When you play with people who have been playing disc golf for a while, you hear the slang associated with the sport. Understable and overstable are key terms describing the flight of a disc golf disc. When a right-handed player throws a backhand shot, the disc tends to turn to the left before falling to the ground. The more the disc tends to turn to the left on a right-handed backhand throw, the more overstable it is said to be. If you are right-handed and throw a sidearm throw, the disc tends to turn to the right. The situation is the same for a left-handed backhand throw. These terms are by no means scientific, but they are well established in international usage.
Overstable Disc Golf Discs
Throwing an overstable disc requires good technique and a high speed, so they are best suited to skilled players who can throw hard. For them, the overstable disc offers greater reliability in varying weather conditions; it can even be thrown into strong headwinds with predictable behaviour. It should also be noted that if you throw hard enough, you can also turn the overstable disc over, i.e. to the right in the case of a right-handed backhand throw. For example, Simon Lizotte was able to turn over a Discmania PD2 while still playing for Discmania. Our general recommendation is that beginners do not need overstable disc golf discs.
Understable Disc Golf Discs
Understable discs are easier to throw, especially for beginners, because they do not turn to the left as strongly as overstable discs when thrown right-handed and therefore they fly further. It should also be noted that even the most understable discs will turn to the left in a right-handed backhand throw if thrown at a low enough speed. Understable discs are also suitable for more experienced and skilful players for choosing different throwing lines. Generally speaking, understable discs work better upwind than downwind, because the headwind makes the disc fly faster relative to the ground.
How to Identify Understable vs. Overstable Discs
The flight numbers on a disc golf disc are the numbers that are often printed on the top of the disc. If the stability value (turn) of the disc is low, the disc is understable. The lower the value of the turn is, the more understable the disc is said to be. At the time of writing, the most understable discs have the value -5 for turn. Similarly, a high turn value is associated with the term overstable.
Using the advanced search in our online shop, you can limit our product range to putters and approach reels suitable for beginners, for example, according to the store or online shop availability you choose.
Tip: read our article on flight numbers and characteristics of disc golf discs if you want to know more about flight numbers.
