The 5 Best Disc Golf Putters – [Reviews & Rankings]

Disc golf, known also as a frisbee golf, or simply, frolf, is a game in which players throw a flying disc (putter) into a basket or at a target. The best disc golf putter will feel comfortable in your hand, release easily, and have a consistent flight pattern (Source).

Played for over 100 years, disc golf has become increasingly popular over the last decade and is a lot of fun to play. The number of throws a player uses to reach each target is tallied. To win, the player must complete a 9 to 18 basket course with the lowest amount throws (similar to the par system in traditional golf). For this reason, it’s important to find the perfect putter (Source).

There are two main types of disc golf putters; putters with a bead and putters without. Beaded putters have a ridge on the bottom to help better grip the putter, where beadless putters feature a smooth surface, intended to provide a clean release.

Disc golf putters have many different factors to consider when making a purchase. Before you buy your putter, consider its consistency, durability, and whether its got a bead or not. You should also consider its price, flexibility, and weight.

In this round up, we will examine the top rated disc golf putters. All of the disc golf putters in this review will fly well and have a clean release, whether you’re participating in a professional disc golf competition or just playing a casual game with friends.

What Are the Different Types of Disc Golf Putters?

Disc golf putters divide into three major types and two subtypes. These types exist based on their usage. These are:

• Putters – These are the discs that are suitable for beginners. They are usually created using plastics that give them a consistent weight to fly in a straight line. Putters are usually very slow when thrown in the air. As it glides on a straight path slowly, it is also the most accurate of all golf discs. These can be thrown to a range of up to 50 meters.

• Mid-Range Discs – These golf disc putters are slightly harder to control as they possess a fuller rim and a flatter base. Their flat design also gives them a decent range of up to 100 meters. These are great for individuals who have some experience of throwing putters at a beginner’s level.
• Drivers – These are often preferred for professional golf disc putting. These have the flattest built with wide rims. They have a range of at least 80 meters. These have two subtypes – the first being fairway drivers, which are meant for people who have started their professional careers. And, the second is distance drivers, which are used by advanced putter players.

Comparing The Best Disc Golf Putters

1. Discraft Buzzz Elite Z Golf Disc — The Best Disc Golf Putter

The Discraft Buzzz is the midrange disc of choice for Nate Doss—the three-time world champion. This disc is 21.7cm in diameter, 1.9cm in height, 1.3cm in rim depth, 1.2cm in rim width, and has a maximum weight of 180g.

These dimensions, especially the rim width, facilitate a comfortable grip and ease of handling. They also make the disc perfect for midrange throws. Additionally, the weight meets the PDGA tech standards, so it can be used for a sanctioned tournament play.

Moreover, the Discraft Buzzz has a speed of 5.0, a glide of 4.0, a turn of -1.0 and a fade of 1.0. These characteristics ensure the disc is consistent, reliable and stable. That, in turn, guarantees accuracy.

Therefore, when you throw the disc, it will perform in the exact way you need it to perform. It is thus one of the most popular midrange discs in the market today.

The Buzzz fades slightly on level throws, but it holds the line with powerful throws. It is available in all Discraft’s plastics, and it is up to you to choose which plastic you are comfortable with.

Note, however, that in Pro-D plastic, the disc has a stability rating of (0.). With all the other plastic blends, it is slightly overstable with a Discraft rating of 0.5.

Overall, this disc golf putter is suitable for all skill levels. Whether you are a beginner, a professional or just a hobbyist, it will suffice.

2. Dynamic Discs Disc Golf Prime Burst Judge Putter Disc Gold Disc — The Best Approach Disc

The Judge proved an instant success immediately after its launch by Dynamic Discs. It is made from Prime Burst plastic — a special plastic that features color bursts that spread throughout the disc.

This plastic has an excellent grip and an incredible feel while still maintaining a certain level of stiffness. Notably, superb grip on it is maintained even in bad weather that may compromise your hold.

The Judge is 21.2cm in diameter, 2.0cm in height, 1.5cm in rim depth, 1.1cm in rim width, and weighs between 173g to 175g. The dimensions guarantee it will perform incredibly well when used for putting or for approach shots. As a result, it is considered one of the best discs for putts and approach shots.

The flying ratings are a speed of 2, a glide of 4, a turn of 0 and a fade of 1. That means it combines the ability for high speeds with zero fading. It then flies straight and does not compromise on accuracy. In essence, the disc is accurate in both flying and hitting chains.

Moreover, it is stable and appropriate for all skill levels. They come from a respected brand — the manufacturer is the sponsor of PDGA 2-time world champion Richard Wysocki. This means high-quality is guaranteed.

