The game of Innova Disc Golf is rapidly increasing in popularity, with it being played in around 40 different countries, including Brazil, Canada, Australia, the United States and the UK. The skill level is quite high with speed, glide, turn and fade, all needing to be taken into consideration at each hole. There are professional players who compete against each other at World Championships, as well as a large amateur association, who also play competitively at a number of annual events.
As in most sports, players will seek to gain that winning edge. In the natural game of golf they will look to find the highest quality clubs to suit their style. In field athletics, especially the discus, the actual discus needs to feel comfortable for the thrower; therefore, much will depend on technique and physique.
As competency in disc golf improves, so too should the quality of disc chosen. The Innova Disc Golf discs use a numerical scale of performance rating from 1 up to 14, for each differently weighted disc. Ease through the air and the thickness of rim will determine speed. When it comes to gliding, the ratings go up to seven and these are designed to maintain height during flight. Fading of the disc is also often referred to as low speed stability; basically the degree at which the disc will drop off to one side or the other. This is definitely where the skill factor come into play, as backhands and forehands are matched up with the disc rating to find the perfect trajectory.
There are many abbreviations that are used within the sport of disc golf, but most are fairly straightforward to get to grips with. RHBH is a right handed backhand throw. LHBH therefore, is the opposite, that is a left handed backhand throw. RHFH is the right handed forehand throw and naturally LHFH means left hand forehand throw.
Once a player establishes themselves, they will invariably use a variety of different discs during a round, just as in the natural game, they will use a driver, an approacher and a putter. The top players tend to get their discs customized to suit their own specific needs and just like in any other sport, will become attached and stick with them, especially during winning runs.
It is a great game for young and old alike and seems sure to grow even more popular, the more coverage and media attention it gets.