitting a ball into a hole with clubs, players throw a flying disc (similar to a frisbee) into a metal basket target using chains. Yes, you play disc golf by throwing specialized discs from a tee area toward a metal basket, aiming to complete the hole in the fewest throws possible, just like regular golf. This fun, accessible sport is growing fast! This guide will help you start your journey into the world of disc golf. We will cover everything from what you need to buy to how to throw and act on the course.
Getting Started: What You Need to Play
You do not need much to start playing disc golf. The barrier to entry is very low. This makes it a great sport for families and friends to try out together.
Essential Gear for New Players
The most important items are the discs themselves. You do not need a huge bag of discs when you first start. A few key discs will let you learn the game well.
Choosing Beginner Disc Golf Discs
New players should focus on discs that are easy to control and fly straight. These are often called “beginner-friendly” discs. They usually have less speed and less “fade” (the natural curve a disc takes at the end of its flight).
Three Key Types of Discs for Beginners:
- Putter: Used for very short throws near the basket or for throws where you need the disc to fly straight and gently. They are the slowest discs.
- Mid-Range Disc: A good all-around disc. It flies farther than a putter but is still easy to control. This will be your workhorse disc for many shots.
- Fairway Driver (or Control Driver): Used for longer throws off the tee. Beginners should look for drivers with low speed numbers (around 6 to 9). Faster drivers are hard for new players to control.
It is helpful to look at the numbers printed on the discs. These numbers tell you about the disc’s flight. A good starting set uses discs where the first number (Speed) is low.
| Disc Type | Typical Speed Range (Beginner) | Main Use |
|---|---|---|
| Putter | 1–3 | Short game, approaching the basket |
| Mid-Range | 4–6 | Approach shots, shorter holes |
| Fairway Driver | 6–9 | Tee shots, longer straight throws |
Beyond the Discs
While discs are key, a few other items make the game better:
- A Bag: To carry your 3-5 starter discs.
- Scorecard and Pencil (or App): To keep track of your throws.
- Water and Sun Protection: Disc golf often means walking outdoors for hours.
Deciphering Disc Flight Paths
To play well, you must grasp how a disc moves through the air. This is vital for good disc golf beginner tips. Discs are designed differently to move in specific ways.
The Four Flight Numbers
Every disc has four numbers stamped on it. These numbers describe the disc’s ideal flight when thrown by an experienced player.
- Speed: How fast the disc needs to travel to fly correctly (1 to 14). Higher numbers mean faster discs.
- Glide: How much lift the disc has (1 to 7). More glide means it stays in the air longer.
- Turn (High-Speed Turn): How much the disc turns away from a straight line early in the flight (–5 to +2). A negative number means it turns left (for a right-handed backhand thrower).
- Fade (Low-Speed Fade): How much the disc hooks or drops left (for a right-handed thrower) at the very end of the flight (0 to +5).
Understanding disc golf flight paths means knowing that a disc with high speed but low power from a beginner will often fly very differently than expected. Beginners should look for discs with low speed and numbers close to zero for Turn and Fade (e.g., 4 / 5 / 0 / 1).
Throwing Styles and Flight Curves
Most players throw with one of three main grips and releases:
- Backhand (BH): The most common throw. The back of your hand faces the direction of the throw.
- A disc that drifts right and then hooks left (for a right-hander) is an “S” curve. This is often achieved with an understable disc thrown hard.
- Forehand (FH) / Sidearm: The palm of your hand faces the direction of the throw. This throw usually curves to the right (for a right-hander).
- Thumber/Tomahawk: Overhead throws that use different angles.
Mastering the Throw: Learn to Throw a Frisbee Golf Disc
The most challenging part for newcomers is learning to learn to throw a frisbee golf disc with power and accuracy. It takes practice!
The Grip
How you hold the disc changes everything. For distance, you need a firm grip that lets the disc snap out of your hand cleanly.
- Power Grip: All four fingers curl under the rim. This is common for drivers when you want maximum power.
