Disc Golf Terms Every Beginner Should Know (Complete Glossary)

Disc golf has its own language. Walk onto a course for the first time and you'll hear players talking about birdies, hyzers, OB, and hyzer-flips like it's second nature. If you're new to the sport, it can feel like everyone's speaking a different language. This glossary covers every term you need to know to follow along, communicate with other players, and start understanding what's actually happening on the course.

Scoring Terms

Par

The expected number of throws to complete a hole. Most disc golf holes are par 3, though par 4 and par 5 holes exist on longer courses.

Birdie

Completing a hole in one throw fewer than par. On a par 3, that means finishing in 2 throws. The most common goal for intermediate players.

Eagle

Completing a hole in two throws fewer than par. On a par 3, that's an ace (hole-in-one). On a par 4, it means finishing in 2 throws.

Ace

A hole-in-one — throwing the disc directly into the basket from the tee pad in a single throw. The holy grail of disc golf. Many courses have an "ace fund" where players contribute money that goes to whoever aces a designated hole.

Bogey

Completing a hole in one throw more than par. On a par 3, that's 4 throws.

Double Bogey / Triple Bogey

Two or three throws over par on a single hole. Happens to everyone. Shake it off.

Under Par / Over Par

Your total score relative to par for the round. Under par (negative number) is good; over par (positive number) means you took more throws than expected.

Course & Rules Terms

Tee Pad

The designated starting area for each hole, usually a concrete or rubber pad. All throws must start from within the tee pad on the first throw of each hole.

Basket / Target

The metal catching device that serves as the "hole" in disc golf. It consists of chains above a basket — the disc must come to rest in the basket to complete the hole.

Fairway

The intended flight path from the tee pad to the basket. Staying on the fairway generally means fewer obstacles and better lies.

Lie

The spot where your disc lands and from which you must throw your next shot. You must have at least one foot behind your disc's lie when throwing.

Mini Marker / Mini

A small disc used to mark your lie when you pick up your disc to throw. Required by the rules in competitive play. Always keep one in your bag.

OB (Out of Bounds)

Areas of the course that are designated as out of play — often marked by lines, fences, or water hazards. Throwing OB results in a one-throw penalty, and you re-throw from a designated drop zone or your previous lie.

Drop Zone

A designated area where you re-throw after going OB or landing in a hazard. Usually marked on the course.

Mandatory (Mando)

A required flight path on certain holes — your disc must pass a specific side of a marked obstacle (usually a tree or post). Missing a mando results in a penalty throw.

Casual Relief

A free re-throw allowed when your disc lands in an unplayable lie caused by a temporary condition (standing water, a maintenance area, etc.). Check local rules.

Circle 1 / Circle 2

Circle 1 is within 10 meters (33 feet) of the basket — the putting zone where you must maintain balance after releasing. Circle 2 extends to 20 meters (66 feet). Putting from Circle 2 allows more movement after release.

Flight & Disc Terms

Flight Numbers

The four numbers printed on every disc: Speed, Glide, Turn, and Fade. They describe how the disc is designed to fly. See our Beginner's Guide to Disc Golf for a full breakdown.

Understable

A disc that tends to turn right (for RHBH throwers) during flight. Beginner-friendly and great for turnover shots. See our guide on Stable vs Overstable vs Understable Discs.

Overstable

A disc that resists turning right and fades hard left at the end of flight. Reliable in wind and for forced hyzer lines.

Stable / Neutral

A disc that flies relatively straight with a moderate, predictable fade. The workhorse of any well-built bag.

Turn

The tendency of a disc to bank right (for RHBH) at high speed. Represented by the third flight number. Negative values = more turn.

Fade

The tendency of a disc to hook left (for RHBH) at the end of its flight as it slows down. Represented by the fourth flight number. Higher values = harder fade.

Hyzer

A release angle where the outside edge of the disc is tilted downward (left side down for RHBH). Causes the disc to fade harder left. Used for forced left lines and around right-side obstacles.

Anhyzer

The opposite of hyzer — the outside edge of the disc is tilted upward at release. Causes the disc to turn right. Used for right-turning lines and around left-side obstacles.

Flat Release

Releasing the disc parallel to the ground with no hyzer or anhyzer angle. The foundation of consistent disc golf form.

Hyzer-Flip

Throwing an understable disc on a hyzer angle so that it flips up to flat and flies straight. A powerful technique for long, straight shots through tight corridors.

Turnover

When a disc banks hard to the right (for RHBH) and doesn't fade back. Can be intentional (a turnover shot) or unintentional (throwing a disc that's too understable for your arm speed). See our guide on Why Your Disc Keeps Turning Over.

Beat In

A disc that has worn down through use and become more understable than when it was new. Beat-in discs are prized for specific shot shapes but unreliable for stable lines.

Roller

A shot where the disc is intentionally thrown so it lands on its edge and rolls along the ground. Used for distance in open areas or to get under low-hanging obstacles.

Skip

When a disc hits the ground at a low angle and bounces (skips) forward. Overstable discs skip more predictably. Used to get around obstacles or add distance on flat ground.

Throw Types

Backhand (BH)

The most common throw in disc golf — similar to a traditional frisbee throw. The disc is released across the body with the back of the hand leading. RHBH = right-hand backhand.

Forehand / Flick (FH)

A sidearm throw where the disc is released with the palm facing down and the wrist snapping forward. Produces a mirrored flight path compared to backhand — turn goes left, fade goes right for RHFH throwers.

Overhand / Tomahawk / Thumber

Throws where the disc is released above the shoulder. Used to get over obstacles or produce unique flight paths. The tomahawk and thumber differ in grip and spin direction.

Putt

Any throw made with the intention of landing in the basket, typically from within Circle 2 (20 meters). Putting technique and consistency is one of the biggest factors in scoring well.

Approach Shot

A throw made to position your disc close to the basket in preparation for a putt. Usually thrown with a putter or midrange from 50–150 feet out.

Player & Culture Terms

PDGA

Professional Disc Golf Association — the governing body of disc golf worldwide. They set the rules, sanction tournaments, and maintain player ratings.

Player Rating

A numerical score assigned by the PDGA that reflects a player's skill level based on tournament performance. Scratch (average) is around 1000. Most recreational players fall between 700–900.

Recreational / Casual Play

Non-competitive rounds played for fun, without formal rules enforcement. Most disc golf is played this way.

Sanctioned Tournament

A PDGA-approved competitive event where results count toward official player ratings.

Doubles

A format where two players team up and play together, either using the best shot (best shot doubles) or alternating throws (alternate shot doubles).

Ace Run

When a group of players all attempt to ace the same hole, usually contributing to a shared ace fund pot.

Birdie Train

When multiple players in a group make birdie on consecutive holes. A great feeling.

Shank

A badly missed throw — usually one that goes wildly off line. Happens to everyone. Laugh it off.

Hyzer Bomb

A powerful throw on a steep hyzer angle, usually with an overstable disc, designed to fly far and fade hard left. A crowd-pleaser when executed well.

Ready to Put Your New Vocabulary to Work?

Now that you know the language, it's time to get on the course. Check out our other beginner guides to keep building your game:

• Beginner's Guide to Disc Golf: Disc Types, Flight Numbers & How to Choose Your First Disc
• How to Build a Disc Golf Bag From Scratch
• Stable vs Overstable vs Understable Discs: What's the Difference?
• Why Your Disc Keeps Turning Over (And How to Fix It)

And when you're ready to gear up, browse our full selection of discs, bags, and accessories at Gotta Go Gotta Throw Disc Golf Warehouse.