New Discs for New Disc Golfers
by Hank Taylor, DiscGolfGuru.com
We hope as you begin, you will come enjoy disc golfing as much as we do! For the new disc golfer, there are some necessities. Naturally, the first two things you will need are a course to golf on, and a disc! There are many different types of discs, but they fall under three easy categories: drivers, midranges, and putters. Drivers are for long throws, usually just your first throw. Midrange discs have many names, but mostly just midrange, multipurpose, and approach. Use midrange disc to throw to the hole from the fairway, get around trees, and almost anything. Putters are not meant to fly far, and fall quickly, so that if you miss the hole it won’t keep going. Use putters when you feel you are taking your last shot.
As a beginner, you may not want or be able to buy a variety of discs for a while. If you go on a course with a lot of water and fencing, you may lose a disc the day you buy it, so start with just one. Forget putters altogether, and a driver should be your second disc. Start with the most versatile discs: midrange and multipurpose. I suggest you begin with a Shark or Roc. The Shark is an all-around great disc. It will drive okay, but its strength is in the midcourse and approach. It is easy to learn how to manipulate its flight path on shorter ranges (see our page on throwing techniques). The Roc is also a great all-around disc. It drives great and steady (especially for not being a driver). The Roc can be manipulated very similar to the Shark; however, the Roc has a greater tendency to roll when it lands, a mixed blessing as it rolls toward the hole, sometimes away. Both generally arch right when thrown backhand and curve left and roll right when thrown forehand. Both are great for beginners and will help you learn the basics of throwing. I still live by my Roc, and keep my Shark close at hand. I suggest buying a bright color, and not green or blue, so that you can find it easier if you go off course. Don’t be embarrassed when you have a bad throw or someone wants to play through; we’ve all been there and done that. Watch how others throw, experiment with different techniques, and have fun golfing!