Just getting into disc golf and wondering which driver to throw? I’ve been there. Picking the wrong disc early on can be frustrating—but when you grab something designed for beginners, it makes a big difference right away.
I’ve tested a bunch of discs, talked with other players, and paid attention to what beginners actually enjoy throwing. Below are my top picks for the best beginner-friendly drivers in disc golf.
Top Beginner Disc Golf Drivers
These discs all share a few key traits: they’re understable, have plenty of glide, and don’t require a fast arm to fly well. That’s exactly what you want when you’re learning the game.
Innova Leopard – 6 / 5 / -2 / 1
The Leopard is one of the most recommended starter discs out there, and for good reason. It’s easy to throw straight, doesn’t fade too hard, and glides like crazy. You’ll find it in many starter sets—but it’s not just for beginners. I still use it for turnovers and finesse shots. Solid pick for any new player.
Discraft Heat – 9 / 6 / -3 / 1
The Heat brings more speed than the Leopard but still flips up nice and easy. It’s super glidey and perfect if you’re trying to stretch out your drives without needing a huge arm. Just be sure to grab it in a lighter weight for easier control.
Dynamic Discs Witness – 8 / 6 / -3 / 1
This one’s sneaky good. The Witness is another great fairway driver with a ton of turn and not much fade. Great for hyzer flips, easy distance, and staying in the fairway. If you like the feel of Dynamic Discs plastics, this is a top-tier beginner choice.
Latitude 64 Maul – 7 / 7 / -2 / 1
The Maul is one of the glide-iest discs on this list. That makes it super forgiving and great for long, straight shots—especially in the woods. It flips up reliably, holds a line, and doesn’t bite at the end. Great first driver if you want to feel like you’re getting some distance right away.
Prodigy F7 – 7 / 5 / -3 / 1
Prodigy nailed it with the F7. It’s very understable and floats forever if you put a clean release on it. New players can get great distance with very little effort. You’ll want to keep it in the bag even as you improve for rollers or hyzer flips.
MVP Relay – 6 / 5 / -3 / 1
The Relay is MVP’s beginner-friendly fairway driver, and it does its job well. It flips up, holds a straight flight, and finishes soft. If you like the feel of GYRO tech and a smaller rim, this one is easy to grip and easy to love.
My Assumptions When Choosing These Discs
Here’s how I approached this list:
- Assumed beginner players throw primarily backhand
- Assumed slower arm speeds (which is normal at first!)
- Assumed players are looking for max distance with less effort
If you’ve got a strong sports background or already have great arm speed, you might be able to handle more stable discs—but most new players will benefit from these picks.
What Makes a Driver Beginner-Friendly?
There are two big things I look for:
- Understable flight: Look for a turn rating of -2 or more. These discs “flip up” more easily and don’t fight your throw.
- High glide: More glide means more air time and more distance, even with slower throws.
Pair that with a slower speed rating (6–9), and you’ve got a disc that’s easier to control and fun to throw.
Best Disc Weight for Beginners
If you’re just starting out, I recommend staying under 165g—especially for younger players or anyone without much throwing experience. Lighter discs are easier to get up to speed and go farther for most new players.
Once you build up form and arm speed, you can experiment with heavier discs. But when in doubt, go lighter to start. Even seasoned players keep a few lightweight discs in the bag for finesse shots.
What Happens As You Improve?
As your technique and strength improve, these beginner discs may start to flip too much or turn into unintended rollers. That’s normal. But don’t ditch them—they still have a role:
- Hyzer flips
- Turnovers and finesse shots
- Rollers
Eventually you’ll start adding more stable discs, but these beginner drivers will still earn their spot in your lineup.
Final Thoughts
If you’re just getting started in disc golf, give yourself the best chance to enjoy the game—use discs that help, not hurt. I’ve seen a lot of beginners struggle with overstable, max-weight drivers that they bought without knowing better. Don’t fall into that trap.
Stick with understable, glidey fairway drivers in lighter weights. That combo is your best friend for learning clean form and getting easy distance. Grab one or two from the list above, hit your local course, and start slinging!