Glossary of Disc Golf Terminology

There are many different names for disc golf shots, hole shapes, equipment, achievements, etc. and some may vary by region or player preference. Here are some of the most common Disc Golf terms you'll hear tossed around...

2 Meter Rule: A rarely used rule that states if the disc comes to rest more than 2m above the ground you must take a penalty stroke to bring it down.

Ace: A hole in one, where the disc is thown directly from tee to basket.

Air Bounce: When the disc seems to move up and down rapidly during its flight due to wind.

Airshot: A throw that is executed without any part of the disc touching the ground.

Anhyzer: A throw that curves toward the body in the air due to the angle of release.

Approach Shot: A mid-range throw aimed at getting closer to the basket.

Backhand: A throw executed with the back of the hand facing the target.

Basket: The target for each hole, consisting of a metal basket with chains to catch the disc.

Birdie: A score of one stroke under par on a hole.

Bogey: Completing a hole in one stroke more than par.

Bullseye: A term used to describe a shot that lands directly in the center of the target.

Casual relief: A relief option allowing players to move their disc away from obstacles that are not part of the course, such as picnic tables or benches.

Chain Out: A shot that hits the chains of the basket but does not stay in.

Circle 1: The area within 10 meters of the basket.

Circle 2: The area within 10 and 20 meters of the basket.

Clean release: A smooth and accurate release of the disc from the player's hand, typically with little to no wobble in the air.

Cut roller: A type of roller shot that is aimed to cut left or right at the end of its flight.

Dogleg: A hole that turns sharply to the left or right.

Domey: Referrs to a domed top plate of a golf disc. Domed discs generally fly straighter.

Drive: The initial throw off the tee, typically using a driver disc.

Drop zone: A designated area where a player must throw from after a penalty stroke.

Eagle: Completing a hole in two strokes less than par.

Fade: The natural tendency of a disc to turn at the end of its flight.

Fairway: The part of the course between the tee and the basket, where players attempt to land their drives.

Flat-top: Referrs to a flat top plate of a golf disc. Flat topped discs generally have more turn and fade.

Flex Shot: A throw that curves to the right before finishing to the left (for right-handed players), often used to navigate around obstacles.

Flick: See forehand.

Flight path: The trajectory of the disc as it flies through the air.

Foot Fault: When a player steps over the marker that indicates where the disc should be thrown from.

Forehand: A throw executed with the palm facing the target.

Fork: A hole that splits into two possible routes, requiring the player to choose which path to take.

Frisbee Golf: Another name for disc golf.

Frolf: Another name for disc golf.

Gap: The space between two trees or other obstacles on the course.

Grenade: An overhead throw that involves the disc landing on its edge and flipping over.

Grip: The way a player holds the disc before releasing it.

Grip Lock: See "Late Release".

Hammer: An overhead throw that involves the disc spinning around a vertical axis.

Handicap: A numerical rating system that is used to adjust player scores based on skill level and previous performance.

Hazard: An area on the course that presents a potential obstacle or danger to players, such as water, dense foliage, or steep inclines.

Headwind: Wind blowing against the direction of the throw.

High-Speed Turn: A term used to describe how much a disc turns during the high-speed portion of its flight.

Hip Snap: A technique used in the backhand throw where the player rotates their hips quickly to generate power and speed in the throw.

Hole: The target that disc golfers aim for, consisting of a metal basket with hanging chains that catch the disc.

Hook: A term used to describe the curving motion of the disc during its flight.

Hyzer: A throw that curves away from the body in the air due to the angle of release.

Hyzer Flip: A type of throw where a disc is thrown with hyzer angle but flips up to fly straight and even over to turn the other way.

Inbounds: The area of the course where play is allowed.

Inside the Circle: The area around the basket that is within 10 meters (33 feet) and counts as a separate scoring zone.

Interference: Any outside factor that affects a player's ability to make a throw, such as a distracting noise or an obstruction in the throwing area.

Jab Step: A small step taken by the player before throwing to help generate power and momentum.

Jail: A situation where the disc is trapped in dense foliage or other obstacles, making it difficult to make a good shot.

Jailbreak: When a player successfully navigates out of a difficult situation, such as being stuck in dense foliage.

