Why should a beginning disc golf player use fairway drivers instead of distance drivers?
When starting out in disc golf, many players make the mistake of going straight to high-speed, overstable distance drivers, tempted by the idea of getting more distance off the tee. However, for amateur and beginner players, fairway drivers are a much better option for gaining extra distance and control.
Most beginners lack the arm speed, technique and precise release angles to throw these advanced discs properly. Using them too soon leads to frustration, lack of distance and many wild throws.
That’s why I highly recommend unstable fairway drivers in particular, as they are much more suitable for beginner disc golf players, resulting in greater distance and more accurate shots. For now, here are the five unstable fairway drivers I would recommend without hesitation to any beginner.
Top 5 Disc Golf Fairway Drivers for Beginners:
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Axiom Crave
The Axiom Crave is a neutral fairway driver with a straight flight, making it an ideal disc for novice players looking to advance beyond purely shaky molds. Its sleek profile fits perfectly in the hand, while the subtle twist of its flight path helps correct form errors. Additionally, the Crave has a glide rating of 5, allowing it to glide through the air – great for gaining that extra distance. The disc responds well to both full and low power, flying long and straight – exactly what a beginner player wants. -
Latitude 64 Diamond
"A diamond is a lump of coal that did well under pressure." – Henry Kissinger.
A basic fairway driver found in almost every beginner's bag, the Latitude 64 Diamond lives up to its name. The Diamond is an easy-to-use, lightweight 8-speed fairway driver with an astonishing amount of glide. It has a relatively narrow lip, making it perfect for smaller hands such as those of women and children, but it's also an excellent disc for beginner players of all skill levels. -
Innova Leopard3
Probably one of Innova's most popular fairway drivers, and also suitable for beginner players. The Leopard3 is a perfect disc if you are looking for a controllable fairway driver that flies straight as an arrow right out of the box. It is a versatile fairway driver that can be used for all types of shots, for disc golf players of all levels. -
Latitude 64 River
The River is one of Latitude 64's most popular fairway drivers, primarily because of its glide ability that seems to last forever. It is one of the few fairway drivers with a glide rating of 7. It is easy to use and suits most player skill and power levels. -
Discraft Heat
The Discraft Heat 9 speed skate behaves much more friendly than it might first appear. It has a narrow edge and a -3 spin rating with minimal fade, which is great for beginners! The Heat is mostly known for its left to right swept flight path and even rollers for intermediate players, but for amateur players it flies straight.
Final thoughts:
As an amateur player, learning proper delivery form and mastering skills through consistent practice with beginner fairway drivers fosters fundamental habits for long-term improvement in disc golf. Their forgiving flights offer feedback to correct common mistakes while building confidence in hitting lines and gaining extra distance. Invite your friends and have fun out there!
How to choose a disc golf putter?
There are multiple factors you need to consider before choosing your trusted putter, but remember the following quote from Lee Trevino: "It's the Indian, not the arrow." – Lee Trevino.