How Many Discs Do You Need For Disc Golf?

If you are thinking about getting into playing disc golf, or you have just taken up the sporting hobby, then you might be wondering how many discs you need in order to play disc golf. This is a common question that is often asked, and it is also something that seems to spark debate in the disc golf community.

There are lots of people that will say different things when it comes to answering this question, and lots of people fail to agree on the answer. This is why it is important to keep in mind that some people will have different opinions when it comes to how many discs that you need for disc golf. However, we are going to answer your question in this article regardless.

How Many Discs Do You Need For Disc Golf?

If you want to play disc golf, you are going to need at least 3 discs. This is because you will need a driver, a mid-range, and a putter. However, it is recommended that you carry at least 6 discs, including two of each type, whenever you go out to play a round.

How Many Discs Should You Keep In Your Bag?

The answer to this question is something that varies a lot, as every player will probably tell you something different. Some players think you should have just three discs, your driver, mid-range, and putter.

Other players think you should carry anywhere from 20-40 discs in your bag. However, we recommend that you should carry as many discs as you feel comfortable with. Whatever number that is, that’s the appropriate number.

However, as a general rule, you should make it your mission to carry at least six discs with you.

Two drivers, two mid-range, and two putters. The reason for this is that it is quite common for people to lose a disc during their round. So, if you do ever lose a disc, you will have a backup that is ready and waiting to be used. Otherwise, your own options are to borrow a disc as you have lost your own. 

The majority of serious players will carry anywhere between 10 and 20 discs, but there are more professional players that will carry anywhere between 15 and 25 discs. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide how many you are comfortable with carrying with you. 

What Discs Do I Need For Disc Golf?

In the game of disc golf, there are actually 3 discs that you need in order to play. These are the driver, mid-range, and putter. The driver is for your initial shot, and it is great for speed and distance. A driver is likely to be your longest throw of the hole. 

The mid-range disc is great for your second, third, or fourth shot. Mid-range discs glide through the air and help you finesse your shots toward the basket. They are not as fast as drivers, but they are able to stay in the air for a good length of time. 

The putter will be used for your final shot, and you can use these discs  to complete the hole and get your disc into the basket. These discs are slower and more bulky, but they are perfect for putting the final 5 to 40 feet or so.

Do The Numbers On The Disc Matter?

No, the numbers on the disc don’t actually matter that much. More often than not, the numbers that you may see represent a flight ratings system by Innova Discs with four main categories. These categories are what are used to compare discs and describe the characteristics of each disc. 

The numbers on the disc don’t necessarily mean that the disc will fly exactly like it is projected to, but they do highlight what the discs are best used for. It can be worth finding out more about these numbers if you want to get further into this sport, so we will explain a little bit more about them below.

Speed (1 to 14)

This category is simple, as speed is how fast the disc will fly through the air. Higher-rated discs are faster and lower-rated are slower. Drivers will normally have higher ratings (10-14), mid-range discs are in the middle (4-9), and putters are in the lower numbers (1 to 3).

Glide (1 to 7)

Glide is a disc’s ability to maintain loft while in flight, which basically allows  a disc to stay in the air for longer. A higher glide rating is better for beginners, so if you need more distance because you can’t throw as far, then you should get a disc with more glide.

Turn (+1 to -5)

The turn is the disc’s ability to turn over to the right (when thrown by a right hand backhand thrower). If you are having trouble trying to keep the disc from turning to the left, you should try learning good technique and buying a disc with a lower rating (-2 to -5)

Fade (0 to 5)

Fade is the disc’s ability to turn over to the left (when thrown by a right hand backhand thrower). These discs are used the most for spike or skip shots.

It is really important to learn how you throw, as this will help you to choose the discs that you need in order to get better.

The numbers on the discs are really helpful when you are at a more intermediate level, but you don’t need to worry about them too much right at the beginning. You don’t have to buy discs based on disc ratings if you don’t want to. 

The number ratings on the disc can help you when you are at a more serious disc golf level, as they will fine tune your skills based on what you already know about your ability. However, in the beginning, it is more beneficial to becus on your technique, as this will allow you to continue to improve and get better at the game.