This could be one of the hottest debates in the disc golf world. Some gamers swear by light discs, while others say you should always lean towards discs with maximum weight. Over the years, I have played with many records. Some super light, some very heavy and some that were right in the middle. But I`ve always noticed heavy windows. That said, the more you walk (173-175 grams is a common base for most amateurs and professionals), the more likely you are to sink the putt, as heavier weights are caught more clearly in the chains of the basket. Lighter disc golf discs are more likely to flip completely and generally get less distance when it`s windy. Most professionals actually use a driver that has less than 170 grams of discs, as they work perfectly to provide distance to that weight. They`re also useful when climbing or in light to moderate winds – which is quite common in disc golf, so they`re a good full weight for professionals and beginners alike. So I looked for everything.

It took me a while to find all the answers, and eventually I got frustrated and decided that the internet needed all the information in one place – this post! Check out all my research on heavy drives in the following sections below ⬇️. I`m a big fan of the original and EMac Truth. However, the EMac Truth is well made, flies far, gives you predictable overstability, and is an excellent heavy disc weighing around 175 grams. Take one here on InfiniteDiscs.com. Check out my article on the best disc golf drivers for beginners that anyone can throw and check out these lighter plastic discs. There are different types of plastic and different circumferential discs that you should consider when choosing your discs, but essentially, professionals probably have a full complement of longer and shorter drivers, mid-range discs, and putters. For example: thinner slices such as pilots are usually limited to around 175 grams. Discs with thicker rim diameters, such as mids and putters, can weigh more, but are usually limited to no more than 180 grams.

If the diameter is slightly larger, they can exceed 180, but most disks today remain at 180 or less. When I threw on the court a few months ago, I threw away my 180-gram Innova Atlas when something crossed my mind: heavy drives are awesome. Most of the beginner disc golf sets I mention come in lighter weights, which are great to start with. Here are the steps a drive follows to get PDGA approval today: Heavy drives usually have more stability and are great for throwing in the wind. The wind wants to flip your disc and heavier discs will resist this flip with a stronger wire at the end of their flight than lighter discs. In the end, deciding what weights you like for each of your drives is sometimes a matter of trial and error. Innova manufactures many different disc shapes and offers a wide range of disc weights (from ultra-light Blizzard Champion plastic to Star or Metal Flake resin). Different players have different preferences.

Not all molds feel comfortable in every person`s hand. Some people like to throw lighter discs for some shots and others don`t. Try different options and combinations to find out what works best for you in your hand and what works best for you. This will help you refine your ideal combination of disc shapes, weights, and plastics to make your bag exactly the way you want it to. In fact, you can regularly find professional gamers using mid-range discs from 178 to 180 grams to give them that combination of accuracy and distance. When considering the best weight for a disc golf putter, the focus is usually on wind resistance, as a putter is usually thrown gently and even a light wind can significantly affect accuracy. Most disc golfers prefer heavier weight to putters with maximum weight. There is certainly an advantage to using a lightweight putter to reduce the force needed to reach the basket, but this advantage is usually outweighed by the possible effects of wind. Beginner disc golfers usually see the biggest advantage of light putters or casual disc golfers who use a putter for approach shots.

When choosing the best weight for a disc golf driver, the most common factors to consider are distance and wind resistance. As mentioned earlier, lightweight golf discs have the potential to fly further. However, wind is often a more important factor for drivers, as drivers tend to stay in the air longer, giving the wind more time to affect flight. Wide-rimmed speakers cover a long distance in a short time, so the effect of the wind can be intensified during long throws. For the maximum distance, I usually throw a medium-heavy runner from 167 to 169 grams. Personally, I find that the reduced consistency of a 150 disc is not worth the extra distance I can gain. I`ve seen disc golfers throw 150-class Innova bosses pretty far and stay in control, but I know my own limitations. As mentioned above, light drivers often turn harder than heavier drivers and I struggle to control that extra corner.

