Getting into disc golf is easy—it doesn’t take much more than a few discs and a local course to start having fun. But once you’ve played a few rounds, you’ll probably want to start improving, especially when it comes to driving off the tee. Driving a disc well is one of the trickiest parts of the game, but with a little guidance and some practice, you’ll see steady improvement.
These tips are designed to help you build good habits from the start. As a beginner, don’t worry too much about perfect mechanics. Focus on form, disc choice, and consistency, and the rest will come with time.
1. Disc Down
One of the most common mistakes beginners make is grabbing a high-speed driver right away. It’s tempting—drivers look cool and promise big distance. But without the right form and arm speed, those discs can actually hurt your game.
Instead, start with slower discs like putters and midranges. These slower-speed molds are more forgiving and easier to control while you’re learning proper technique. In fact, many pros use putters and mids for fieldwork and drills—it’s a proven way to build up good form and touch.
Once your mechanics and arm speed improve, then it makes sense to move up to fairway and distance drivers.
2. Stand Still for Better Control
Forget the fancy footwork—for now. A full run-up or x-step can add power, but it also adds complexity. When you’re just starting out, it’s more important to focus on your release and follow-through.
Try driving from a standstill position or with just a small step forward. This helps you stay balanced and feel how the disc comes out of your hand. Later, you can add a run-up when you’re ready to integrate more power without sacrificing accuracy.
3. Keep the Disc Flat
Another issue many beginners run into is angle control. If your disc is hyzering out early or turning over too much, your release angle might be off.
Work on releasing your disc flat and low, especially with putters and mids. A clean, flat release gives you the best chance for a straight, consistent flight. As you learn how your discs behave at different speeds and angles, you can start experimenting with hyzer and anhyzer throws.
4. Choose Understable Discs
Stability matters, especially when you’re learning. Newer players often have slower arm speeds, and that makes understable discs a great fit. They’re easier to get up to speed and will fly straighter—or even gently to the right—for a right-handed backhand throw.
Look at the flight numbers stamped on the disc. The third number is the turn rating, and for beginners, you’ll want discs with a turn of -1 to -5. A few great beginner-friendly options include:
- Innova Leopard (Speed 6, Turn -2)
- Latitude 64 Diamond (Speed 8, Turn -3)
- Infinite Discs Sphinx (Speed 9, Turn -3)
Understable plastics give you more glide and less frustration, helping you develop better distance and accuracy early on.
5. Ask for Help
Don’t be afraid to learn from others. Watching videos, reading guides (like this one), and talking to local players can make a huge difference.
If you’re struggling with a particular aspect of your drive—your grip, timing, or follow-through—ask a more experienced player to take a look. Better yet, record your form and post it in a disc golf forum like Reddit’s r/discgolf for feedback.
Most players are happy to help, and just playing rounds with better players can teach you a ton about form, shot selection, and strategy.
6. Practice With Purpose
There’s no substitute for reps. The best way to improve your driving is to head to an open field with a stack of discs and work on your form. This kind of focused fieldwork lets you isolate variables—disc choice, release angle, power—and make real progress.
When you’re not worrying about hitting trees or scoring, you can experiment more and start to feel what works. Fieldwork is how good habits become muscle memory.
If you need discs to round out your fieldwork bag, check out our starter sets and disc selection.
Final Thoughts
Disc golf driving takes time, patience, and a bit of trial and error. But if you start with the right approach—slower discs, solid fundamentals, and regular practice—you’ll build a foundation that lasts. Don’t worry if it doesn’t all click right away. Every throw is a step forward.
And most importantly, have fun out there. That’s what disc golf is all about.
