Best Frisbee Golf Discs: Complete Buying Guide
Quick Comparison
| Product | Speed↑ | Glide↑ | Turn↑ | Fade↑ | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | Learning proper putting form with consistent flight | Check Price | |
| 5 | 4 | -1 | 1 | Straight, controllable flights at medium distances | Check Price | |
| 6 | 5 | -2 | 1 | Your first fairway driver with controllable distance | Check Price | |
| 8 | 6 | -3 | 1 | Maximum beginner-friendly distance with easy release | Check Price | |
| - | - | - | - | Complete 3-disc starter kit with Judge, Truth, and Escape | Check Price |
Complete 3-disc starter kit with Judge, Truth, and Escape
Check Price on AmazonIf you're searching for "frisbee golf discs," you're probably new to the sport - and that's great! While regular players call it "disc golf," the game is exactly what you're picturing: throwing flying discs at metal baskets on a course, similar to traditional golf.
This buying guide will help you understand the difference between casual frisbees and proper disc golf discs, and recommend the best discs to get you started on the course. If you want a deeper look at how each disc category works, see our types of disc golf discs guide.
Quick Picks: Best Frisbee Golf Discs at a Glance
- Best Putter for Beginners: Innova DX Aviar - Most-used putter in disc golf history, $10
- Best Midrange: Discraft ESP Buzzz - The straightest, most trusted midrange in the sport
- Best First Driver: Innova DX Leopard - Understable fairway driver that flies far on modest arm speed
- Best Maximum-Distance Beginner Driver: Latitude 64 Diamond - Extra glide and turn for new players who want max distance
- Best Starter Set: Dynamic Discs Prime Starter Set - Putter, midrange, and driver for $25
Frisbee vs. Disc Golf Disc: What's the Difference?
The frisbees you throw at the beach are designed for catching - they're light, float slowly, and are easy to grab. Disc golf discs are designed for distance and accuracy - they're heavier, denser, and have sharper edges that cut through the air.
- Beach Frisbees: 80-120 grams, diameter 8-10 inches, designed for catching
- Disc Golf Discs: 150-180 grams, diameter ~8.5 inches, designed for throwing
You can play disc golf with a regular frisbee, but you'll quickly find it frustrating. Disc golf discs fly much farther, handle wind better, and offer control that beach frisbees simply can't match.
Types of Disc Golf Discs
Putters
Putters are designed for short, accurate throws and putting into the basket. They fly slowly and predictably, making them perfect for beginners to learn with. You'll use your putter for any shot within about 150 feet of the basket.
Midranges
Midrange discs bridge the gap between putters and drivers. They fly farther than putters while remaining controllable. Most beginners find midranges to be the most versatile disc in their bag, useful for shots from 150-300 feet.
Drivers
Drivers are designed for maximum distance but are also the hardest to control. New players should start with lower-speed "fairway drivers" (speed 6-9) rather than "distance drivers" (speed 10+), which require significant arm speed to fly correctly.
Best Frisbee Golf Discs for Beginners
Innova DX Aviar
Pros
- Cheapest pathway into proven equipment
- Flight is predictable enough for first-time players, refined enough for pros
- DX plastic provides excellent grip even in humid conditions
- Beats in nicely - older Aviars develop a slightly straighter, more glide-y flight
Cons
- DX plastic wears noticeably faster than premium plastics
- Some hand sizes find the rim slightly thin
- Won't survive driving use the way Champion or Star plastic would
The DX Aviar is the most popular disc golf disc ever made. It's a slow, predictable putter that flies straight with a soft fade at the end - exactly what you want when you're learning to read flight paths. Paul McBeth, Ken Climo, and a long list of world champions have all putted with the Aviar at various points in their careers, which says everything about its reliability.
For new players, the Aviar's biggest strength is honesty. It tells you the truth about your release. If your putt fades hard left, it's not the disc - it's your nose angle or your wrist motion. Throw it in your yard 50 times a day for a month and your putting will improve more than any tip you'll read online. Flight numbers: 2/3/0/1.
Discraft ESP Buzzz
Pros
- Trusted from beginner to professional level
- Most neutral flight in disc golf - goes exactly where you aim
- ESP plastic provides excellent grip and durability
- Multiple plastic options if you want different feels
Cons
- Slightly fast at speed 5 for the slowest arm speeds (very young children, etc.)
- Premium plastic price (~$18) is higher than base putters
- Strict neutrality means it won't "correct" a bad throw the way a stable disc might
The Buzzz is the best-selling midrange disc in the history of disc golf, and once you throw one you'll understand why. Its 5/4/-1/1 flight numbers translate to a nearly neutral disc - point it where you want, throw it flat, and it will fly there with a small fade at the end. No surprises, no weird hooks, no mysterious turnovers.
