The 7 Best Disc Golf Discs of 2023

The Innova Champion Roc3 is our top pick

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Disc Golf Discs

TripSavvy / Chloe Jeong

If you love golf and have had many golf vacations or courses, you'll love disc golf. Disc golf, sometimes called frisbee golf, is a sport that is almost identical to golf in terms of rules and objective. However, instead of shooting a ball with a club toward a hole on a grass course, you throw a plastic disc toward a metal basket target through the air. Courses usually have nine or 18 holes with trees as obstacles. And as in golf, the lowest score wins.

Disc golf entails various techniques and specialty shots, such as the "hyzer," a throw in which you curve the disc to the left if you are right-handed or right if you are left-handed. It's useful on many approach shots or to get around a hazard. Disc golfers also use different discs as putters, drivers, and irons. And most importantly, disc golfers also have to avoid pesky water hazards.

The sport even has a professional disc golf association, like golf's PGA, but most people play at local courses found in parks. We recommend you start there. To help you get going, we've rounded up some of the top discs. Consider the discs' price, size, ratings, and durability claims before you buy.

Best Overall

Innova Champion Roc3

Innova Champion Roc3

Amazon

What We Like
  • Versatile according to experience

  • Comes in different weight ranges

  • Ideal for control shots

What We Don't Like
  • Considerable fade on backhand

Disc golf brands may not be as well known in popular culture as golf's Callaway, Titleist, and Cobra, but the sport does have top-quality brands. Innova is one of the best and most popular disc golf manufacturers on the market. The company offers dozens of disc designs for everyone, from beginners to experts. With many variations on each disc style, from distance driver to putter, Innova gives everyone what they need. One of the brand's most popular and versatile discs is the Champion Roc3.

The Champion Roc3 is a mid-distance disc that can be used as a fairway disc for experienced tossers or a disc for all occasions for people new to the sport. Available in three weight ranges—165-170, 170-175, and 175-180 grams—Innova's "go-to mid-range" disc is perfect for control shots. Disc golfers love this transparent disc that comes in a range of colors for its reliable fade and versatility. Its diameter is 21.7 centimeters. 

Price at time of publish: $19

Innova Disc Golf Set 3-Pack

Innova Disc Golf Set 3-Pack

Courtesy of Amazon

Individual discs aren’t expensive, but costs can quickly add up if you’re trying to outfit yourself for a game. Try the Innova Disc Golf Starter Set for three discs at a bargain price. This set includes the Beast driver, the Cobra mid-range disc, and the Aviar putter and approach disc. These inexpensive, beginner discs weigh between 160 and 180 grams for easy throwing.

Innova explains that the Beast is designed for both beginners and experts. It will fly straight and far regardless of the golfer. The Aviar putter is among the best in the world and is constantly used in competition. Additionally, the Cobra is a great all-around disc, similar to a strong 7-iron. It can help you throw straight down the fairway and approach the target with precision. This Innova Disc Golf Starter Set even features a mini disc that can act like a ball marker in golf to hold your lie while you prepare.

Price at time of publish: $33

Best Distance Driver

MVP Disc Sports Neutron Tesla Disc Golf Driver

disc
What We Like
  • Bright colors

  • Resilient

What We Don't Like
  • May fade too much for some throwers

An ideal distance driver doesn’t just go far, but it travels exactly where you want to put it. The MVP Disc Sports Neutron Tesla Distance Driver is designed to do just that. A distance version of the MVP Volt fairway driver, the Tesla allows disc golfers to throw from far away with true precision. The disc’s design leads to a “reliable fade,” minimal turning, stability, and a little extra distance at the end. MVP recommends this disc for golfers who like sidearm or backhand throws. This driver is approved for use by the PDGA and comes in a white, Neutron plastic design, which is easy to spot in the brush.

Price at time of publish: $21

Best Mid-Range

Innova Disc Golf Champion Material Mako 3 Golf Disc

Disc
What We Like
  • Versatile

  • Wears in slowly

What We Don't Like
  • Plastic may flex too much for some

People love the Innova Champion Mako 3 disc golf disc because it always flies straight. Disc golfer after disc golfer praises this simple mid-range disc for its flight pattern, which lets users, both new to the game and experienced, improve their chances of hitting the target.

Excellent at straight shots and hyzers, the Mako 3 sports speed and glide ratings of five and turn and fade numbers at zero. Available in a range of colors, this disc is approved for PDGA competition and is popular in many golfers’ bags.

