Some Distance Driver models provide a straight line of flight, while others have the ability to travel to the left or right down the fairway. Some of our distance drivers are designed to cut through the wind, while other discs offer extra glide which provides additional distance for less powerful throwers. All of our Distance Drivers are created to bring maximum range and control in each unique situation. The R-Pro Boss currently holds the world distance record of 1108 feet thrown by David Wiggins Jr.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Distance drivers, to be direct and succinct, give you the distance to get close to the basket on a longer 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 11 through 15, based on over- to 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 needed to achieve these distances and speeds, and therefore, they're not recommended for beginner players.
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. However, keep in mind that arm speed and technique influence how well and far the disc flies. As well, because distance drivers have potential to travel far, they're not recommended for shorter shots out on the course.
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