Disc Golf Flight Numbers for Beginners

Understanding the flight path and characteristics of disc golf discs can be beneficial for both beginners and more experienced players. The flight characteristics numbers marked on the discs tell about the disc’s speed, glide properties, and its behavior at the beginning and end of the flight path. The purpose of this post is to clarify the meaning of these numbers and help the reader choose the right disc for their needs.

WHAT DO THE FLIGHT NUMBERS MEAN?

Disc golf discs usually display four different flight characteristics numbers: speed, glide, turn, and fade. These numbers describe the properties of the disc and its flight path. The speed number indicates how fast the disc moves and how forcefully it needs to be thrown. The glide number tells how long the disc stays in the air after being thrown. The turn number describes the disc’s behavior in the initial phase of its flight path, and the fade number describes the disc’s behavior towards the end of its flight.

SUITABLE FLIGHT NUMBERS FOR BEGINNERS

Beginners should generally choose smaller speed numbers, so the disc does not require too much throwing power and stays in the air longer. Beginners can also benefit from a negative or small turn number, which helps the disc turn to the right (for right-handed throwers). Regarding the fade number, beginners can choose a disc with either a small or negative fade number, as this means the disc will not turn strongly to the left at the end.

SUITABLE FLIGHT NUMBERS FOR EXPERIENCED PLAYERS

Experienced players generally suit higher speed numbers, as they can generate the necessary throwing power and handle the disc’s longer time in the air. Experienced players can also benefit from a higher turn number, allowing the disc to turn to the right (for right-handed throwers) at the beginning of the throw. Regarding the fade number, experienced players can choose a disc with a high or positive fade number, meaning the disc turns strongly to the left at the end of the flight path. Experienced players can control this behavior and use it to their advantage in tactical situations.

SUMMARY OF FLIGHT NUMBERS

The flight numbers marked on disc golf discs tell about the disc’s speed, glide properties, and its behavior at the beginning and end of the flight path. As the speed number increases, the disc requires more throwing power, while a higher glide number means a longer glide time. A negative turn number means that the disc turns to the left at the beginning of the throw, while a positive turn number means turning to the right. The fade number describes the disc’s behavior at the end of the flight; a negative fade number means that the disc turns to the right at the end of the flight. Choosing the right numbers helps the player select a disc that fits their playing style and skill level.

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Jonathan

Hi! I'm Jonathan Björkskog, a long time beginner in the world of disc golf, playing mostly for fun with friends. My favorite discs include the KastaPlast Reko (Softy), Clash Discs Soda, and Streamline,. If you ever have to think abour which disc to throw, throw a Reko or a Soda. With a background in marketing, I handle the tech and marketing aspects at FullFlight Store, bringing a digital edge to our disc golf community.

On the course, my strategy is playing it safe, especially at the start of a round. I excel in unpredictable courses that require a lot of luck and putting under pressure, but find challenges in long-distance throws. Each game is a new learning experience, and I'm here for both the fun and the growth that disc golf offers!

Quote: "If you want to find water on Mars, bring a Star Destroyer. It will land in water regardless of where you throw it".

Jonathan Björkskog: FullFlight Store Co-founder & Tech-Marketing Guy

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