Jump Putt: A putt where the player jumps forward in order to gain extra distance.

Junior (Jr.): A designation for a player who is under the age of 18.

Kick: A term used to describe the way a disc bounces or changes direction after hitting an object, such as a tree or rock.

Kneeling: A putt while on your knees, often to avoid low branches or obstacles.

Knuckleball: A type of throw where the disc is released with very little spin, causing it to wobble in the air and fly unpredictably.

Laser Beam: A perfectly straight shot.

Late Release: A term used to describe when a player releases the disc too late in their throwing motion, often resulting in an inaccurate or short throw.

Lateral Hazard: An area on the course that is designated as a hazard and requires a penalty stroke if the player's disc lands within it.

Lateral Movement: The movement of a disc from side to side in the air during a throw, often caused by wind or an imperfect release.

Layout: The design and arrangement of the holes on a disc golf course.

Layup: A controlled shot aimed at landing the disc near the basket without attempting to make it in.

Lefty-Friendly: A term used to describe a course or hole that is easier for left-handed players due to the layout or design.

LHBH: Left Handed Backhand.

LHFH: Left Handed Forehand.

Lie: The spot where a disc comes to rest after a throw, used as a starting point for the next throw.

Line: The path that a disc takes through the air on a throw.

Local Route: A term used to describe the most commonly taken path or line on a particular hole at a particular course.

Long Game: The part of a player's game that involves long-distance throws, usually drives.

Low Ceiling Shot: A shot aimed low to the ground in order to avoid obstacles.

Match Play: A form of disc golf where players compete hole-by-hole, with the winner being the player who wins the most holes.

Meat Hook: Used to describe an understable disc with a very overstable finish.

Mini: A small disc used for marking a player's lie.

Mulligan: An extra shot allowed by some players in certain situations, often used in friendly games.

OB (Out of Bounds): When the disc lands outside of the designated boundaries of the course.

Obstacle Shot: A shot aimed at navigating around or over obstacles such as trees, bushes, or buildings.

Overhead: A throw executed over the head, such as a tomahawk or thumber.

Overstable: An overstable disc is one that tends to curve to away from the body during its flight.

Par: The standard number of strokes for completing a hole, typically three or four.

Patience Shot: A throw that aims to land the disc in the ideal location for the next shot, rather than trying to make a long shot.

PDGA: Professional Disc Golf Association.

Power Shot: A throw that maximizes distance, often used on longer holes.

Putter Shot: A short-range shot aimed at getting the disc into the basket.

Rating: A numerical representation of a players skill level using a system managed by the PDGA.

Recovery Shot: A throw to get back to the fairway or out of a hazard.

RHBH: Right Handed Backhand.

RHFH: Right Handed Forehand.

Roller: A throw that involves the disc rolling along the ground, often used to navigate through low-hanging obstacles or around corners.

Sanctioned: A tounament that is registered with approved by the PDGA. Sanctioned tournaments or leagues help build a players rating.

Sandbager: A player in a tournament division they are overqualified to play in, in order to place higher or win.

Scoober: An overhead throw that involves the disc flipping over in mid-air.

Short Game: The part of a player's game that involves short-distance throws, usually putting.

Skip Shot: A throw that skips off the ground or other surfaces, often used to get around obstacles or over water hazards.

Spike Hyzer: A throw that curves sharply to the left (for right-handed players), often used to navigate around obstacles.

Spit Out: A shot that hits the chains of the basket but does not stay in.

Stable: A stable disc is one that flies relatively straight during its flight, without turning much to the left or right.

Straddle Putt: A putting technique where the player stands with their legs spread wide.

Stroke: A single throw.

Target: The target for each hole, consisting of a metal basket with chains to catch the disc.

Thumber: A similar overhead throw to the tomahawk, but with the disc rotating horizontally.

Tomahawk: An overhead throw that involves the disc rotating end-over-end.

Turnover: A throw that curves to the right (for right-handed players) due to the angle of release.

Understable: An understable disc is one that tends to curve toward the body during its flight.

Unsanctioned: A tounament that is not registered with the PDGA, typically smaller local or club tournaments.

Upshot: A shot aimed at getting close to the basket after the drive, typically using a mid-range disc.