Getting in to disc golf is such an exciting time but also can be very overwhelming! One second you were handed one of your friends discs to play a round with them and the next thing you know you are online freaking out because you didn't realize there were so many discs to choose from! Don't worry. By the end of this post, you will be well equipped for your next disc golf round with the best disc golf discs a beginner could ever need!
Quick Answer: What discs should beginners throw?
Most beginners should start with one putter and one midrange. These discs are easier to control, fly straighter at lower arm speeds, and will often go farther than drivers when you’re just starting out.
Types of Disc Golf Discs
The first thing to realize is that there are three main types of disc golf discs. There are putters, midranges, and drivers. A lot of people think of disc golf and just picture your typical frisbee, which makes perfect sense, but disc golf discs are designed for specific uses on the course similar to how there are different clubs in golf.
The easiest way to tell the difference between these types of discs is how "thick" they are. What I mean by that is when you sit them on a table, how tall are they? The tallest ones are going to be your putters and the shortest or thinnest ones are going to be your drivers with the midrange falling in between.
So why are disc golf discs made differently? The easiest way to think about it is in terms of air resistance. The thicker the disc, the more air resistance it will face and therefore the slower it will fly. The thinner the disc, the less air resistance and therefore the faster it will fly.
Where things get more complicated though is that the thinner the disc is, the harder it is to control. This leads to a lot of frustration for beginners who are throwing drivers without the proper technique and arm speed to control them. You will typically find these discs diving out of the air.
That is why when we recommend discs for beginners, we typically stick to the putter and mid category as they are the easiest for you to control and when you are first starting out will, a lot of times, travel farther than drivers! With that being said, I know the temptation is there to pick up a driver before you head to the course so I included the easiest to throw drivers below as well.
Disc Type |
Identifying Feature |
Use on Disc Golf Course |
| Putter | Tallest disc. Closest to normal frisbee in shape. | Controlled straight shots. Approaches to the basket. Short shots off the tee. Putting on the green. |
| Midrange | Slightly shallower with a little bit sharper edge than the putter. | Control of a putter with more distance. Drives off the tee. Longer approaches to the basket. |
| Driver | Sharp edge to cut through air. | Maximum distance with less control. Drives off the tee. Attacking the basket from far away. |
Best Disc Golf Putters for Beginners
When looking for your first disc golf putter, you want something that can do it all. You want straight, control shots and reliable on green performance. The list below have been tested by us internally for years and have proven to be some of the best putters to start with on the market even in 2026! These are listed in no particular order and will all accomplish what you need on the course!
Discraft Roach
The Roach is a great choice as it offers players a very comfortable hand feel, medium depth for a putter, and extremely controllable, straight flight. The Roach is not only a favorite choice of many beginners, but also is used by several pros on the Pro Tour meaning it is a disc that can follow you throughout your entire disc golf journey!
Innova Aviar
The Aviar is the classic disc golf putter. It has been the feature disc in Innova's starter set for well over a decade at this point meaning the person that got you in to disc golf, probably started playing with an Aviar. The reason for this is because of how great it accomplishes the job of a neutral flying putter both on approach shots and putts. If you like the tried and true classics, the Innova Aviar is for you!
Axiom Proxy
Last but not least we have the Axiom Proxy. This is a bit of a newer addition to the list of recommendations but it fits great. It is the most understable disc on our putter list. Understable simply means the disc is easier to throw straight or get to turn and doesn’t require as much arm speed. It will still be useful as your arm speed improves but you will probably begin to use it for flip-up shots and turning shots instead of the controlled straight flight that you will get out of it now.
Best Disc Golf Midranges for Beginners
The midrange choice is very important when you are first starting out. Since these discs are slightly harder to control and require a bit more arm speed, if you choose the wrong one it can lead to a lot of frustration with the disc diving out of the air similar to what we explained with the drivers. This is because some midranges are meant to be used for very specific shots on the course like wrapping around a tree before diving towards the basket or starting on one line and then flattening out to continue straight down a tunnel of trees. If you choose one from the list below, you will have a much easier time getting the straight, controllable flight that you desire!
Discraft Sol
The Sol is one of the best midranges on the market for beginners. It gives you a very similar flight to a putter with midrange distance and feel. The understable flight makes it very easy for you to throw and control the flight on the course. If you have already played several rounds and have some experience on the course, this disc might be a bit too understable for you and fly a bit more like a turnover shot making one of the other two choices a better option!
Innova Fox
The Fox is another great beginner midrange choice. This is a newer release from Innova and does a great job of offering a beginner flight without compromising on hand feel. A lot of other discs on the market feel very unique in an attempt to achieve that easy to throw straight flight. The Fox feels just like the discs that you will progress to as your arm speed and skills improve which makes it a great candidate for people just starting out and a great tool as you grow!
Latitude 64 Fuse
Finally we have the Fuse from Latitude 64. This is a great option that gets overlooked due to the fact that it is not from one of the most popular brands in the market. What I like a lot about the fuse is that while it offers beginners a very controllable flight, it also still serves as a very usable disc for more experienced players. This means that you can buy it now and not worry about outgrowing it in a few months if your game progresses quickly!
Best Disc Golf Drivers for Beginners
If you want to get good at disc golf and start things off the right way, avoid this section for now. If you just want to go out and have some fun ASAP, then below you will find some drivers that will be easier to throw and control on the course for you while still helping you develop. What you want to avoid is discs that you have to change your throw to use because that can develop bad habits such as "chopping over" your forehand or backhand and turn your game into one that can only use a specific disc type for success on the course. These discs will help encourage proper technique while still giving you a bit more distance!
Latitude 64 Diamond
Without question the Latitude 64 Diamond is the best beginner driver on the market. This thing is almost too easy to throw straight or get some turn out of. That is really the only downside of it. Once you have some more arm speed, this disc becomes an understable (turns easily) utility disc very quickly. If you are seriously a beginner and just now going out for your first few rounds having never played before, this is the disc for you! If you are a bit more experienced, maybe try one of the other two on this list.
Discraft Heat
The Heat has been one of the most recommended beginner drivers on the market for years. It is a great option for players looking to get their first driver or if you really want a disc that can immediately add some distance to your game. The Heat will have a straight flight with a consistent finish for most beginners and has plenty of "glide" to help carry it down the fairway!
Innova It
The newest disc on this list is an amazing release from Innova. The It has quickly become a staple recommendation for new players as it offers a very comfortable hand feel and easy, straight flight. It is very similar to the Heat but a little bit slower making it another great choice for the beginner's bag!
Beginner Disc Golf Disc Takeaways
Getting into disc golf doesn’t require a massive bag or the fastest discs on the market. In fact, most beginners will see better results by keeping things simple and starting with a putter and a midrange that fly straight and are easy to control. These discs help you learn clean form, build confidence, and actually enjoy your rounds instead of fighting your equipment.
As you improve, you’ll naturally grow into faster discs and more specialized shots. But if you’re just starting out, trust the process and focus on consistency over distance. Grab one or two of the beginner-friendly discs above, head to your local course, and have fun. That’s what disc golf is all about.
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Start with a putter and midrange
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Choose slower, straighter discs
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Focus on control before distance