discgolf.com - All About Golf Discs

There are many different kinds of discs; deciding which to buy may be difficult. The reason there are so many different discs, even from one manufacturer, is because there are so many different shots in disc golf. Each kind of disc is designed to give best results for a different kind of shot. Most discs tell you what they are designed for. For example: they say 'long range driver', 'mid range driver', or 'putt and approach'. But it is still very helpful to understand the flight characteristics of different discs when deciding which one is right for you. Probably the most important characteristic of the flight of a disc is it's stability. The flight of an understable disc can be completely different from a similar but overstable disc. For this reason you must know what kind of disc suits your game best before buying one.
general flight characteristics of discs
Understable discs will turn over easily at high speeds, while overstable discs will turn over only at very high speeds and will fade more.

A disc will naturally fade in the opposite direction of the spin put on that disc. for right-handed backhand throwers, who have clockwise spin, the disc will fade to the left.

A disc will turn over in the opposite direction of it's fade. For right-handed backhand throwers, when the disc is traveling very fast it will tilt and fly just like it was thrown with an anhyzer release angle; it will turn to the right.

If thrown with a hyzer release angle a disc will turn in the direction of it's fade.

If thrown with an anhyzer release angle a disc will turn in the direction opposite it's fade.

An overstable disc has a tendency to fly more like a hyzer shot even if thrown level, because it will fade more.

An understable disc will have a tendency to fly more like an anhyzer shot even when thrown level, because it will turn over at lower speeds (relative to an overstable disc).

A disc that is neither understable nor overstable, will have the flight characteristics of both discs. It will turn over at high speeds, but it will also fade at low speeds.

Heavy discs tend to be more overstable, while lighter discs tend to be more understable. This is true for discs of the same mold. A disc that is heavier than another disc is not necessarily more overstable if they are different kinds of discs.

tips
If you are a beginner, and you do not throw very hard, you should get an understable, light disc. This will help you throw straighter, more predictable, longer drives and approaches, because there will be less fade and it will be easier to turn over if necessary. You may also want to use a disc with a larger, more curved lip, which will float more, creating more distance on shots with low velocity.

If you throw very hard and fast you need a more overstable disc. This will give you more control because the disc will not always turn over. You may also want to use a disc with a flatter lip and top, designed for high velocity throws. If you throw forehand, which tends to be even faster, you will probably need a very overstable disc, because all discs that are too understable will turn over, no matter how low the release angle.