Every beginner does the same thing. They walk into a disc golf shop \u2014 or worse, start browsing online \u2014 see 47 different discs with flight numbers that don’t mean anything yet, panic, and either buy way too much or ask some guy at the counter who sells them a 15-disc starter set they absolutely do not need.
Or someone tells them to get a Destroyer because pros throw it and then they spend six months wondering why all their drives hook left and die in the bushes.
I’m gonna make this real simple. You need three discs. Total cost like $35. Here’s exactly what to get and why.
The Three Discs
Putter: Innova Aviar in DX Plastic
Like ten dollars. Maybe twelve.
The Aviar has been around forever. It’s the most thrown putter in the sport. It’s boring. It works. That’s the whole point.
You use this for putting (obviously), short approaches, learning what a controlled disc flight feels like. The DX plastic is cheap and beats in nicely over time, which actually teaches you how disc wear changes flight. When you inevitably lose it in a pond \u2014 and you will \u2014 you’re out ten bucks instead of twenty.
Alternative if you can’t find an Aviar: Discraft Magnet, Dynamic Discs Judge, whatever. Most basic putters are fine. But Aviar is classic for a reason.
Midrange: Discraft Buzzz in ESP or Z Plastic
Fifteen to eighteen dollars. Worth it.
I already have a whole article about why the Buzzz is perfect so I won’t go full rant mode here but: this disc goes where you throw it. Dead straight, holds whatever line you put it on, teaches you what your release is actually doing instead of masking problems.
This will be your most-thrown disc for the first few months. Maybe the first year. Approaches, short drives, getting out of trouble \u2014 Buzzz handles all of it. ESP plastic is grippier especially in wet weather. Z is more durable. Both good.
I carry two Buzzzes in my bag and I’ve been playing since 2016. It’s not a beginner disc you graduate from. It’s just a good disc.
Fairway Driver: Innova Leopard in DX or Star Plastic
Ten to seventeen dollars depending on plastic.
Here’s the key thing about the Leopard: it’s understable. Meaning it wants to turn right (for righties throwing backhand) before fading back. This sounds like a problem but it’s actually the whole point.
Most beginners don’t have much arm speed yet. Overstable discs \u2014 the ones that fight to go left \u2014 need speed to work correctly. Understable discs work WITH lower arm speeds. They actually fly the way they’re supposed to fly even if you’re not throwing hard.
The Leopard teaches you what a disc is supposed to do in the air. When you can get it to flip up and ride straight, or turn it over intentionally, you’re building real skills. You’re not just muscling an overstable disc and hoping for the best.
Start with DX plastic. Cheap, forgiving. Move to Star when you want something that doesn’t beat in as fast.
Total Damage: Like $35-40
That’s it. Three discs. Everything you need to play disc golf for months, maybe a year before you actually need anything else.
Compare that to ball golf where a sleeve of balls is fifteen bucks and a round costs what, fifty minimum? Disc golf is absurdly cheap to try. There’s no excuse not to just get these three and go play.
What About Distance Drivers
You don’t need one. Not yet.
I know this sounds wrong. Distance drivers go further right? They’re faster, more power, better results?
No. High-speed drivers need arm speed to fly correctly. Throw them too slow \u2014 which you will, because beginners don’t have fast arm speed \u2014 and they just fade out early. You get worse distance than with a Leopard thrown properly.
Your Leopard can go 200-280 feet with decent form. That’s enough for recreational courses. When you’re consistently hitting 280+ and the Leopard is turning over too much, then start looking at faster stuff. Not before.
I have a whole intervention about Destroyers specifically but the short version is: don’t.
What About Those Starter Sets
Skip them. The ones with like 12-15 discs? You’re paying for quantity not quality. They usually include distance drivers you’re not ready for, random duplicates you don’t need, and filler. It’s stuff that looks like a deal but doesn’t actually help you learn.
Three thoughtfully chosen discs beats twelve random ones. Every time.
Where to Buy
Local shop if you have one \u2014 good to support them and you can actually feel the discs. Infinite Discs online is solid, good selection, real reviews. Amazon works but selection is more limited.
Used disc bins are underrated. A lot of shops and courses have bins of used plastic. A beat-up Leopard for six bucks is still a perfectly good Leopard. Don’t sleep on used stuff when you’re starting.
When to Add More
Signs you’re ready to expand beyond three:
Your Leopard turns over too much \u2014 you’ve gained arm speed, time for something more stable or faster.
You want something that fades more reliably \u2014 overstable midrange (Roc3) or utility driver (Firebird) time.
You’re scoring well enough that shot variety would actually help you \u2014 congratulations, you’ve earned more plastic.
Until then? Just throw these three. Learn them. Get reps. The bag expansion can wait.
Now Go Play
Stop reading disc reviews. You’ve got your three discs, or you will in like two days once shipping arrives. Go find a course on UDisc, go throw some plastic, go lose a disc in the woods and find it again.
The best way to learn what discs do is to throw them a bunch. No article replaces that. Get off the internet, go play.