The first number is the speed of the disc. It can range from 1-14. Putters are rated 1-3 and are designed to
function at low speeds any player can use. Mid range discs are 4-5 and require more speed when thrown to
achieve their desired results. A fairway driver will be speed 6-8, these discs fly mostly straight. Discs
that are speed 9 and above are classified as distance drivers. Throwing a distance driver takes a
significant amount of power to get up to speed, players are rewarded with additional distance if they learn
to control these discs. New players are cautioned that speed does not equal distance. Due to the difficulty
of controlling higher speed discs, a beginner could find that a light weight disc with a speed of 6 or 7
could fly farther for them than a max distance driver with a speed of 13. In fact most new players should
learn by throwing putters only so they can develop the proper form. After a few weeks they'll begin to get
reliable results and are ready
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This second rating is numbered 1 – 6. Glide describes a disc’s ability to remain in flight. Discs with
higher glide ratings will fly further than discs rated lower in this category. A high glide rating is good
when the goal is distance, but can have the wrong effect for putts and approach shots. Sometimes
overshooting the basket can be worse than not making it far enough. Low glide ratings such as 1 or 2 are
popular with upshot putters because they don't fly for distance but for a little extra control. Glide is
different for different kinds of discs as well. A putter with a glide of 4 will stay airborne much longer
than distance drivers with a glide of 4
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Third in Innova’s flight rating system is turn. Turn is rated from 1 to -5?, with -5 being the most
understable. The lower the numer, the more striking turn will result. A newer, slower-throwing disc golfer
using an understable disc with a ‘high’ negative turn rating will enjoy great distance, as the disc isn’t
going to fade as quickly. Also, players whose farthest throw is 200 feet or less probably won’t notice any
turn in the flightpath. Once a player gets more speed and power, they will see their understable discs start
turning to the right at the beginning of the flight before fading to the left at the end. Discs rated -4 or
-5 are popularly used for rollover or roller throws by experienced players. Some discs have 0 turn which
means that they'll start to fade when they run out of speed during the flight and at no point will they
turn. It's important to carry at least one disc with a high turn rating in your bag for rounds.
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This last rating category ranges from 0 to 5; with a disc rated 0 being the straightest finishing, while a
disc rated 5 fading the most during the last portion of the flight. Even discs rated lowest in turn will
still ‘fade’ as the disc slows at the end of the flight. A disc with a higher fade rating is useful for a
hole with a dogleg. Straight finishing discs are great for control, discs with little fade are normal. If
you're a Right-hand backhand thrower you'll find that almost every disc wants to fade to the left at the end
of your flight. Discs with a 4 or 5 fade rating are excellent in heavy winds. They sacrifice a little of the
distance but make sure that the disc won't do anything unexpected. Discs with a low fade are more
susceptible to being affected by the wind.
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