That predictability is what makes the Buzzz the right disc for a wide range of skill levels. Beginners can throw it 200 feet on a beautiful straight line. Intermediates use it for 250-300 foot approach shots. Touring pros throw Buzzz from the tee on shorter holes because the accuracy beats raw distance. If you only buy one midrange ever, this is it. Flight numbers: 5/4/-1/1.
Innova DX Leopard
Pros
- One of the best understable drivers ever made
- Sub-$10 entry point for premium-feeling flight
- High glide rating (5) means easier distance for slower arms
- Beats in to an excellent hyzer-flip disc over time
Cons
- DX plastic doesn't last as long as Star or Champion versions
- Stronger arms will flip it over immediately - move up to the Leopard3 in Champion
- Not useful in even moderate headwinds
The Leopard is the disc that has launched more disc golf careers than any other driver. With -2 turn and only 1 fade, it's understable enough that a new player with modest arm speed can get a beautiful straight flight out of it - sometimes 200+ feet on a perfectly flat line. That's a magical experience your first time, and it keeps people coming back to the course.
The DX plastic is affordable ($10), grippy, and slightly soft, which makes it easy to control. It beats in fast, but for a beginner driver that's a feature rather than a bug - a well-worn DX Leopard becomes a hyzer-flip workhorse that flies straighter than nearly anything else at its speed. Flight numbers: 6/5/-2/1.
Latitude 64 Diamond
Pros
- Highest glide of any beginner-friendly driver
- Translates modest arm speed into real distance
- Opto plastic is the most durable beginner-friendly plastic
- Works from beginner up through early intermediate
Cons
- Strong-armed throwers will flip and burn this disc immediately
- Almost no headwind resistance - use it in calm conditions
- The high glide also makes it more sensitive to small angle errors
The Diamond is purpose-built for beginners who want more distance than a Leopard can give them. At speed 8 with -3 turn and only 1 fade, it's faster than the Leopard but every bit as forgiving. The 6 glide rating is what makes the Diamond special - it floats. New players regularly report 30-50 foot distance gains the first time they switch to this disc.
The Opto plastic is durable, grippy, and weather-resistant. Latitude 64 specifically engineered the Diamond as a "moving target" - a driver that grows with you. A new player with a 40 mph arm speed gets a straight S-curve at 250 feet. An intermediate at 55 mph gets a beautiful turnover line at 350 feet. Flight numbers: 8/6/-3/1.
Dynamic Discs Prime Starter Set
Pros
- Best value in disc golf - three real discs for $25
- Covers every shot type you'll need for your first 6 months
- Bright colors are easier to spot in the woods
- All Prime plastic with decent grip and durability
Cons
- Prime plastic beats in faster than premium options
- Color/disc combination isn't customizable
- Stronger arms may outgrow the Escape driver within a season
The Prime Starter Set is the single best value in disc golf for someone who has never bought a disc before. For ~$25 - less than one premium driver - you get three good discs that cover every shot you'll need: the Judge putter, the Truth midrange, and the Escape fairway driver. Plus they come in vibrant colors that are easier to find when they land in the rough.
Dynamic Discs picked the molds carefully. The Judge is a flat-topped, very straight putter that doubles well as an approach disc. The Truth is a stable midrange that flies similar to a Buzzz at a fraction of the price. The Escape is an understable fairway driver that lets new players experience their first 250+ foot drives. None of these will be replaced for a long time - they're real discs, not toys.
How to Choose Your First Discs
Don't overthink it. For your first round, you really only need 2-3 discs:
- One putter (Aviar) - for putting and short shots
- One midrange (Buzzz) - for medium shots
- One fairway driver (Leopard) - for longer shots
Or simply buy a starter set that includes all three. You can add more discs as you learn what you like.
Understanding Flight Numbers
Every disc golf disc has four numbers printed on it (like 5/4/-1/1). These describe how the disc flies:
- Speed (1-14): How fast you need to throw it. Lower is easier.
- Glide (1-7): How well it stays in the air. Higher means more distance.
- Turn (-5 to +1): High-speed curve. Negative turns right (for right-handed backhand).
- Fade (0-5): End-of-flight curve. Higher fades more left.
Best Frisbee Golf Disc Brands
If you want to stick with a single brand while you learn, here's what each major manufacturer does best.
