All Disc Golfers are different, and with individual players’ unique combinations of throwing techniques and release velocities, no disc will fly exactly the same for two different people.
However, the recommendations assembled below represent discs proven to provide the best overall results for the broadest range of players, and we strongly encourage our members to include the appropriate discs below in their bags.
These 10 Best Overall Discs discs can help significantly improve your game by combining the best possible molds, plastics, and weights for optimal performance.
Best Distance Drivers
Backhand Drives – Farthest Flying Disc for Beginners & Intermediates
Heat
- Manufacturer: Discraft
- Optimal Plastic: Z-Line
- Recommended Weight Class: 160-174g
The Proof: The Heat was created to provide extremely long, gliding turnover drives at a wide range of release velocities, and the resulting performance vastly exceeded expectations.
The Heat produces distance-optimized flight patterns for both beginners and intermediates (See flight chart on the right) through a combination of slightly understable Turn performance and high Glide working together to significantly extend the disc’s time-in-flight.
Additionally, the Heats gentle Fade performance provides extra distance by ensuring a longer, straighter finish that pulls the disc back to the original flight line.
Backhand Drives – Most Versatile Disc for Beginners & Intermediates
Valkyrie
- Manufacturer: Innova
- Optimal Plastic: DX
- Recommended Weight Class: 165-175g
The Proof: The Valkyrie is a true anomaly: while its relatively narrow rim and perfectly balanced Turn and Fade make it an ideal driver for backhand beginners, it also held the world distance record (830′) for an incredible ten years.
When used by Beginners and Intermediates, the Valkyrie will not provide as much distance as the Heat (above), but it does provide more predictable flight lines and superior wind-resistance, while still offering good distance potential.
Backhand Drives – Best Disc for Advanced Players
Destroyer
- Manufacturer: Innova
- Optimal Plastic: Star
- Recommended Weight Class: 160-175g
The Proof: The Destroyer is the most commonly used distance driver by the top 15 professional players in the world, including 3-time PDGA Champion Ricky Wysocki (see the 8 Most Popular Pro Discs).
Paired with the overstable Star plastic and a moderate/heavy weight of 160-175g, the Destroyer delivers even more predictable flight in a wide variety of weather and wind conditions while still generating superior distance.
To reiterate, this disc is not for beginners, but advanced players with good release velocity will significantly benefit from the Destroyer’s combination of high-distance and consistency.
See the Destroyer’s full Flight Ratings Analysis and Reviews
Forehand Drives – Best Disc for Beginner & Intermediate Players
Thunderbird
- Manufacturer: Innova
- Optimal Plastic: PRO
- Recommended Weight Class: 165-175g
The Proof: To generate superior distance, the best forehand discs must help minimize Off-Axis-Torque (OAT) and the resulting velocity-reducing turbulence (read our full analysis on Forehand vs. Backhand drives).
Because of this, the optimal discs must be torque resistant, overstable, and perimeter weighted to maximize the gyroscopic stabilization effect. Not only are Thunderbirds some the most Overstable distance drivers we’ve ever tested, they also have a relatively wide rim for their Speed class (shifting a large percentage of the disc’s weight to the perimeter).
These two features combine to provide superior distance by quickly dampening unwanted wobble, helping the disc produce more predictable flight patterns, and maintaining initial flight velocities for the longer period.
See the Thunderbird’s Full Flight Ratings Analysis and Reviews
Forehand Drives – Best Disc for Advanced Players
Photon
- Manufacturer: MVP Disc Sports
- Optimal Plastic: Neutron
- Recommended Weight Class: 160-175g
The Proof: MVP’s “Gyro” overmold technology takes gyroscopic stabilization and off-axis torque prevention to a level that’s simply not achievable with standard disc technology.
By using a high molecular weight material in the overmolded rim, MVP is able to shift a significant percentage of the disc’s total weight to the rim for maximum stabilization. Additionally, MVP’s gyro effect delays Fade, resulting in longer, straighter finishes for even more distance. If you still haven’t tried an overmold disc, it’s time to start.
Best Fairway Drivers
Most Accurate Fairway Driver
TeeBird
- Manufacturer: Innova
- Optimal Plastic: DX
- Recommended Weight Class: 160-175g
The Proof: The Teebird was used to win 19 PDGA World Championships, and is still one of the top 2 most popular pro fairway drivers.
Why?
Overstability combined with High Glide produces the most predictable flight patterns while still maintaining good distance, even at moderate throw velocities.
Additionally, the TeeBird has unusually low Fade for an Overstable disc (+2), providing longer, straighter finishes that allow players to use the TeeBird as a distance driver in many situations.
