The Best Mid-Range Discs For Beginners

Is there 1 mid-range disc to rule them all?

Mid-range discs are a dime a dozen these days and the sheer volume of options can completely overwhelm you especially when you’re new to the game.

What Should A Beginner Look For In A Mid-Range Disc?

If you don’t want to tear all your hair out on the course make sure you try plenty of slower 5 speed and lower discs. Choose stable to understable discs as these will help your accuracy. You might feel the need for speed, but just not yet.

There’s nothing worse than seeing your motivation sink every time you hurl a stinker. Disc Golf’s supposed to be fun so try not to make it harder than it already is.

So what are the best midrange discs for beginners? Well here’s a few to begin with. 22 for starters in no particular order… (they are all great discs and the internet and this site has enough best list articles- to really improve your game try loads of discs, what’s good for the goose isn’t always good for the gander).

The Top 20 Best Mid-Range Discs For New Players

 

1. Discraft Buzzz
2. Innova Mako3
3. Prodigy M4
4. Innova Wolf
5. SS Buzzz
6. e-Mac Truth
7. Innova Wombat
8. Latitude 64 Pearl
9. Comet
10. Patrol
11. Westside Tursa
12. MVP Tangent
13. Innova Shark
14. Verdict
15. Latitude 64 Claymore
16. Prodigy M2
17. Chariot
18. Westside Discs Warship
19. Discmania MD3
20. Axiom Paradox
21. Infinite Discs Kon Tiki
22. Dynamic Discs Suspect
23. Innova Atlas

 

Discraft Buzzz (5,4,-1,1)

The most famous disc, let alone mid-range ever. You’ll love it because it’s so neutral, so accurate. It goes where you want it to. Forearms, backhands, it doesn’t matter. Mid-ranges are supposed to be straight and this is oh so ever, even undramatically so at times. But if you want to reduce your scorecards master this one disc and you’ll get there. The classic Buzzz is Reviewed here on this site, and the skinny on the Esp variety can be found here.

 

Innova Mako3 (5,4,0,0)

The next beginner friendly disc is the Innova Mako3. It’s super straight flying which makes it not the ideal disc you want if you want to like bend some extreme flight angles. But as this is a beginners guide that’s exactly what you want and need from a mid like this.

Once you master distance and can pin point a disc on a sixpence you can move it to mastering s-bends, hyzers and thumber your discs through tight angles.

 

Prodigy M4 (5,5,-1,1)

High-level players can have a field day with the famed M4 but so can newbs. You will love it’s nice and plush smooth feeling release and with a little practice you’ll be landing this disc with a left or right sided finish. Throw it gently and its a gonna fly a nice dead straight line. If you’re in a game with a lot of trees this disc can get you out of jail real fast.

 

Innova Wolf (4,3,-4,1)

Remember at the start when I recommended getting some understable mids? Well the Wolf is Innova’s most understable disc. If you’re driver is driving you nuts grab a lightweight Wolf and learn to gently throw with this and save weeks of frustration. Once you master the low speed Wolf you can move on to more challenging discs.

The only drawback is it only comes in base plastic. Which techicaly may not even be a drawback or as Ken Climo says the grippy Thumtrac mold is easy to release.

But the bonus of that is it’ll last a long time especially if you honk it off a few trees or other larger immovable objects like rocks and walls when you’re practising anywhere off the course. This disc is also great for mid level players on those days when you’re joints are stiff and you don’t want to exert a lot of power.

 

SS Buzzz by Discraft (5,4,-2,1)

The super stable Buzzz by disc Discraft expands the mold set by the most famous disc in the world and embellishes it with a little more understability. Brilliant when you’re first learning disc golf. Extreme long lasting Z plastic is the order of the day on these disc runs but as well as durability it also feels great in the hand.

Is there a shot the SS can’t handle? Lauch mind-bending turnovers, hyzers, tunnels or forehand flicks, oh and it can handle traditional flat releases extremely well.

 

Dynamic Disc’s Truth (5,5,-1,1)

The truth is another great option to refine your game with when you’re just starting out. The Truth or the e-Mac Truth as it’s known (designed by world champion Eric McCabe) does what a good mid-range should do, and that’s fly straight without any fuss.

It has a ton of glide (rated 5- out of a 7 maximum) which will keep it up in the air longer without you having to do much except release it as clean as you can. With a bit of practice you can soon 300 foot this and maintain a lot of control.

 

Innova Wombat (5,6,-1,1)

Who doesn’t love a disc named after a quadrupedal marsupial? If you can’t get to Australia to see one of these chunky furballs hug this beginner friendly disc from Innova instead without it biting back.

Instead of tearing you to shreds this thing glides and flies straight. Pick your spot and let it rip. This is a good disc for when you want to develop your meathook ability and increase your distances. It has a fraction of turn and the numbers suggest so after you master accuracy you’ll want to keep this disc for years to come and to perfect your long game.

