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We all know golf (and mini golf!), but what about disc golf? If you're new to the game, the rules are actually similar to the traditional game played with clubs and balls: Get an object to a target in the least amount of shots. In this case, you won't need a push cart to carry your golf clubs; you just throw a flying disc at a basket.
The game is becoming more and more popular, so the fitness pros in the Good Housekeeping Institute researched the best disc golf discs currently on the market and spoke with disc golf players. We considered durability, variety of purpose and accuracy of flight for each disc, and we reviewed online shoppers' reviews for real-world insight.
Pros
- Great for beginners
- Set includes a mini disc for marking your shots
Cons
- Not as durable as some users would like
This six-disc set of golf discs includes one putter, one midrange disc for approach shots and three drivers including two fairway drivers and a faster distance driver option for beginners who might need a bit more range. Bonus: The pack also includes a mini disc to mark your shots so you never lose your spot.
One Amazon reviewer wrote, "For the money, this set gives you a bit of everything and has a few discs I feel are designed to fight the leftward slice. I've personally found these helpful for the mid-range and distance driver." If, despite your best effort, your throws tend to drift left as well, you might want to consider trying this set.
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Pros
- Good set for beginners
- Sturdy and durable
Cons
- Not entirely scratch-resistant
With more than 6,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, this disc golf set is ideal for newbies and advanced players alike. While the set includes some advanced discs that aren't the lightest options for a beginner, an experienced player will appreciate the mix, including a mini disc so you can mark your shots.
One online reviewer picked up the set to start playing with new friends at college and wrote, "The set has been great; seems to be durable and all the discs work well. It allows me to play with my friends without spending much on individual discs."
Pros
- Discs fly well
- Comes with a bag to keep discs together
- Lighter weight discs are good for a starter set
Cons
- Exact discs received vary
While the exact discs that you'll receive may vary, this set will include one putter, one midrange and two drivers. The wide, crisp rim on the driver will give you maximum distance, while the putter is made for your shortest shots. Bonus: The set comes with a bag to hold all the discs.
One reviewer appreciated the carrying case: "As you get better, you might want a larger bag, but this will serve you well for keeping it in the car with a few discs if you want to stop off and play a round. There is also a good selection of discs for a starter."
The weight of all the discs is on the lighter side, which is great for beginners (though you may eventually want heavier discs if you continue to play and improve your game).
Pros
- Discs fly well
- More consistency in the flightpath
- Good value for money
Cons
- Softer plastic can scratch easily
Stamped with graphics that reflect the Kalevala, a 19th-century Finnish work of poetry that, similar to the Oddessey, explains the creation of Earth (including the king, queen, crown, warship and more), these discs are not only rooted in Finnish culture but are also well constructed. Users raved about the consistency and accuracy of this disc golf set compared to others. Users say the discs, especially the midrange ones, have a good grip and hold a straight line when thrown.
Some reviewers did warn that the softer plastic can scratch easily, so be aware of concrete and other harsh hazards on the course.
Pros
- Good starter set for two players
- Comes with bag for organization of discs, water bottle, and more
- Discs fly well
Cons
- Driver disc may not be best for beginner players
Interested in playing disc golf with a partner or even your significant other? Try this matching set of discs for two. It comes with six discs — two sets of three identical discs including a driver, midrange and putter — plus a mini disc and a carrying case.
"The bright discs are easy to find, and the bag makes for easy carrying," wrote one reviewer. "There is room in the bag for the set, plus two or three extra discs."
Another reviewer found the discs to be incredibly durable and wrote, "They have ended up in ponds, streams, trees, and mud while playing. Easy to clean and spot due to the bright colors."
How we chose the best disc golf discs
The fitness and health experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute evaluate workout equipment and gear from rowing machines to pickleball paddles to silicone rings.
To find the best disc golf discs currently on the market, our editors spoke with disc golf players to gain more insight into the category and to better understand what to look for in golf discs. We considered design features, durability and variety (for sets), and we reviewed online shoppers' comments to assess performance in the real world.
What to look for when buying disc golf discs
Whether you're a seasoned pro or you're new to the game of disc golf, be sure to prioritize the following when shopping for the best discs:
✔️ Variety of discs: Disc golf discs can be sold individually but also as a set that will contain options for various purposes (i.e., a driver or putter or midrange). If you're just starting out with the sport, a set is a good bet to make sure you have each type of disc to play a hole. For those more advanced, you may find higher quality options by purchasing individual discs to add to your set.
✔️ Material: Many golf discs are made with plastic, but it's important to note how durable the plastic is. A premium or pro plastic is a thicker material; it adds more weight to the disc itself — which may feel more advanced —but it tends to resist damage better. A softer disc may get beat up and scratched more easily, especially if you're still working on your accuracy, but it will generally be lighter. If you're new to the sport, a lighter, softer plastic should work fine, even if it gets some bumps and bruises. As your game progresses, you can upgrade to heavier, more premium durable plastic discs.
✔️ Price: If you're a beginner, you'll likely do well with a set that's under $50. If you're already a diehard disc golfer, you might want to invest more in higher-quality discs. You tend to get what you pay for in terms of durability and usage.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
As an NASM-certified personal trainer and weekend warrior herself, Amy Schlinger uses her expertise, exercise science background and sports knowledge to create informed fitness content for the Good Housekeeping Institute. She has competed in fitness competitions like Hyrox and tested fitness equipment. She is an avid golfer and golf fan too.
Amy Schlinger is a skilled reporter, writer and editor who has over 14 years of experience covering health, fitness, wellness, nutrition and lifestyle topics. She regularly interviews world-renowned doctors and medical professionals, elite trainers, nutrition experts, professional athletes and celebrities, and has held staff positions at Shape, DailyBurn, Self and PopSugar. Her work has appeared in Reader's Digest, Men’s Health, The New York Post, The Wall Street Journal, HuffPost, Women’s Health, Glamour, Runner’s World, Bicycling and more. She earned her BA in Media Arts and Design, with a concentration in Print Journalism, from James Madison University. Amy has run six half marathons, completed two triathlons, biked two century rides, finished two Tough Mudder races and four Spartan races, including a beast at the Spartan World Championships.
