I remember when I started playing like it was yesterday. Every second of that first round was epic. But the discs I used when I first started were far from what I should’ve been throwing. They were high-speed, stable to overstable drivers. Bad discs to recommend to a beginner. But I played anyway and it was awesome.
As I continued to play, though, I wasn’t improving very much. I was wondering why it was but I never put much stock into it. Finally, I learned that it was the discs that I was using. So I changed things up. I started using putters and mid-ranges and my skills improved. Then I got to the understable control drivers as I slowly got a little bit better.
Once I stepped back up into drivers, things were a little different. I could actually throw these discs. It was pretty cool. I eventually got even better and could throw those distance drivers again. But I’ve always liked the understable control driver category. They’re just so easy to throw and so controllable.
So today, in this post, we’re going to look at a couple of things:
- 3 big reasons why you need an understable control/fairway driver in your bag
- A word of caution on distance drivers and…
- The 11 best understable control/fairway drivers
3 reasons why you need understable control/fairway drivers
1. beginners transitioning into drivers: one huge reason for getting a great understable control driver is when you’re still fairly new but want to start learning how to throw drivers. Easy to throw, understable control drivers are an excellent first step into the huge category that is drivers
As you progress in skill, you need to keep going up in disc level. From putter to mid range is pretty easy. You can really start out with mid-range discs and you’ll be fine. But here are the following steps toward throwing overstable distance drivers if you’re a newer player.
- Putters
- Mid-range discs
- Overstable mid-range discs
- Understable control drivers (you are here)
- Stable control drivers
- Overstable control drivers
- Understable distance drivers
- Stable distance drivers
- Overstable distance drivers
So if you’re at this level, take a step into control drivers using some of my recommendations below.
2. controlled skill shots: understable control drivers are also really good for some of those tough specialty shots on the course like hyzer flips, anhyzer/turnover shots, flex shots, and roller shots. Most of these shots are fairly difficult to actually throw unless you’ve got some skill in disc golf. So I wouldn’t just jump to immediately try these shots. But once you’re pretty good at throwing with some accuracy, these shots are not too hard. And very understable control drivers are great for these kinds of shots.
3. underrated discs: lastly, understable control drivers are just overall underrated amongst the other kinds of control drivers. I mean, most of the other super stable to overstable control drivers really steal the show. Meaty, overstable discs have always been really popular within the ranks of all the pro players, so the #discgolfcommunity normally only acknowledges those discs. Understable control drivers are really overshadowed and don’t get the credit they deserve. Well, this post is for those underrated understable control drivers.
A word of caution on distance drivers
Lastly, before we get into our 11 best understable control drivers, I want to put out a quick word of caution on distance drivers:
If you’re skilled enough to handle distance drivers, go for it. Go get you some.
But if you’re a beginner or intermediate level player, I would highly recommend staying away from distance drivers until you’ve got enough power to throw these discs. Use our list below to slowly work your way into more overstable control drivers. Then you can jump up into distance drivers. Until then, let’s check out the list!
11 best understable control/fairway drivers
My #1 Pick – Innova Leopard (6, 5, -2, 1)
The Leopard is my number 1 top pick for an understable control driver because it’s just an overall awesome disc. I probably could’ve put the Underworld at #1, but the Leopard takes it. It’s the perfect understable disc without being too understable.
It’s a great transition disc as the flight ratings are just above what a normal mid-range sits at – 6, 5, -2, 1. This disc could almost be used by newer players without much issue. For advanced players, the Leopard is highly-controllable, making it easy to hit lines or crush those hyzer flips or big turnover shots.
If you want a great understable control driver, the Leopard is a great choice. Get it here on Discgolfunited.com.
2. Westside Discs Underworld (7, 6, -3, 1)
If the Leopard wasn’t such a great disc, the Underworld would easily be my top pick. It’s an amazing, fairly understable control driver that flies exactly how you want it to (like every time you throw it).
As for the actual flight itself, it doesn’t require much power, as the glide is very good and the disc is going to turn over some. Ending fade really isn’t that bad and will be easy and predictable on the end of this disc’s flight.
Almost all skill levels will love this disc. Easy to throw for new players and an extremely controllable disc for those tough skill shots.
If you’d like to try this out, grab one here on InfiniteDiscs.com.
3. Legacy Patriot (7, 5, -2, 1)
The Patriot is probably one of the best understable discs in the game, yet it might be one of the most underrated control drivers on the market right now. I love the Patriot. It’s easy to throw, doesn’t require a lot of power, has great glide, doesn’t turn a whole lot and the fade is almost nonexistent.
This disc, the Underworld, and the Leopard are hands down my top 3 choices for newer players. While advanced players will love how this disc hits lines. It flys straight and will actually get you good distance if you put enough on it.
Check out the Patriot here on InfiniteDiscs.com.
