The 12 Best Forehand Distance Driver Disc Golf Discs
A reliable forehand distance driver can completely change your game off the tee.
The right disc lets you attack lines that backhands just can't reach. But not every high-speed driver works well on a sidearm. Some are too flippy, some beat in too fast, and some just feel terrible in a power grip.
Here are the 12 best forehand distance drivers for 2026, from beginner-friendly understable options to overstable bombers for the big arms.
What Makes A Good Forehand Distance Driver?
There are several factors to consider when selecting a disc as your next forehand distance driver. Here are a few things to consider:
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Speed Rating - Distance drivers are typically rated speed 10 or higher. The higher the rating, the more difficult it might be for new disc golfers. You'll need solid technique and a good amount of forehand power to get the full, complete flight out of a high-speed distance driver.
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Your Skill Level - Many disc golfers rely heavily on backhand when they start, and there's nothing wrong with that! You may find that your forehand technique needs a little more polish, or maybe you're entirely new to throwing forehand and want something more forgiving.
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Weight - Max-weight discs can stabilize themselves better than lighter-weight discs. When it comes to forehand throws, you'll want a disc that can fight its way out of anhyzers.
- Stability - pertains more to your bag and what slot you need to fill. An understable distance driver has its place just as much as an overstable distance driver!
The Best Forehand Distance Drivers
Innova Sidewinder
Flight Ratings:
- Speed: 9
- Glide: 5
- Turn: -3
- Fade: 1
Popular Plastics:
- Star
- Halo Star
- Champion
I am kicking off our list with one of my favorites for beginners, the Innova Sidewinder. This understable distance driver is an excellent choice for newbies looking to dip their toes into the wild world of distance drivers and want to better their forehand drives.
For forehand shots, the Sidewinder is super forgiving (shout out to 9 speeds), and in Halo Star plastic, it's a bit more stable.
As a general tip, understable discs are better for beginners- keep that in mind when looking for a distance driver. But this isn't a disc strictly for learners. While it's great for teaching, this is a disc that quickly finds its way into intermediate and advanced players' bags as a great roller option due to its understandability.
We currently have the Sidewinder in Star, Halo Star, and Champion Glow.
MVP Tesla
Flight Ratings:
- Speed: 9
- Glide: 5
- Turn: -1
- Fade: 2
Popular Plastics:
- Plasma
- Neutron
- Fission
Looking for something accurate to improve your long-range game?
When it comes to forehand discs, MVP Tesla is a crowd favorite. You'll get a reliable fade with a strong forward finish, granting you more distance!
The Tesla is also famous for players with smaller hands, as the rim and flat profile is super comfortable for throwing forehand shots. Even if you don't have the biggest arm, the 9 speed makes it versatile for various players.
Make the Tesla your next go-to forehand disc! We've got it in Fission, Neutron, and Plasma.
Thought Space Athletics Animus
Flight Ratings:
- Speed: 10.5
- Glide: 4.5
- Turn: -.5
- Fade: 2.5
Popular Plastics:
- Aura
- Ethos
We're big fans of Thought Space Athletics - have you seen those sick stamps? Not only pretty, but TSA's Animus is also one of their most popular distance drivers. Listed as a 10.5 speed, this disc is accessible for intermediate players seeking to dial in their forehand shots.
This disc can bomb down a fairway quickly with good technique and a little anhyzer.
The flat top and rim of the Animus are comfortable and will feel great no matter which way you forehand grip it. It can handle a lot of torque, so don't be afraid to let your inner animal Animus out. If you're curious, it's like the lovechild between an Innova Wraith and a Thunderbird.
We've got the TSA Animus in Ethos, Aura, and Ethereal- check them out here!
