Best Disc Golf Driver For Beginners: Our Top 5 List
If you’re a disc golf beginner eager to take your first steps on the course, you’ve come to the right place! As you embark on this exciting journey into the world of disc golf, finding the perfect driver to kickstart your game is crucial. Disc golf drivers are designed to achieve maximum distance and offer different flight characteristics, making them a fundamental part of your disc arsenal.
Choosing the best disc golf driver for beginners involves considering several essential factors. As a novice, you’ll want a driver that offers a balance of distance, control, and forgiveness, allowing you to develop your throwing technique without getting frustrated. In this article, we’ll be your guide in exploring some of the top disc golf drivers specifically tailored for players just starting their disc golf adventure.
Whether you’re seeking drivers to master those long-distance shots or discs that provide a smooth learning curve for your growing skills, we’ve got you covered. Join us as we delve into the world of disc golf drivers, providing insights into their flight characteristics, recommended throwing techniques, and overall suitability for beginners. By the end of this article, you’ll have the knowledge and confidence to select the perfect disc golf driver to accompany you on your captivating journey into the game! Let’s tee off and discover the best disc golf drivers for beginners together.
How To Choose The Right Driver As A Beginner?
As a beginner in disc golf, choosing the right driver is crucial for setting a strong foundation and enhancing your enjoyment of the sport. Here are some key factors to consider when looking for a disc golf driver as a novice.
Speed Rating: Disc golf drivers are categorized by speed ratings, typically ranging from 1 to 14. As a beginner, it’s essential to start with lower-speed drivers, usually in the range of 7 to 10. These discs are easier to control and require less arm speed to achieve decent distance.
Weight: Opt for lighter-weight drivers, typically between 160g to 170g. Lighter discs are easier to handle and provide better control for beginners. They also tend to fly straighter, making them more forgiving for developing throwing techniques.
Glide: Look for drivers with good glide ratings. Higher glide discs stay in the air longer, allowing you to achieve more distance with less power. This can be beneficial when you’re still building arm strength and throwing technique.
Stability: As a beginner, you’ll want to start with discs that have a stable to understable flight. These discs tend to fly straighter with minimal fade at the end, making them more forgiving for off-center throws and reducing the risk of excessive fading or hooking.
Plastic Type: Choose a driver made from beginner-friendly plastic, such as DX or Pro-D. These plastics are more affordable, provide good grip, and tend to beat in more quickly, which can be advantageous as your throwing technique improves.
Comfortable Feel: Pay attention to the feel of the disc in your hand. A comfortable grip is essential for consistent throws and overall control. Try out different molds to find one that suits your hand size and feels natural during your throws.
Versatility: Look for drivers that can serve multiple purposes. Some drivers are excellent for both distance shots and controlled drives on shorter holes. Having a versatile driver in your bag can simplify your disc selection as you learn the game.
Remember that as a beginner, your technique will improve over time, and your disc selection may evolve accordingly. It’s essential to be patient with yourself and give yourself room to learn and grow as a disc golfer. Experiment with different discs, practice regularly, and enjoy the learning process as you progress in this rewarding and dynamic sport.
Top 5 Best Distance Drivers For Beginner Disc Golfers
- Innova Roadrunner
- Best choice for: First distance driver, Roller shots and Tailwind drives
- The Roadrunner is a long-range distance driver with lots of glide. Great for rollers. Best distance driver for turnover shots. Is suitable for beginners and pros alike
- Colors may vary
- Star material offers great grip and performance
- Speed 9, Glide 5, Turn -4 and Fade 1
It’s powerful enough for professionals but flexible enough for beginners. The Innova Roadrunner is a smart investment for a first-distance driver since it allows you to slowly build your throwing skills until you can maximize its power and distance.
This disc golf disc is rated a -4 turn and it’s one of the most understable discs from Innova, which means that you can throw it to cruising velocity even if you still have slow arms.
It also has a low fade rating, so it won’t skip off to the side when landing on the fairway. The Roadrunner is also known to have one of the straightest flying paths among all the disc golf drivers on the market, and you can use it as a beginner until you become a pro.
