Buying new disc golf discs can be intimidating, especially if you’re just starting out. I’ve been there! So, I put together this guide as the ultimate resource for you to fill your bag.
Not sure which type of disc you need? Check out our guide to the 4 different types of disc golf discs.
Check out our ultimate disc golf bag review to find the right bag to fit your style.
Since you can’t carry unlimited discs when you play disc golf it’s important to put some thought into the discs you bring to the course. It’s also important to use discs that not only work well, but that fit your style and playing level too. Whether you’re a beginner just starting out or maybe you’ve played disc golf for a while and you’re ready to try some new discs – we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to get our best disc recommendations from beginners, intermediates, and beyond!
Why did I choose these Discs?
Don’t worry, I didn’t just pull names out of a hat, or look at Amazon reviews to make these recommendations. For starters, I looked at the discs in my own bag and I also talked to Tim (co-founder of RemixOutdoors) to get his thoughts. Every single disc here has earned a place in one of our bags and for good reason. Some we’ve bought, some were gifted, and some were even found along the way. However, they have all proven to be essential to our games.
Keep in mind that there are many great discs out there and we haven’t played a round with all of them. However, we truly believe in recommending discs based on performance. So, if a disc didn’t make the list don’t assume it’s inferior.
A note on player skill level
It’s important to stick with discs that fit your player level. From my experience, a beginner will almost always be able to throw a more beginner-friendly disc further than an intermediate or advanced disc. Likewise, a more advanced player will easily overpower a beginner driver. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t find an advanced player using a “beginner” disc. The Aviar putter, for example, Is our putter of choice for beginners but is so good at what it does that you’ll see pros using it too.
Every disc has its advantages in certain situations because it still fits a certain purpose. Here’s what we mean by labeling a disc beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
| Beginner Disc | Easy to throw and glides far. They do not have to be thrown hard to get a nice long straight throw. Throws most like a “traditional” frisbee. |
| Intermediate Disc | Requires a little more power and good form to throw far, but can achieve more distance and accuracy when compared to a disc labeled beginner. |
| Advanced Disc | Minimal glide. Can achieve maximum distance and accuracy, but requires an excellent form, technique, and sometimes maximum power. |
Best Disc Golf Driver Discs
Innova Leopard
Flight rating: (6, 5, -2, 1)
The Innova Leopard is a true classic! Many intermediate or advanced players have fond memories of playing their first round of disc golf with this disc. It’s even the driver Innova decided to include in the starter set I recommended earlier in this article and the driver I first learned to throw!
The thing I like most about the Leopard is that it’s incredibly forgiving and it’s possible to achieve some very respectable distance and accuracy with minimal power and practice. It also has a fairly straight flight path compared to more advanced drivers and it glides very well. If you’re a beginner this is the disc you need to start developing your game and reaching out for those long-range shots.
All of this makes the Leopard our first-choice driver in the beginner category! Even for intermediate or advanced players, the Leopard makes a great midrange disc or shorter-range driver.
Innova Valkyrie
Flight rating: (9, 4, -2, 2)
The Innova Valkyrie (or Valk) is another classic disc. It was the former distance world record holder before being beaten out by the Innova Boss so it has earned some respect. I found my Valkyrie disc in a thicket behind hole 18 on a local course (with no phone # written on it). I had it in my bag since then and use it almost every round.
The Valkyrie has an excellent mix of speed and glide. This means you can keep your throws accurate and still get some excellent glide and distance because the disc will stay in the air for an incredibly long time. To us, it’s the go-to driver for almost every drive off the tee and a must-have in the bag. Overall, The Valkyrie is fantastic for both backhand and forehand drives. The extra distance and glide it provides can easily bring your game to the next level.
Innova Boss / Boss Blizzard
Flight rating: (13, 5, -1, 3)
The Innova Boss holds the current record for distance on the books at 1,108 feet (338 m). That’s pushing a quarter of a mile! That secures its spot on our list if nothing else.
I’ll be honest, because of its flight characteristics the Boss takes some experience to master. My Boss was given to me one Christmas when I was still a beginner, but it took several years before I developed the arm speed and technique to throw it well. However, with proper form and enough power, this disc will absolutely fly!
The Boss Blizzard is a slightly lighter version of the traditional Boss that’s a bit more user-friendly and also a good choice. If you’re not going for world-record distance the Boss Blizzard is a good step up from the Valkyrie. Overall, If you’re looking for maximum distance, the Boss is the way to go.
