What Do The Numbers On A Disc Mean? The Flight Rating System

Disc golf flight ratings are a valuable tool in helping you select the perfect disc for your game; however, it's essential to keep several factors in mind when using this system. Before we dive into the details, remember that these explanations are based on a right-hand backhand (RHBH) player perspective, and it's best not to compare ratings between different companies.

The flight rating system is composed of four numbers representing speed, glide, turn, and fade. Each number plays a crucial role in describing how the disc should fly if thrown at the correct speed, enabling you to choose the right disc for your skill level. This introduction will help you become more familiar with the flight rating system and make more informed decisions when shopping for discs.

Key Takeaways

• Flight rating systems assist in selecting the right disc for your skill level, considering factors like speed, glide, turn, and fade.
• It's important to remember that these ratings vary between different disc manufacturers and should not be compared across brands.
• Several factors, including plastic type, disc weight, and throwing style, have a significant impact on the disc's actual flight.

Disc Flight Rating System

When selecting a disc for disc golf, it's essential to comprehend the flight rating system. Various disc manufacturers use this system to describe how their discs are intended to fly when thrown correctly. The system consists of four numbers, each representing a specific aspect of the disc's flight characteristics:

1. Speed (1-14): Indicates how fast the disc can travel through the air. Higher-speed discs have thinner rims and can cut through the air more efficiently, but they are harder to control. The speed also denotes how hard you need to throw the disc to achieve its intended flight. For beginners, it's recommended to stay within a range of 3-9.

2. Glide (1-7): This represents how long the disc will maintain loft or float in the air. Beginners usually benefit from discs with more glide to gain distance. Discs with less glide are easier to control and are preferred in windy conditions.

3. Turn (+1 to -5): Reflects the disc's tendency to move to the right at the beginning of its flight. Negative numbers indicate that the disc will turn more easily to the right. Beginners often find discs with higher turn numbers to be more forgiving since they help achieve a flatter flight.

4. Fade (0-5): Describes the disc's tendency to hook to the left at the end of its flight. Higher fade numbers result in a more pronounced leftward curve and a potentially longer skip upon landing.

Keep in mind that these numbers are based on the assumption that the disc is thrown at the correct speed and angle. However, several factors can impact a disc's flight, such as the type of plastic, the disc's weight, your throwing style, weather conditions, and differing rating systems among manufacturers.

Ultimately, understanding the flight rating system will help you choose the right disc for your skill level and throwing style, allowing you to improve your game and achieve better results on the course.

Flight Number Breakdown

Speed Rating

Speed ratings range from 1 to 14, with high-speed discs having thinner rims that cut through the air more easily, but they're also more difficult to control. Lower-speed discs, like putters or mid-ranges, are thicker and easier to control, but they won't travel as far. Beginners should ideally stick with a speed range of 3 to 9 to start.

Glide Rating

Glide ratings vary from 1 to 7, with most discs falling between 3 and 6. Glide indicates how long the disc will float or maintain its loft in the air. More glide is beneficial for beginners to achieve greater distance. However, less glide can be easier to control, especially in windy conditions.

Turn Rating

Turn ratings range from +1 to -5 and represent the disc's tendency to move right at the beginning of its flight. A higher negative number means the disc will move to the right more easily with less effort. Beginners might benefit from discs with more turn, as it can help them achieve a flatter flight path and maximize their distance.

Fade Rating

Fade ratings range from 0 to 5 and indicate the disc's likeliness to hook to the left at the end of its flight. A 0-rated disc will land relatively straight, while a 5-rated disc will hook sharply to the left, potentially skipping off the ground. Many professional players prefer discs with more fade than turn for added control and predictability.

Choosing the Right Disc for Beginners

When starting out in disc golf, it's essential to choose the right disc that suits your skill level and helps improve your game. Here's a quick guide to help you pick the perfect disc as a beginner.

Speed - It ranges from 1 to 14, and it tells you how fast a disc can travel through the air. High-speed discs might be tempting, but if you're not yet able to throw at their required speed, it's best to stay within the range of 3 to 9. These speeds are beginner-friendly and will help you achieve a flatter, longer flight.

Glide - With a range of 1 to 7, glide indicates how long a disc will float or maintain loft in the air. As a beginner, you'd want more glide to get maximum distance. However, discs with less glide offer better control and are usually easier to judge where they'll land, particularly in windy conditions.

Turn - This value ranges from +1 to -5. Turn refers to a disc's tendency to move right at the beginning of its flight. Beginners often benefit from discs with enough turn since they typically struggle to get the disc flat. More turn means the disc will move to the right with less power or effort.

Fade - Ranging from 0 to 5, fade refers to a disc's tendency to hook left at the end of its flight. Professional players tend to prefer discs with more fade than turn for better control and predictability.

Keep in mind that other factors like the type of plastic, weight of the disc, throwing style, and weather can also greatly influence how a disc flies. Additionally, remember that different brands rate their discs differently. However, with practice and time, you'll develop a better understanding of the flight rating system, and you'll find the perfect disc for your specific skill level and playing style. Good luck, and enjoy the game!

Other Factors Affecting Disc Flight

Impact of Plastic Type

The flight of a disc is influenced by the type of plastic used during its construction. Cheaper plastics tend to fly differently than their more expensive, premium-grade counterparts. This is another thing to consider when selecting your discs.

How Disc Weight Plays a Role

A heavier disc requires more power to achieve greater distance, but it also provides more control and is less influenced by wind. On the other hand, lighter discs are easier for those with less power to throw farther, but they can be harder to control and more susceptible to wind.

Influence of Throwing Style

Your throwing angle, speed, grip, and method (forehand or backhand) all have a significant impact on how a disc flies. Experimenting with these variables will help you understand how they affect your disc's flight.

Weather Conditions and Disc Flight

Hot or cold temperatures, precipitation, and wind all have a substantial influence on a disc's flight. For example, discs tend to fly farther in hot weather and drop more quickly in cold conditions.

Variance among Brands

Each disc golf brand rates their discs differently using the same flight rating system, making comparisons between brands unreliable.

Final Reminders

As you now have a better understanding of the flight rating system, let's quickly go over some key factors to keep in mind when selecting and using your discs. These factors can greatly affect the way a disc flies, so it's crucial to consider them.

• Type of plastic: The material used for a disc can impact its flight. For example, a disc made from cheaper plastic will perform differently than one made of higher-quality plastics like Star, ESP, or K1 plastics.

• Weight of the disc: Heavier discs require more power for greater distance but offer better control and are less influenced by wind. On the other hand, lighter discs are easier to throw for distance but can be harder to control and more affected by wind.

• Throwing style: Every player has their own unique throwing technique, and factors such as angle, speed, grip, and method (forehand or backhand) will all influence the disc flight.

• Weather conditions: Discs will perform differently depending on temperature, precipitation, and wind. For example, a disc will fly farther in hot weather and drop quicker in colder conditions.

• Brand differences: Keep in mind that each disc manufacturer rates their discs slightly differently when using the flight rating system. It's best not to directly compare flight numbers between brands.

Remember, practice and experience will help you get a feel for the flight rating system. Keep these factors in mind, and soon you'll be a master at understanding how different discs will perform in various situations. Good luck out there!