Disc Golf for Beginners: Rules, Throws and Gear

You’ve seen people flinging frisbees at metal baskets in your local park and wondered what’s going on. Or maybe a friend invited you to play “disc golf” this weekend and you have no idea what you’re getting into. Either way, disc golf is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, and there’s a good reason—it’s affordable, accessible, and genuinely fun once you understand the basics.

Quick answer: Disc golf works like traditional golf, but you throw specialized discs instead of hitting a ball with clubs. Each hole has a tee pad and a metal basket target. Your score is the number of throws it takes to get your disc in the basket. Lowest total score wins. You can start with just a single midrange disc and a free course at your local park—total startup cost can be under $15.

How Disc Golf Works: The Basic Rules

If you’ve ever played regular golf, you already understand the core concept. According to the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA), which governs the sport worldwide, disc golf follows these fundamental rules:

1. Tee off from the tee pad. Each hole starts at a designated area (usually a concrete pad). All players throw from behind the front edge of the pad.
2. Throw from where your disc landed. After your tee shot, mark where your disc came to rest and throw your next shot from directly behind that spot. The player farthest from the basket always throws first.
3. Complete the hole by landing in the basket. The hole is finished when your disc comes to rest in the basket’s chains or tray. A disc sitting on top of the basket does not count.
4. Count every throw. Your score for each hole is the total number of throws, including penalties. Like ball golf, each hole has a “par”—the expected number of throws for a skilled player.
5. Lowest score wins. After completing all holes (usually 9 or 18), the player with the fewest total throws wins the round.

Key Rules Beginners Should Know

• Out of bounds (OB): If your disc lands out of bounds (usually marked by white lines, fences, or water), you take a one-throw penalty and play from where the disc crossed the OB line.
• Mandatory routes (mandos): Some holes have mandatory paths marked by signs. You must pass on the correct side of the mando or take a penalty.
• Foot faults: When throwing, your supporting foot must be directly behind your lie (where your disc landed). Stepping past it before releasing is a foot fault.
• Courtesy: Stay quiet and still when someone else is throwing. Don’t walk ahead on the fairway. Let faster groups play through.

Understanding Disc Types: Drivers, Midranges, and Putters

This is where disc golf diverges from regular frisbee. You don’t just throw one disc for everything—there are different discs for different situations, similar to how golfers use different clubs. Disc manufacturers like Innova, Discraft, and Dynamic Discs make hundreds of models, but they all fall into three main categories:

What Those Four Numbers on Every Disc Mean

Every disc golf disc has four numbers printed on it, known as flight numbers. According to Innova Discs, who pioneered this rating system, they represent:

1. Speed (1–14): How fast you need to throw the disc for it to fly as intended. Higher speed doesn’t mean the disc goes farther for you—it means it requires more arm speed to perform properly.
2. Glide (1–7): How well the disc stays in the air. Higher glide means more float and typically more distance for slower throwers.
3. Turn (-5 to +1): How much the disc curves right (for right-hand backhand throws) during the initial fast part of its flight. Negative numbers mean more rightward turn.
4. Fade (0–5): How much the disc hooks left at the end of its flight as it slows down. Higher fade means a harder left finish.

For beginners, what I wish I knew when starting: ignore high-speed drivers. A disc rated 13-speed won’t fly farther for you—it’ll fly erratically because you can’t generate enough arm speed to activate its designed flight path. Start with speed 4–7 discs and you’ll throw straighter, farther, and with more consistency.

Essential Throwing Techniques

There are three primary throws in disc golf. Mastering even one of them will get you through most courses comfortably.

The Backhand (Most Common)

This is the throw most people learn first, and it’s the bread and butter of disc golf.

1. Stand sideways to your target with your non-throwing shoulder pointing forward.
2. Grip the disc with your thumb on top and four fingers curled under the rim.
3. Reach back with a straight arm, keeping the disc level.
4. Pull the disc across your chest in a straight line, like starting a lawnmower.
5. Release with a snap of the wrist when the disc is directly in front of you.
6. Follow through naturally—your arm should continue past the release point.

The most common beginner mistake is rounding—swinging the disc in an arc around your body instead of pulling it in a straight line. This kills accuracy and distance. Think “straight line from reach-back to release.”

The Forehand (Sidearm/Flick)

The forehand throw curves in the opposite direction of a backhand, making it essential for holes that bend right (for right-handed players).

1. Face your target with your throwing side forward.
2. Grip the disc with your middle finger pressed firmly against the inside rim and your index finger extended alongside it for stability.
3. Keep your elbow tucked close and flick the disc forward with a wrist snap.
4. The disc should roll off your middle finger with spin.

The forehand is harder on the arm and wrist, so don’t overtrain it in a single session. Many beginners develop wrist pain from over-throwing forehands before building proper form.

The Hyzer and Anhyzer Angles

These aren’t separate throws—they’re angles you apply to either a backhand or forehand:

• Hyzer: The outer edge of the disc tilts downward (away from you). This makes the disc curve left for right-hand backhand throws. It’s the most reliable angle for controlled shots.
• Anhyzer: The outer edge tilts upward. This makes the disc curve right initially. It’s useful for getting around obstacles but harder to control.
• Flat: The disc is level with the ground. Produces the straightest flight path.

