Disc golf is more than a Frisbee knock-off of ball golf. It has depth, a slew of rules, and far more to keep up with than most new players think. For a brief overview of the sport, check out the video below.
Click here to see an official list of the rules of play.
As a beginner, you will be faced with many common misconceptions that even some experienced players fall for. The below video tells just three of many myths that all players, beginners especially, need to be wary of.
Myths and Misconceptions Discs fly further when you throw them higher. Many new players think of American football, where a quarterback throws a deep pass really high to get it to flay farther. Well, if a disc goes too high it catches more wind and turns its nose up. This makes it catch even more wind, and tumble down to the ground. The best drives are high speed at low elevation (typically parallel with the ground).
Putters don't fly as far as drivers. Especially for beginners, a semi-hard putter can easily go as far as a distance driver. The reason behind this is the speed rating of discs, as well as the lack of form in new players. Many beginners confuse "speed," what is typically the first number in a disc's rating, with "range," which is not typically printed on discs. "Speed" is how hard you must throw a disc for it to fly properly, while "range" is how far the disc is expected to fly. A new player might buy a high speed disc to try to get more distance, when in reality it is simply his/her form that needs to improve. In fact, high speed discs such as fairway and maximum distance drivers can even harm a player's game due to their inability to get it up to proper speed. Even with pros, the difference between a putter and a driver could be a matter of tens of feet.
The number rating of a disc determines how it flies. The way YOU throw the disc determines how it flies much more than its rating.It's rating does have impact, but not that much. If you want an understable disc to hyzer, you can make it hyzer. If you want a stable disc to anhyzer, you can make it anhyzer. Discs are designed to fly a specific way, and with a "perfect" and consistent throw, you can see this intended flight path. However, everybody throws differently, and nobody has the "perfect" throw.
The harder you throw, the further your drive. Distance follows form, not strength. Muscled drives are less controlled and can cause injury. Yes, power can result in more distance, but that distance is often off target. To add distance to throws, beginners should always work on form first, power second (and that's a deep second).
Frisbees are the same as discs, so you can use them interchangeably. Discs are designed differently than Frisbees, and have different purposes. I like to say that discs are throwing discs, while Frisbees are catching discs. If you try to drive with a Frisbee, then its lighter plastic, fatter nose, and larger surface area will cause it to quickly get pushed around by the wind and fall. If you try to catch a driving disc its high speed, hard plastic, and sharp nose can cause injury. The average distance (and therefore target distance) of a disc golf hole is 200-240 feet per hole, while the typical distance between players in a game of Frisbee is 20-100 feet. By those numbers alone one can assume that they would be designed differently.
If a disc hyzers hard, you're throwing it wrong. No. Everybody hyzers, including the pros. Unless you throw a disc in such a way to (typically) intentionally force it to anhyzer, a disc will ALWAYS naturally hyzer. Not only that, but some discs are even designed to hyzer exceptionally hard. Now, if your disc hyzers too much, then you do need to adjust your form. This can be evidence of improper form, but is not always the case.
There is a “right” way to drive. While there are some techniques that have been proven to be effective, not for everyone can use them. If you watch the pros, they drive in a variety of ways including the running drive, standing drive, 180⁰ drive, two step drive, and more. Certain technique details ARE correct, however. For instance, regardless of your style, you should pull the disc across your body in a straight line as though you are popping a towel, not in an arcing motion. These fundamental techniques build onto the overall technique that works for each individual player.