3. Star Destroyer 165 to 170g by Innova — Best for Professional Distance Drivers

Whenever a 4-time PDGA world champion endorses and uses a product, it is certain that the product is top-notch. The Star Destroyer is the go-to driver for Paul McBeth, which even bears his name and signature. It is available in all maor Innova plastics, but the Star plastic stands out as best with the exceptional grip it offers longside high durability and softness.

It has a speed of 12.0, a glide of 5.0, a turn of -1.0, and a fade of 3.0. The speed makes the disc ideal for maximum distance or long and headwind drives.

Additionally, although it is overstable, its degree of turn provides an incredible glide and distance. Hence, it is ideal for forehand throws by non-professionals or intermediate players. It gives more distance than any other disc with that kind of throw.

Moreover, it is also built for high speeds without being uncomfortably thick, thanks to its thinness of 1.4cm in height and its rim size of 2.2cm.

When deciding on weight, note that:

• The 165 to 169g Destroyer facilitates a balanced performance and gives the players more versatility.
• The 170 to 175g Destroyer is the heaviest available weight range, and it provides maximum control and wind resistance.

Finally, it is essential to remember that the Destroyer is recommended for those with advanced or intermediate skills but not for beginners. It could give you one of the heaviest disc golf putters out there and also the best disc golf putter for wind.

4. Innova—Champion Discs DX Teebird Golf Discs — The Best Fairway Drives Disc

Another Innova disc, but this time one that is perfect for fairway drives. It is essential to note that according to PDGA statistics, the Teebird has been used to win 19 world championships over the years. That makes it a very effective disc.

Combined with the champion plastic—Innova’s most overstable plastic—the Teebird produces super consistent flight patterns. It also features a smooth and steady fade throughout its flight. With a speed of 7.0, a glide of 5.0, a turn of 0.0, and a fade of 2.0, it is one of the discs that set the standard for driving consistency.

Newer models tend to compare with Teebird to determine if they are at par. Regarding dimensions, the Champion Teebird is 21.1cm in diameter, 1.6cm in height, 1.2cm in rim depth, 1.8cm in rim width, and has a maximum weight of 180g.

These dimensions facilitate pinpoint accuracy and precision, making the disc the best choice for utility drivers, accurate fairway drives, and flex shots. Consequently, its incorporated DX material provides for durability and offers a wide range of weights. It also provides a superior grip that will perform well in varying weather conditions.

Like most discs, this disc is available in a myriad of colors. That means you get to select what you like best and what you think will be most visible.

Lastly, the Champion Teebird is recommended for those with advanced and intermediate skills but not for beginners.

5. Prodigy Disc 400 Series D1 Disc Golf Driver (170-175g) — The Best Midrange Disc

While the Innova Star is considered a must-have for distance drivers, the Prodigy D1 is a close second. It is an overstable high-speed driver clocking in at a speed of 12. It has a thick 2.3cm rim to facilitate the speed.

However, despite the extra-thickness, it still meets PDGA standards and can thus be used for tournaments. And although the disc is overstable, it cannot be considered as “very overstable.” That means it is perfect for power throwers, windy shots, strategic doglegs, and forehand throws.

The disc’s dimensions are 21.0cm in diameter, 1.9cm in height, 1.2cm in rim depth, 2.3cm in rim width, and a maximum weight of 179g. When you combine this with a glide of 5.0, a turn of 0, and a fade of 3.0, the D1 has a high glide, a slight fade at the end, and high wind resistance alongside predictability.

Its 400G plastic is a premium blend of material mixed in with another resin to give the disc a unique feel and make it more durable. However, the slight disadvantage to the 400G is that it requires more time to break in.

Hence, the recommended skill level for the D1 is advanced and intermediate.

What Is the Best Weight for a Disc Golf Putter?

The right weight of the best disc golf discs can significantly impact its flight. Beginners can use the putters that are light in weight. Discs with moderate weight are great for any player, whereas the bulkier discs are for professionals who plan to enter competitions.

Putters, which is the first disc type, is usually classified under a weight range of 5 to 7 oz. Players can also prefer mid-range discs, which are the second type. Mid-range ones can be anywhere between 4 to 6 oz. in weight. On the other hand, drivers are also within this weight range.

A heavier putter is more suitable for events where there is a windy environment. You might need to add more stability to your throw during such weather conditions.

Furthermore, a beginner should start with a light disc to adjust his/her grip over the bead. Without the proper experience of the grip, you can find it hard to add stability in a disc.

For that reason, here is a guide that enumerates the best disc golf putters on the market today.

How to Choose Your First Disc Golf Putter

Significantly, you choose a disc golf putter that feels the most comfortable in your hands. That way, you can add flight to your thrown disc.

Additionally, it will also give your putter more consistency during the throw.

