Back when I started out on my disc golf journey, I was invited to play by a friend and given a Champion Boss to play with.
I played a round or 2 with the Boss, which actually suited me somewhat well due to my heavy forehand style from playing baseball many years, before I decided to head into a disc golf store and grab some more discs.
Like most new players, I had little understanding of what flight ratings meant. Sure I knew the definitions loosely, but had no idea how they affected flight under the many different circumstances.
With this "vast" beginner knowledge, I ended up purchasing a DX Innova Wraith, and a DX Innova Roc.
No putter, no problem! I had just planned on using that Roc for putting too because, "How different could they be?!"
Face in palm moment now that I think back to those early days.
While there is nothing wrong with either of those discs when you know how to use them, looking back, I realize how much they limited my new growth as a player.
Now that I have several years under my belt and have a much deeper understanding of the game, I have recently reflected on this question:
If I were to start my disc golf journey over again, what 5 discs would I use to start?
After all, disc golf is a game, and discs are the tools of the game, and we all know that having the right tools for the right task will make any job easier than it can be without the proper tools.
In this article, I'm going to discuss the 5 discs that helped me improve my game the most, including why they improved my game, what I or you would use them for, and my rationale for including them on the list!
I'm also going to include some similar discs to the ones I chose to broaden your options, as they would get the job done too. They just weren't the discs I used personally.
I'm excited to dive into this article, so let's get into it!
***If you are interested in grabbing any (or all) of these discs, simply click on their heading or picture to check them out!***
1. Dynamic Discs Deputy (3, 4, -1.4, 0)
Comparable Options- Latitude 64 Pure, Discraft Fierce, Prodigy PA-4
The biggest mistake I made when first starting out, in my opinion, was not getting myself a dedicated putter of any kind.
As mentioned, I had planned on using my mid-range to putt with because in my ignorance, I thought it would be fine. I did eventually grab a Latitude 64 Keystone and an Innova Aviar. While they worked for putting, I didn't particularly care for them to throw, at least for me as plenty of players do throw them.
Eventually, someone suggested I try the Deputy and I immediately fell in love with it. It was very comfortable in my hand, and a very straight shooter for putting.
I also liked throwing it for short-range turnover and uphill shots. Even though my arm strength and form had improved, I could still use it for hyzer flips to achieve good distance for a putter.
New players with slower arm speeds however will love how dead straight this disc putts AND throws. This is why I wish I would have had one from the beginning, because it taught me confidence in my putting, and really helped me fine tune my backhand throw and eventually my turnover shot.
As beginners we also have a mindset that putters can only be used for putting, when in truth, putters are very capable of being thrown for distances of over 250 ft., a length that many beginners aren’t hitting regardless of disc they’re using. So there is no need for drivers when starting out as you might not get any extra distance out of them anyways.
In time, I desired something a little more stability for hyzer putting, which is why I switched to the EMac Judge, but I continue to bag a premium plastic Deputy to throw for short turnover and uphill shots under 250 feet.
While I think an understable putter is best, some would argue a straight flying, stable putter is best for beginners to learn to throw (I'll get into this for the next disc!).
Regardless, we would all agree that every new player needs a dedicated putter, and my choice would be the Deputy.
Additionally, once you settle on a putter, I highly suggest getting at least 5 of them in the same mold to make practicing a breeze, and so you always have a back up broken in and ready to use.
Click on the picture to check it out!
2. Discraft Buzzz (5, 4.3, -0.7, 1)
Comparable Options- Innova Mako3, Axiom Envy (yes a putter but a very long flying putter), EMac Truth
Next, rather than getting an overstable mid-range like the the Innova Roc, I would have instead bought myself a stable, straight flying mid-range.
For me, this disc was the Discraft Buzzz and I continue to bag an ESP Buzzz to this day.
As an alternative, you could use the same putting putter you chose above, barring its a straight flyer, but I would suggest grabbing a second disc rather than using one for both applications so you don't beat it in too quickly.
You could even get your putting putter in a more premium plastic to aid in durability. The draw back of using a putter over a mid-range initially is the loss of throwing distance which will level out in time to some extent. But as mentioned, distance won’t be affected much when you are first starting out.
Regardless if you opt for mid-range or putter, having a stable disc is crucial in my opinion to fine tune your throwing form.
Stable discs are great indicators of how you're throwing form is because they will tend to hold whatever line they're thrown on. So if the Buzzz is thrown flat, it will fly nice and straight before finishing with a subtle fade.
However, if you are accidentally releasing it with too much hyzer or anhyzer, you will see noticeably more fade or turn (respectively) than intended.
When learning to throw, this is great feedback to have as you can adjust your form and mechanics accordingly.
Once you master those release angles, having a stable, neutral flyer becomes an asset because you can intentionally throw your disc on those lines for a desired affect.
Additionally, you can also fine tune your forehand throwing form in addition to your backhand, it's just more challenging with a stable disc where an overstable disc will mask throwing flaws.
Once comfortable with a stable mid-range, you should hope to achieve distances of 300 feet on a backhand and notice it become a workhorse in your bag for shots both off the tee and on approaches.
Click on the picture to check it out!
3. Discraft Zone (3.9, 3, 0, 3)
Comparable Options- Westside Harp, MVP Entropy, Prodigy A3
Next, I wouldn't head afield without my trusty Discraft Zone!
I know that I just spent a lot of time explaining the importance of having slightly understable, or straight flying putters and mid-ranges. And while that it is certainly still true, I also cannot state the importance enough of having an overstable approach disc in your bag like the Zone.
While stable discs are very good helping you improve your form, overstable approach discs are crucial in high winds, approach shots, scramble shots, forehand shots, flex shots and more!