 

Latitude 64 Pearl (4,6,-4,0)

Another understable monster, the Pearl is targeted at beginners, low arm speed players and kids. It’s flight is very neutral with virtually no fade at the end of the shot, if it’s thrown easy. So if you’re a RHBH player and you release the disc fairly flat it will turn slowly to the right once released and gently fade back to center roughly lining up 150-275 ft in the distance directly on line where you threw it from.

This is a 4 speed disc with a lot of glide (6 out of a max 7 rating) so you don’t need to give it a lot of welly to get it going.

 

Discraft Comet (4,5,-2,1)

This is a great neutral training tool for new  players. For pinpoint accurate shots. You’ll be keen to crank this wide diameter disc out on straight barrel tunnel shots and sweeping anhyzers once the need arises.

Once you start getting the rounds in you can hit a lot more advanced shaping shots with it. Especially loooong hyzers. It’s a tad more stable than the flight numbers suggest.

Some people complain about the big bead, high profile wide rim, but stick with it as you have to see this thing effortless fly in the air. It’s a work of art. Great disc for finessing your form once you get more advanced.

 

Dynamic Disc’s Patrol (5,5-3,1)

A bit faster than the previous mentioned Comet, but this 5 speed disc is  this disc is more understable (-3 turn). 5 speed discs are certainly beginner friendly as you don’t need a lot of power to reach good distance. Once you have power you will throw a Patrol much further, but all good things comes to he or she who waits….or doesn’t quit DG early as they bought hard to handle discs starting out!

Anyone with small hands will appreciate the smaller 1.2 cm rim. Thrown with low arm speed it’ll fly straight with very little turning, for RHBH players it’ll stand up and move ever so slightly to the right. for new players Dynamic Discs have taken the frustration out of mastering flight with this midrange.

Good for approach shots – and hey leave that driver down and use this off the Tee instead.

 

Westside Tursa (5,5,-2,1)

The Westside Tursa is another understable mid-range so it is beginner friendly. It’s a good disc to help you master turnovers and forehand hyzer flips. This disc first has only been on the market since 2013 but it’s getting a lot of popularity.

One of the good things about it is it has plenty of glide so even if you’re not a big arm thrower you’d be looking to make 300 ft with this. So if you’re starting out and using this disc if you release it on a slight hyzer it will flip up and start to go a little to the right about halfway into its flight.

During the last 50% it will make its way back to flat and have a nice gentle late feed right at the end of the flight. All things being optimal, and optimal meaning if you throw it exactly as i said. Which you probably won’t but I’m sure you get the point.

For those crazy turnovers put a good chunk of spin and speed into the disc – it doesn’t matter if you haven’t developed a lot of power it’s all about experimenting and if you want a bigger turn just give it some more powa.

 

MVP Tangent (4,4,-0.5,0.5)

Of course this post wouldn’t be a complete without naming another spectacular straight flying mid, the Tangent. Mids are all about holding nice straight lines but the Tangent is more than just a beginner ready disc. You’ll love it as you get more advanced. Maple Valley Plastics make a range of mids- the Vector and Axis also compliment their line up.

But what makes the Tangent my favorite mid for beginners is its the most understable, which makes it easier to thrown long and stay on course without you having to be a tip top flight manipulator. Start out throwing it smoothly and watch it glide straight ahead. Once you get better try to angle it with more power. You’ll be surprised when you don’t quite release it as you should how forgiving it is.

 

Innova Shark (4,4,0,2)

The Shark is included in the DX starter kit from Innova for good reason. It’s a consistent straight liner and as it’s frictionless rim is super smooth it releases from your hand with ease.

You”ll use it when you get more advanced as you can do cool things like aggressive fades before it lands and bend  it through wooded courses with glee.

Starting out this makes a great disc off the tee and for approach shots and you might even use this mid for putts making it one versatile all round utility disc. This disc has class and maturity being a stable on the scene since 1989. A great vintage that’s still relevant.

 

Dynamic Discs Verdict (5,4,0,3.5)

Well you can’t have a best beginner mid-range list without at least one overstable disc in it, and our verdict on the verdict is try it and see. It is aimed at the experienced player as this disc is built to handle torque, but you shouldn’t necessarily avoid overstable discs just because they can be a little harder to throw.

Experienced players use them to throw into headwinds and you need a good bit of power to throw them good. The Verdict is a disc you’ll like to use when you want it to fade sharply. It will fly straight for 2/3 of the flight before transitioning into a “left-turn Clide”. It’s not an overly exaggerated fade, and with experience you’ll judge it well.

So keep practicing and you’ll develop a nice left hook. Different discs help you develop your throwing mechanics and brain-game. The verdict is one of these discs that will make you a better player if you put enough time in with it on the course.

 

Latitude 64 Claymore (5,5,-1,1)

The Claymore, what a cool name for a disc and it has a nice print to boot of a medieval Knight brandishing a sword and shield. This disc has very little turn, it’s dependably straight and theres not much more to say about it other than it works the course well on gently put and approach shots but it has enough beef to tack on the extra distance when you meathook it. If you can find it in opto plastic it’s a bit faster.