MVP Photon
Flight Ratings:
- Speed: 11
- Glide: 5
- Turn: -1
- Fade: 2.5
Popular Plastics:
- Neutron
- Plasma
The MVP Photon is an overstable distance driver for long forehand distance shots. This excellent disc loves a hyzer; watch it flip up to flat and soar during your next fieldwork session. It flies like a longer Tesla, is excellent at cutting through headwinds, and has a reliable penetrating fade.
While the Photon isn't the most beginner-friendly, this one should be seriously thought of if you're a more advanced player looking for a new forehand flex driver. At an 11 speed, we love how this thing flies! The thin rim gives the disc a sleek profile and will fit in your hand comfortably.
Shop the MVP Photon in Neutron and Plasma plastic here!
Mint Discs Goat
Flight Ratings:
- Speed: 12
- Glide: 5
- Turn: -1
- Fade: 3
Popular Plastics:
- Apex
MINT Discs out of Austin, Texas, is a small disc golf company with a super loyal following, and it's easy to see why. Their limited lineup is reportedly manufactured by MVP, so you know the plastics will feel great in the hand.
The PDGA-approved Apex Goat is their overstable distant driver with a nice forward fade and feels similar to the Destroyer.
Seasoned forehand dominant disc golfers will love the feel of a smooth and consistent release when launching the Goat. The full flight of this beauty will see a delicate S-curve before fading left. Like its animal namesake, the Goat doesn't care about windy conditions.
Make this your next go-to overstable distance driver to beef up your forehand game.
Pick up the Des Reading Signature Goat today!
Innova Shryke
Flight Ratings:
- Speed: 13
- Glide: 6
- Turn: -2
- Fade: 2
Popular Plastics:
- Champion
- Star
If you've been playing disc golf for a while now, you've definitely encountered the uber-popular Innova Shryke and its crowd of devotees. The Shryke was made for those players who are hungry for pushing their discs as far as possible.
If you have the forehand power and solid technique, you could consistently get it out past 350 with some practice.
The Shryke is the only 13-speed disc on our list, so it's definitely not beginner-friendly. As far as long-distance drivers go, this disc is like the popular Tern's faster older sister- if you're ready to go, grab your Star or Halo Star Shryke right here!
Streamline Trace
Flight Ratings:
- Speed: 11
- Glide: 5
- Turn: -1
- Fade: 2
Popular Plastics:
- Neutron
- Plasma
Pro Sarah Hokom's first signature disc, the Trace, is a popular straight-stable distance driver. The Trace is super comfy in hand due to its moderate dome, and this is a disc that loves power. The Trace will soar with a straight flight for long-distance forehand throws when put on a hyzer flip.
This disc is super controllable, and while it's not necessarily the longest disc, it's a perfect tool for accuracy in your forehand practice. Streamline plastics are manufactured by the MVP/Axiom family, so you know they'll feel clean and crisp regardless of how you throw them.
Check out Disc Golf Down Under's review and flight tests of the Trace:
Innova Invictus
Flight Ratings:
- Speed: 10
- Glide: 4
- Turn: 0
- Fade: 3
Popular Plastics:
- Champion
- Star
- GStar
The Invictus is a beefy 10-speed overstable disc that is popular for both forehand and backhand shots. Big forehand flex shots will fade hard every single time. The Invictus can be a polarizing disc due to its funky and sharper rim, so just a heads up.
The Invictus is definitely a disc for more advanced forehand power throwers!
If you're looking for something like a faster Firebird and have an arm cannon, the Invictus could be just what you need to spice up your bag! Get one with a Ricky Wysocki Signature today.
Axiom Fireball
Flight Ratings
- Speed: 9
- Glide: 3.5
- Turn: 0
- Fade: 3
Popular Plastics
- Neutron
- Fission
- Proton
The Fireball is Axiom's answer to the overstable control driver slot, and it handles forehand torque like a champ. At speed 9, it's accessible enough that you don't need a cannon arm to get it up to speed, but that 0 turn and 3 fade mean it's beefy enough to fight through wind without flipping. Think of it as the MVP/Axiom family's version of a Firebird with slightly more speed.
