It’s been a while since you’ve bought your last disc and even longer since you started your first game. You know the rules, you can predict the wind, and your game has massively improved!
You’re no longer a beginner, and your game shows it. It’s time to hang up the cheap and basic discs and find something that better suits your level.
With an intermediate level disc, you can take control of the gliding opportunities and excerpt your power over the field.
But what should you buy? Don’t worry, we have you covered. We have compiled a list of the 5 best disc golf discs.
We’ve found the best drivers, mid ranger, putter, and tomahawk, so you can pick and choose which disc you need to upgrade or even create a whole new intermediate collection from scratch.
Wait, hold on, are we moving too fast? Are you sure that you’re prepared for this upgrade? We have made a simple checklist to help you figure out if you are ready to call yourself intermediate.
Check it out and feel confident claiming your new title.
If you would rather know what to look for in an intermediate disc golf disc, we understand. Below are a few of the stand out details that you should be looking for whenever you buy a new disc.
We’ve explained the terms, and what they might look like for you, so you’re prepared for your independent search.
But that’s enough drabble. You know what this article is all about now, so let’s glide along to the details!
Best Disc Golf Discs For Intermediate Players
We’ve used some jargon in the review below, so if you find a word you don’t understand, scroll down to the bottom for an explanation. The more you know about the Disc Golfer world, the better your game will be!
Best Backhanded Driver with a super high speed – The Destroyer
If you don’t already have The Destroyer, then color us shocked. The Destroyer is one of the most popular discs for professionals and beginners alike, and the reason for its popularity is due to its distance.
On the ratings, the Speed for The Destroyer is a 12. There are no other 12s around!
This disc is heavy and overstable, so winds don’t affect it as much as it would affect the other discs, which is another reason why it manages to get that considerable distance.
Usually, a disc is good at a distance or good in rainy and windy weather conditions. The Destroyer is the only disc we are aware of that can successfully say it can do both.
The only downside to this disc is the heaviness. It makes it great for distance but hard to throw. This is why some beginners find it difficult, but just like with anything, practice makes it more accessible.
This is why we are suggesting The Destroyer to our intermediate players!
Pros:
- Furthest Distance
- Strong in Harsh Weather Conditions
- Firm Grip
Cons:
- Heavy
Flight information:
- Speed: 12.0
- Glide: 5.0
- Turn: -1.0
- Fade: 3.0
- Primary Use: Distance Driver
- Stability: Overstable
- Recommended Skill Level: Advanced, Intermediate
- Plastic grade(s): Air Bubbles, Basic (Cheapest), Durable, Midgrade, Premium
- Beadless
Best Forehand Driver – Firebird
If the heaviness of The Destroyer seems problematic to you, then try out the Firebird instead. Then we’ve dubbed this the best driver for forehand players due to this driver’s lightweight nature.
Being light means the Firebird is easy to throw, making long distances more effortless, and it’s easy to figure out how it moves. Unlike heavier discs, a light disc doesn’t take as much practice to figure out its balance.
With a turn of 0, this disc will keep you straight till the very end, which is why lots of players keep this driver in their back pocket. When it comes to speed, the firebird isn’t shy either. With a level 9 speed, it’s nothing to shake your head at.
The Glide and Fade of the disc are low, too, making this disc very reliable for those days where nothing is going your way.
Keep this disc in your set, and call it “Ol’ Reliable”.
Pros:
- Light
- Far Distance
- Firm Grip
Cons:
- Not strong in windy conditions
Flight Information:
- Speed: 9.0
- Glide: 3.0
- Turn: 0.0
- Fade: 4.0
- Primary Use: Control Driver
- Stability: Very Overstable
- Recommended Skill Level: Advanced, Intermediate
- Plastic grade(s): Basic (Cheapest), Durable, Premium
- Beadless
Best Mid Range – Roc3
Typically mid range discs are the ones you want to help you set up for the perfect putt. You need a disc that can stay straight and stick to the location you want to land at. Stability is key!
That is why the Roc3 is the best mid ranger out there. Its Speed is a steady 5, but its Turn is a healthy 0. The Roc3 gives you a constant aim without asking you to throw too far.
Although some other mid ranges might boast of having the same abilities, when it comes to practice, the Roc3 can go further with the same level of accuracy and only a gentle fade at the end.
It might take a while to break this bad boy in, but in reality, most discs need a little “get to know you” time before you can trust it like it’s an extension of your own arm. Eventually, this mid ranger will become your best friend.
Pros:
- Accurate
- Low Glide
- Low Fade
- Fair Distance
Cons:
- Takes a bit of practice.
Flight Information:
- Speed: 5.0
- Glide: 4.0
- Turn: 0.0
- Fade: 3.0
- Primary Use: Mid Range
- Stability: Overstable
- Recommended Skill Level: Advanced, Intermediate
- Plastic grade(s): Basic (Cheapest), Durable, Midgrade, Premium
- Beaded
Best Putter – PA3
This beautiful putter has one of the best qualities you can have in the end game. It flies straight, which is the only piece of information you really need.
Again, this disc has a turn of 0, so you can trust that your equipment will follow your command as long as you throw well.
The beaded rim fits softly in your hand, so you don’t have to worry about tension when everyone is watching you.