- Fan Grip: Fingers are spread out on the bottom plate of the disc. This offers more control, often used for mid-ranges and putts.
Disc Golf Throwing Techniques
The technique is more about smooth motion than raw strength. Think of a whip, not a hammer.
The Backhand Throw Mechanics
- Stance: Stand sideways to your target. Your feet should be shoulder-width apart.
- The Reach Back: Bring your arm straight back, keeping it level with your shoulder. Do not reach too far back yet; this causes instability.
- The Pull Through: Start the motion by shifting your weight forward. Pull the disc across your chest in a smooth arc, keeping your elbow slightly bent and close to your body.
- The Release: The disc should leave your hand as your arm crosses your chest, aiming slightly above your target. Your wrist should snap forward at the moment of release. This “snap” adds speed.
- Follow Through: Let your arm continue across your body naturally. This keeps your throw straight.
For improving your disc golf drive, focus on the follow-through and keeping your elbow tucked in during the pull-through. Colliding your elbow outward causes the disc to turn over too early or fly poorly.
Developing Power: Improving Your Disc Golf Drive
Power comes from the whole body, not just the arm.
- Weight Transfer: Start the motion by shifting weight from your back foot to your front foot. This transfers energy forward.
- Rotation: Use your hips and core to drive the throwing motion. Your upper body follows your lower body movement.
- Smoothness Over Speed: Rushing the throw causes errors. A smooth, consistent motion is always better than a jerky, hard yank.
Approaching the Basket: How to Putt in Disc Golf
Putting is the closest game to a tap-in in regular golf. It is where you save strokes! Learning how to putt in disc golf accurately is crucial for lowering your score fast.
Putting Grips
Putters are thrown differently than drivers. You want control and stability.
- Claw Grip: Often used for short putts. Fingers are spread wide underneath the disc.
- Fan Grip: Used for slightly longer putts where a little more stability is needed.
The Putt Motion
Putting should be a controlled pendulum swing, not a forceful throw.
- Stance: Stand square to the basket or slightly angled (10 to 2 o’clock position).
- Motion: Keep your lower body still. Use a smooth rocking motion, transferring weight slightly from your back foot to your front foot.
- The Push: Push the disc toward the chains using your elbow as a hinge. The arm should move straight toward the target.
- Release Point: Release the disc slightly nose-up so it flies in a gentle arc toward the chains.
Disc golf beginner tips for putting: Focus on making solid contact with the chains, not just throwing hard. Aim for the center of the chains, slightly high.
Course Navigation and Rules
Disc golf courses are usually free to use and are often found in parks or wooded areas.
Disc Golf Course Etiquette
Good manners make the game enjoyable for everyone. Following disc golf course etiquette is important, especially when playing busy courses.
- Be Ready to Throw: When it is your turn, be ready. Do not spend time practicing drives while others are waiting.
- Keep Pace: Do not deliberately slow down the group behind you. If you are holding up others, let faster groups play through.
- Safety First: Never throw if players are visible downrange near the basket or the fairway of the hole you are playing. Announce loudly if you are throwing (“FORE!” is the universal warning call).
- Stay Off Other Fairways: Do not walk across active fairways of other holes.
- Respect the Course: Do not litter. Stay on designated paths.
Basic Rules
The rules are simple, based heavily on the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) rules.
- Tee Off: All throws from the tee area must start behind the tee marker.
- Lie: After your previous throw, your next throw must be taken from where the previous disc landed (the “lie”). You can move your lie up to 30 cm (about 1 foot) directly toward the basket to get out of thick rough or water, but you cannot move closer to the basket.
- Putting Stance: When putting from within 10 meters (about 33 feet) of the basket, you must maintain a stable stance after the disc leaves your hand. You cannot step past the lie until the disc has settled in the chains or hit the ground/basket support.
