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Disc golf disc parameters
Disc golf in Latvia, as elsewhere in the world, is a popular and rapidly growing sport. To keep up with the increasing competition, it is essential to delve into all aspects of this sport, including the parameters of disc golf discs. A disc's flight is determined by four main parameters: speed, glide, turn, and fade. Understanding these parameters is crucial for making the right decisions when choosing disc golf discs, as they can help players achieve better results on the course.
Speed
Speed determines the potential flight distance of a disc. The faster a disc golf disc, the better it cuts through the air and achieves greater speed due to lower air resistance. However, it is important to note that the thrower's arm speed and the disc's weight also play a significant role in this parameter. Faster discs are generally harder to control and to keep gliding for a long time, so players with slower arm speeds are advised to choose slower discs. This is also the primary parameter used to classify discs by distance category - Putters: Speed 1–3, Midrange discs Speed 4–6, Fairway drivers Speed 7–9, Distance drivers Speed 10–14.
Glide
Glide, rated from 1 to 7, refers to a disc's ability to stay in the air while continuing forward. A higher glide value means the disc will better maintain its flight path, allowing it to travel further even if the thrower's arm speed isn't very powerful. Glide is directly influenced by the disc's depth and shape. It's important to note that discs with higher glide, and therefore deeper profiles, are much more susceptible to the effects of wind.
Turn
Turn, rated from -5 to 1, describes the initial trajectory of a disc golf disc and how much it veers to the left or right. A disc with a negative turn value tends to curve to the right (opposite the fade direction) when thrown backhand by a right-handed player. The closer this parameter is to zero, the straighter the disc's flight path.
For beginners, discs with a negative turn are highly recommended, as they help compensate for a lack of arm strength and release technique. Turn plays a crucial role in controlling a disc's flight.
- Discs with a negative turn are called understable.
- Discs with a zero turn are called stable.
- Discs with a positive turn are called overstable.
Fade
Fade, rated from 0 to 5, indicates how much a disc golf disc veers sideways as it begins to lose its forward speed. A high fade value means the disc is more likely to drop quickly or curve sharply to the side, while a low fade value suggests the disc will maintain a straighter path and has a higher chance of landing flat as it slows down.
If the turn rating is between -0.5 and 0:
- Discs with a fade of 3–5 are considered overstable (very stable).
- Discs with a fade of 0–2 are considered stable (straight-flying).
Disku golfa disku parametri izskaidroti video formātā
Disc golf disc parameters are explained in more depth, along with visualizations, on the YouTube channel Best Disc Golf Discs. Their goal is to show players how to improve their game by utilizing scientific and research-based insights. The channel helps players understand which disc golf discs to use, taking into account course conditions and the player’s skill level.
Disc golf disc flight charts
1
Be aware of the contents of your disc golf bag
Before choosing new discs, evaluate your current disc golf collection and review their parameters. A free tool, Mydiscbag, can help by allowing you to input, manage, and view the contents of your disc golf bag in a single chart.
2
View disc golf disc flight charts
To make it easier to review each disc golf manufacturer's offerings, flight charts have been created. These charts display all the manufacturer's disc models in a single layout, organized by their speed and stability, with all disc golf disc parameters indicated.
3
Choose disc golf discs to expand your possibilities
Once you’ve found a disc golf disc that fits your bag, all that’s left is to find it in our store and place your order!
When choosing disc golf discs, players should consider their throwing technique and power. For example, players who prefer slow, precise throws will favor discs with lower speed and higher glide, while players who have mastered powerful and fast throws will prefer overstable discs with higher speed and greater fade. Experimenting with different discs and learning to understand how disc golf disc parameters work can help players make the right disc choice for various situations and achieve better results on the course.
Contact Us
Need help choosing disc golf equipment?
Our disc golf store offers a wide range of products, and we are more than happy to help you find the most suitable discs, bags, and accessories. We can provide consultations for selecting disc golf equipment either over the phone or in person at the store.