People who throw really hard probably benefit from the higher speed discs, but there are also very good players that drive 9 speeds. Advanced players will carry a variety of drivers with differing speeds because they will want different flight paths depending on the given hole layout. Also, whether you are throw into a headwind or with a tailwind changes how fast the disc is flying (relative to the air).
In general, most drivers are designed to fly in a "S" shaped flight path. When you get this full flight path, you get the most distance. For a right hand player throwing backhand that means your throw should draw slightly to the right at first, straighten out, and then finish with a fade to the left.
If you throw a disc that is rated at too high a speed for you, it will just quickly fade to the left and go into the ground. You often see beginners chucking their drivers way out to the right in order to compensate for this quick turn to the left. It's just really hard to get distance when you do this because the high speed disc really wants to turn left and dive into the ground.
If you throw a disc that is rated too low a speed for you, it will draw too far to the right and will not straighten out and come back left. In this case, you should either throw a bit less hard or move up to a higher speed disc. For beginners it is better to start here because you can actually get a feel for how throwing speed changes the disc flight path.
The best advice I can offer is that with whatever disc(s) you have - spend time practicing with those discs away from the course. All discs fly differently and it's best to get dedicated practice with your discs.
You usually want to throw as slow a disc as you can get away with. This allows you throw more directly at the target and they don't skip as far when they land on a hard surface (of course sometimes you want that). Another benefit of slower discs is that they tend not to kick as much to the side if they hit a tree.
Fast drivers are best in an open area where accuracy isn't the main goal. They tend to be more forgiving when the throwers form is off which is harmful for someone who's still learning how to throw.
It depends on what you mean by perform better? My faster speed disc (11+) go about 50 ft further, but I loose a lot of accuracy. I usually can hit my shots with a slower speed driver better but at the expense of greater distance.
If you have the power to throw faster speed discs they will go farther.
jartelt|4 years ago
In general, most drivers are designed to fly in a "S" shaped flight path. When you get this full flight path, you get the most distance. For a right hand player throwing backhand that means your throw should draw slightly to the right at first, straighten out, and then finish with a fade to the left.
If you throw a disc that is rated at too high a speed for you, it will just quickly fade to the left and go into the ground. You often see beginners chucking their drivers way out to the right in order to compensate for this quick turn to the left. It's just really hard to get distance when you do this because the high speed disc really wants to turn left and dive into the ground.
If you throw a disc that is rated too low a speed for you, it will draw too far to the right and will not straighten out and come back left. In this case, you should either throw a bit less hard or move up to a higher speed disc. For beginners it is better to start here because you can actually get a feel for how throwing speed changes the disc flight path.
ds206|4 years ago
Btw, the 2021 Disc Golf World Championships just started. You can watch the first 9 holes here: https://youtu.be/b-OICF4pyK4
hnrodey|4 years ago
dagurp|4 years ago
deniablenexus|4 years ago
If you have the power to throw faster speed discs they will go farther.