Disc Golf Glossary: 23 Terms Explained
The words that show up in disc golf specs, reviews and how-to guides, explained without jargon. Open any term for the full explanation and what to look for when buying.
- Anhyzer
- Releasing a disc with the outside edge tilted up, sending it curving away in the opposite direction.
- Read more about anhyzer
- Bead
- A small ridge on the bottom rim of some putters and drivers that changes grip feel and release.
- Read more about bead
- Circle 1
- The scoring zone within about 10 metres of the basket, where putting rules and stances apply.
- Read more about circle 1
- Disc weight
- The mass of a disc in grams, which affects how easy it is to throw far and how it holds in wind.
- Read more about disc weightRelated: Best Lightweight Disc Golf Sets
- Fade
- The flight number that shows how hard a disc hooks left, for a right hand backhand, as it slows.
- Read more about fade
- Fairway driver
- A moderate speed driver, slower than a distance driver, that trades some distance for control.
- Read more about fairway driverRelated: Best Fairway Drivers for Disc Golf
- Flight numbers
- The four printed ratings, speed, glide, turn and fade, that predict how a disc golf disc will fly.
- Read more about flight numbers
- Glide
- The flight number that rates how well a disc holds altitude and stays airborne during a throw.
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- Grip
- How a player holds a disc for release, with power grip and fan grip being the two most common styles.
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- Hyzer
- Releasing a disc with the outside edge tilted down, sending it curving in that same direction.
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- Hyzer flip
- A controlled release where an understable disc is thrown on a hyzer angle and turns back to flat.
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- Mandatory
- A marked line or arrow a disc must pass on a specific side, with a penalty for missing it.
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- Midrange
- A versatile, moderate speed disc used for straight, controlled shots between putting and driving range.
- Read more about midrangeRelated: Best Midrange Discs for Disc Golf
- Out of bounds
- An area marked as off limits on a hole, usually adding a penalty stroke if a disc lands inside it.
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- Overstable
- A disc that resists turning and fades hard at the end of flight, useful for wind and power throwers.
- Read more about overstableRelated: Best Overstable Drivers for Disc Golf
- Par
- The expected number of throws a skilled player needs to complete a hole, used as the scoring baseline.
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- Plastic blend
- The specific plastic formula used to mold a disc, affecting grip, durability, wear rate and price.
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- Portable basket
- A folding disc golf target designed to set up quickly at home or in a park for putting practice.
- Read more about portable basketRelated: Best Portable Disc Golf Baskets
- Putter
- A slow, blunt edged disc designed mainly for putting and short, controlled approach shots.
- Read more about putterRelated: Best Disc Golf Putters
- Speed
- The first flight number, showing how much arm speed a disc needs to fly the way it was designed.
- Read more about speed
- Stability
- How much a disc resists or embraces turning and fading, ranging from very understable to very overstable.
- Read more about stability
- Turn
- The flight number showing how much a disc drifts right, for a right hand backhand, at high speed.
- Read more about turn
- Understable
- A disc that turns easily during flight, which is generally forgiving for beginners and slower arm speeds.
- Read more about understableRelated: Best Understable Drivers for Disc Golf