The 11 Best Disc Golf Distance Drivers For Beginners
Beginning disc golfers are often told to stay away from distance drivers. Conventional wisdom states that you should only throw slow discs until a certain power threshold is crossed. While this is sound advice, that kind of broad and universal rule is meant to be broken.
A distance driver will not be a primary option for beginners. Still, it helps to have one in the bag to attack low ceilings, generate big skips, or just grip and rip in an open field. It's simply fun to throw fast discs, and new players shouldn't be deprived of both the utility and pure joy that comes from throwing distance drivers.
Before we dive into the list, let's first answer the question: what makes a distance driver suitable for beginners?
What Makes A Driver Good For Beginners?
The best disc golf distance drivers for beginners will have a few things in common:
- High turn rating - the more high-speed turn a disc has, the easier it will be to get it to flip up and glide for long distances.
- Low fade rating - discs with lower fade ratings will have increased glide and less horizontal movement at the end of their flight path.
- Low rim depth - these discs will have a shallow, easy-to-grip rim that helps beginners develop a clean release.
Manufacturers have designed several understable discs that are solid options for new players looking for instant speed and distance. Let's take a close look at some of our favorites.
You can find all of these understable distance drivers for sale on our online shop!
Discmania Essence
Dimensions
- Height:`1.8cm
- Diameter: 21.0cm
- Rim Depth: 1.2cm
- Rim Width: 1.8cm
Flight ratings
- Speed: 8
- Glide: 6
- Turn: -2
- Fade: 1
Popular Plastics
- Neo
- Meta
The Essence has the control of a fairway driver but with speed and length of a distance driver. With a good amount of turn and maximum glide, the Essence will help beginners go big off the tee without having to muscle up too much. It is a great choice for players working their way up the distance ladder.
This driver is part of Discmania's Evolution line, and we have both the Neo and Meta Essences available now. Both these blends have excellent durability, but for pure beginners the slightly more workable Neo blend is the best option The Meta blend has a pearly, iridescent look that is quite eye-catching.
Check out this short review to see how the Essence flies:
Discraft Avenger SS
Dimensions
- Height:`1.8cm
- Diameter: 21.4cm
- Rim Depth: 1.3cm
- Rim Width: 1.9cm
Flight ratings
- Speed: 10
- Glide: 5
- Turn: -3
- Fade: 1
Popular Plastics
- Z Line
- ESP
Discraft adds the abbreviation "SS" (Super Straight) to beginner-friendly variations of popular molds. In the case of the Avenger, they took a classic overstable distance driver and made it accessible to a wider variety of players.
This disc has good pop out of the hand and has just enough turn to shape hyzer-flip and turnover shots without getting too out of control. For players who have hit the 300 foot distance plateau, the Avenger SS provides an immediate jump to the next level.
When you're ready for a step up in stability, it's an easy decision to just grab a regular Avenger. Or simply bag both, one for straight shots and maximum distance, the other as an overstable utility disc. We have the Avenger SS available now in premium Z and ESP plastics, as well as the more grippy and less stable X blend.
Thought Space Athletics Mantra
Dimensions
- Height:`1.7cm
- Diameter: 21.2cm
- Rim Depth: 1.2cm
- Rim Width: 2.0cm
Flight ratings
- Speed: 9
- Glide: 6
- Turn: -2
- Fade: 1
Popular Plastics
- Ethereal
- Ethos
- Aura
Market newcomer Thought Space Athletics has the best stamp game in the business, and their discs are starting to gain quite a cult following on courses across the country. The silky-smooth Mantra is a great introduction to the product line.
This very workable distance driver will help beginners learn to throw hyzer flips, flex shots, and turnovers. It's a great disc to put on a line and let the substantial glide take over. The Mantra has minimal fade for such a fast disc, so it just wants to keep hanging in the air for maximum distance.
Thought Space partners with MVP for manufacturing, so their plastic blends are very similar. The premium Ethos is a stiff and durable blend reminiscent of MVP Proton, and the Ethereal is a gummy and flexible all-weather option similar to MVP Plasma. The Aura is somewhere in between those two, and resembles MVP Neutron.
