Lighter Discs Have Heavy Benefits 

Think you’re too cool for lightweight plastic? Think again. For nearly every player, incorporating lighter discs into the bag will open up new shot shapes and unlock easier distance. Most players find that max weight discs don’t fly as far as discs in the 160s or lower. And for beginners? Throwing lightweight is a no-brainer. Let’s break it down.

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Lightweight = Easier to Learn

There’s a reason our DX Starter Set comes with three lightweight discs: they’re simply easier to throw. Lighter plastic takes less arm speed to get up to cruising velocity, which means you’ll start seeing those satisfying S-curves—flip, glide, and fade—from early on. That kind of flight feedback helps players understand how discs work, how angles affect flight, and what to look for when building their bags.

Heavy discs tend to hyzer out early if you can’t generate enough speed. Lightweight discs give you the chance to watch a disc work, not just fight it.

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Same Mold, New Options

Carrying the same mold in different weights is like having a toolkit of flight shapes without needing to change your grip or your feel. A max-weight Destroyer might be your go-to into a headwind, but a 167g Destroyer could give you extra carry with the same motion on a calm day. Ripping tailwind? Go even lighter. Same disc. Same feel. Different results. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Wind Boost (But Beware the Blowback)

Tailwinds and lightweight discs are a match made in disc golf heaven. A breeze at your back helps lighter plastic stay in the air longer and glide. If you’re looking for max distance, grabbing something in the 150s or 160s in a tailwind can lead to your longest rip of the day.

But let’s be real—lightweight discs aren’t built for everything. In a ripping headwind, that flippy fairway can quickly become a “throwler”. The same qualities that help them float and carry can make them understable when the wind’s in your face. The move? Keep the light plastic in your tailwind gameplan, and grab your heavier stuff when it’s blowing right at you.

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Smooth is Far

Lightweight plastic rewards smooth form. You don’t need to hulk out on your drives to get them flying. Powering down and focusing on a clean, balanced release can give you similar distance to a max-effort rip—without throwing your body out of sync. That also makes lightweight plastic a sneaky good option for woods golf, touchy lines, and rounds where you’re managing fatigue. 

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Pros Throw Light Too

Lightweight plastic isn’t just for new players trying to learn the ropes. Some of the most technical, experienced players in the game rely on lighter plastic. Philo Brathwaite? His legendary “Philobotross” throw-in at Beaver State Fling was a Destroyer in the 160s. Bradley Williams? Also known to trust lighter plastic (including his 2025 Tour Series!) for many lines.

In FPO, it’s standard to see discs in the whole range of weights in a single player’s bag. These athletes aren’t just grabbing what looks pretty—they’re choosing the weights that give them the best flights for their arm speed, desired shot shape, and conditions. 

Still not convinced? The farthest throw ever recorded in disc golf history—over 1,100 feet—wasn’t with some beefy 175g driver. It was a Blizzard Champion Boss weighing 154 grams. Right disc, right conditions, and boom! 

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