David is a software engineer who has developed several Ultimate Frisbee apps and websites. He is passionate about using technology to improve the sport and make it more accessible to everyone. He also enjoys playing Ultimate Frisbee in his free time.
Hey there! Great question! When it comes to frisbee golf discs, those numbers you see on them actually have a lot of meaning. They're called flight ratings, and they give you important information about how the disc is designed to fly. Let me break it down for you.
The flight ratings typically consist of four numbers, such as 9, 5, -1, 2. Each number represents a different aspect of the disc's flight characteristics. Let's go through them one by one.
The first number represents the disc's speed. It tells you how fast the disc needs to be thrown in order to achieve its intended flight path. Higher numbers mean the disc requires more speed to perform optimally. For example, a disc with a speed rating of 12 will need to be thrown with more power and speed compared to a disc with a speed rating of 7.
The second number represents the disc's glide. It indicates how well the disc maintains its lift and stays in the air. Higher glide numbers mean the disc will stay aloft for longer periods and cover more distance. So, a disc with a glide rating of 5 will have more glide than a disc with a glide rating of 3.
The third number represents the disc's turn. It describes the disc's tendency to veer off to the right (for right-handed backhand throws) during its flight. A positive number means the disc will turn right, while a negative number means it will turn left. For example, a disc with a turn rating of -1 will have a slight left turn during its flight.
The fourth number represents the disc's fade. It describes the disc's tendency to hook or curve at the end of its flight. A positive number means the disc will fade to the left (for right-handed backhand throws), while a negative number means it will fade to the right. So, a disc with a fade rating of 2 will have a strong left hook at the end.
Now, it's important to note that these flight ratings are just guidelines and can vary depending on the player's throwing style and technique. They're designed to give you a general idea of how the disc will behave in flight, but it's always a good idea to experiment and find what works best for you.
I hope that clears things up for you! If you want to learn more about frisbee golf and other aspects of Ultimate Frisbee, be sure to check out Play Ultimate Frisbee. We have a wealth of information and resources to help you improve your game. Happy throwing!