Best driver for a newbie?

[rdwyer]

Hey all,

So I just started disc golfing this last summer and got into it rather quickly. I got a good price on discs, because I worked at Sports Authority and we had a decent selection of Innova discs there, so I have a decent amount of discs.

Problem is, they're all heavy. The lowest weight we had was 172, and I don't have the power to get those discs to fly. I can throw them, but they never s-curve and it's rare that I get a decent throw on them.

I've heard that a beginner should throw a disc around 165 grams. Is this true? if so, does anyone have any reccomendations for a good, straight-flying disc that I could find around that weight? Thanks!

 

[ArcheType]

165g is a good weight, and my go beginner discs are a leopard, cheetah, or gazelle, all in dx plastic.

 

[adhalla]

lighter understable disc would be best, as in a lightweight valkyrie. lightweight bet in lower speed discs would work as well, such as a teebird. the point is new players with lower arm speeds dont need to throw 10 speed + discs

 

[ArcheType]

New players don't need to be throwing valks either.

 

[JamesXC]

If you are throwing backhand, I would start with either a Leopard or a TL. If you are throwing forehand, maybe a Teebird or Eagle. 165g seems like a good place to start.

It is worth mentioning that you don't really want to be S-curving discs. You can get more distance that way, but you will lose accuracy and when you try and learn to throw a flat or hyzer shot, you will have to make some major form adjustments.

A bunch of people on here will probably tell you that you shouldn't start with a driver and should instead only throw putters and midrange, but IMO have fun with a fairway driver at least. If you wanted to try something even faster (not particularly recommended, but go nuts if you want), go with a Sidewinder/Roadrunner/Monarch for Backhand or Beast/Valkyrie for forehand.

 

[adhalla]

New players don't need to be throwing valks either.

a lightweight dx or pro valk is works great for new players

 

[Midnightbiker]

a lightweight dx or pro valk is works great for new players

I agree. A Pro Valk is a good new player driver.

 

[sillybizz]

Putter. :|

 

[VyZx]

It is worth mentioning that you don't really want to be S-curving discs. You can get more distance that way, but you will lose accuracy and when you try and learn to throw a flat or hyzer shot, you will have to make some major form adjustments.

This is a total N00B question, but what do you mean by a "flat shot?"

 

[TxDiscGolfBoy]

Teebird and/or Leopard.

The Leo is a little less stable (which could give you added D) than the Teebird, but as you gain distance they become a remarkable dual in anyone's bag.

1 of the 2, you can't go wrong.

 

[cbeckett22]

Learn to throw a buzzz or a roc. You will be in the fairway more than not, and you will improve faster overall. Also.. LEARN TO PUTT!! If you can hit fairways and putt, you will score well.

 

[Skunk]

When I started playing I was using low to mid 170 discs. I would suggest (in this order) a Sidewinder, Roadrunner, Leopard, Valkyrie. If you turn these discs over (meaning they will go right if you throw RHBH), then start throwing a Teebird, Wraith, Destroyer or Boss. These ar eonly Innove discs and I'm sure others will tell you other brands that compare to these (Discraft, Gateway, Latitude 64....etc.).

Just rememer to keep you back shoulder back and your back more straight. This will help you get that "S" curve out of the disc for more distance.

 

[hangwind]

160 ish DX Banshee

 

[Lost in the Brambles]

Get a Shark

 

[yawpstang64]

I'd suggest Leopards cause you can bump up to better plastics easily when you feel the need to; get a DX or Pro to start out with though. It'll be straight up to 300' or until they beat in a bit, and they're great for really getting to know how discs break in.
Champ Teebirds are great as an overstable and wind disc while you're learning.

Driving with putters and mids is important to be able to do though, and extremely valuable for learning to throw smooth lines. Comet is the form builder, but a Buzzz is great as well.

 

[rdwyer]

So its looking like a Leopard or a Valkerie would be the best choice. So a pro or dx would be the best choice? I wouldn't want to start out with a champion plastic?

 

[Midnightbiker]

So its looking like a Leopard or a Valkerie would be the best choice. So a pro or dx would be the best choice? I wouldn't want to start out with a champion plastic?

I agree 100%. I met a guy today that had his girlfriend throwing a DX Wraith. I ask if he had a Leopard, and he did, and he gave that to her, and after a quick lesson on grip, she did much, much better.

 

[Johnson]

Hate to sound like a broken record but, leopard, all day ery day.

 

[Craton]

When I started playing I was using low to mid 170 discs. I would suggest (in this order) a Sidewinder, Roadrunner, Leopard, Valkyrie. If you turn these discs over (meaning they will go right if you throw RHBH), then start throwing a Teebird, Wraith, Destroyer or Boss. These ar eonly Innove discs and I'm sure others will tell you other brands that compare to these (Discraft, Gateway, Latitude 64....etc.).

Just rememer to keep you back shoulder back and your back more straight. This will help you get that "S" curve out of the disc for more distance.

A few questions: Low to Mid 170's = 170-175, aka max weight. Maybe 165-170 would be better.

Second: Make sure to pick those up in DX. DX is GREAT for beginners, because you can learn how discs break in, have killer grip, and end up with a utility/roller when you're done, depending on how many treese you blessed.

Three: The first list shows potential. The second, however, makes an assumption that you have decent form and are burning them over to the point of crashing. NONE of those discs should crash on you brand new, and if they are you have major OAT problems. I can throw 450'+, and I can do with with a Valk, Sidewinder, leopard, or roadrunner any day of the week. While I'd actually tack a DX teebird to the list of a good starter, if not THE best starter, I'd completely toss out the Boss and Destroyer. MAYBE a 150g DX wraith could slide in, but honestly it's just going to be getting in your way.

Finally: While the "S-Curve" is highly desirable early on, because you don't have to see hyzer-crashes, it doesn't necessarily mean good form. If you are throwing a disc like a teebird, such as a brand new DX one or a champ, they should be on a dead straight line. If you are throwing them on angles to FORCE an S out of them purely for the sake of distance, then you are going to be learning some bad form once again.

My $0.02

 

[SirRaph]

Buzzz is what I usually recommend for new players. They're great discs for learning just about every shot in the book. Grab one in Z plastic in the 165-170g weight range.

If you have to go innova, go with the Leopard or Skeeter.