Copy of So you're new to Disc Golf

You've come to the right place! 

It doesn't matter if you're new to disc golf or have been playing for years. We here at Lucky Disc Golf are here to help. 

There is a lot of information but don't worry, you can start as fast or slow as you want.  What you really need to start is a disc and a basket.  You throw from the tee box toward the basket.  The lower number of throw the better! 

 

How should I throw?  How ever feels best to you to start is how you should throw.  Each way to throw has benefit's and downsides

(graphics bhrh bhlh fhrh fhlh flick turbo thumber....  here are a few reasons to ...)

What should I throw?   brand #'s plastic  starter packs  a few NOTs

 

How do I get a Tee time? Not needed ...

How much does it cost to play?

Can I play with my friends or family?  How many can play?

 

 

Should I have more than 1 disc?  Why?

 

As you go along there will be more and more questions and we will be here to help you

 

 

 

One of the first thing we should talk about are the flight numbers of a disc.

What are disc golf flight numbers?

This information is based on the Innova Flight Rating System. Different manufacturers rate discs differently, but in general, you can count on these ratings to be very similar. These flight numbers are typically found on the disc.

Speed

Range: 1 to 14

The speed rating of a disc is possibly the most important flight number. A disc with a high-speed rating is more aerodynamic having a thinner profile to help it cut through the wind, i.e. a distance driver. Discs with a lower speed rating like putters and mid-ranges are less aerodynamic.

The speed of a disc relates to how fast the disc should be thrown to get the optimal flight from the disc. As a general rule of thumb, the higher the speed number, the faster the disc must be thrown.

A disc with a higher speed rating is meant to be thrown further, but you cannot buy a high-speed disc and expect it to travel further. Getting a lot of distance requires really good throwing technique. Beginners should opt for lower-speed discs with less than a 10-speed rating while developing better technique.

Glide

Range: 1 to 7

The glide flight number relates to how the disc will react to the wind in regard to loft. A disc that glides more is more affected by the wind. Glide is an important factor in a disc, but generally not as important as the other three flight ratings. Discs with a higher glide rating tend to give you more distance at the cost of control.

Turn

Range: +1 to -5

Turn is where it gets interesting and difficult to explain. Turn is related to the under-stability of a disc meaning that the disc will “turn” or drift to the right when throwing a RHBH throw. This concept may be difficult to understand at first because you may not know the fundamental characteristics of disc flight.

With a RHBH throw, a disc will almost always “fade” to the left at the end of its flight. A disc with a high turn number, thrown with the correct amount of power, will “turn” to the right before fading out left.

Fade

Range: 0 to 5

Fade is the easiest flight number to understand. If you throw any disc flat at a lower speed, the disc will “fade” to the left with a RHBH throw. The higher the fade rating, the more harshly that fade will typically be. Discs with a higher fade rating are typically more over-stable.

Now that we have a great understanding of what the flight numbers are here is an example of where to find the numbers on a disc. Remember some discs are stamped differently than others. If you don't see the flight numbers on a disc ask one of our associates to tell you or look them up for you.

Next let's talk about the stability of a disc.

When talking about a discs stability the 3 main terms used are. Understable, Stable, Overstable. 

Stable

The tendency of a disc to remain straight through most of the flight. Often times a desirable characteristic of a disc in windy situations.

Understable

The tendency of a disc to turn to the right during the high speed portion of the flight for a RHBH thrower. The faster the disc is thrown, the more it will turn, therefore an understable disc will turnover more upwind than downwind.

Overstable

The tendency of a disc to turn to the left at high or low speeds for a RHBH thrower. Overstable discs are usually thrown by high power players and are not good for beginners.

Now that you understand the 3 stability of a disc here is what they might look like in flight.

The Rules and Guidelines. 

The rules for recreational disc golf are easy to understand. Put the disc into the target in the fewest throws possible. Repeat for each hole. The player with the lowest score wins. This makes the game easy to learn and fun. But, there’s an extra set of rules that make the game enjoyable and safer for everyone… disc golf etiquette. Below is some disc golf etiquette rules to follow.

Speed of play

Be aware of groups around you. Are you playing slow? Kindly invite faster groups to play through. Catch up to a larger group? Respectfully ask to play through.

Honors, farthest away throws first

Lowest score from the previous hole throws first on the next hole. As you play the hole, the person farthest away from the target throws first.

Is everyone (far) out of your range?

Make sure everyone is well out of range before you throw. If there’s even a chance you can reach someone ahead of you, DON’T THROW. If you accidentally throw toward another group, yell loud and clearly… FORE! 

Don’t be a distraction

When others are throwing, get out of their line of sight, don’t move and be quiet.

Help your cardmates

Watch your cardmates’ throws. Help search for lost discs. There are no referees, most decisions are made by a majority vote of your group.

Obey park rules

Be aware of park rules. If it’s a public park, disc golf shares the park with everyone. Be courteous to all park guests.

On a golf course?

Obey posted signs and golf course rules. Using a golf cart? Absolutely DO NOT drive on greens or teepads; keep carts on designated cart paths when possible.

Pack in, Pack out

Pack out any trash you bring on the course. If you see trash, pickup and properly dispose of it (leave the place better than you found it).

Sportsmanship

Generally, be kind and courteous. Swearing, throwing tantrums, behaving in a rude manner, and anything of the sort is not fun for anyone and in sanctioned competitive play is considered a “courtesy violation” which can lead to penalty strokes. 

This is really all a beginner needs to understand to get started playing disc golf. But there is so much more to learn. No matter how long you or I have been playing there is always something else we can learn. So grab a disc, a bunch of friends, and get out there and have some fun. 

Glossary of Disc Golf Terms

RHBH

Right Hand Backhand Throw – Reverse the LHBH flight path.

LHBH

Left Hand Backhand Throw – Reverse the RHBH flight path.

RHFH

Right Hand Forehand Throw – Reverse the RHBH flight path.

LHFH

Left Hand Forehand Throw – Same flight path as a RHBH throw.

Hyzer

An angle of release where the outside edge or left edge of the disc is tilted downward for a RHBH thrower.

Anhyzer

An angle of release where the outside edge or left edge of the disc is tilted upward for a RHBH thrower.