 

Prodigy M2 (5,4,0,2)

Ths reliably stable mid is good for big arm players. Not that you need to have a massive throw but if you have natural power right out the bat then this is good. Give it the onion and you’ll find out. Grab a heavier weight disc (181g max) and it’ll pull you out of a stick in the wind.

What you you do with it at beginner level? Throw it and watch it hold flight with a nice 30-50 ft left fade at the end on RHBH throws. When you build up some experience you can get creative with annies and hyzers. On slight hyzer angles it will gently float for on a long line, and on more aggressive angles it will turn sharply.

 

Infinite Discs Chariot (5,5,0,1)

Are you getting the picture with the 1 listed at the end in the flight ratings beside each disc name. Well this is another “1” meaning this disc finishes with a nice gentle fade once its spin winds to a halt. The Chariot has a tendency to follow any line you put on it.

It will always consistency turn back in at the finish and you’ll have fun watching this disc flow from your hand when your putting down some smooth hyzer lines or when you want some gentle turn on your anhyzers.

This is a pretty precise mid you’ll love for approach shots and turnovers. Giving it more power won’t cause it to flip destructibly, it won’t turn too aggressively.

 

Westside Discs Warship (6,5,0,1)

The first 6 speed disc on the list which verges it into driver territory.  This 180g disc has very little turn with a gentle fade even when thrown with power. The Warship will trundle up to 50 feet past most midranges. So even if you have a noodle beginner arm (no offence meant) you’ll get at least 20ft extra out of this disc.

It’s a no fuss disc without the drama and once beat it has a tendency to fly even straighter. Dependability and distance, just what every Warship needs.

 

Discmania MD3 (5,5,0,3)

Its 5 speed but its built for power. It’s also the second overstable disc to make this list. Does that make it non-beginner friendly? Yes and No. Going with the elephant analogy – the only way to eat an elephant is one chunk at a time.

So don’t be too afraid of the big bad Wolf and after you play for a few months you’ll st be a novice but you should still experiment with medium advanced discs. And that’s 2 many animals in 1 analogy.

The MD3 excels in all weather and is a little pricier than standard discs. You’ll often see Eagle McMahon pull one out of his bag. It’s great at holding nice S lines through trees when you crank it out flat with power. It can handle an insane amount of power and still not flip. Laser straight with a consistent fade.

 

Axiom Paradox (5,4,-4,0)

Man this thing likes to turn. This is one of the more dramatic discs on the list. You can put it on some pretty creative lines. Once you upskill your game you’ll perform gravity defying anhyzers, flip ups and of course those show trick shots.

When you’re new you’ll appreciate learning some straight flying hyzer flips, or even throwing it flat to the ground. A disc certainly to have a lot of fun with. And certainly that’s why it’s called Paradox, you can use it dependably, or use it to crank out some seriously uniqued angles shots. Yeah and of course you can tell your friends you meant to do that last shot.

 

Infinite Discs Kon Tiki (4,5,-3,0)

Good stable to understable disc for players with slower arms speeds, beginner or not. Good for small hands thanks to its smaller rim and bead.

It’s good for navigating obstacles but it’s also billed as a good disc for touch shots. Can this disk turn you into an elite player?

Touch shots are a finessed art form all on their own, you can get luck with them but skill will always outperform luck. Touch shots are like lobbing a rock (make sure to try a hyzer lob) you are trying to make the disc float into the basket or land on a nice spot when you are thinking about the shot that comes next.

The Kon Tiki is a famed touch and longer putt disc. So to become an elite player you have to reign in the power and work out the correct ration to having it land before or further from the basket. Have fun trying with this versatile disc.

 

Dynamic Discs Suspect (4,3,0,3)

A straight flyer with a good bit more fade at the finish, assuming you’re throwing RHBH. Not more to say. Apart from its a slower 4 speed overstable disc but as its only 1.6cm tall its a great wind fighter. You can power it down on blustery days and it’ll hold a predictable straight line.

Being overstable you’ll want to try it on forearm flicks and it will finish right. A good disc off the tee or on approach shots or anything within a 250ft range.

 

Innova Atlas (5,5,0,1)

This dual-composite plastic overmold disc is grippy and built to last. With a simple neutral straight flight path with a small fade this 180g beadless disc is suitable for new and advanced players. Advanced players can hurl meathooks without watching it flip.

It will hold a long anny before flattening out to finish. The one drawback with this double plastic overmold heavily borrowed from MVP is that it’s not as smooth as MVP’s. Apart from that it’s a great straight shooter to have in your arsenal.

 

Further Mid-Range Discs & More Content

I have also put together a post with a list of my favorite mid-range discs for players of all abilities.

And here’s one on the best discs of all time according to me.

You’ll also need a great starter bag to help you get going. Here’s a breakdown of some of the best sling bags on the market right now.

You can really improve your skill if you have your own equipment to practice with at home. If you need a basket check out my post here on the best home disc golf baskets to rep with.

Don’t overlook the importance of a good pair of shoes to play with. Check out all your available options here.

Switching to drivers for a second, here’s a breakdown of the Innova Teebird for your reading enjoyment.

 

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