Disc Golf Glossary: Terms Every Player Should Know
Disc golf has its own vocabulary, and a lot of it doesn't mean what you'd guess from the words alone. This glossary covers the terms you'll hear most often on the course, in disc descriptions, and in other guides on this site - grouped by category so you can jump to what you need.
Equipment Terms
Driver
A disc designed for maximum distance, with a sharper rim profile than midranges or putters. Often split into "distance drivers" and more control-friendly "fairway drivers."
Midrange
A versatile, moderately-rimmed disc used for approach shots and controlled drives. Often the most-used disc in a player's bag.
Putter
A disc with a blunt rim designed for short, accurate throws near the basket, though many putters also work well for short drives and approach shots.
Mini (Mini Marker)
A small disc used to mark your lie on the ground after a throw, so you don't have to leave your full-size disc behind. See our accessories guide.
Basket / DISCatcher
The target - a pole with chains and a basket-shaped tray that catches discs deflected by the chains. "DISCatcher" is Innova's brand name for their basket line, often used generically.
Bag Tag
A numbered tag, often used in leagues, that players can "win" off each other based on scores - a fun, informal ranking system at many clubs.
Flight & Stability Terms
Stability
How much a disc curves during flight. Overstable discs fade more (and earlier); understable discs resist fading and may "turn" the opposite direction first. See our discs guide for more on choosing stability.
Fade
The leftward (for a right-handed backhand) curve a disc makes at the end of its flight as it slows down. Higher fade numbers mean a more pronounced curve.
Turn
The tendency of a disc to curve right (for a right-handed backhand) early in its flight while still moving fast. Understable discs have higher turn numbers.
Glide
How well a disc maintains lift and stays in the air during flight. Higher glide generally means more distance, but can also mean less predictability for new throwers.
Flight Numbers
The four numbers printed on most discs (Speed / Glide / Turn / Fade) that describe expected flight characteristics - for example, 9 / 5 / -2 / 2. These are guidelines, not guarantees, and actual flight depends heavily on the thrower's arm speed.
Hyzer
A throw released with the disc's edge angled toward the ground on the side it will curve toward - this angle adds to the disc's natural fade, making it curve more (and sooner) in that direction.
Anhyzer (Any)
The opposite of hyzer - the disc is released with its edge angled away from the eventual fade direction, delaying or reducing the fade and emphasizing turn instead.
Roller
A shot thrown so the disc lands on its edge and rolls along the ground - useful for covering distance under low-hanging obstacles like tree canopies.
Course & Rules Terms
Lie
The spot where your disc comes to rest after a throw - your next throw must be made from this spot. See our rules guide.
Mando (Mandatory)
A marked obstacle (often a tree or pole) that your disc must pass on a specific side. Missing a mando typically requires a re-throw, sometimes with a penalty.
OB (Out of Bounds)
An area marked as off-limits, usually resulting in a one-throw penalty if your disc lands there. OB lines vary by course.
Ace
A hole completed in one throw - the disc golf equivalent of a hole-in-one.
Circle 1 / Circle 2
Putting zones used in scorekeeping and stats - Circle 1 is within 10 meters of the basket, Circle 2 is within 20 meters. Mostly relevant for tracking advanced stats.
PDGA
The Professional Disc Golf Association - the sport's main governing body, which sanctions tournaments, certifies courses, and maintains the official rulebook.
Throwing Terms
Backhand
The most common throwing style, where the disc is pulled across the body before release - similar to a backhand in tennis. See our throwing guide.
Forehand (Sidearm / Flick)
A throwing style using the same side of the body as the throwing hand, with power generated by a wrist snap - similar to skipping a stone.
X-Step
A footwork pattern used by many players to generate momentum and rotation before a backhand drive, named for the crossing-step pattern it traces.
Spike Hyzer
A throw aimed steeply downward on a hyzer angle so the disc "spikes" into the ground and stops quickly - useful for short, controlled approach shots.
Still feel like you're missing context for some of these terms? Our Complete Beginner's Guide to Disc Golf Gear and Rules for Beginners guide walk through how everything fits together for your first few rounds.