The Ethereal Mantra will be the most understable and easiest to throw to right away, while the Aura and Ethos might require a bit of breaking in before they hit the sweet spot. Players of all skill levels will find a use for this versatile disc, as even big-armed pro James Proctor featured the Mantra in his "In The Bag" video for 2023:
Innova Roadrunner
Dimensions
- Height:`1.4cm
- Diameter: 21.1cm
- Rim Depth: 1.2cm
- Rim Width: 1.8cm
Flight ratings
- Speed: 9
- Glide: 5
- Turn: -4
- Fade: 1
Popular Plastics
- DX
- Halo Star
- Champion
The Roadrunner is one of the best straight flying disc golf drivers on the market. The generous -4 turn places it amongst the most understable discs in Innova's lineup. Slower arms should be able to get this disc to reach cruising velocity and glide towards the basket on long straight shots.
This makes it a safe and reliable option for beginners who just need to keep it in the fairway. The only downside here is that developing players will quickly grow out of the Roadrunner. As you gain more speed and snap, it will soon turn into a roller disc.
This disc is in the bag for a few Innova-sponsored pros, and we have the Callie McMorran's Tour Series edition available now in durable Champion plastic. We also have the Halo Star in stock with a very stylish Reaper stamp.
Innova Sidewinder
Dimensions
- Height:`1.4cm
- Diameter: 21.1cm
- Rim Depth: 1.2cm
- Rim Width: 1.8cm
Flight ratings
- Speed: 9
- Glide: 5
- Turn: -3
- Fade: 1
Popular Plastics
- Pro
- G Star
- Champion
- Halo Star
With the exact same dimensions and similar flight numbers to the Roadrunner, the Sidewinder is virtually the same disc, just slightly less understable. It can absorb a bit more speed and snap without turning over and crashing to the ground. This makes the Sidewinder a more versatile option that may well turn out to be an all-around workhorse driver.
In premium plastic blends, the Sidewinder has significantly more stable flight characteristics. Champion and Halo Sidewinders have less turn and more fade than other plastics. This makes them solid choices for beginners who need a fast and stable driver for hyzer and flex lines. Over time they will slowly develop the extra turn the flight numbers promise.
We have a variety of Sidewinders available now.
Discraft Heat
Dimensions
- Height:`2.1cm
- Diameter: 21.1cm
- Rim Depth: 1.2cm
- Rim Width: 1.9cm
Flight ratings
- Speed: 9
- Glide: 6
- Turn: -3
- Fade: 1
Popular Plastics
- Big Z
- ESP
With a 2.1 cm height, the Heat is the tallest disc on this list by far. This gives it a distinctive dome top. If you like your discs flat, steer clear of this one. But if you don't mind a bit of dome, you will be rewarded with extra distance with less effort.
Most beginners can release this disc on hyzer and get it to flatten out to achieve maximum distance. That tall dome helps provide excellent glide that is reflected in the 6 rating. Those with slower arm speed will appreciate its generous -3 turn. This makes the Heat great for hyzer flip shots that float straight for a long time.
Discraft produces the Heat in a wide variety of plastics, with the stiff Z blend being the most durable option. In contrast, the soft and gummy ESP FLX blend will immediately fly according to the flight numbers.
You can check out our shop for more Discraft Heats.
MVP Impulse
Dimensions
- Height:`1.4cm
- Diameter: 21.0cm
- Rim Depth: 1.2cm
- Rim Width: 2.0cm
Flight ratings
- Speed: 9
- Glide: 5
- Turn: -3
- Fade: 1
Popular Plastics
- Neutron
The Impulse is one of the most beginner-friendly discs in the MVP lineup. This disc combines premier speed with a low profile and relatively thick rim with reliable turn. It shares many flight characteristics with the other discs on this list, but what sets it apart is MVP's plastic and molding techniques.
MVP is well known for their patented "gyro" technology. This unique molding process uses two different plastic blends for the rim and the flight plate. A denser, heavier plastic is used for the rim, concentrating more weight around the disc's perimeter. This gives the disc a more stable flight pattern.
To gain more in-depth knowledge of MVP's patented technology, check out this detailed explanation. We have the Impulse available now in the popular Neutron plastic blend.
Axiom Virus
Dimensions
- Height:`1.4cm
- Diameter: 21.2cm
- Rim Depth: 1.1cm
- Rim Width: 2.0cm
Flight ratings
- Speed: 9
- Glide: 5
- Turn: -3.5
- Fade: 1
Popular Plastics
- Neutron
Axiom is different brand under the MVP umbrella, so they use the same "gyro" technology in their understable distance driver, the Virus. This disc has similar dimensions to the Impulse but with a notably shallower rim depth. Beginners and players with smaller hands will find it easy to grip and rip.
