The Best Disc Golf Drivers of 2023
It’s challenging, fun, and good for the mind and body. So, it’s no surprise that a lot of people are now hooked on playing disc golf, a sport that’s essentially similar to traditional golf, the only difference being that you’re using discs instead of golf balls.
If you’re one of those who are into this sport, you know that investing in the right discs can make a huge difference in your game.
One of the most important discs to have in your bag is a disc golf driver, which will give you the most distance depending on your throw. Also called a distance driver, this type of disc offers a straight line of flight, and it also provides the best glide, speed, range, and control among all types of disc golf discs.
The top 5 best disc golf drivers
- Top pick: Innova Destroyer
Ask any professional disc golf player and they’ll say that the Innova Destroyer is the best disc golf driver out there. One of the original discs to be created for the sport, the Destroyer has become the most popular distance driver in the world because of its accuracy, speed, and reliability on the fairway. Many of the top pros choose the Destroyer as their go to distance driver. It is listed as one of our best disc golf discs of all time for a reason.
In fact, it’s considered an all-around disc even if it’s designed to be a distance driver. The Innova Destroyer is also efficient whether you’re a backhand or sidearm thrower because it can withstand strong headwinds, and it’s especially powerful if you’re a strong thrower.
If you’re looking for a driver that’s stable, fast, and durable, the Innova Destroyer is definitely a must-have.
- Maximum Distance
- , Long Hyzers
- Headwind Drives
- Colors May Vary
- Runner up: Yikun FU
If you want a cheaper but still efficient alternative to the Innova Destroyer, the Yikun FU is a great choice. Dubbed an over-stable control driver, this disc has been lauded for its ability to maintain a long straight flight path with a trademark slow penetrating fade towards the finish.
This makes the Yikun FU perfect for making placement shots because of its stunning accuracy, whether you’re a forehand or backhand thrower. It’s also a smart option if you’re throwing on technical lines, and if you’re a beginner, you can use the Yikun FU as a fairway driver. This disc is also designed to withstand wear and tear and it helps to improve your confidence in throwing long-distance shots.
- The Phoenix Line plastic is long-lasting and has a great, translucent appearance. The Phoenix Star blend adds extra sparkles to the mix for added appeal and often has a much more gummy feel with good grip.
- Da’E is an ultra fast overstable driver. This is an excellent disc for advanced players looking for max distance, and works very well for forehand drives. The Da’E has a very wide rim and is the best wind fighter in the Yikun line.
- DA'E is a stable high-speed driver with strong wind breaking ability. Its speed in the air is unmatched by other drivers. Coupled with its excellent flight stability, DA'E can easily deal with extreme windy days. The high fade of 3 ensuring the predict landing point. It is a necessary weapon for advanced players.
- Flight Rating | Speed=13, Glide=5, Turn=0, Fade=3, Diameter=8.25in
- PDGA APPROVED | PDGA Approved and built to standard PDGA size and weight regulation.
- Excellent alternative: Discraft Zeus
If you’re still looking for another alternative to the Innova brand, the Discraft Zeus is an excellent choice, especially if you’re a power thrower who wants to go for maximum distance with every throw.
In fact, disc golf great Paul McBeth chose this as his first distance driver and it has been his go-to distance drive driver ever since, so you know that the Discraft Zeus is a great disc.
Whether you’re a backhand or forehand thrower, this disc offers excellent stability and can withstand strong headwinds. But aside from its efficiency in flight, a lot of disc golf players also love the Discraft Zeus because of its excellent grip that stays consistent even if the weather’s cold and there’s moisture. If you’re looking for a disc that can maximize your arm speed, this disc is right for you.
![Discraft Limited Edition Paul McBeth Signature ESP Zeus Distance Driver Golf Disc [Colors May Vary] - 173-174g](https://i0.wp.com/m.media-amazon.com/images/I/418TfjfzDCL._SL160_.jpg?w=800&ssl=1)
- Best for beginners: Innova Champion Firebird
Are you just starting out in disc golf? The Firebird is the best control driver that you can find on the market today because of its amazing quality, incredible stability, and straight flying path that can rival those used by professionals, but is easier to use for beginners. One of Ken Climos favorite discs to throw, the firebird is an excellnt distance choice for beginners.
This disc is designed as a stable-understable control driver that’s perfect for practicing on those big throws. Since it’s very easy to handle, you can use this as your go-to disc if you need to do powerful throws as a beginner because it allows you to improve your skills.
It’s also a great disc to use if you’re looking to do big distance throws. Depending on the conditions on the field, the champ Firebird can guarantee accuracy on your shots with the right throw. Since it’s made with champion plastic, this disc also provides the utmost comfort to its user.
- FLIGHT RATINGS – Speed 9, Glide 3, Turn 0, Fade 4
- BEST CHOICE FOR - Headwind drives, Flex shots, Big hyzers
- CHAMPION FIREBIRD - The Firebird’s combination of superior speed and stability make it possible to throw drives into the wind with confidence. An excellent disc for throwing long range flex shots. A favorite of sidearm and overhead throwers, too.
- Colors will vary
- Runner up for beginners: Infinite Discs Centurion
Since there’s now a huge disc shortage around the world, it’s always good to have options and the Infinite Discs Centurion is a great alternative to the Yikun Jiao.
In fact, this disc is a good first disc golf driver because it’s very easy to handle and provides an excellent glide and straight flight path.
This is a great disc if you’re still developing your throw because it can give a decent distance even if your throw is still weak. Since the Infinite Discs Centurion is an understable disc, it can still fly through a straight line even when thrown with slow arms.
It’s also easy to handle and control, so you can really find the best throwing style for you and learn how to release the disc properly. You can also use this to try different shots like the hyzer, anhyzer and straight.
- Control driver that is suitable to all skill levels
- The Centurion is a straight flying fairway driver. It has easy to throw tendencies for the beginner, and capable of a variety of lines in the hands of an advanced player.
- I-Blend is an affordable plastic that offers a similar feel to premium plastic.
- Flight Numbers: Speed 7, Glide, 5, Turn -1, Fade 1.5
- Stamp color & color shade may vary
How to choose the right disc golf driver
When it comes to disc golf drivers, you’ll have so many options out there. But aside from considering the disc’s brand, price, and quality, it’s also very important to think about these factors that will help you decide on the right disc for your needs:
- Weight
The weight of a disc has been proven to play a huge factor in its speed and flight. For instance, world record holder Simon Lizotte set his records using two discs with different weights and they recorded different speeds.
The first world record was set at 89.5 mph using a 130-gram Innova Wraith and the second world record was set at 95 mph using a 110-gram Guts. While the same person threw these discs, the weight played a huge factor in releasing a higher velocity, thus, producing faster disc speed.
- Speed and arm strength
The speed of your disc will depend highly on your ability to throw it, so it’s very important to choose a disc driver that will fit your arm speed and throwing power. This will help you maximize the efficiency of your disc golf driver with every throw. For instance, if you use a high-speed driver and you have weak arms, it will not give you as much efficiency as compared to using a low-speed driver.
- Type
There are different types of disc golf drivers depending on your skill level, type of throw, and efficiency. If you’re a beginner, make sure to try different types of drivers—stable control drivers, distance drivers, understable drivers, and overstable drivers—to know exactly what type of driver will suit your style best.
You can also ask your coach or professional players to help you try different types of drivers to determine the one that will help you maximize your performance when playing disc golf.
It will take time to find the best disc golf driver for you as you continue to improve your game.
So, make sure to do your research, try out different types of drivers, ask for recommendations and just build your repertoire of discs as you go along your journey as a disc golf player.