Comprehending Disc Golf Terminology
New players often feel lost because of the special words used. Here is a cheat sheet for understanding disc golf terminology.
| Term | Simple Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ace (Hole-in-One) | Throwing the disc directly into the basket from the tee. |
| Birdie | One stroke under par for the hole. |
| Bogey | One stroke over par for the hole. |
| Fairway | The mown, open area leading toward the basket. |
| Rough | The un-mown, grassy, or heavily wooded areas beside the fairway. |
| Up Shot | A mid-range throw used to get close to the basket for an easy putt. |
| Turnover | A throw that keeps turning in the direction opposite its normal fade (e.g., a right turn for a right-hand backhand thrower). |
| Hyzer | Releasing the disc so that the outside edge is tilted down toward the ground. This often creates a smooth curve away from the throwing arm. |
| Anhyzer | Releasing the disc so that the inside edge is tilted down toward the ground. This often creates a curve toward the throwing arm. |
| Chains | The metal links on the basket that stop the disc. |
Finding and Playing Your First Course
You do not need to travel far to find a course. Most courses are located in public parks.
How to Locate a Course
Use online resources or apps dedicated to disc golf. They often show maps, current conditions, and reviews from other players. Search for “disc golf near me.” Many courses are 9 holes, which is perfect for a quick introductory round.
Playing Your First Round
Do not worry about your score. Focus on these three things your first few times out:
- Throwing Style: Try different grips and see which feels most comfortable for your backhand throw.
- Putting: Spend extra time putting from 15 to 20 feet away. Making these short shots builds confidence.
- Disc Choice: Stick mainly to your mid-range disc. This forces you to focus on accuracy rather than just raw distance with a driver.
If you are playing a longer hole, try aiming for a specific spot about 100 feet ahead instead of trying to reach the basket in one shot. This helps build control.
Progression: Moving Beyond the Basics
Once you can throw your beginner discs somewhat straight, you can start exploring faster discs or learning new throws.
When to Buy More Discs
Wait until you can throw your mid-range disc consistently 150 to 200 feet before buying faster drivers. If you buy a driver that is too fast, you will not have the arm speed to make it fly correctly. It will likely turn too hard or fade immediately.
Focusing on Accuracy Over Distance
For a long time, focus on hitting your target line. If you are throwing a mid-range disc, practice throwing it so it lands exactly where you aimed, even if it is only 100 feet away. Accuracy is what scores low in disc golf, not how far you can throw on a wild flight.
The path to improving your disc golf drive involves gradual steps. First, master a smooth pull-through. Second, work on the wrist snap at release. Third, incorporate your body rotation.
Final Thoughts for New Disc Golfers
Disc golf is a game of patience and continuous learning. Everyone starts by throwing discs that wobble wildly or end up deep in the woods. Embrace the process! Ask experienced players on the course for advice—most disc golfers are very friendly and eager to help newcomers.
With practice on your grip, focus on smooth disc golf throwing techniques, and a little time on the course following good disc golf course etiquette, you will be enjoying birdies in no time. Remember, the best discs for new disc golfers are the ones that fly straight for you right now.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between a driver and a putter?
Drivers are designed to fly far and fast. They have sharper edges and higher speed ratings. Putters are slower, have duller edges, and are designed for slow, stable flights needed for approaching the basket or making short putts.
Can I use a regular frisbee to play disc golf?
While you can technically use a regular frisbee to play a casual round, they are not designed for the precise flight paths required in disc golf. Dedicated golf discs fly much farther and straighter because of their heavier weight and smaller diameter.
How fast do I need to throw to use a distance driver?
Most distance drivers require an arm speed equivalent to throwing 400+ feet with a mid-range disc. For beginners, this usually means you need a throwing speed of 45-55 mph or more to get the intended flight path. Stick to fairway drivers (speed 7-9) until you develop more arm speed.
Do I need specialized grips for every shot?
No. Many players use one primary grip (like the power grip) for drives and an easy-to-adjust grip (like the fan grip) for approaches and putting. Focus on mastering one grip for putting first.
Is disc golf expensive to start?
No. You can buy a set of three quality beginner discs (putter, mid-range, driver) for $30 to $45 total. After that, playing is usually free as most courses are public.