Disc Golf Tips Every Beginner Should Know

Like anything new, Disc Golf can be challenging and intimidating when you’re just starting out. It’s easy to focus on the wrong things or make easy mistakes that could have been avoided. So, we asked the disc golf community for the best disc golf tips that they wish they’d known sooner in their disc golf journey. Then we added in a few of our own based on personal experience.

So, whether you’re just starting out or have been playing disc golf for years, there’s something here for you. These just might be the disc golf tips you need to elevate your game and push through the next wall.

14 Disc Golf Tips You Need to Know

Here are our best disc golf tips out there ranked in order of importance. If you have one you think should be added to the list please let us know!

#1 Use the Right Discs

This tip seems incredibly simple, right? But so many people go wrong here, especially beginners. It’s sooo easy to buy the discs with the coolest designs or the discs that your favorite pro uses. We get it and we’ve done that too. However, different disc are better suited to different skill levels. Using the wrong discs will at best lead to frustration. At worst, you’ll be stuck at the same level and never be able to level up your game.

It’s vital to understand that discs with high speed ratings have to be thrown very hard to fly correctly. For instance, if you’re going for distance it’s tempting to buy an Innova Boss distance driver. After all, it holds the world record for the distance at over 1100 ft! However, the Boss also has a speed rating of 13. So, without a very powerful throw, it will just curve hard and dive into the ground with less distance than a normal frisbee.

The rule of thumb is this, beginners should start out using discs with very low speed ratings

These would be discs like midrange or fairway discs with speed ratings below 7. In fact, most beginners will have the best chance of success using only a putter and midrange. Even most intermediate players will be better off sticking with fairway and midrange discs instead of trying to throw something like Boss.

Overall, we encourage players of all skill levels to take an objective look at their discs. You may be suprised how much better your game gets when you’re using the right discs. Personally, I recently started throwing an Innova Valkyrie and I instantly gained more distance and accuracy than I was able to achieve with the higher-speed drivers I was using before.

Ready to get the disc you need to elevate your game? Check out our list of the best disc golf starter sets and our list of the best disc golf discs for all skill levels!

#2 Learn and Understand the Flight Rating System

This is such a crucial tip and one that many players overlook, especially beginners. Understanding the flight rating numbers on your discs will open up your eyes to how you should expect your discs to behave and how you can use them to be successful. You’ll be able to visualize the flight paths your discs should follow and choose the one that is best suited for the scenario. With some practice, you’ll be able to pick up and disc you’ve never seen before and describe how it will fly.

I recently wrote an in-depth article about the flight rating system. To be honest, it was the first time I really sat down and took the time and effort to memorize the flight numbers and truly understand what they mean and how to apply them. It’s something I should have done years ago, but I never did. I’ve seen a huge improvement in my game and feel much more confident on the course because now I fully understand how my discs should fly.

Don’t put this off! Check out our article on the flight rating system. Grab a few of your favorite discs while you’re reading it and see how the flight numbers on them relate to how they fly!

#3 Learn and Understand Disc Golf Terminology

Understanding disc golf terminology is key to understanding the sport as a whole. Words like “hyzer”, “stable”, “understable”, and “mando” can cause a lot of confusion if you’re a beginner. If you’re just starting out, our intro to disc golf and our article on disc golf tules are great places to start! Once you have those down you’ll be well on your way.

If you’re on the course and hear someone using disc golf terminology you aren’t familiar with, just ask. We’ve all been there and most people will be happy to explain what they mean in plain English.

#4 Start With Just a Handful of Discs

With disc golf, it can be easy to prioritize quantity over quality. It’s natural to want to buy every disc out there and fill your bag with several dozen discs in different molds, weights, and even colors. Granted, there’s a time and place for trying out multiple discs and it can be helpful to have a lot of discs for certain courses. However, beginners should start out with only a handful of discs and learn to throw them with control and accuracy before getting more discs.

Obviously, you may feel the need to add more discs down the road. However, it’s important to be able to use the discs you have before adding more. Even most intermediate players will be just fine with less than 10 discs.

Personally, I started with the 3 discs included in the Innova Starter Set. Eventually found or was gifted more discs. Today, I carry about 10 discs and use 4-6 of them regularly.

#5 Prioritize Accuracy Over Distance

This is another great tip that is applicable to players of all skill levels, not just beginners. It’s tempting to put everything you have into a throw just to have it hit a tree 50 ft away. We’ve all been there and done that.

However, most of the time, throwing accurate, but shorter throws will shave more strokes off your score than always going for max distance. This makes sense too – it’s impossible to maintain accuracy if you’re always throwing the disc as hard as you can. Prioritizing accuracy over distance will also allow you to refine your technique and skills. So, when it comes time for that long throw you’ll have a better chance of placing it where it needs to go.

#6 Play Smart

This tip goes along with tip #5 and it’s pretty simple. Make smart decisions on the course. Obviously, there are times to risk it all for the win, but sometimes it’s best to go with the safe shot. Sure, you may be able to hit that 60 ft putt every now and then, but if missing means your disc ends up in a creek is it worth it?

Smart disc golf players know how to balance the risk vs reward of each shot to lower their overall score at the end of the round.

#7 Play With Other People

Disc golf is all about community so get out there and play with other people. Tap into your local disc golf club or Facebook group. Visit your local pro shop and meet some of the locals, or just take a few friends and teach them how to play.

Playing with other people can also be a great time to learn more about the game and try new discs. The disc golf community is very welcoming to new members and always ready to help. So don’t be shy if you’re a beginner!

#8 Play Alone (Sometimes)

Yes, this does seem to contradict tip #7, but there is a time to play a round by yourself. Maybe you’re practicing a specific throw or trying to master a certain hole – sometimes you just need to have that time alone to really focus and practice. Of course, everyone is different and some people focus best alone while others are the opposite.

So, take this tip with a grain of salt. However, if you find you can’t get the practice you need in a group setting, consider playing a few rounds alone.

#9 Buy a Bag for Your Discs

Do yourself a favor and buy a bag to hold your discs. If you’re just starting out you can get by carrying 3-4 discs in your hand for a while. However, once you get more discs than that, it’s just too much of a hassle. Trust me.

These days you can get a decent disc golf bag for fairly cheap. Sure, you can spend several hundred dollars on a fancy cart or name-brand backpack. However, something simple (like this bag from Dynamic Discs) is really all you need if you’re just starting out.

#10 Bring a Rag to Clean off your Discs

Having a rag to clean off your discs is a lifesaver, especially on wet or muddy courses or early in the morning when there is dew on the ground. You don’t need anything fancy and an old kitchen rag will do. However, if you have a few dollars to spare consider getting something with a clip so you can attach it to your bag. This rag by MVP is a good option and it costs less than a disc.

#11 Have Fun

As cliche as this sounds – remember to have fun and don’t take things too seriously! Unless you’re an aspiring professional disc golfer, you’re probably not playing for money or fame. So, just relax, enjoy the course, and enjoy the journey.