Most Versatile Fairway Driver
Leopard
- Manufacturer: Innova
- Optimal Plastic: Champion
- Recommended Weight Class: 160-175g
The Proof: While the TeeBird may have more precision and wind-resistance, the Leopard’s balanced Turn and low Fade make it one of the easiest discs for players to throw consistently straight and far, including relatively new players.
The Leopard not only flies further than the Teebird for most players, its balanced Turn and Fade also allow the Leopard to hold a wide variety of flight lines while still providing great distance,
For these reasons, the Leopard was also the top-rated “must have” fairway driver in our recent poll.
Best Midrange Discs
Best Driving Midrange
Buzzz
- Manufacturer: Discraft
- Optimal Plastic: X-Line
- Recommended Weight Class: 170-174g
The Proof: The Buzzz is the current Ace record holder at DiscGolfScene.com (a massive repository of disc golf round scores), representing almost 1 of every 14 reported aces in their over 1,200,000 posted scores.
Additionally, In a recent large player poll, the Buzzz was overwhelmingly selected as the one disc all new players should have in their bag.
Best Approach Midrange
Roc3
- Manufacturer: Innova
- Optimal Plastic: DX
- Recommended Weight Class: 165-180g
The Proof: All versions of the ever-popular Roc combine predictable, overstable (Turn 0) flight with moderate Fade to produce the most consistent flight pattern, distance control, and wind-resistance we’ve documented in a midrange disc.
It’s no surprise that Rocs are on consistently on the list of top professional midrange discs.
While all versions of the Roc provide superior performance, the Roc3 (with its uniquely flattened dome) produces the straightest high-speed flight and the highest level of wind resistance in the Roc family, making it our number one pick.
Best Putter
Overall Best Putter
Yeti Pro Aviar
Manufacturer: Innova
Optimal Plastic: Yeti Pro
Recommended Weight Class:160-175g
The Proof: The Aviar has been used by more professionals to win more PDGA world championships than all other putters combined. The Aviar is also the go-to putter for 5-time Putting Champion Jay “The Yeti” Reading, considered by many to be the best disc golf putter of all time.
The Yeti-Pro uses a unique plastic (formulated exclusively for this disc) providing the solid feel of Pro plastic, but with significantly increased grip, plus a slightly concave top for increased wind-resistance.
The max weight class (170-175g) provides additional wind-resistance.
Best Specialty Discs
Utility High-Turnover Disc
F7
- Manufacturer: Prodigy
- Optimal Plastic: 200
- Recommended Weight Class: 160-176g
The Proof: The F7 is the most Understable driver we’ve documented, making it the perfect choice for a wide range of specialty shots that require significant turn-over during high-speed flight. Examples:
- Distance Roller shots
- S-Shots
- Anhyzer drives
- Hyzer Flips
Prodigy’s 200 plastic delivers even more strongly pronounced turnover flights with use and wear, and moderate weighting from 165-169g provides great flexibility in shot selection.
BONUS
Best Driver for Maximum Distance
Boss
- Manufacturer: Innova
- Optimal Plastic: R-Pro
- Recommended Weight Class: 151-164g
The Proof: The Innova Boss has the proven Turn/Fade balance for maximum distance and holds the top three spots on the Longest Recorded Drives list (all in the 151-164g weight class).
The record? 1,108.9 feet (338m) by Dave Wiggins throwing a 154g R-Pro.
Why does it fly so far? The relative light weight combined with one of Innova’s most understable plastics work together to provide the release velocity and turnover needed to realize maximum distance with an overstable, ultra wide-rim driver.
Additional Research
To further optimize your game, please watch our #1 Video Guide Series video, “How to Find the Best Driver for Maximum Distance.” You’ll learn the correct methodology for choosing your next disc based on the flight patterns you are experiencing with your current discs. Also, If you have any specific thoughts or questions, let us know using our contact page! We’re always happy to help. Have a great Round!
CURRENT BEST SELLING DISCS
RELATED RESEARCH
SPEED
Speed measures the ability of a disc to “cut” through the air, with high-Speed discs having sharply angled, wide rims.
High Speed
High speed discs (11-15) have the longest flight potential, but they also require the highest release velocity and best throwing technique to provide optimal flights.
Low Speed
Lower speed discs have less distance potential, but they will provide superior control and more optimized flights at lower speeds.
For this reason. lower speed drivers (6-10) are recommended for beginners looking for optimal flight performance and advanced players looking for more control in narrow fairways.
FADE
Fade measures the tendency of a disc to hook at the end of flight as it slows.
High Fade
Produces a strong hook at the end of flight, providing less distance but better distance control.
High fade discs have superior wind-resistance and are the best options for Flex Shots, Hyzers, and Overheads.