Innova
The biggest name in disc golf, and the best place to start for most beginners. Innova's Aviar (putter), Leopard (fairway driver), and Champion plastic line are the proven defaults across thousands of disc golf courses. Wide retail availability means you can find Innova discs at Dick's, Walmart, and most local shops - useful if you don't want to wait for shipping.
Discraft
Innova's biggest competitor and the official disc of the PDGA tour. Discraft makes the Buzzz, which is arguably the best midrange ever produced, and the Luna putter favored by Paul McBeth. Their ESP plastic is the most popular premium plastic in disc golf. Slightly more "tour-focused" than Innova, but every Discraft disc is throwable from beginner to pro.
Dynamic Discs / Latitude 64 / Westside
These three brands are owned by Trilogy Disc Manufacturing, which means they share manufacturing and plastic types. Their starter sets (especially the Prime Starter Set) are the best value in disc golf, and the Diamond, Judge, and Origin are excellent beginner-friendly molds. If budget matters most, start here.
MVP / Axiom
A newer brand with distinctive overmold technology (the rim and flight plate are made of different materials, which they say improves stability). The MVP line tends to be more "technical" and overstable; Axiom is the more colorful, slightly more beginner-friendly sub-brand. Worth exploring once you've thrown the major Innova and Discraft molds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a frisbee and a disc golf disc?
Frisbees are designed for catching - they're light (80-120g), wide (8-10 inches), and curve up at the rim so they float slowly into your hand. Disc golf discs are designed for throwing - they're heavier (150-180g), narrower (~8.5 inches), and have aerodynamic rim shapes that cut through the air for distance. You can technically play disc golf with a beach frisbee, but you'll be frustrated within five throws because frisbees can't fly straight at distance.
What size frisbee golf disc should I buy?
Disc golf discs come in three weight categories: lightweight (150-160g) for slow arm speeds and kids, midweight (165-170g) for most beginners, and max-weight (175-180g) for experienced players and windy conditions. If you're new and adult-sized, get a 170-175g disc. Lighter discs fly farther for low arm speeds but get pushed around by wind. Max weight is the most predictable but requires more arm to throw at full speed.
Are frisbee golf discs better than regular frisbees?
For disc golf, absolutely yes. A good disc golf disc flies 2-3x as far as a beach frisbee with the same effort, holds its line in wind, and lands predictably enough that you can aim it. The only situation where a regular frisbee is better is casual catching at the beach or park, where the soft, slow flight is the point.
How many frisbee golf discs do I need to start?
Three: one putter, one midrange, and one fairway driver. You can get the equivalent of all three by buying a starter set like the Dynamic Discs Prime Starter Set for $25. Resist the urge to buy more until you've thrown those three discs at least 20 rounds - having fewer discs makes you better, not worse.
What's the best brand of frisbee golf discs for beginners?
For most beginners, Innova (DX Aviar, DX Leopard) or Dynamic Discs (Prime Starter Set, Judge putter) are the right starting point. Both companies have excellent beginner-friendly molds at sub-$15 price points. Discraft makes the best midrange (the Buzzz), but their other discs trend slightly more advanced. Start with Innova or Dynamic Discs, then expand from there.
Can kids play frisbee golf with the same discs as adults?
Yes, but with lighter weights. For kids ages 6-10, look for 130-150g "kids" or "junior" discs - some manufacturers like Innova make them specifically for this. For ages 10-14, a standard 150-160g lightweight disc works well. Heavier discs require arm speed kids haven't developed yet, and the disc will dive into the ground instead of flying.
Where can I buy frisbee golf discs?
Amazon has the widest selection and best prices for most beginner-friendly discs. Disc golf specialty stores like Infinite Discs and Marshall Street Disc Golf have the deepest inventory and best customer service. Dick's Sporting Goods and Walmart carry Innova discs in stores if you want to see them in person first. Avoid generic "frisbee" packs from toy stores - those are catch frisbees, not disc golf discs.
Final Thoughts
Welcome to disc golf! It's an affordable, accessible sport that you can enjoy for a lifetime. Start with a few basic discs, find a local course (most are free to play), and have fun learning. Our how to play disc golf guide covers rules, scoring, and etiquette for your first round. The disc golf community is incredibly welcoming to new players.
Affiliate Disclosure
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Pine Tree Disc earns from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Learn more
Isaac "Steaks" Salisbury is the founder of Pine Tree Disc Golf and a Maine native who has spent years throwing plastic through the state's forests and fairways. He started Pine Tree out of frustration with boring designs and generic gear - and the blog is where he shares the honest reviews, beginner-friendly technique breakdowns, and course-tested takes he wishes he'd had when he picked up his first disc. Every disc, bag, and accessory recommended here is one he'd hand to a friend new to the sport.
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