The Virus' low profile and shallow rim make it especially easy to grip for beginners who throw a lot of forehands. When thrown flat, the Virus will display a subtle anhyzer drift. Put it on a turnover line, and it will keep drifting anhyzer all the way to the ground. Once out of the hand, it gets an easy turn with minimal fade.
Due to their special molding techniques, Axiom can produce this disc in many fantastic color combinations. We have the Virus available in premium Neutron and ultra-durable Proton plastics.
Mint Discs Freetail
Dimensions
- Height:`1.7cm
- Diameter: 21.0cm
- Rim Depth: 1.2cm
- Rim Width: 2.0cm
Flight ratings
- Speed: 10
- Glide: 5
- Turn: -4
- Fade: 1
Popular Plastics
- Sublime
- Apex
- Eternal
The Freetail is an extremely understable maximum distance driver. Beginners need that big -4 turn to make high-speed discs glide, and the Freetail fits the bill perfectly. Even when brand new, this distance driver should be workable for low power players.
Mint labels it a "finesse driver" because it can achieve some unique shot shapes. Rip it on a hyzer release and the Freetail will flip to flat and then turn late with an anhyzer fade. This late drifting hyzer flip is tough to achieve, but this is the kind of disc that will make it easier to master.
Like the aforementioned Thought Space Athletics, Mint Discs uses MVP for their manufacturing. Apex is a standard premium, Sublime is gummy and flexible, and Eternal is stiff and ultra-durable (like Neutron, Plasma and Proton, respectively).
Discmania Mentor
Dimensions
- Height:`1.8cm
- Diameter: 21.2cm
- Rim Depth: 1.2cm
- Rim Width: 2.1cm
Flight ratings
- Speed: 11
- Glide: 5
- Turn: -2
- Fade: 2
Popular Plastics
- Active Premium
The Mentor is an excellent stable to overstable option for beginners. Intermediate players can utilize the -2 turn to complete hyzer flips and turnovers. Still, the high speed and relatively thick rim will make it difficult for beginners to get any flip from this disc. Instead, it is an excellent option for beginners to learn utility shots like spike hyzers, forced flexes, and skip shots.
Discmania produces the Mentor in ultra-durable Active Premium plastic. This blend will make the disc fly more overstable. As their disc golf skills grow and the disc beats in, it will eventually develop more turn and glide. A new player could use it to fill the overstable distance driver slot.
In this way, it can "mentor" you from beginner to intermediate level. We have the Mentor available now in the 165-170 gram weight range. It's easier to get a lighter disc up to speed, and a 165 gram Mentor is right in the sweet spot for beginners.
Streamline Jet
Dimensions
- Height:`1.5cm
- Diameter: 21.2cm
- Rim Depth: 1.1cm
- Rim Width: 2.2cm
Flight ratings
- Speed: 11
- Glide: 5
- Turn: -3
- Fade: 2
Popular Plastics
- Neutron
- Proton
The Jet has the widest rim of any disc on this list, and it's about as far as I would recommend a beginner to push the speed rating without seriously compromising control and accuracy. It's a good option for players looking to discover their maximum distance, especially in open fairways.
Streamline is a brand name under the MVP Disc Sports umbrella. Unlike Mint and Thought Space, which are separate companies partnering with MVP, Streamline is simply MVP under a different name. Unlike the MVP and Axiom lines, Streamline does not use overmold technology. These discs are one solid piece of plastic.
Thus, they use regular MVP plastic names. The Jet in Neutron will fly pretty true to the flight numbers, while the durable Proton might fly a bit more overstable out of the box.
FAQ's
What is the best distance driver for a beginner?
The easy-to-throw Discmania Essence is our choice as the best distance driver for a beginner.
Should beginners throw distance drivers?
Yes, they should. Beginners should practice using faster discs with wider rims to develop a well-rounded game. Just remember that if you're trying to build a sound throwing technique, it's essential to make sure you don't rely on distance drivers too heavily.
What is the most understable distance driver?
The Innova Roadrunner and Axiom Virus are both very understable distance drivers for beginners. These two discs' drastic turn and minimal fade make them especially easy for new players to throw.
Will throwing distance drivers ruin my form?
Not necessarily. The key is to use distance drivers in moderation. Don't expect it to be your primary option off the tee, and only use it in situations that call for it.
Summary
Beginners should approach the distance driver category cautiously, but there's no need to disregard them entirely. Pick up a fast and understable driver to round out the bag and experience the joy and utility of high-speed discs.
Check out our online disc golf shop!
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