Gear Advice Without the BS
Look \u2014 I make money when you click these links and buy stuff. That’s how affiliate marketing works, and I’m not gonna pretend otherwise. But here’s my promise: I never recommend anything I haven’t personally thrown, and I’ll tell you when something isn’t worth the money.
Gear matters less than people think. A $12 DX Leopard will teach you more than a $25 premium plastic disc you’re not ready for. I’d rather you spend money on rounds than on discs you’ll lose in a pond. (I’ve donated enough discs to Milo’s pond to know.)
That said, having the right tools does help. So here’s what I actually recommend, organized by what you need and when you need it.
The Beginner Setup ($30-40)
This is genuinely all you need for your first 6 months. Maybe longer. Fight the urge to buy more.
Putter: Innova Aviar (DX Plastic)
~$10
The most-thrown putter in disc golf history. It’s boring. It works. The DX plastic beats in nicely and gives you good grip. Don’t overthink your first putter \u2014 you’ll have plenty of time to develop putter opinions later.
Buy on Amazon \u2192 | Buy on Infinite Discs \u2192
Midrange: Discraft Buzzz (ESP or Z Plastic)
~$15-18
The perfect disc. I will die on this hill. Dead straight, holds any line you put it on, works for beginners and pros alike. If you only buy one midrange ever, make it a Buzzz. ESP plastic is grippier; Z is more durable. Both are great.
Buy on Amazon \u2192 | Buy on Infinite Discs \u2192
Fairway Driver: Innova Leopard (DX or Star Plastic)
~$10-17
Understable, beginner-friendly, teaches you how discs are supposed to fly. When you can get a Leopard to flip up and ride straight, you’ll understand what everyone means by “turnover.” Start with DX \u2014 it’s cheaper and more forgiving. Move to Star when you’re ready for something more consistent.
Buy on Amazon \u2192 | Buy on Infinite Discs \u2192
Total starter kit cost: ~$35
That’s it. Three discs. You could spend $200 on a full bag right now, but I promise you’d be wasting money. Learn with these first.
First Upgrades (After 3-6 Months)
Once you’re throwing your Leopard 200+ feet with some consistency, you’re ready to add variety.
Overstable Midrange: Innova Roc3 or Discraft Buzzz OS
~$15-18
For headwinds and shots that need reliable fade. The Roc3 is a classic; the Buzzz OS is like a Buzzz that always finishes left (for RHBH). Either works. This is your “I need it to fade” disc.
Understable Fairway: Latitude 64 River or Innova Leopard3
~$15-18
More glide, more distance potential than your starter Leopard. The River has absurd glide \u2014 it just floats. The Leopard3 is a slightly faster, more controllable Leopard. Good problems to have.
Control Driver: Innova Teebird or Discmania FD
~$15-20
Your first “faster” disc that isn’t going to meat-hook into oblivion. Teebirds are reliable and everywhere. The FD is basically a Teebird. (Discmania people will argue with me. They’re wrong. It’s fine.) This becomes your go-to off the tee for wooded courses.
Discs You Don’t Need Yet
I’m gonna say this with love: if you can’t throw 350 feet with clean form, you do not need these discs. They’ll hurt your game more than help it.
Innova Destroyer
The most overhyped disc in the sport. Yes, McBeth throws it. You’re not McBeth. Unless you’re already hitting 400 feet, a Destroyer is gonna fade out hard and dump into the rough. I have a whole article about this.
Any 13+ Speed Driver
Speed 13 drivers require arm speed most recreational players don’t have. They’re not “more distance” \u2014 they’re harder to throw correctly. Stick with speed 9-11 drivers until you’re consistently throwing 375+.
Premium Plastic Everything
Premium plastic is more durable and more consistent, but it’s also more expensive and less forgiving for beginners. DX and base plastics beat in, which teaches you how disc wear affects flight. Learn that lesson on cheap plastic.
Bags
Budget Option: Innova Starter Bag
~$20
Holds 6-8 discs, has a water bottle pocket, costs almost nothing. It’ll last a year of regular play. When you inevitably want more discs than it holds, upgrade. But this does the job.
Mid-Range Option: Dynamic Discs Trooper
~$40
Backpack style, holds 18+ discs, comfortable for 18 holes. Best value bag on the market IMO. I used one for two years before upgrading.
Premium Option: Grip AX5 or Squatch Legend
$250-350
If you’re playing 3+ times a week and want something that’ll last years, these are worth it. I have a beat-up Grip AX5 that Brendan says smells (fair) but it’s held up through PNW rain for four years. The Squatch has better storage organization. Both are overkill for beginners.
Accessories
Must Have: Towel
~$5-10
Clip it to your bag. Use it constantly. Wet discs slip. This isn’t optional, especially in the PNW.
Must Have: Mini Marker
~$2
For marking your lie. Any mini works. They sell fancy ones but a $2 mini does the exact same thing.
Nice to Have: Retriever
~$25
Telescoping pole with a hook for fishing discs out of water. Has saved me probably $200 in lost plastic at Blue Lake alone.
Nice to Have: Birdie Bag / Grip Enhancer
~$10
For sweaty hands or humid days. I use one in summer. Some people swear by them, some think they’re unnecessary. Try it and see.
Skip: Rangefinder
UDisc has distance measurements for most courses. Unless you’re playing competitive tournaments where knowing exact distances matters, save your money.
Practice Basket
Budget: MVP Black Hole Practice
~$140
Catches well, folds down for storage, lasts forever. Best value practice basket. I’ve had mine for 5 years.
Budget-Budget: Used Basket on Facebook Marketplace
~$40-80
Honestly? A beat-up used basket works fine for practice. The chains don’t need to be perfect. You’re building muscle memory, not simulating tournament conditions. Check local disc golf groups \u2014 people sell them all the time.
My honest take: Spend the minimum on gear that works. Put your money into rounds, lessons, and practice time. The best players I know don’t have the fanciest bags \u2014 they have the most reps.
Affiliate Disclosure
Links on this page are affiliate links \u2014 I earn a small commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. This is how I keep the free content free. I only link to products I’ve personally used and would recommend even without the commission. If something isn’t worth buying, I say so.
Questions about gear? Ask me. I answer everything.