If you’re new to disc golf, some of the lingo can be a little confusing at first. This guide breaks down the most common disc golf terms and definitions, so you can feel confident on the course and follow along with your cardmates.
Whether you’re learning how to throw, talking strategy, or shopping for discs, understanding the vocabulary is a big part of getting more comfortable with the game.
Popular Disc Golf Terms and Definitions
- Ace – A hole-in-one. Throwing your disc directly into the basket from the tee.
- Anhyzer – A release angle where the disc’s outside edge is higher than the inside edge. For right-handed backhand throws (RHBH), this causes the disc to turn to the right.
- Approach – Also called an upshot. A throw intended to land near the basket and set up a putt.
- Backhand – The most common throwing style, where the disc is pulled across the body before release.
- Bagger – A player who competes in a division below their skill level to gain a competitive advantage.
- Basket – The target. Made of chains and a lower tray to catch discs
- Birdie – Finishing a hole one throw under par.
- Card – A group of players playing a round together, usually in tournament settings.
- Casual – Refers to non-penalty hazards like standing water. Players mark their lie behind the hazard without a stroke.
- Circle – A 10-meter (32.8 ft) radius around the basket. Putt rules change inside this circle (no step or jump putts).
- Comeback Putt – A second putt after a missed one that went long.
- Cut Roll – A roller that turns sharply left or right instead of rolling straight.
- Death Putt – A putt with a dangerous drop-off or OB behind the basket.
- Distance Driver – A disc built for max distance, with a high speed rating and wide rim.
- Drive – The first throw on a hole, usually from the tee pad.
- Drop Zone – A designated area used after missing a mandatory or going OB.
- Eagle – Completing a hole two strokes under par.
- Fade – The disc’s tendency to finish left (for RHBH) at the end of its flight.
- Fairway Driver – A control driver for shorter, accurate throws.
- Flex Shot – A shot where an overstable disc is thrown on an anhyzer line and flexes back.
- Flick – Another name for a forehand throw.
- Flight Plate – The flat top portion of the disc inside the rim.
- Flight Ratings – A 4-number system (Speed, Glide, Turn, Fade) describing disc flight.
- Flippy – Refers to an understable disc that easily turns over.
- Foot Fault – A violation of stance rules during a throw.
- Forehand – Also called sidearm. A throwing style similar to a sidearm baseball throw.
- Frolf / Frisbee Golf – Casual or slang terms for disc golf.
- Glide – How long a disc stays in the air.
- Grip Lock – When a player holds the disc too long and releases late, usually pulling the shot to the right (for RHBH).
- Hyzer – A release angle where the disc’s outside edge is lower than the inside. Causes left turn for RHBH. Opposite of anhyzer.
- Hyzer Flip – A hyzer release with an understable disc that flips to flat.
- Jump Putt – A putting technique involving a forward jump after release (only legal outside the 10-meter circle).
- Kick – When a disc hits a tree or obstacle and changes direction, often unpredictably.
- Lay-Up – Playing it safe by throwing close to the basket rather than attempting a risky long putt.
- Lie – The spot where a disc lands and from where the next throw is taken.
- Mando – Short for “mandatory.” A required flight path or route players must follow.
- Midrange – A disc used for controlled medium-distance throws.
- Mini Marker – A small disc used to mark a disc’s lie before throwing.
- OB (Out of Bounds) – Areas where landing results in a penalty stroke.
- Overstable – Discs that resist turning right (for RHBH) and finish left.
- Par – The expected number of strokes to complete a hole.
- Parked – A throw that lands very close to the basket, making an easy putt.
- Penalty Stroke – An extra stroke added for a rule infraction.
- Push Putt – A putting style that uses minimal spin.
- Putt – A throw intended to land in the basket, typically from inside the circle.
- Putter – A disc designed for putting and short throws.
- Rim – The outer edge of the disc. Faster discs tend to have wider rims.
- Roller – A shot where the disc is intentionally thrown to land on its edge and roll.
- Sidearm – Another name for the forehand throw.
- Speed – The first number in the flight rating system. Indicates how much power a disc needs for full flight.
- Spin Putt – A putting style that uses wrist snap and spin.
- Spit Out – When a putt hits the chains but doesn’t stay in the basket.
- Stability – Describes how much a disc turns during flight. Discs are considered understable, stable, or overstable.
- Stable – A disc that flies straight with minimal turn or fade.
- Straddle Putt – A putting stance with feet spread apart, used to gain a clear look at the basket.
- Star Frame – When all players on a card birdie the same hole.
- Tee Pad – The designated area from which a hole begins.
- Thumber – An overhand throw where the disc is held with the thumb inside the rim.
- Tomahawk – An overhand throw similar to a baseball pitch, gripped like a forehand.
- Turbo Putt – An overhead putting style holding the disc like a pizza tray.
- Turn – The disc’s tendency to turn early in flight. Represented by the third number in flight ratings.
- Understable – A disc that turns right (RHBH) when thrown flat or with power.
- Upshot – Another word for an approach shot—your throw to get into putting range.
Still learning the basics? Check out our Beginner’s Guide to Disc Golf or explore starter sets here to get started with the right gear.