Best Midrange Disc Golf Discs
Innova Shark
Innova Shark
Flight rating: (4, 4, 0, 2)
Flight rating: (4, 4, 0, 2)
The Innova Shark is a reliable midrange that’s easy to handle. it can even double as a putter for those occasional long puts. It has a straight reliable flight that’s easy for beginners to master. I got Shark as part of my first Innova starter set, and I still carry it in my bag to this day.
Because of its low-speed rating, it doesn’t have to be thrown very hard to achieve a well-placed approach shot. We also like that it tends to “stick” where it lands and doesn’t usually roll or skip. All in all, this is our go-to recommended midrange for beginners, especially since it’s included in the Innova starter set.
Discraft Buzzz SS
Flight rating: (5, 4, -1, 1)
The Discraft Buzzz SS is a dependable midrange with an exceptionally straight flight. It’s our absolute go-to for most midrange shots and can even double as a driver when accuracy is a must. I just got a Buzzz SS about a year ago, and it has become my go-to disc when I need pinpoint accuracy.
I’ve found that it has the accuracy of a putter and the distance of a driver, making it the perfect midrange disc in almost every scenario. Most players will say that the Buzzz is one of the best discs you can have in your bag, and I agree! If you’re struggling with your midrange or approach game the Buzzz is the solution. Period.
Innova Mako3
Flight rating: (5, 5, 0, 0)
The Innova Mako3 is a solid choice for more advanced midrange shots. It’s the go-to for many players when they need to make a well-placed approach throw to save par.
The Mako3 is similar to the Buzzz but tends to fly straighter on a gentle throw. This makes it great for very precise midrange or approach shots. However, it also tends to be less stable than the Buzzz and requires more finesse and experience to control. Overall, it may not be the go-to for every midrange shot, but it’s a lifesaver in certain situations.
Best Disc Golf Putter Discs
Innova Aviar
Flight rating: (2, 3, 0, 1)
The Aviar is Innova’s most popular putter and the number one putter in the game. It’s used from the beginner level to the pro tour and a must-have for every player’s bag. it may be on our beginner list, but the Aviar is truly the putter for every skill level. I got my Aviar as my first putter about 10 years ago, and that same disc is still my go-to putter every round.
The Aviar flies incredibly straight with almost no fade at the end of its flight. I especially recommend the DX plastic model because it has an incredible feel and grip that provides excellent control.
Gateway Wizard
Flight rating: (2, 3, 0, 1)
Flight rating: (2, 3, 0, 2)
The Gateway Wizard is another classic putter. Though not as popular as the Aviar, it is arguably the second most popular disc golf putter. Also, It also works great in windy conditions and can be used for short midrange or approach shots. An added bonus is that all your friends will start saying “You’re a wizard, Harry!” everytime you sink a clutch putt.
The Wizard has slightly more fade at the end of its flight than the Aviar. So, it can be great for navigating around trees or obstacles near the basket. The Wizard also has a unique flexible texture that some prefer over the Aviar or other putters and this helps it to “stick” very well when it lands. It also has a deeper rim than the Aviar that some people prefer. Overall, the wizard is a solid putter to have on hand.
Axiom Envy
Flight rating: (3, 3, -1, 2)
The Axiom Envy is the ideal long-distance putter that also has an epic modern look. In reality, its unique flight characteristics make it more of a midrange disc that also excels at putting.
The Envy can handle very powerful throws while maintaining a straight smooth flight. However, it also has very little fade at the end of its flight which means it’s also a great putter. Overall, the Envy is a very versatile disc that can handle a variety of shots. For more advanced players looking to nail long put’s or approach shots, this is the answer.
How many discs do you need to play disc golf?
Now that you know the best discs the question is how many do you need? The number of discs carried will vary depending on the person. Some people will even tailor their discs to the course they’re playing while others just bring every disc they own. There really is no “best” answer. If you’re a beginner, you’ll be fine with 3 discs – a driver, midrange, and putter – or one of my recommended starter sets.
As your game grows you’ll probably want to add another driver or two and another midrange. Eventually, you might even add another putter. We’ve found that nine discs are about the max most intermediate players will ever need. That’s three for each distance category which means you’ll have a variety of flight characteristics to choose from depending on the throw you need to make.
Best Disc Golf Discs: Final Thoughts
Congratulations on making it this far! If you’ve read this entire article chances are you’re looking to take your game to the next level. Ultimately, the decision of which disc to use comes down to what works best for you! So, make sure to get out on the course or practice field before expanding your bag. If you’re a beginner, I recommend sticking with a starter set to set yourself up for success.
