To start playing disc golf, all you need is one disc and a course. There are thousands of courses around the world, and many of them are free to play. In this guide, we explain which discs suit beginners, how to find a course and how to play your first round.
What do you need to get started?
There are three options. With any of them, you can be out on the course the same day.
One disc
A single putter or midrange is enough to try the sport. With a straight-flying disc, you can drive, approach and putt. It is the most affordable way to find out whether disc golf is for you.
Discmania Active Base Sensei
A straight and easy putter – the most affordable way to start. Speed 3.
Three discs
A putter, a midrange and a fairway driver cover every situation on the course. Use the putter for short throws into the basket, the midrange for approaches and short drives, and the fairway driver for longer drives. This set-up will serve you well throughout your first season.
Discmania Active Premium Sensei
The same straight putter in a more durable plastic. Speed 3.
Discraft Z Line Buzzz
One of the world’s most popular midranges. Flies straight and holds its line. Speed 5.
Discmania Q-Line FD
A straight fairway driver with long glide that works even with a gentle throw. Speed 7.
You can also choose other discs instead of these. Below, our expert Niko shares his recommendations on video (in Finnish).
Ready-made starter set
If you would rather not compare discs, choose a ready-made set. The sets include a beginner-friendly putter, midrange and driver, and cost less than buying the discs separately.
Prodigy Disc Ace BaseGrip Disc Set
Three lightweight discs: a putter, a midrange and a driver. Also suitable for children and young players.
Which disc suits a beginner?
The most common beginner mistake is buying a disc that is too fast. A distance driver needs a lot of arm speed to fly as designed. With a slower throw, it turns off early and ends up shorter than a putter or midrange.
Every disc has four flight numbers, printed on the disc or shown on its product page: speed, glide, turn and fade. For beginners, three rules of thumb are enough:
- Speed 7 or lower. Putters have a speed of 1–3, midranges 4–5 and fairway drivers 6–8.
- Turn of 0 or below, for example 0, -1 or -2. A disc like this flies straight even with a gentle throw.
- Fade of 2 or less, so the disc does not hook sharply to the side at the end of its flight.
Weight matters too. A disc of 165–175 grams suits most adults. For children and players with a lighter throw, 140–160 grams is easier. In our online shop, you can choose the exact weight and colour of every disc yourself.
How do you find a course?
Disc golf courses can be found in parks and forests all over the world, and many of them are free to play. Finland, where Powergrip is based, has more disc golf courses per capita than any other country in the world – over a thousand in total.
- The UDisc app shows the courses nearest to you, hole maps and reviews from other players. You can also use it to keep score.
- In Finland, Frisbeegolfradat.fi lists all Finnish courses on a map with difficulty ratings.
For your first round, choose a course where most holes are under 100 metres. An open park course is easier than a wooded one, because your disc is easier to find and trees do not stop your throws. UDisc shows the hole lengths of every course, so you can quickly find the easiest ones.
How to play your first round
The idea of disc golf is the same as in golf: you complete the course in as few throws as possible. You can learn the rules in a single round.
- Each hole starts from the throwing area, known as the tee. The hole sign shows the shape and length of the hole and its target score, known as par.
- Your next throw is taken from where your previous disc came to rest.
- The player whose disc is furthest from the basket always throws next.
- The hole is complete when your disc comes to rest in the basket or in the chains. Add up your throws – the lowest score wins.
- Do not throw if there are people on or near the hole. Wait until the group ahead is out of your throwing line. If your disc is heading towards people, shout Fore loudly.
- Let faster groups play through, and take your litter with you.
Your score does not matter in your first few rounds. Many beginners do not keep score at all and simply focus on getting the disc out of their hand with reasonable control.
Three throws to get you going
Backhand
The most common throw. The disc leaves your hand across your body with the back of your hand leading, much like throwing an ordinary frisbee. Start with a standstill throw without a run-up, and focus on releasing the disc flat.
Forehand
The disc is thrown from beside your body with the palm side leading. A right-hander’s forehand fades to the right at the end of its flight – the opposite direction to a backhand – so it lets you get around obstacles from the other side.
Putt
A short throw into the basket from in front of your body. Putting decides your score more often than a long drive, and you can practise it anywhere, even in your own garden.
What to get later on?
You will not need these for your first round, but they make life easier once your disc collection starts to grow.
- Bag or backpack. A small beginner bag holds 6–10 discs and a water bottle.
- Towel. A wet disc slips out of your hand, and dew, rain and snow make discs wet more often than you might think.
- Practice basket for your garden or holiday home. Putting practice is the quickest way to improve your score.
- Used discs. An affordable way to try new models. A used disc is often slightly more understable (usually easier to throw) than a new one, which suits beginners well.
Frequently asked questions
How many discs does a beginner need?
One is enough to try the sport. With three discs – a putter, a midrange and a fairway driver – you will be well set for your whole first season.
How much does it cost to start playing disc golf?
A single disc costs around €9–20 and a three-disc starter set around €25–40. Prices may vary. Many courses are free to play, so there are often no other costs.
Is disc golf suitable for children?
Yes. For a child, choose a light disc of around 120–150 grams and a short park course. A putter or midrange with a thin rim fits small hands best.
Can you play disc golf in winter?
Yes, and many players play all year round. In snow, a bright colour or a ribbon taped to the disc makes it easier to find.
Should my first disc be a driver?
Not a distance driver. With a beginner’s throw, it flies shorter than a midrange. A slow, understable fairway driver works well as a third disc alongside a putter and a midrange.
What do the basic disc golf terms mean?
The tee is where you throw from, par is the target score for a hole, and a birdie is a score one throw under par.
Ask us
Our staff are disc golfers themselves and are happy to help you choose your first discs. You do not need to know anything about the sport before you visit. In our stores, you can feel how different discs sit in your hand.
Powergrip stores are located in Helsinki, Tampere, Turku, Oulu and Kuopio in Finland. Our online shop also ships abroad, and our customer service answers on WhatsApp too.