To make it easier for you to choose your first putter, here is what you need to keep in mind:

• Bead – It is a layer of plastic protruding outwards around the rim of the disc. Some player prefers gripping this bead, which gives them more confidence in their throw. Other players might not like that, which is why they might prefer a disc model without a bead.

• Plastic – Golf disc putters are primarily made of plastics of various grades. Beginners should choose plastic discs that are usually soft, as that are easier to throw and are durable.

• Depth – The depth of a putter lets a player vary his/her comfort while gripping and throwing it. Putters with shallow depth add more power from the fingers. On the other hand, deep golf discs, give a comfortable hold around the edge, which makes the throwing power come from the wrist.

It should also be noted that beginners should not focus too much on the flight of the thrown disc. Most discs travel in the same straight-line path for the first 20-30 meters.

What to Consider Before Purchasing a Disc Golf Putter

There are a couple of things to consider before purchasing the best putter. Key among them is understanding the complex terms that affect flight.

Understand The Key Terms That Affect Flight Paths

This is especially necessary for a beginner. The four key terms to take into account are

• Speed: Speed is of course how fast the disc flies. The fastest flying discs have a speed rating of 13 to 14. Distance drivers usually have a speed of 8 and above, fairway drivers have 6-7, midrange holds 4-5, and putters go for less than 3.
• Glide: The glide is the disc’s ability to stay in the air. Usually, discs with a high glide fly farther than those with lower numbers. That means a high glide is good for distance but not for putts or approach.
• Turn: The ability of the disc to curve right in the early portion of the flight. Discs that are understable and have a negative turn will provide the most distance.
• Fade: When a disc fades to the left at the end of a flight as it slows down.

Note that the turn and the glide determine stability. Stability is the disc’s ability to fly straight. With that in mind, it is important to know that discs that curve to the right are termed as ‘Understable,’ while those that fly straight and have a gradual fade are ‘Stable,’ and those that fade to the left are ‘Overstable.’

Understanding these terms will help you differentiate between one disc and the other during purchase.

If you want to enjoy disc golf on the beach with your friends or family, you may consider taking big-wheeled beach carts to carry everything they need for the day.

Understand The Different Types of Golf Discs

• Maximum Distance Drivers: These are discs that cut through the air at very high speeds. When thrown right—with power and technique—they tend to go far (up to 400ft). However, if thrown wrong, they lack control and do not go far.
• Control Drivers; Also known as Fairway drivers. They are not as fast as the distance drivers, but they are more stable and can fly straighter. They are easier to control, too.
• Midrange Discs: They fly slower and have fewer aerodynamic edges. They aim to give maximum control and accuracy without sailing past a target. Note that it is possible for some midrange discs to fly perfectly straight.
• Putt and Approach: They fly the slowest, will not go far, and are easy to control. They are suitable for landing in baskets with how straight they fly. They are also good for landing close to a basket so one can set up a putt.

Each of the disc golf putters reviewed here falls into one of these categories. Unless you first understand what your disc’s purpose is, you cannot make the right purchase.

Choose The Right Plastics

The plastic will determine how the discs fly as they wear over time. They will also affect the grip, which affects the throwing release.

The vital thing to remember when purchasing a disc is that there are five principal types of plastics: basic, middle grade, ultra-durable, ultra-light, and premium plastics. Basic plastics are of course the least durable and premium the most durable.

FAQs About Disc Golf Putters

Q: What is the weight of a disc golf putter?

Disc golf putters weigh as light as 165g to as heavy as 180g. Usually, players who compete choose the mid-weight discs, which are between 170 to 172g. However, the heavier discs are more stable and better against the wind.

Q: What do numbers mean on disc golf?

Those numbers are flight ratings. They’re there to tell you how a certain disc flies. The categories of the ratings are speed, glide, turn, and fade. The disc’s flight behavior depends on those numbers.

Q: What is the difference between Frisbee and disc golf?

Frisbees are for people who want to play catch. They’re slow, easy to throw, and harmless. Meanwhile, golf discs are smaller, heavier, and more durable. You can throw them to up to more than a thousand feet, though most beginners can only throw around 250ft.

Ready To Buy The Best Disc Golf Putter?

There are other things you can take into account for the best disc golf discs: disc weight, color, and brand. Disc weight is important because lighter weighing discs tend to be understandable while heavyweight discs are overstable.

For color and brand of the best putters, it is a matter of preference. Once you have considered all that, then you are in a position to go back to the guide and pick a disc golf putter that suits your needs.

Are you familiar with board games? If you love, consider adding the cornhole boards game on your list. They are plastic or woody platforms used for playing cornhole. This game can be played at parties and tournaments for fun.

And remember, finding the right disc golf putters is as significant as finding the best golf ball retrievers to enjoy your game.