4. Latitude 64 Diamond (8, 6, -3, 1)
The Diamond is an excellent control driver and is very highly reviewed in the #discgolfcommunity. Latitude 64 has this disc in their “easy-to-use” lineup of discs, stating that it’s an ideal disc for “children, beginners, and those with moderate arm speed.” Not sure about all of that, but it’s an easy, understable disc to transition into once you start throwing harder to throw discs.
If you’d like to try out the Diamond, check it out here on InfiniteDiscs.com.
5. Divergent Discs Kraken (8, 5, -2, 2)
The Kraken is an interesting disc from a smaller disc golf company. I’d like to compare this to the Innova Valkyrie, but with a just a little bit less speed.
Here’s what Divergent Discs says about their disc:
“Our Kraken driver is an easy to throw fairway driver with a 1.6cm thick rim. This straight flyer will provide excellent glide, control and distance for the recreational disc golfer. Even experienced players will enjoy the straight flight of the Kraken for controlled shots.”
If you’d like to give the Kraken a go, check it out here on InfiniteDiscs.com.
6. Dynamic Discs Breakout (8, 5, -1, 1.5)
The Breakout is a sweet disc from the Dynamic Discs lineup of awesome plastic. I like almost all of the discs from this company and the Breakout is one of those discs. It’s in pretty good company with these other awesome understable discs.
As for flight, this is a fairly straight flyer. It’s not very hard to throw at an 8 speed. It also glides well with a glide rating of 5. The -1/1.5 fade sees this disc go mostly straight with a little bit of fade on the end. Probably the least understable disc on this list, but it’s still a great disc and deserves to be on it.
If you’d like to try the Breakout, grab one here on InfiniteDiscs.com.
7. Discraft Heat (9, 6, -3, 1)
The Heat is a beast of a disc. It’s been around for a long time and really pushes the boundaries of control drivers. It’s a fairly fast disc with a lot of turn and only a little bit of fade. This disc flies pretty similar to the next disc on this disc and is a great disc for both new players and advanced disc golfers.
If you’d like to check out the Heat, grab one here on InfiniteDiscs.com.
8. Infinite Discs Sphinx (9, 6, -3, 1)
The Sphinx is a pretty tough disc to throw from a beginners point of view, but can be a perfect transition disc once you step into control drivers and have tried out the Leopard.
Here’s what InfiniteDiscs.com has to say about the Sphinx:
“The SPHINX is the perfect disc for new players who want a distance driver / control driver crossover that won’t fade too soon while covering as much distance as possible. With an understable release and manageable speed rating, the Sphinx can fly with accuracy and ease. For experienced players the Sphinx is a wonderful, understable utility disc for hyzer-flips, long anhyzer throws, or power rollers. The Sphinx will stand the test of time as a disc that earns a spot in any bag.”
Check out the Sphinx here on their site.
9. Prodiscs Flipperi (9, 3, -3, 0)
I don’t know a whole lot about the Flipperi other than it being a highly reviewed control driver.
Here’s what Prodiscus says about the Flipperi:
“The Flipperi is an understable control / fairway driver that is very forgiving for new players and that can also function as a dependable roller or anhyzer dics for experienced players.”
Grab one here on InfiniteDiscs.com.
10. Innova Valkyrie (9, 4, -2, 2)
The Valkyrie is hands down one of the best control drivers on the market and one of the most popular control drivers ever made. This disc is awesome. I ended up getting one of these by finding it at my local course. I tried to return it but the dude never showed up so I ended up with a new (but pretty beat in) Valkyrie. After playing with it for a few rounds, this disc became one of my favorite control drivers.
As for its flight, It’s not really that difficult to throw and can seriously get you good distance if you can get it up to speed. This disc normally stays pretty straight. With -2 turn and 2 fade it’s going to give you just a bit of turn and just a bit of fade.
Definitely check this out here on Discgolfunited.com.
11. Kastaplast Falk (9, 6, -2, 1)
The Falk is a great disc to round out this list. It’s a fantastic, yet somewhat tough control driver that reminds me a lot of a faster Innova Leopard. Pretty tough to throw so not really a beginner driver, but has great glide and decent understability.
Grab yours here on InfiniteDiscs.com.
So that’s it for understable control drivers
I’ve brought you 11 of the absolute best understable control/fairway drivers in the game today. Hopefully this post has helped you, in some way, find a couple of awesome new discs for your disc golf game. If not, no worries. I still appreciate you checking my site out. For more great content, check out the Related Content below ⬇️!
Related content
11 Best Understable Disc Golf Putters (My #1 Pick is…)
13 Best Understable Mid-Range (Our #1 Pick is…)
13 Best Understable Distance Drivers (Our #1 Pick is…)
Don’t forget to check out the book!
Before you go, don’t forget to check out the best beginner disc golf book on the planet, “The Disc Golf Player’s Manual.” This ebook is packed with over 200+ pages of the best tips, tricks, and advice for new players. Im telling you, this book is epic. If you want to seriously improve in disc golf, you need this book. So don’t miss out!