Disc Golf Putters
Putters and the skills you build with them are key to hitting the basket and making that shot. Compared to all other disc golf discs, putters have the slowest speeds and the thickest rims. These characteristics allow for less deviation, creating more of a straight path and not flying too far when you don't make the shot.

Qualities of Disc Golf Putters
Although you might not start with putters, they're essential for your short game - scoring and more.

All disc golf discs are rated on speed, stability, characteristics of the disc. Putters are typically slower in speed ranging from 1-3. Visually, putters have a deeper rim with a more rounded shape, and while these factors influence its aerodynamic qualities, they increase the control you have over your shot and the chances you'll land in between the chains.

With these qualities, too, putters glide an average distance of 150 to 200 feet and are less likely to skip compared to drivers and even midranges.

Using A Disc Golf Putter
While a putter is key when aiming for a shot and scoring, it proves to be an asset in several other scenarios. For instance, you're looking to throw straight over any terrain, including downhill and through a tunnel, a putter tends to be the best disc for the job.

However, compared to midranges, fairway, and distance drivers, a putter's use will be limited. For example, while you might see some pros throw this disc over 300 to 400 feet, this takes a significant amount of skill. The typical casual player will benefit more from a midrange or a driver in this scenario.

As well, not all terrains are ideal for putters. You'll notice your score creeping up if you attempt to throw it against the wind or on an incline.

But, for beginners, the slower speed and shot-making qualities are essential for handling and getting a sense of the game. We recommend practicing your putts and having several putters available in the same weight. Once you're comfortable with gripping this disc and see your technique improve, it may be time to move up to midrange and drivers.

Midranges
Midranges give you the best of everything out on the course - a bit of distance and more control, creating a straighter, more stable flight path. For beginners and intermediate players, you can't go wrong with a midrange, but even more experienced disc golfers return to them for more narrow passages and aiming straight toward the basket.

Qualities of Midrange Disc Golf Discs
Speed rating and stability place midrange discs at a 4, 5, or 6 - right in between the swiftness of a driver and the control of a putter.

What makes a midrange stand out from other disc golf types? For starters, it's wider than putters and drivers. Yet, a shorter rim, combined with this attribute, helps it glide a farther distance than a putter. However, as one of the best beginner golf discs, its shape is ideal for getting a firm grip and practicing shots and provides more consistency than a fairway or distance driver.

Where midranges intersect with drivers is flight patterns. You'll encounter some disc golf discs that can fly in a fairly straight line, while others are more over- or understable. This results in more turnover and fade compared to what you'll get from a putter. Yet, a farther distance and glide compensate for these qualities.

Speaking about distance, expect a midrange disc to travel an average of 300 feet, although more skilled players may be able to throw farther.

When to Use a Midrange
Midranges are the most versatile discs in your bag, they serve a wide range of purposes:

They provide the right amount of distance and control for players getting used to the game.
For kids interested in disc golf, a midrange's rim shape and distance are ideal for getting a grip and learning technique.
Advanced players wanting to travel a longer distance in a straight line will often reach for a midrange over a fairway driver.
Players working on practicing their arm find they get more control with a midrange.
They offer all the characteristics needed for hyzers, anhyzers, and fades.
Midranges also suit longer shots - over 150 feet - that are too far for a putter.

Fairway Drivers
When learning about different types of disc golf discs, you will see drivers add distance to your game. There are two different types: distance and fairway drivers. While distance drivers may travel farther on the course, it requires more skill, power and control. Distance drivers are best for the advanced player.

A fairway driver represents a transition between the midrange and the distance driver: It delivers more speed, has straighter flights and less skip, and can manage longer distances. As such, players working their way up and improving their skills are recommended to hone their technique with a fairway driver before moving onto a distance driver.

About Fairway Driver Disc Golf Discs
All disc golf discs are grouped by speed and flight characteristics. As the bridge between midrange and distance drivers, fairway drivers have speed ratings ranging from 6 to 9, based on over- and understable flight paths.

To achieve these patterns, fairway drivers tend to have a lower profile, which improves aerodynamic characteristics in relation to midranges and allows this disc to travel a greater distance at a faster speed.

Compared to a distance driver, however, the fairway will have a less-sharp edge, perhaps somewhat more rounded or blocked, and will include a smaller rim and wider shape. For beginners and players with smaller hands, this design allows for a more comfortable grip as you're practicing your throw.

In considering these factors, the typical fairway driver can reach a distance of 250 to 350 feet with the right amount of power and technique. Beginner to intermediate players often find this disc type easier to control and therefore will be able to achieve this distance at their skill level.

As a note, not every player will develop the strength and speed to comfortably use a distance driver. In turn, the fairway driver becomes the default, in terms of control, for longer shots. For this reason, many manufacturers provide fairway drivers available in lighter gram weights making them more easy to throw. Most starter/beginner sets come with a fairway driver, a midrange, and a putter.

On the course, your fairway driver comes in handy when a midrange won't cover the ground you need, but a distance driver will travel too far - or could be overkill. As well, if the course gets a bit windy, a fairway tends to have more power to reach the shot, in comparison to a midrange.

Distance Drivers
Distance drivers, to be direct and succinct, give you the distance to get close to your shot. Among all the disc types, these deliver the greatest amount of speed due to their design, including a wider rim and sharper nose, and flight characteristics.

Of the speed ratings given to all disc golf discs, distance drivers fall from 10 through 15, and range between over- and understable flight paths.

While distance drivers seem impressive when advanced and pro disc golf players use them, realize that more skill and arm strength are necessary to achieve these distances and speeds, and therefore, they're not recommended for beginner players.

About Distance Drivers
The range a distance driver can go, based on these factors, simply isn't achievable by other disc types. In general, a distance driver can reach up to 300 to 400 feet, depending upon the player's skills possibly farther. However, keep in mind that arm speed and technique influence how well and far the disc flies. Distance drivers have potential to travel far therefore, they're not recommended for shorter shots out on the course.

To achieve this distinction, distance drivers have a sharper edge designed for superior aerodynamic qualities. The disc stays in the air for longer, can travel at a faster speed, and can continue its flight path even in the face of wind. Due to these factors, once your driver hits the ground, it may skip more than another type of disc, and may continue gliding farther.

When to Use a Distance Driver
In considering these characteristics, someone who hasn't built up their skills and arm speed will likely under-throw a distance driver, resulting in an overstable flight that falls far from the basket. Instead, at this level, a midrange or a fairway driver is preferred for its characteristics in relation to the player's skills and still-developing technique.

Once you can reach a greater distance with a fairway, it may be time to try out a distance driver.

Distance drivers tend to offer more turn and fade along with excellent handling of curved and overstable shots maneuver through winds effectively. As well, if you're looking to include a skip in your shot, a distance driver is more suitable for this action than a fairway or midrange.

Fairway Versus Distance Driver Disc Golf Discs
Fairway and distance drivers are grouped together based on classification, but as you'll find, they have some fairly distinguishable characteristics.

A distance driver is wider and features a sharper rim. A fairway driver, by contrast, isn't as wide and may have a lightly rounder edge. In considering distances, fairway drivers give you speed but can manage shorter distances, and in turn, tend to offer easier handling for beginner and intermediate players.

A distance driver, meanwhile, travels farther and faster, but requires more force from the player to attain these characteristics. Generally, once an intermediate player gains more control in their game, it may be time to start experimenting with distance drivers.