- Discraft Avenger SS
- Maximum distance golf driver
- Recommended for advanced to expert players
- Best for long distance turnover drives
- Discraft stability rating for this disc is 0.5
- Disc colors will vary
The super straight version of the highly successful Discraft Avenger model is probably the easiest fairway driver to use for any beginner. Because it’s designed to fly a straight path and reach long distances even with slow arms, you don’t need to exert too much effort or master a throwing style to achieve the distance that you need.
The Avenger SS also ticks all the boxes when it comes to fade, turn and glide, so it will give you the opportunity to slowly build your throwing skills while offering you a consistent distance.
- MVP Impulse
- MVP IMPULSE - The Impulse is an understable distance driver.
- UNDERSTABLE DISTANCE DRIVER - Its Neutral to Understable flight for even low power throwers will allow for reliably straight to turnover distance lines with accuracy.
- 18.5 MM CLASS - The Impulse completes our 20mm-wing distance driver class. The Impulse's understable profile will allow high power throwers to achieve controllable hyzerflips that will carry far and accurately. Speed 9 | Glide 5 | Turn -3 | Fade 1
- NEUTRON PLASTIC - MVP’s most premium material for exceptional look and feel. Shares great durability characteristics of Proton with a wider selection of bright opaque colors.
- PDGA APPROVED - For all professional disc golf play
If you prefer the MVP brand, the Impulse is a beginner-friendly disc that can give you a stable flight pattern and consistent speed. This disc golf driver features MVP’s patented “gyro” technology that combines two plastic blends for the rim and flight plate.
This revolutionary design means that the rim is made using heavy plastic to focus more weight on the disc’s perimeter, thus giving it a straight and stable flight pattern.
- Innova Sidewinder
- Roller shots
- Narrow woods driver
- Downhill distance
- Colors May Vary
The Sidewinder almost has the same features as the Roadrunner, but it can gain more speed even with slow throws because it’s a more understable disc golf disc.
This disc also comes in different plastics and the Halo and Champion plastics are the most ideal for beginners since they offer more fade and less turn than their counterparts.
The Sidewinder is especially good for making hyzer and flex lines, and you can grow with this disc as you develop your skills more.
- Legacy Bandit
![Legacy Discs Icon Edition Bandit Fairway Driver Golf Disc [Colors May Vary] - 171-175g](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41tO0tRaFuL._SL160_.jpg)
If you’re one of those beginners who naturally have that good throw and fast speed, the Legacy Bandit will be perfect for your bag. Although it’s not the most understable disc on this lineup, it’s an excellent option because it will allow you to make different moves like turnovers and hyzers even if you don’t have that mastery yet.
This disc golf disc also has a flat top and shallow rim that makes it very easy to grip when you’re still getting a feel of what’s it like to use a disc.
It will take some time and a lot of practice to maximize the Bandit’s potential in terms of speed and flight path, but it’s definitely a good investment because it will become a versatile point-and-shoot disc in your bag in the future.
This disc is also made with high-quality materials, so you can guarantee that it will last you for a long time.
Conclusion
As a beginner, you need to look for three things when choosing the best distance driver for you: low fade rating, high turn rating, and low rim depth. Fairway drivers and understable discs are the best options for beginners since they’re easier to handle while giving you the opportunity to build your skills as you go.
As you gain experience and confidence on the course, don’t hesitate to explore different drivers and molds. As your throwing technique develops, you may find that your needs and preferences change. Embrace this evolution and allow yourself to experiment with new discs to find the ones that suit your playing style best.
Disc golf is not just about competition and performance; it’s also about connecting with nature, building friendships, and experiencing the joy of throwing discs through breathtaking landscapes. Soak in the camaraderie of the disc golf community, seek guidance from experienced players, and share your passion for the sport with others.
As you embark on this exciting journey, remember that disc golf is a sport of continuous improvement. Be patient with yourself, celebrate your progress, and stay open to the joy of learning and growing in this rewarding activity.
With your trusty beginner-friendly driver in hand, you’re ready to tackle the fairways, navigate the obstacles, and embrace the challenges that lie ahead. May each throw bring you closer to your disc golf goals and leave you with a sense of accomplishment. Happy disc golfing, and may the discs fly straight and true on your path to becoming an even more skilled and passionate disc golfer!