To counter this, I try to find a shape that has a little more overstability or sometimes switch to a more stable plastic. My current maximum distance runner is a 167 gram Discraft Titanium Crank; The titanium crank doesn`t spin as much as a Z or ESP crank, so I can throw a lighter weight. (Here is a link to try a crank) Most junior and adult players should start with lighter drivers under 170 grams. While advanced players maximize their weight as pilots, don`t think you`re doing the same. Each player`s arm speed is different. Sometimes we have disks without given weight or they are worn out by use and time. If so, it can be a bit frustrating not knowing the weight of the drive you`re throwing. Most lightweight discs are easier to control and throw for beginner golfers over more distance because they don`t require a ton of arm speed. The only time this isn`t true is if you`re throwing straight into the wind, in which case a heavier disc would be better. On most discs, the weight is on the bottom of the disc and is written on it. Discraft has its Z Lite discs, which come in weights as small as 140 grams.

This disc is also a super durable and high-quality plastic. The Z Lite has slightly less grip than its other standard plastics, but should be a good choice for your bag. Another interesting fact is that the current rules state that a disc made in 2012 or later must have an indication of which model it is. This indication can be stamped on the disc, part of the mold or written in «indelible ink» (often a permanent marker). The full model name is not required, but all model name abbreviations must be approved by the PDGA if the drive is approved. Even though you know that a disc is an approved model if it was manufactured after 2012 and the shape is not indicated on the disc, Homburg stated that the disc is not approved and therefore is not legal for use in the PDGA-approved game. For those interested, Rule 813.01 of the PDGA Official Disc Golf Rules provides penalties for the use of illegal discs in a sanctioned game. You`ve probably guessed that the decision to throw a heavy or light golf disc depends on what you want to do with it.

There is no right answer, but here are some situations where a heavy or light drive may be a better choice. The heaviest disc weight allowed by the PDGA for approved discs is 200 grams. However, the permissible total weight also depends on the rim diameter of each type of disc. The larger the rim diameter, the heavier a disc can be, up to a maximum weight of 200 grams. Paradoxically, this is where you will find the biggest difference between beginners and professionals. You will also find professionals who use the heaviest weights in their collection. When it comes to mid-range games, professionals regularly shoot discs over 175 grams to give them both distance and control. Dynamic Disc has a Lucid Air plastic which is very similar. These slices reach as little as 155 grams.

The microbubbles are placed in their Lucid plastic, which, like the others, is a more durable and reliable plastic. Dynamic Discs also has an Opto Air line for their opto-plastic and a VIP-Air plastic type for their Westside Discs shapes. But this is not so much the case that professionals immediately go to the other end of the spectrum and use 175g discs because they go further. This would mean misunderstanding what the extra weight puts on your drive. In disc golf, as in standard golf, there are pieces of equipment that are best suited for beginners, advanced players and excellent amateur players, and then there are pieces of equipment that professionals use to reduce their performance as much as possible. For mid-range discs, the optimal weight range is between 151 and 169 grams. The most experienced players often throw a heavy midfield between 178 and 180 grams. There is also a good selection of midtones, which are metal flake discs to increase weight and stability in the air. When playing and learning, think about the weight of the disc and always pay attention to the weight of the disc when trying other random discs. Variety is the spice of life and this also applies to the weights of the discs. Don`t always feel like the heaviest record is the best, coolest, or makes you look strong. Pro tip: Try throwing a mold that`s too stable, but at a lighter weight, it can add a little more space and ease of processing to a disc that ensures consistency.

(Try this with an Innova Blizzard Destroyer) Lighter discs and slower discs can be a perfect combination in a disc for beginners who are throwing the tailwind. The weights of the discs match exactly if you understand the flight patterns of the disks and how they all work together. You may find this article useful: Disc Golf Discs Flight Guides and Numbering Systems Explained The weight of the disc has a big impact on its trajectory and stability in windy conditions.