What makes the Fireball especially comfortable on forehand is its flat top profile. There's no dome to fight against when you lock in a power grip, and the GYRO overmold rim gives it a smooth, consistent release. The flight is predictable every single time. Throw it on hyzer and it stays there. Throw it flat and it rides straight before dumping left with authority.
We have the Axiom Fireball available in our store. Fission plastic is the lightest option and great for players who want the overstable flight without needing max arm speed.
Discraft Zeus
Flight Ratings:
- Speed: 12
- Glide: 5
- Turn: -1
- Fade: 3
Popular Plastics:
- ESP
- Big Z
The Zeus was initially released as the Kong and is lauded as a Destroyer clone. When thrown forehand with enough power, Zeus will give you both distance and consistency.
Once it gets beat in, this disc is a potential bomber for intermediate and advanced players. Beginners might want to stay away from this 12-speed deity. You might also like 17 Best Disc Golf Putters.
In Big Z, your Zeus will stay more stable for longer. Find your next overstable distance driver here!
Innova Destroyer
Flight Ratings:
- Speed: 12
- Glide: 5
- Turn: -1
- Fade: 3
Popular Plastics:
- GStar
- Champion
- Star
What else do I need to say about one of the best-selling discs of all time? In 2007, the year of its release, it was the first 12-speed disc ever to hit the market (and one of the best Innova distance drivers overall) and held the title of the farthest flying disc (...at that time). Looking for related gear? Check out Disc Golf Etiquette.
There are tons of Destroyer imitations from various manufacturers, which should be enough testament to this disc's popularity.
If you're looking for more forehand distance and haven't touched a Destroyer yet... have you been living under a rock?
Discraft Force
Flight Ratings
- Speed: 12
- Glide: 5
- Turn: -1
- Fade: 3
Popular Plastics
- ESP
- Big Z
- Z Line
The Force is Paul McBeth's go-to distance driver for a reason. It can handle absolutely everything you throw at it on forehand, and big arms can push this disc well past 400 feet with a sidearm rip. At speed 12 with that -1 turn, it's not a total meathook. There's just enough high-speed turn to let the disc push forward before the 3 fade brings it back with a strong finish.
A lot of touring pros bag multiple Forces in different plastics and wear levels. Fresh Z Line is the most overstable version, while a seasoned ESP Force beats into a straighter bomber that still won't turn and burn on you. It's slightly more workable than a Zeus, with better glide that keeps the disc in the air longer. If you've got the arm speed for a 12-speed disc, the Force is one of the most versatile overstable distance drivers you can bag.
We have the Discraft Force available in our store. ESP is the most popular plastic for forehand throwers thanks to its grippy feel and reliable stability.
FAQ's
Q: What is a good distance for forehand drives in disc golf?
A: A good distance for forehand drives is around 300 feet. The PDGA lists the average drive distance in disc golf for a recreational player (playing for 1-2 years) between 200 and 300 feet.
Q: How far can pro disc golfers throw forehand?
A: Pro disc golfers can throw forehand shots up to 400-450+ feet. It also varies between male and female professional players, as male disc golf pros tend to drive farther than females.
Q: How far is a good forehand disc golf throw?
A: A good forehand disc golf throw is one around 300 feet.
Q: What affects forehand drive distance in disc golf?
A: Some things that affect forehand drive distance in disc golf are windy or rainy weather conditions, terrain, and course obstacles.
Conclusion
So, what's the best distance driver for dominant forehand players? The most straightforward answer would be, simply, the one that feels best in your hand and isn't out of your skill level range. You want a reliable distance driver and one you can grow your forehand skill with.
So whether that's a Sidewinder or a Shryke, get out to the field and work on your form! Your forehand will thank you.
Not sure what you need? Shop all of our distance drivers here.
More Disc Reviews:
The 10 Best Innova Distance Drivers in 2022