Editing Disc golf (section)

== Disc types ==
{{See also|List of disc golf brands and manufacturers}}
[[File:Disc golf disc edge profile.jpg|thumb|Three discs showcasing different edge profiles. From top to bottom: a driver, a mid-range, and a putter.]]
Disc golf discs are smaller than [[Ultimate (sport)|Ultimate]] flying discs or general-purpose recreational frisbees. They typically measure {{Convert|21|–|22|cm|in|abbr=on}} in diameter and weigh {{Convert|130|–|180|g|oz|abbr=on}}. All PDGA-approved discs measure {{Convert|21|–|30|cm|in|abbr=on}} in diameter and weigh no more than {{Convert|200|g|oz|abbr=on}}. Discs used for disc golf are designed and shaped for control, speed, and accuracy, while general-purpose flying discs, such as those used for playing [[Guts (flying disc game)|guts]] or ultimate, have a more traditional shape, similar to a catch disc. There is a wide variety of discs used in disc golf and they are generally divided into three categories: drivers, mid-range discs, and putters.

=== Driver ===
Drivers are recognized by their sharp, beveled edge and have most of their mass concentrated on the outer rim of the disc rather than distributed equally throughout. They are optimized for aerodynamics and designed to travel maximum distances at high speeds. They are typically thrown by experienced players during tee-off and other long distance fairway throws.<ref name="Eastham, Susan L 2015">Eastham, Susan L. "DISC GOLF: Teaching A Lifetime Activity." Strategies (08924562) 28.6 (2015): 3–8. SPORTDiscus with Full Text. Web. 1 August 2016.</ref>

Some disc brands further sub-divide their drivers into different categories. For example, [[Innova Discs|Innova]] has ''Distance Drivers'' and ''Fairway Drivers'', with a fairway driver being somewhere between a distance driver and a mid-range disc. [[Discraft]] has three categories of drivers: ''Long Drivers'', ''Extra Long Drivers'', and ''Maximum Distance Drivers''. Another type of driver, used less frequently, is a roller. As the name indicates, it has an edge designed to roll rather than fly. (Although any disc can be used for a roller, some behave quite differently than others.)

The world record distance for a golf disc was once {{convert|863.5|ft|m|abbr=on}}, thrown by [[Simon Lizotte]] on October 25, 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pdga.com/tags/world-record|title=World Record|website=Professional Disc Golf Association}}</ref> That record was held for approximately 17 months until David Wiggins Jr. broke it with a distance of {{convert|1108.92|ft|m|abbr=on}} on March 28, 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.innovadiscs.com/team-news/new-world-record-338-meters-thrown-david-wiggins-jr/|title=New World Record|website=Innova Discs|date=28 March 2016}}</ref>

=== Mid-range ===
Mid-range discs feature a dull, beveled edge and a moderate rim width. They offer more control than drivers, but they have a smaller range. Mid-range discs are typically used as approach discs. Beginner players will often use mid-ranges instead of drivers at tee-off, as they require less strength and technique to fly straight than higher speed drivers.

=== Putter ===
Putters are designed to fly straight, predictably, and very slowly compared to mid-range discs and drivers. They are typically used for tight, controlled shots that are close to the [[Disc golf basket|basket]], although some players use them for short drives where trees or other obstacles come into play. Additionally, higher speed discs will not fly properly without a fast enough release snap, so a putter or mid-range with lower snap requirements is more forgiving and will behave in a more regular way. Professional players often carry multiple putters with varying flight characteristics.

