In the world of disc golf, mastering the art of distance driving is a badge of honor. Whether you’re looking to crush distance drives out in the open, or aiming to maximize your distance down a tight fairway, choosing the right distance driver can significantly enhance your game. With the myriad of options available, selecting the ideal driver can be overwhelming. This guide dives into the top 10 distance drivers, showcasing the advanced technologies and unique characteristics that set them apart. Let’s embark on a journey to discover the perfect blend of speed, stability, and glide to maximize your distance!
Understanding Distance Driver Characteristics
Distance drivers are the quintessential discs for achieving maximum range. Key features include a wider rim for faster speeds, and materials designed for durability and performance. The interaction of these characteristics with a player’s technique defines the flight and ultimately the distance achieved.
The Top 10 Distance Drivers
The 10 discs in this list were the top-10 bestselling distance drivers of 2023. The data for this list came from Marshall Street Disc Golf sales reports. Some of these molds appeared on the list more than once, just in different plastics. We’ve removed those duplicates and only included the top selling plastic of each mold.
- Innova Star Destroyer – One of the first 12-speed distance drivers to hit the market, the Destroyer has been a staple in many golfers bags for nearly two decades.
- Discraft ESP Hades – The Hades is from Paul McBeth’s personal line of discs, meaning he helped design it himself. The Hades features high levels of turn and fade, making it idea for S-curve type shots.
- Discmania S-Line DD3 – Discmania’s answer to the Destroyer is super popular, but hasn’t quite usurped the Destroyer.
- Innova Star Tern – The Tern offers something that many distance drivers are short on, and that’s turn. The Tern is more of an understable distance driver, making it easier to throw far for players with lower arm-speed.
- MVP Fission Wave – The Wave is the first distance driver in the top 10 that’s not a 12-speed driver, it’s an 11-speed. 12-speed discs are extremely popular, but 11-speed discs take a little less effort to shape into lines.
- Innova Star Shryke – The Shryke represents a newer age in distance technology. It features more turn, and superior glide compared to most distance drivers, making it easy to throw for almost any skill level.
- Discraft ESP Zeus – Another Paul McBeth disc, and another Destroyer “clone”. The Destroyer revolutionized the game, it’s no wonder that many discs replicate it’s shape and flight numbers.
- Innova Blizzard Katana – This 13-speed is a bomb. Its high speed, copious glide, and light weight allow it to go very far, very fast. Be careful where you aim this thing.
- Discmania Horizon Cloudbreaker – The Cloudbreaker is one of the most popular distance drivers available from Discmania. It’s extremely similar to their own DD3, slightly modified to Eagle McMahon’s requested specifications.
- SimonLine Neutron Time-Lapse – The Time-Lapse is an Axiom/MVP disc that was designed with heavy input from elite pro Simon Lizotte. A Destroyer “clone” to be sure, but MVP’s overmold technology and an especially domey flight plate set the Time-Lapse apart.
Popularity of the Destroyer
The Destroyer, released in 2007, boasted a very wide rim and a combination of glide and overstability that set it apart from anything that had come before. The Destroyer is the best selling distance driver of all time, not just 2023. If our list included different plastic variations, the Destroyer in different plastics would take up 4 spots of the top 10. Even after removing those duplicates, many of the other molds on the top 10 list are Destroyer “clones”. We’re in no way saying that these other companies copied the Destroyer directly, but the Destroyer has set a standard for distance drivers that has yet to be beaten, so its style has been replicated many times over. Almost all professional players bag a Destroyer-like driver as their go-to disc for distance shots.
The most popular distance drivers from most companies share the same flight numbers as the Destroyer, 12 / 5 / -1 / 3. Such discs include the Discmania DD3 and Cloudbreaker, the Millennium Scorpius, Discraft’s Zeus, the Hooligan Yeet, and even newer molds such as the SimonLine Time-Lapse and Clash Disc’s Salt.
Disc Technology and Innovation
The evolution of disc golf technology has led to the creation of discs with specialized plastics and aerodynamic profiles. The plastics used not only affect the flight and durability of the discs but also offer different grips and feels. This allows players to tailor their selection to their comfort and style.
At this point, the most ground-breaking disc technology on the market is GYRO overmold technology, created by MVP discs. This technology allows for MVP to put the majority of a disc’s weight into the outer rim. As a result, MVP claims their discs maintain momentum better, and fade more forward than “monomold” discs.
Choosing the Right Disc
Selecting the right distance driver is highly personal and depends on your play style, arm speed, and experience. In any case, it’s essential to experiment with different discs to understand how each one complements your throwing technique. Consider starting with more understable discs if you’re a beginner, and gradually work your way towards more stable to overstable options as your skills develop. Flippy discs can get easy distance, but consistency is key in disc golf, and more overstable discs offer more opportunities for consistency.
Expert Insights and Trends
Gaining insights from professional players, disc golf veterans, or coaches can be invaluable. They can undeniably share many helpful tips on disc selection and techniques to maximize distance. Keeping an eye on the trends among top players can also guide you in making informed choices about the discs you add to your bag.
In conclusion, the journey to maximizing distance in disc golf is as much about selecting the right equipment as it is about skill and technique. The top 10 distance drivers listed here offer a range of options to suit various playing styles and skill levels, and overall, the Destroyer is king. Remember, the best disc is the one that feels right in your hand and complements your unique throwing style. Happy disc golfing, may your drives be long and your putts short!