Low Fade
Produces straighter finishes, providing more flight distance. Low Fade discs also provide more versatility as they are better able to hold a variety of flight angles.
Low-fade discs are essential for Anhyzer shots.
GLIDE
Glide measures the amount of lift generated by the disc. It is best used to compare discs in the same Speed class.
High Glide
Extends the flight time of the disc, providing the best/longest flight distance potential.
High Glide discs are more susceptible to flight variations caused by headwinds and tailwinds
Low Glide
Provides superior distance control. Low Glide is also the best option for Overhead Shots (thumber, tomahawk, etc.).
TURN
Turn measures the tendency of a disc to “Turn Over” or “Flip” during high-speed flight, pulling the disc in the opposite direction of its natural Fade.
High Turn (Overstable)
Must be thrown at extremely high speeds to turn over.
Overstable discs are the most predictable and wind resistant discs, but they must be thrown with significant velocity to produce distance-optimized flights.
High Turn (Understable)
Turn over at more moderate speeds, generating optimal max-distance flight patterns much more easily than Overstable discs.
Understable disc flights are less predictable than those of Overstable discs, particularly on windy days.
DURABILITY
As discs wear with use, they become increasingly understable.
Durability measures the tendency of a disc to maintain its like-new flight patterns.
Additionally, when a disc is available in more than one plastic option, the version produced with more durable plastic is typically more stable and wind-resistant than the version produced with less durable plastic (find out why HERE).
High Durability Plastic
Increases long-term consistency and predictability; particularly important for control drivers and high-wind discs.
Low Durability Plastic
Allows players to more easily “tune” discs to provide different stability levels. This practice is most common for players who like to carry several copies of their favorite molds.
GRIP
Measures overall grip performance.
Softer and/or less durable plastics tend to provide the best overall grip.
Some ultra-premium plastics also deliver high grip through the addition of specialized polymers in the resin blends. These materials are much more costly, but they allow manufacturers to produce discs that provide both high grip and high durability.
GRIP RATING RANGE:
VERY LOW
LOW
AVERAGE
HIGH
VERY HIGH
WEIGHT
Lower-Weight Discs have been proven to produce longer flights than heavier discs for two reasons:
INCREASED GLIDE
Light-weighting allows discs to stay aloft at lower speeds, increasing flight duration and distance. Learn more with our complete Glide Video Guide.
INCREASED VELOCITY
Reducing disc weight helps players generate more release velocity, and release velocity has been proven to be the most important factor in determining drive distance. Learn more Here.
Already have 5 of these 10 in my bag — and loving them!
LOVE the website – wish I found it before I bought a bunch of discs that weren’t suited for me! Still a beginner but I love all the science behind the scenes and you guys do a great job of illustrating that
Great article – thanks guys. Purchased an Avenger SS and Valkyrie with your specifications – can’t wait to get my hands on them.
what are the best discs to throw tomahawk / overhand….I’m intermediate player
Tim, we are working on a complete video for this now, and will send out an update to our subscribers when it is published! I can tell you that the current world record was thrown with a heavy, overstable disc with very low glide: the Latitude64 XXX
For short get-out-from-the-bushes: try max weight DX Shark! If beaten in, it actually lands on the back really nice after gliding like a leaf
Kenneo – Yes, the Shark is a classic Midrange and great “get out of trouble” disc: nearly identical to the #1 DX Roc, but with slightly less Fade.
Hi Tim — here are our top recommendations: Top Overhead Discs. For maximum distance, you’ll want a very overstable driver with a rim at least 1.9cm wide and a moderate to low Glide rating.
We are actually publishing a video in the near future explaining the physics and aerodynamics of Overhead (or “upside-down”) shots.
For my tomahawks I use a star cro for short range (over bushes and getting out of tough spots) and for long I use a beat in pro wraith. Neither have let me down yet.
Cheers for the heads up! Newbies here, as in yesterday was my first time-rainy, windy-half the course was inch deep puddles….but we had just got our innova starter pack: Leopard, Shark & Aviar….plus we grabbed a Vroc, and I was determined to have a go right away….
Bloody good fun! (Dont know what the@#%& we are doing-but we laughed at ourselves in the mud!..) Now I am gonna order some more putters for us-my lady has very low power (wrist & shoulder injury), and we will put the driver in the bottom of our bag. I read a tip about only using a putter for 8 weeks. (But I wanna throw forehand-it it ok to learn forehand using putters? Cheers again!!
great informative article
I used to carry a full bag in my younger days but now at 54 I carry two discs, 150g Star Leopard and my 175g first run Pro Aviar that I pulled out of a creek! The Leopard works on any shot in any condition for me and I don’t really lose any distance on my drives. The Aviar is well, the Aviar!