There are many suppliers of disc golf discs with different ratings giving customers ideas of how the discs fly. Most brands use 4 main criteria when trying to understand which disc to utilize.
Speed is the rate at which a disc can travel through the air. Speed 14 Drivers are the fastest, having the PDGA maximum legal wing width. Faster discs cut into the wind with less effort and are best when throwing up wind. Slower discs take more power to throw upwind, but they’re easier to throw more accurately and may actually go farther downwind. High speed discs are not recommended for beginners as they require more power to fly properly.
Glide describes the discs ability to maintain loft during flight. Discs with more glide are best for new players, and for producing maximum distance. Beginners wanting farther drives should choose discs with more glide. Discs with less glide are more accurate in high wind situations.
High Speed Turn is the tendency of a disc to turn over or bank to the right (for RHBH throws) during the initial part of the flight. A disc with a +1 rating is most resistant to turning over, while a -5 rating will turn the most. Discs rated -3 to -5 make good roller discs. Discs with less turn are more accurate in the wind. Discs with more turn are easier to throw for beginners.
Low Speed Fade is the discs tendency to hook left (for RHBH throws) at the end of the flight. Fade is rated from 0 to 5. A disc rated 0 will finish straightest, while a disc rated 5 will hook hard at the end of the flight. High fade discs are usually used for Spike and Skip shots.
We strongly recommend starting with a Putt & Approach, Mid-Range & Fairway Driver discs to start off playing Disc Golf. The popular brands currently are Innova, Dynamic Discs, Westside Discs, Latitude 64, Discraft & MVP. You can check our page Disc Types to understand in greater detail how these for disc categories react in the field. Ensure you are throwing to your highest potential by educating yourself in great detail before randomly purchasing a "high speed disc."