This disc is perfect with a Glide of 4, a Turn of 0, and a Fade of 1. It’s only fall from grace is its Speed level of 3. But look at the big picture! You don’t need a high Speed for a putter disc, especially if your basket is under 30 feet.
If your basket is over 30 feet, you might have a problem with the distance, but hopefully, your mid ranger got you close enough.
Pros:
- Accurate
- Low Glide
- Low Fade
- 0 Turn
- Fantastic at 30 feet or less
Cons:
- Short Speed
- Average at distances over 30 feet
Flight Information:
- Speed: 3.0
- Glide: 4.0
- Turn: 0.0
- Fade: 1.0
- Primary Use: Putt & Approach
- Stability: Stable
- Recommended Skill Level: Everyone
- Plastic grade(s): Basic (Cheapest), Durable, Midgrade, Premium
- Beaded
Best Tomahawk – Hellfire
The last on our list is the best Tomahawk disc out there, the Hellfire! Tomahawk discs are the saviors of the day when you get stuck in the tall grass, and with an extreme overstable like the Hellfire, you know you’ll get back on the green.
This disc is fast, though not as fast as The Destroyer, and with a 5 rated Fade, you need to watch out for the last minute hook of a turn.
As an intermediate player, you probably don’t need a tomahawk often, but you want to get out of those rough patches as quickly as you can when you do.
With the Hellfire, you’ll be happy to have landed in such a sore spot, just for a chance to test its wings!
Pros:
- High Speed
- High Fade
- Very Overstable
- Durable
Cons:
- Not as good for a backhanded thrower
Flight Information:
- Speed: 10.0
- Glide: 3.0
- Turn: 0.0
- Fade: 5.0
- Primary Use: Control Driver
- Stability: Very Overstable
- Recommended Skill Level: Advanced
- Plastic grade(s): Durable, Premium
- Beadless
Am I An Intermediate Disc Golf Player?
There is no official list to determine when you are an intermediate player. Still, those of us in the business consider these features to be the basics that an intermediate player should have.
An Intermediate Disc Golfer’s Distance
The distance you can achieve shouldn’t be a fluke. You should be able to get the disc to a distance of 300 feet or more when you throw a drive.
Not every disc will get that far because lousy luck, human flaw, and upturning winds can confuse us all, but if your discs can usually hit this distance, then you’re a step closer to being intermediate.
If you can hit that distance using a control drive, intermediate or not, you should be starting to learn how to throw distance drivers.
These will help you reach further distances, but distance drivers lack control. This means that your control will be more critical in determining your game.
An Intermediate Disc Golfer’s Putting Ability
Intermediate players don’t usually feel fear when it comes to putting. Once you’re inside the circle, three quarters of your shots should be a success.
Here you are showing your ability to control the disc, and if you can do that with confidence, you’re heading towards that intermediate badge.
An Intermediate Disc Golfer’s Average Score
This answer might be a little controversial, but your average scores should be on par or better. This doesn’t mean you have to be the best on the field, but you should be able to get the average score that everyone else has managed to achieve.
If you know you can do all these things, then congratulations! You are an intermediate disc golf player! Drink in that achievement and wear it like a badge.
What Should I Look For In A Disc For Disc Golf?
If you’ve been playing for a while, you’ll probably have seen these terms before. Hey, you might even know what they mean, making this whole heading pointless to you. But if you have no idea what to look for, check out this guide.
Overstable Or Understandable
Discs are either Overstable, Understandable, or neutral (fully stable). This term tells you what way your disc will turn. A stable disc will go straight. If you’re right handed, an overstable disc will turn left in the air, and an understable disc will turn right.
Knowing what level of stability your disc has will help you determine if you need it in your game.
The Fade Of The Disc
The Fade of your disc is the measurement of how it will hook at the end of its flight. Most sources to buy golf discs will tell you the Fade level on your disc, and it will range from 0 to 5. A 0 rating means the disc’s flight is straight.
A 5 rating means the disc’s flight will make a dramatic hook at the end.
Ideally, you want that Fade rating to be 0, but in reality, you might need a hard hook 5 to get you around a corner or out of a hard patch.
The Turn Of The Disc
The Turn is basically the opposite of the Fade. The Fade tells you how much it hooks at the end of its flight. The Turn tells you how much it hooks at the beginning of its flight.
Turns are also measured by how much the disc turns to the right. If you get a +1 Turn, that means your disc is resistant to the Turn. If you have a -5, this means your disc cannot control the Turn. New players normally Turn their disc often.
The Glide Of The Disc
The Glide is how we describe the loft of the disc. How long it can stay in the air. The more Glide you have, the more distance you can gain, but the less accurate your throw will be.
Beginners want discs with a lot of Glide, but intermediate players should opt for less Glide to keep their accuracy.
The Purpose Of The Disc
Like in regular golf, disc golf has different equipment for different situations. Drivers are the discs that travel the furthest. You need them to get to the flag.
Mid Rangers have more control but don’t travel as far. They are essentially the gap between a driver and a putter.
Putters are discs that travel very short distances and need to have higher accuracy so you can reach the basket.
The last disc you need to know about is the Tomahawk. Tomahawks are very different from most discs because you hold them vertically instead of horizontally.
This is because their job is to get over the tall grass you’ve found yourself in. They go high, and they go far, but they don’t have that much accuracy.