How to Choose Your First Disc Golf Disc
Picking your first disc doesn't have to be complicated. Here's exactly what to buy, what to skip, and why one disc is all you need to start.
Walk into any disc golf section and you’ll see hundreds of discs in every color and weight. It’s overwhelming. Here’s the truth: you only need one disc to start, and picking it is simpler than you think. (New to the sport entirely? Start with our how to play disc golf beginner’s guide, then come back here.)
The One-Disc Start
Start with a midrange disc. Here’s why:
- Versatile: Handles distances from 150 to 300 feet — covers most shots you’ll throw
- Forgiving: More stable and predictable than drivers
- Teaches form: Forces you to throw with technique rather than arm speed
- Affordable: One disc, $8–$15, done
The Three Disc Types
| Type | Speed | Distance | Control | Beginner-friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Putter | Slow | Short (150–250 ft) | Very high | Yes, but limited range |
| Midrange | Medium | Medium (150–300 ft) | High | Best first disc |
| Driver | Fast | Long (250–400+ ft) | Low | No — too hard to control |
Drivers look cool but they’re the hardest to throw correctly. A beginner throwing a fast driver will get worse results than throwing a midrange. Save drivers for later.
Top Picks for Your First Disc
Innova Mako3 — Straight flight, minimal fade, extremely predictable. The most beginner-friendly disc on the market.
Discraft Buzzz — The best-selling midrange in disc golf history. Slight fade at the end, works in all conditions.
Dynamic Discs Truth — Straight with a reliable finish. Slightly more overstable than the Buzzz.
Latitude 64 Pearl — Designed specifically for beginners. Understable, easy to throw straight.
Weight and Plastic
- Weight: 170–175g is standard. Heavier discs handle wind better; lighter discs are easier to throw far.
- Plastic: Start with base plastic (cheapest, most available). It beats in faster, which actually makes it fly straighter over time.
What You Don’t Need Yet
- A bag: Carry your disc by hand or in a grocery bag for now
- A full set: One midrange covers 90% of beginner shots
- A rangefinder: You’ll learn distances by feel
- Specialized putters/drivers: Add these after 10–15 rounds when you know what you like
When to Add More Discs
After 10–15 rounds, you’ll start noticing gaps in your game. That’s when to add:
- A putter (for close-range shots into the basket)
- A fairway driver (for longer tee shots when you’re ready)
Don’t rush it. Master your midrange first — it’ll teach you more about form than any bag full of discs.
Find a Course and Throw It
You’ve got the disc — now you need a place to throw it. Use our disc golf course finder to locate a beginner-friendly course near you, or jump straight into a city guide:
- Disc golf in Austin, TX — free, open, and beginner-friendly
- Disc golf in Charlotte, NC — one of the densest course networks in the country
- Disc golf in Seattle, WA — forgiving park courses to learn on
Once you’ve played a few rounds, read our disc golf scoring guide so you can track your progress — and the official rules for when OB lines start mattering.