What Gear You Actually Need to Start

One of disc golf’s biggest advantages over ball golf is the low barrier to entry. Here’s what you actually need versus what’s nice to have:

The Minimum (Under $15)

• One midrange disc. The Innova Mako3, Discraft Buzzz, or Dynamic Discs Truth are all excellent choices for beginners. A single midrange disc can handle tee shots, approaches, and even putting when you’re starting out.
• Comfortable shoes. You’ll be walking through grass, dirt, and sometimes mud. Trail runners or hiking shoes with good tread work well.

The Starter Kit ($25–$40)

• Three discs: A putter, a midrange, and a fairway driver. Most brands sell starter sets in this range. Innova’s DX starter set and Discraft’s Beginner Set are popular choices.
• A mini marker disc. A small disc (about 4 inches) used to mark your lie. Many are given away free at disc golf shops and events.

Nice to Have (As You Progress)

• A disc golf bag. Ranges from simple shoulder bags ($20–$40) to full backpack-style bags ($100+). Not necessary at first—a regular backpack works fine.
• A towel. For wiping off wet or muddy discs. Clip a small towel to your bag.
• Extra discs. As you improve, you’ll want discs for specific situations—overstable discs for headwinds, understable discs for turnover shots, and multiple putters for practice.

Finding a Course Near You

The PDGA reports there are over 15,000 disc golf courses worldwide, with the majority in the United States. Most are free to play and located in public parks. The best way to find one near you:

• UDisc app – The most comprehensive disc golf app. It shows nearby courses, hole maps, reviews, and even tracks your scores. The basic version is free.
• PDGA course directory – The official PDGA website has a searchable database of registered courses worldwide.
• Local disc golf clubs – Search Facebook for “[your city] disc golf” groups. Local players are almost always happy to show newcomers the ropes.

Most courses range from 9 to 18 holes. A full 18-hole round typically takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on the course layout and how busy it is. Nine-hole rounds are great for beginners—they take about 45 minutes to an hour and give you a manageable introduction.

Disc Golf Etiquette: What Every Beginner Should Know

1. Let faster groups play through. If the group behind you is waiting consistently, wave them through. It’s the most important courtesy in disc golf.
2. Don’t throw until the fairway is clear. Make sure people ahead of you are out of range before you throw. Discs can reach speeds of 60+ mph and cause serious injury.
3. Yell “FORE!” if your disc heads toward people. Just like in ball golf, this warns people to protect themselves.
4. Leave no trace. Pack out any trash, including broken discs. Don’t damage trees or vegetation.
5. Respect the course. Don’t carve into trees, modify the terrain, or move course equipment.
6. Be encouraging. The disc golf community is known for being welcoming. Cheer good shots, commiserate on bad ones, and help new players.

Practical Tips for Your First Round

1. Play from the short tees. Most courses have multiple tee positions. Start from the shortest ones to make your first round more enjoyable and less frustrating.
2. Focus on accuracy, not distance. In my experience, the fastest way to improve your score is throwing shorter, controlled shots rather than trying to bomb every drive. A straight 200-foot shot beats a wild 300-foot shot that ends up behind a tree.
3. Putt from inside the circle. Within about 33 feet of the basket, use your putter with a smooth, controlled push putt or spin putt. Don’t try to throw your driver at the basket from close range.
4. Throw flat and low. Beginners tend to nose the disc up, causing it to stall and fade left early. Focus on keeping the nose of the disc slightly down and releasing on a flat plane.
5. Walk the course first if possible. Before playing, walk a few holes to see the layout, note obstacles, and plan your strategy. Many UDisc course maps also show aerial hole views.
6. Don’t buy high-speed drivers yet. I cannot stress this enough. You’ll throw a speed-5 midrange farther and straighter than a speed-13 driver until your arm speed develops. Trust the process.

Common Beginner Mistakes in Disc Golf

• Buying too many discs too soon. You don’t need 15 discs to play your first round. Three is plenty for your first several months. Learn what each disc does before adding more to your bag.
• Trying to throw too hard. Disc golf distance comes from technique and timing, not raw power. Smooth throws with proper form consistently beat muscled throws with poor technique.
• Ignoring the wind. Wind dramatically affects disc flight. A headwind makes discs fly as if they’re more understable (turn more right for backhand), while a tailwind does the opposite. Choose more overstable discs in windy conditions.
• Not practicing putting. Putting accounts for a huge portion of your score. Spending 20 minutes practicing putts from 15–25 feet will improve your scores faster than any other practice.
• Playing alone without learning etiquette. Join a casual round with experienced players when possible. They’ll teach you course-specific rules, local customs, and technique tips that no YouTube video can match.

Wrapping Up

Disc golf is one of the most accessible sports you can pick up. The courses are usually free, the equipment is cheap, and the learning curve is gentle enough that you’ll have fun from your very first round. Start with a midrange disc, find a local course on UDisc, and throw your way through 9 holes—that’s all it takes to get hooked.

As you get more into it, the sport has incredible depth. There are tournaments at every level, from casual weekly leagues to professional events with six-figure purses. But none of that matters on your first day. Just get out there, throw some plastic, and enjoy the walk.

If you’re looking for more outdoor activities to try, check out our list of backyard games adults actually want to play for ideas that work right in your yard. And if you enjoy the social side of getting active outdoors, our article on the benefits of team sports for adults breaks down why playing with others is so rewarding. For more outdoor game rules and setup guides, our comprehensive lawn games guide covers everything from cornhole to kubb.