We’ve looked into the bags of the top 15 professional disc golf players (as ranked by the Professional Disc Golf Association, or “PDGA”) to find the discs most commonly used by the best players in the world.
In the article below we’ll review the two most popular discs in each of four categories:
- Distance Drivers
- Fairway Drivers
- Midrange Discs
- Putters
The World’s Top 15 Players
Data Integrity and Sponsorship Implications
The players we researched averaged 18 discs each, providing a statistically significant sample size of n=270 total discs.
Concerns over potential data skew from monetary sponsorships were greatly minimized by the fact that multiple major disc brands were well represented by several different athletes.
Additionally, several players reported the use discs from more than one manufacturer.
- Cale Leiviska
- Jeremy Koling
- Chris Dickerson
- Manabu Kajiyama
- Nate Doss*
- Michael Johansen
- Cale Leiviska
- Jeremy Koling
- Chris Dickerson
- Manabu Kajiyama
- Richard Wysocki*
- Cameron Colglazier
- Matthew Orum
Note: Players marked with * are former/current PDGA World Champions. Discmania athletes Simon Lizotte and Eagle Wynne McMahon are not listed above, but their disc selections are included in the analysis. Dynamic Discs includes Dynamic Discs, Latitude64, and Westside Discs.
With this sample size and diversity, we consider the data to be highly representative of all professional disc golf players and largely free from sponsorship bias.
Disc Stability Analysis
Individual disc selections varied, but the preferred level of disc stability by disc type was very consistent:
PREFERRED DISC STABILITY BY TYPE
As you can see in the graphic above, as the speed of the disc decreases, the preferred level of stability increases.
Why?
Overstable discs deliver the most consistent flight patterns, the most specific flight distances, and the most predictable performance in the wind. As the players get closer to the basket and the need for precision increases, the more overstable their disc selection becomes.
For a complete explanation of “Turn” and high-speed stability, watch this VIDEO.
Plastic Selection
The top pros overwhelmingly preferred hard, rigid plastics for two reasons:
- Rigid plastics have the highest torque resistance, thereby increasing flight consistency
- Rigid plastics typically produce the more overstable versions of a specific mold
For more information on the impact of disc plastics, watch this VIDEO.
Top Professional Distance Drivers
Innova Destroyer
Plastic: Star
Weight: 165-172g
The Destroyer is best known as the “go-to” driver for 4-time PDGA Champion, Paul McBeth, and ranks as our #1 best overall ultra-distance driver.
It has the proven -1 Turn / +3 Fade used by the world distance record holding Boss, but rather than throwing a lightweight Speed 13 disc the pros preferred a mid-to-heavy weight (165-172g) Speed 12.
See the Destroyer’s full Flight Ratings Analysis and Reviews
Prodigy D1
Plastic: 400G
Weight: 165-174g
The D1 is Prodigy’s most overstable ultra-distance driver, designed to provide consistent flight patterns even when thrown at very high speeds and/or into high winds.
The amazingly durable 400G plastic also ensures the D1 maintains “out of the box” overstable performance for a long time.
Top Professional Fairway Drivers
Prodigy F5
Plastic: 400
Weight: 167-176g
The F5 finds a place in so many pro bags because of its VERY rare combination of versatility with distance potential.
Balanced Turn and Fade provide players with an extremely wide range of shot options (simply by making small adjustments to the release angle), while its high glide and relatively wide rim also help players generate superior distance with those shots — truly a deadly combination.
Innova TeeBird
Plastic: Champion
Weight: 165-172g
The TeeBird has been used to win 19 World Championships and is more popular than ever with today’s top pros due to its laser accuracy and precision.
Overstable high-speed flight produces very consistent flight patterns (even on windy days), which are further complemented by pairing it with Innova’s most overstable plastic, Champion.
Top Professional Midrange Discs
Innova Roc3
Plastic: DX
Weight: 165-174g
Rocs have always been a top pro pick, with the relatively new Roc3 as the leading version. Why? The Roc3 delivers the predictable flights that made the Roc number one, plus a unique flat-top design that delivers more speed, straighter high-speed flights and a higher level of wind-resistance.
If there is one disc on this list that is a consensus #1 choice, this is it.
Latitude 64° Claymore
Plastic: Opto
Weight: 160-174g
The Claymore is a relatively new disc (2014), positioned as a more overstable version of the popular Fuse. Compared to the Roc, the Claymore is slightly less overstable and has lower fade.
If you want a longer, straighter flying midrange with amazingly straight finishes, the Claymore is for you. If you are looking for the most predictable flight paths and superior distance control the Roc is the better option.
Top Professional Putters
Innova Aviar
Plastic: Yeti-Pro
Weight: 170-175g
The Aviar has stood the test of time better than any other disc. Introduced in 1984, the Aviar has not only won more championships than any other putter, it has also won four of the last six.
The Aviar is also the disc of choice for the most accomplished putting champion of all time, Jay “the Yeti” Reading.
Prodigy Discs PA3
Plastic: 300
Weight: 170-174g
While the PA3 does not provide the same degree of driving consistency and distance control players get with the Aviar, the PA3 provides the straightest putting flights we’ve seen, particularly with putts under 30 feet in length.
If you want putts that fly incredibly straight, this is the putter for you.
Conclusion, Plus a Word of Caution
The top pros are obviously players with excellent technique and extremely high release velocities.
As a result, if you do not currently drive over 400′, the wide-rim, high-speed distance drivers used by these professionals are probably not for you. For more detail on selecting the perfect disc for your ability level, watch this VIDEO.
The Midranges and Putters above, however, are excellent selections for players of all ability and experience levels.
If you have any questions about the data above, please let us know using the Contact page. We are always happy to help our readers improve their game!
Sources
(Prodigy athlete information provided by Prodigy Discs):
TOP SELLING PRO DISCS
Great summary! Thanks!
Excellent summary! Always love the perspective of Best Disc Golf Discs.
Thanks Austin! We’ve got lots more coming this year. Stay tuned!!
Bart,
Do you think there’s a significance to the weights of the fairway and midrange choices?
Hi Joshua! Unlike the putters which all tended to be max-weight, the Mids and Fairways were typically carried in a range, with many players bagging the same molds in different weight classes to provide different shot/flight options.
Following that same line of thought, while we primarily recommend the moderately heavy weights for these classes to provide a solid balance of distance potential, wind resistance, and consistency, if you plan on carrying 4-5 midranges we would recommend carrying a range of differing weights like the pros.
For a professional, no limits of how many discs he or she turns in to use for tournaments round the year.It’s exactly a game that takes different types of tracks to show diversity in Frisbee games.
Hi Alexi — What I think you are saying is that pro players all carry/use a large number of discs to manage the diversity of courses they play, and you are obviously correct. Many pros carry 20+ discs in their bags.
What this list is showing are the discs that are carried/used by the highest percentage of top pros. Each of the top pros that bag these discs certainly also carry other discs as well, but these are the most commonly carried. Hope that helps!