Stable putters and mid-ranges are not known for their ability to fight wind, which can really hinder your ability to get down field and close to the pin. Overstable discs however are beefy enough to not only fight these conditions, but still maintain their marked flight ratings.
Unlike many shots off the tee, approach shots come in many different styles and are often thrown from places that are either not in a direct line to the basket, with several obstacles in the way, or both.
Stable and understable discs can sometimes be utilized in these situations, but most of the time, an overstable disc that will always hyzer will be your go to option. This is especially useful when you find yourself in scramble situations from the rough and need to pitch out to the fairway.
I have mentioned several times that stable discs will help teach you both backhand and forehand form because they indicate things such as release angle. That being said, overstable discs when thrown forehand are simply easier to throw than their stable and understable counterparts.
When throwing forehand, it is very difficult to release the disc cleanly without any off axis torque. Stable discs will reflect this in their flight by being very wobbly and not flying very far.
If you can learn to throw such discs without the wobble, you will be in good shape, but when first starting out, overstable discs like the Zone will be what you gravitate towards when throwing forehand.
Because they’re a little beefier, they can absorb these extreme forces a bit easier and are less affected by them in their flight, meaning you can still get respectable accuracy and distance with less than desired form. This isn’t so much the case with backhand throws, but it can be a confidence booster when learning the forehand.
Overstable approach discs like the Zone can truly be used on just about every hole, regardless if you need a backhand or forehand, and are a crucial slot to fill when building your bag. Learn how to use it correctly and you’ll be amazed at how many strokes it will save.
That all being said, once you find your go to putter and stable mid-range, you’ll want to grab yourself an overstable putter and be amazed at how much you can accomplish on the disc course with just these 3 discs!
Click on the picture to check it out!
4. Latitude 64 Diamond (8, 6, -3.1, 1)
Comparable Options- Infinite Discs Sphinx, Discraft Heat, Innova Sidewinder
Two reliable putters, one understable or stable and one that is overstable, in addition to a straight flying mid-range are all you really need to get started on your disc golf journey.
Eventually however, as your form and skill improves, you’ll yearn for more distance, which takes us to the 4th disc that improved my game, the Latitude 64 Diamond.
Fairway drivers and distance drivers can be a bit intimidating and difficult throw if you try them too soon, as was the case for me when I tried throwing the 11 speed Wraith one week into disc golfing.
This was not the case when I was introduced to the Diamond however, as this disc has everything you need from a fairway driver to make it easy to throw.
It’s speed of 8 is very manageable, it’s glide of 6 will carry the disc far down the field, and the turn/fade of -3.1/1 makes this disc an understable option that is sure to fly straight and not hyzer out too quickly for slower armed players.
The Diamond was the perfect confidence booster for me and quickly gave me some extra distance on my backhands that I couldn’t achieve with my putters and mids or the overstable drivers I had been trying to throw before.
This disc is not an ideal forehand option, but that is a use that it isn’t really intended for.
As my form and arm speed improved, I continued to bag this disc for uphill shots and hyzer flips, but eventually replaced it with the Discraft Avenger SS as it is a higher speed and fit my skill level better later on.
Faster arms may turn the Diamond over too frequently without a hyzer release, which is a sign that you need to bump to a higher speed disc.
Having an easy to throw fairway driver is the perfect way to slowly learn faster discs, and eventually work up to high speed distance drivers, and the Diamond is my best recommendation for you.
Additionally, the Infinite Discs Sphinx, Discraft Heat, and Innova Sidewinder are all excellent choices as well!
Click on the picture to check it out!
5. Innova Firebird (9, 3, 0, 4)
Comparable Options- Discraft Raptor, Infinite Discs Scepter, Dynamic Discs Felon
Less Overstable options- Innova Thunderbird, Latitude 64 Explorer
Last but certainly not least is the overstable yet reliable Innova Firebird.
I know that I said in the previous disc that understable drivers are easier to throw backhand because they won’t fade too soon, and while true, I also mentioned that they don’t make good forehand discs, which is where the Firebird comes into play.
When I first started playing, I was a forehand dominant player due to being a life long baseball player turned javelin thrower. So my back hand stunk and forehand is where I could get the most distance at the time.
Luckily, I could use the Innova Boss, but I probably would have been better off with a slightly slower speed disc such as the Firebird.
Learning the backhand should be a priority to all new players as it will ultimately maximize distance and accuracy.
But I or you can’t neglect the fact that you may be more comfortable with the forehand and you will need a disc like the Firebird that can handle high power forehand throws.
The Zone may work for you in this spot, so see how you like it before grabbing the Firebird or one of our other options, but because it is a putter, the low speed will most likely limit you in terms of distance.
As your skill improves, the Firebird will become an excellent option for high speed headwinds, hyzer shots with both forehand and backhands, and will also be a good utility disc for overhand throws like thumbers and tomahawks.
If the high fade of 4 scares you or you just don’t throw it well after getting one, then consider getting something with less fade such as the Thunderbird or Explorer. Both of these options have less fade with a rating of 2, but will be more overstable than indicated for players with slower arms.
My Firebird has become a work horse for me in many different situations, and looking back is a disc that I would have utilized from the very beginning, so check it out today!
Click on the picture to check it out!
And there you have it! The 5 discs I would choose to start my entire disc golf journey over with!
Once you acquire these discs, I would definitely grab myself a small bag to carry them and some small essentials with.
I would also get an inexpensive portable basket as soon as possible so that I can practice any time I wish by simply going into my yard.
If you're new to disc golf and not sure what discs to get, hopefully this list helps you choose a couple to get started with, from there, it's simply time to get out and play!
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