DISCFIELD / LEARN THE LANGUAGE
Disc golf terminology
A quick reference for the words you will hear on the course or see while choosing discs. Start with a term, then follow the guide links when you want the fuller explanation.
Flight descriptions below use right-handed backhand as a reference unless stated otherwise. A disc’s published ratings describe a manufacturer’s intended flight; your release, speed, plastic, weight, wear and wind all matter.
A
- Ace
- Finishing a hole with one throw from the tee.
- Anhyzer
- A release angle with the outside edge of the disc tilted up relative to the throwing hand. It describes the angle at release, not a disc’s built-in stability. Understand stability →
- Approach
- A throw intended to leave a manageable putt, usually from shorter range than a drive.
B
- Backhand
- A throw made by pulling the disc across the body and releasing it from the backhand side.
- Basket
- The target, typically made of chains and a tray, that completes the hole when the disc comes to rest in it.
- Bead
- A small raised ridge along the underside of a disc’s rim. Some players notice it most on putters.
- Birdie
- Completing a hole in one throw fewer than its par.
C
- Circle 1 (C1)
- The putting area within 10 meters of the target under PDGA rules. A player putting from this area must show balance behind the marker after release.
D
- Distance driver
- A wide-rimmed disc category designed for high-speed throws. Its high speed rating does not mean every player will throw it farther. Read flight numbers →
F
- Fade
- The final number in a four-number flight rating. It describes the disc’s tendency to finish as it slows; for a right-handed backhand, that finish is usually left. Read flight numbers →
- Fairway driver
- A driver category that generally has a narrower rim and lower speed rating than a distance driver. Choose a first fairway driver →
- Flight numbers
- The manufacturer’s four ratings for speed, glide, turn and fade. They are useful comparisons, not measured predictions for every thrower or plastic. Flight numbers explained →
- Forehand (sidearm)
- A throw released from the side of the body with the palm generally facing upward during the motion. Its usual turn and fade directions reverse those of a right-handed backhand.
G
- Glide
- The second flight rating. It indicates a manufacturer’s intended tendency for a disc to stay aloft. Read flight numbers →
H
- Hyzer
- A release angle with the outside edge of the disc tilted down relative to the throwing hand. A hyzer release can be used with stable, overstable or understable discs.
- Hyzer flip
- A shot released on hyzer that turns toward flat, or beyond flat, during flight. How much it flips depends on the disc, wear, speed and conditions.
I
- Inbounds
- The part of the course where play continues without an out-of-bounds penalty. Course signs or event rules define the boundary.
- Island
- An inbounds area surrounded by out-of-bounds space. Check the course or event rules for how that particular island plays.
L
- Lay-up
- A conservative throw or putt aimed at leaving an easy next shot rather than attacking the basket.
- Lie
- The position from which the next throw is made, established by the thrown disc or a marker under the applicable rules.
M
- Mando
- Short for mandatory route: a marked course feature that requires the disc to travel on the specified side or through the specified opening. The course or event defines its details.
- Midrange
- A disc category between putters and drivers, often useful for controlled tee shots and approaches. Browse midranges →
- Mini marker
- A small disc used to mark the lie before lifting the thrown disc.
- Mold
- The physical disc design sold as a named model. One mold may appear in several plastics, weights and runs. Browse disc models →
N
- Nose angle
- The angle of the disc’s leading edge relative to its direction of travel. Nose-up and nose-down releases can change the flight substantially.
O
- OB (out-of-bounds)
- An area outside the playing area as defined for that hole. A disc that comes to rest there is played under the applicable out-of-bounds rule, which normally includes a penalty throw.
- Overstable
- A relative description for a disc with more resistance to turning and a stronger finishing tendency at a given throwing speed. It is not a guarantee of one flight shape. Compare stability terms →
P
- Par
- The assigned number of throws used as the scoring reference for a hole.
- Parked
- Casual shorthand for a shot that finishes very close to the basket.
- Plastic
- The material blend used for a disc. Different plastics can affect grip, durability and the flight of a particular mold. Compare Innova plastics →
- Putter
- A slow-speed disc category used for putting and often for shorter throws. Putting and throwing putters can serve different jobs in a bag. Putting vs throwing putters →
R
- RHBH
- Right-handed backhand. Flight descriptions often use this throw as a reference: typical turn is to the right and fade to the left.
- RHFH
- Right-handed forehand. Its usual turn and fade directions are opposite those of right-handed backhand.
- Rim
- The outer edge of a disc, including the part gripped by the player. Rim width is one feature related to a disc’s speed class.
- Roller
- A shot intentionally thrown to land on its edge and roll along the ground.
S
- Speed
- The first flight rating. It describes the speed class and the power needed to get the intended flight; it is not a distance rating. Read flight numbers →
- Stable
- An ambiguous word in casual play: some players mean fairly straight, while others mean resistant to turn. Ask whether someone means neutral or overstable.
T
- Tee
- The designated starting area for a hole. A tee pad is a prepared surface within that area.
- Turn
- The third flight rating. It describes the disc’s tendency to move during the faster part of flight; a more negative number usually indicates more turn for a right-handed backhand. Read flight numbers →
U
- Understable
- A relative description for a disc that more readily turns at a given throwing speed. For a right-handed backhand, that turn is usually right. Compare stability terms →
- Upshot
- Another word for an approach throw intended to set up a putt.
W
- Weight
- A disc’s mass, usually shown in grams. Weight can affect how a particular disc handles speed and wind, alongside its mold and plastic. Choose disc weight →