Before we start, RHBH “Righthand Backhand”, RHFH “Righthand Forehand”.
Disc Numbers What They Mean
Firstly let start what stats mean on disc golfs. The first number on the the disc counts for speed, 1-3 speed are putters, 4-6 midranges, 7-10 fairways, 11-15 are distance drivers.
Speed is related to the discs molds of what you are throwing, putters-drivers. Putters going the least amount of distance – drivers going to the most amount of distance.
The second number on the disc is glide. Glide is how easily the disc will glide in the air without starting to drop down. With higher glide discs, you can usually get the most of your distance without maximum effort, but usually leads them to being under-stable in lots of cases, or requiring a big hyzerflip more on that later. Glide can be down to 1 and up to 7.
Lower glide discs can be realiabe and more easily controlled.
The third stat on a disc is turn. Turn stat can vary from -3 up to 3, when it is in the negatives it means it will go the opposite way the disc should go when you throw it normally.
Example, RHBH throws you expect them to go straight then left. With negative turn it will go right first and potentially only go right and stop. Or it will go right to left gaining some of the biggest distances achievable.
Turn happens when the disc is first released from your hand, the 3rd number is designed to tell you what is expected from the disc when it is flying straight to right or left, or doing a big S flight.
Some say it is causing the disc to fly in a unnatural pattern but really, it’s flying perfectly normal to the pattern of the disc you got. Usually discs that have negative turn require a hyzerflip to achieve maximum distance.
Fade is the last number on a disc, meaning it will happen after the “turn 3rd number on the disc”. Fade is when the disc will come back in the naturally way, RHBH to the left, RHFH, to the right near the end of the flight.
- Speed: 12.0
- Glide: 5.0
- Turn: 0.0
- Fade: 3.0
Overstable Distance Driver Example
Will go straight will heavy fade, takes a experienced player to get the most from this disc.
- Speed: 12.0
- Glide: 6.0
- Turn: -2.0
- Fade: 1.0
Understable Distance Driver Example
Can achieve more distance allowing the disc to fly in a S pattern more easily when you are first learning.
I will get into what overstable, understable discs are and examples of stats of them next.
Overstable Disc golf
Overstable disc golfs are when the disc will have neutral turn, 0-1 wont be in the negative with a really high fade 2-5 disc dependant.
Over stable discs are a staple in many pros bags and even lots of pros it will fill 70% of the bag or more.
Why people throw overstable discs, the more you throw them the less stable they get, sometimes becoming the best flying distance disc you will get.
Another reason is that they are extremely controllable and reliable knowing how to land them exactly in your targeted area.
When it is windy out, you will get overstable discs to fight the wind or else the wind will just push your disc around.
Lastly some pros can make overstable discs look understable because of how much spin and speed they can achieve, so they need extremely big and reliable discs they can throw hard.
- Speed: 9.0
- Glide: 3.0
- Turn: 0.0
- Fade: 4.0
- Speed: 9.0
- Glide: 4.0
- Turn: 0.0
- Fade: 3.0
Here the stats of a popular disc on the market from three different companies that use those stats on a disc. Discmania FD3, the famous Firdbird from Innova, and Discraft with the Raptor.
The FD3, and Raptor have the 9,4,0,3 stats. While the Firebird has the 9,3,0,4 stats. These are all overstable fairway drivers from the top companies in disc golf.
Understable Disc Golf
Understable discs golfs are when the turn will be in the negative on discs.
When the turn is negative as you have learned the disc will fly in the opposite way that you think it should.
Why that is so good because you can achieve distance more easily when you find the disc that works for you.
Starting off in disc golf overstable discs can be just to much, every throw you do it just feels like the disc just dumps to the right with a RHBH.
To fix that is getting a understable disc which will let you experiment with more throws and gaining more distance as you get more spin and speed on your throws.
Understable is also a way to achieve throws with RHBH that normally require you to use a forehand to get there more naturally.
RHBH with a understable disc can allow the disc to completely go the opposite direction finish that way also and not come back and fade.
- Speed: 9.0
- Glide: 6.0
- Turn: -3.0
- Fade: 1.0
Sphinx – I share this disc because it is understable, is honestly flies just like a driver to me and greater I can get this disc to 500 for the speed and glide. I believe this is a extremely under the radar disc. A example of what stats look on a disc or understable also.
- Speed: 8.0
- Glide: 6.0
- Turn: -2.0
- Fade: 1.0
One more example is the Essence really good for beginners would be one of my most recommended discs for people wanting to learn.
Hope this you enjoyed reading and check out my backhand guide