Price at time of publish: $18

Best for Beginners

D·D DYNAMIC DISCS Disc Golf Starter Set

disk
What We Like
  • Good value

  • Full money back guarantee

What We Don't Like
  • Learning curve for beginners

The Disc Golf Starter Set from Dynamic Discs is a great way to introduce the sport of disc golf to beginners. This set is available in different sizes: a three-piece, four-piece, or five-piece set. Each set includes discs every beginner needs: a putter, a midrange disc, and a distance driver. Larger sets also include a high-speed driver and a fairway. While reviewers have noted that this set includes discs geared toward more advanced players, it's worth buying the bigger set at an affordable price for your budding disc golfer to grow into.

Price at time of publish: $40

Best Backyard Set

Franklin Sports Portable Disc Golf Target with Chains

sports set
What We Like
  • Portable

  • Ideal for practice

What We Don't Like
  • Metal chain baskets not sold with discs

Buying a gift for the kids or want to practice in your backyard without spending a lot? Try Triumph Sport's Disc Golf Combo set. This affordable set has a foldable target basket complete with mesh netting, an umbrella-design catch area, and three discs.

The green basket is easy to spot and fun to practice your shot on. Additionally, you can pack up this target set quickly and transport it for trips and vacations. Bring it to barbecue cookouts, the beach, and even tailgates as a fun way to play disc golf anywhere. The fact that the target is much easier to move than a professional-grade target basket means that you can get creative and challenge yourself when ​practicing. 

Price at time of publish: $69

Best Fairway

Innova Champion DX Dragon Golf Disc

Golf Disc
What We Like
  • From trusted brand

  • Lightweight

What We Don't Like
  • Some reviews mention quality issues

With a speed rating of eight and a level-five glide, Innova's Dragon is designed to fly long, high, and accurately, with a modest fade and a -2 turn ratio. Optimal for mid-level disc golfers, the Dragon doesn't need a ton of throwing power to get going, providing more distance with less effort. It's constructed of a special blend of DX plastic, with excellent grip for assured launches, and weighs anywhere from 150 to 160 grams. It also floats on water in the unlikely event that the disc falls prey to a water hazard. It comes in red, yellow, pink, and orange.

Price at time of publish: $14

What to Look for in Golf Discs

Price

Most high-quality individual golf discs cost between 10 and 15 dollars, so if you’re looking to outfit a starting kit by selecting individual discs, budget around $50 to acquire a four-disc set. But several brands offer starter kits for around $40, which is a great way to get everything you need in one purchase. Then, as you progress in the sport, you can upgrade to additional discs to address any gaps in your game. Higher-grade plastic materials also increase the cost of each disc, though investing in some higher-end discs may be better in the long run, thanks to their durability.

Size

The size of a disc golf disc is measured from rim to rim, typically around 8 inches. Mini discs are naturally smaller and can be used for precise throws or to mark your place on the green while setting up for another shot. The bigger variable is weight. In general, lighter discs fly farther, while heavier ones can stand up to head and side winds.

Ratings

All golf discs come with four rating scores: Speed (the higher the number, the faster, though a high speed does not assure long distances), Glide (how long the disc will stay in the air, a good indicator for distance), Turn (the tendency of the disc to curve to the right in the early part of the flight), and Fade (how much the disc shifts to the left as it ends its flight).

Durability

All golf discs are made of plastic and should prove pretty durable. The least expensive discs are typically made of basic plastics, which offer good grip but can wear quickly or take on nicks and scratches. There are a few middle-grade plastic discs on the market, but most golfers prefer to either go with a cheaper disc or upgrade to discs made from ultra-durable or premium plastics. These smooth discs are quite hard, will handle serious abuse, and provide excellent grip. They also cost more.

Frequently Asked Questions
  • How many discs do I need?

    A minimalist golf disc kit should include at least four discs, including a putter, a mid-range, a distance driver, and a mini disc. That’s enough to get you started with the sport and the best way to identify what other discs you may want to acquire to up your game, like a high-speed driver disc or a fairway.

  • What are the key features in a good golf disc?

    In almost all circumstances, you want a golf disc that travels exactly where you want to put it, meaning it flies straight, even at great distances, has minimal turning mid-flight, and delivers a reliable, gentle fade as it starts to drop to the ground.

  • What’s the right weight for a golf disc?

    Many brands—like Innova, arguably the most praised disc-maker—offer their discs in various weights, broken out into grams. In general, lighter discs typically fly farther than heavier ones, though heavier discs can stand up against headwinds and provide stability in windy conditions that might affect lighter discs. For optimal throwing distance, look for discs that weigh around 160 to 165 grams, but it’s always a good idea to have a heavier disc as a backup. As for putters, most golfers prefer a heavier disc to improve accuracy and avoid wind disruption while flying the shorter distances you need as you approach the hole.

Why Trust TripSavvy

Nathan Borchelt is a freelance contributor to TripSavvy. He has worked in the travel and outdoor industry for more than 15 years as a writer, photographer, editor, and product manager. His personal passions gravitate toward skiing, scuba diving, hiking, backpacking, trail running, and biking.

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