4 important disc golf numbers

disc golf numbers

What are disc golf numbers?

Disc golf numbers are also known as flight rating system or flight numbers are divided into 4 categories: Speed, Glide, Turn and Fade.

Their goal is to help with understanding the discs flight path before you have actually thrown the disc. These ratings are not 100% accurate since the throwing power and technique are different for all players, but it gives a pretty good overview of what to expect from a disc.

Innova was the first to introduce disc golf numbers and now just recently most of the disc golf companies have recently adapted to their system because it seems to works the best.

Speed (usually 1 to 15)

Speed number shows the rating given to a disc at which it can fly in the air. Depending on the manufacturer highest can be 14 or 15. Discs are divided into 4 categories based on speed – Putt & Approach, Midrange Driver, Fairway Driver, and Distance Driver.

Speed basically means how fast the disc can fly. Speed does not equal distance. Faster discs have more distance potential in the hands of the advanced players.

Glide (usually 1 to 7)

Next from disc golf numbers is Glide. It shows how well the disc tends to float in the air. Lower speed discs and higher glide are perfect for new players since they give longer flights with less effort. Low glide rating (usually three and less) means that disc is more resistant to wind and gives more consistent flight paths in windy conditions. Most of the distance drivers are glide 5.

Turn (usually +1 to -5)

High Speed Turn is discs ability to hold right (for righthanded backhand throw) in the initial phase of the flight. Discs with +1 glide rating are the most resistant to turn, and -5 turns very easily. Less turn is excellent for windy situations and gives more accuracy than discs with more turn. Discs with more turn are great for roller distance (disc rolling on the ground). For beginners, it is also easier to throw discs with more turn.

Fade (usually 0 to 5)

Fade kicks in, when disc speed is slowing down in the late phase of the flight. Fade range is usually 0 to 5, most commonly 2-3 for distance drivers. For right handed backhand thrower disc will naturally fade left. When fade is 4 or 5, it will fade hard in the end of the flight, while fade 0 or 1 will have a lot less agressive landing. Disc with less fade are more beginner friendly, while more fade is desired by advance players and more stable in windy conditions.


Disc Golf ABC

Disc Golf ABC

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