=== Stability ===
Stability is the measurement of a disc's tendency to bank laterally during its flight.  A disc that is over-stable will tend to track left (for a right-handed, backhand throw), whereas a disc that is under-stable will tend to track right (also for a right-handed, backhand throw).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Disc Talk, Pt. 2: Rim Width, Stability, Weight, Durability {{!}} UDisc |url=https://udisc.com/blog/post/disc-talk-pt-2-rim-width-stability-weight-durability |access-date=2023-04-11 |website=Release Point - The UDisc Blog |date=31 March 2020 |language=en}}</ref> The stability rating of the discs differs depending on the manufacturer of the disc. Innova Discs rate stability as "turn" and "fade". "Turn" references how the disc will fly at high speed during the beginning and middle of its flight, and is rated on a scale of +1<ref name="innovadiscs.com">{{Cite web|title=Flight Ratings System|url=https://www.innovadiscs.com/home/disc-golf-faq/flight-ratings-system/|website=Innova Disc Golf|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-01}}</ref> to −5, where +1<ref name="innovadiscs.com"/> is the most overstable and −5 is the most understable. "Fade" references how the disc will fly at lower speeds towards the end of its flight, and is rated on a scale of 0 to 6, where 0 has the least fade, and 6 has the most fade. For example, a disc with a turn of −5 and fade of 0 will fly to the right (for right handed, backhand throw) the majority of its flight then curl back minimally left at the end. A disc with a turn of −1 and a fade of +3 will turn slightly right during the middle of its flight and turn hard left as it slows down. These ratings can be found on the discs themselves or from the manufacturer's web site. Discraft prints the stability rating on all discs and also provides this information on their web site. The stability ranges from 3 to −2 for Discraft discs; however Discraft's ratings are more of a combination of turn and fade with the predominance being fade.

Spin (rotation) has little influence on lift and drag forces but impacts a disc's stability during flight. Imagine a spinning top: a gentle nudge will knock it off its axis of rotation momentarily, but it will not topple over because spin adds gyroscopic stability. In the same way, a flying disc resists rolling (flipping over) because spin adds gyroscopic stability. A flying disc will maintain its spin rate even as it loses velocity. Toward the end of a disc's flight, when the spin and velocity lines cross, a flying disc will predictably begin to fade. The degree to which a disc will fade depends on its pitch angle and design.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.triumphbooks.com/the-definitive-guide-to-disc-golf-products-9781629372044.php?page_id=21|title=The Definitive Guide to Disc Golf|website=www.triumphbooks.com|access-date=2016-04-21}}</ref>

=== Plastics ===
There are dozens of different types of plastic used for making discs by the various disc manufacturers.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Choosing Disc Plastic Type |url=https://spilmandgc.org/choosing-disc-plastic-type/ |access-date=2023-04-11 |website=Spilman Park Disc Golf Club |language=en-US}}</ref> The type of plastic affects the feel of the disc's grip as well as its durability, which in turn affects its flight pattern as the disc becomes worn.<ref name=":0" /> "Base plastics" such as DX, J-Pro, Pro-D, X-Line, D-line, retro, and R-Pro from Innova, Latitude 64°, Discmania, and Discraft are some of the less durable, but good for beginners due to their lower prices, compared to the higher end plastics. "Premium plastics", such as Champion, Titanium, FLX, GStar, Gold Line, Tournament Plastic, Fuzion and Star, which are the best offered from the same companies, have the best quality, durability and flight compared to the other types available. There are also plastics that provide additional functionality, e.g. glow in the dark plastic and plastic that allows the disc to float in water. Most companies also offer a line of plastic that is much lighter than the maximum throwing weight (normally filled with air bubbles) which is conducive to beginners or players with less arm speed. Players might prefer bright colored discs to contrast most green flora and recover their disc easier. The commercial production process typically used is injection molding for the low unit cost and reliability. For prototyping and small-scale offerings 3D printing is a growing option with the PDGA approved designs currently available for purchase from company's such as NSH custom discs. 3D printed discs are typically produced using different plastics than traditional production methods, utilizing the printability characteristics of polymers such as [[Thermoplastic polyurethane|TPU]] or specialized proprietary blends.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pdga.com/technical-standards/equipment-certification/discs/g1r1 | title=G1R1 | date=28 June 2022 }}</ref>

=== Stamps ===
Stamps refer to the artwork or lettering that appears on a disc. Stamps can appear on the top or the bottom of a disc. Stamps are applied by disc manufacturers by using a hot stamp machine, usually with foil. Stamps not only serve a creative design purpose, but are also used to identify different disc molds.<ref>{{cite web |title=How Disc Golf Stamps Are Made |url=https://blog.discgolfunited.com/disc-golf-stamps-how-theyre-made/ |website=Disc Golf United |date=20 May 2022 |publisher=discgolfunited.com |access-date=9 April 2024}}</ref>