Quick Picks
Discraft ESP Force
Editor's Pick12 / 5 / 0 / 3 · Overstable · 4.8/5
Best overall distance driver
Paul McBeth threw this disc to five world championships. Overstable, powerful, and completely reliable under power — the Force holds its line at full speed and handles headwinds without flinching. If your arm can handle speed 12, this is the benchmark.
Best for: Advanced players (90m+)
Discraft Z Thrasher
Best for Distance12 / 5 / -3 / 2 · Understable · 4.7/5
Best for intermediate arm speeds
Where the Force demands power, the Thrasher rewards it with distance. The -3 turn flips it into an efficient glide path and the 2 fade brings it back softly. Players still building arm speed will cover more ground with this than any overstable driver.
Best for: Intermediate players (70–90m)
Discraft Zeus
12 / 5 / -1 / 3 · Overstable · 4.8/5
Best overstable workhorse
The Zeus is the slightly more understable sibling of the Force — still overstable, but with a touch of turn that makes it more accessible. It covers exceptional distance while still finishing reliably left. A go-to driver for players who want power and control.
Best for: Advanced players who throw straight
Discraft ESP Avenger SS
Best for Beginners10 / 5 / -3 / 1 · Understable · 4.5/5
Best entry-level distance driver
Speed 10 makes this far more accessible than a speed 12 driver. The -3 turn flips and glides, the 1 fade lands it cleanly. If you're just stepping up from fairway drivers and want real distance without the punishment of a full-speed driver, start here.
Best for: Intermediate players graduating from fairway drivers
Discraft Crank SS
13 / 5 / -2 / 2 · Understable · 4.3/5
Best high-speed understable option
Speed 13 and a -2 turn means this disc covers enormous ground when you throw it right. The Crank SS is for players who generate real power and want a disc that works with their arm speed for maximum distance. Not for the faint-hearted — or the faint-armed.
Best for: Big arm players wanting S-curve distance
How to Choose a Distance Driver
The single biggest mistake players make is buying a distance driver based on the number on the mould. Speed 13 sounds impressive. It's also completely useless if your arm speed can't activate the flight. A speed 13 driver thrown at 70 metres arm speed will fade out of the sky faster than your fairway driver.
Match the disc to your arm speed. If you're throwing 70–85m, start with the Avenger SS (speed 10). 85–100m, the Thrasher or Zeus. 100m+, the Force is waiting. Work up the speed chart — don't skip rungs.
Common Questions
What speed driver should a beginner use?
Speed 8–10 maximum. Beginners don't generate enough arm speed for higher-speed drivers to fly correctly — they'll just dump into the ground. The Avenger SS (speed 10) is the fastest most intermediate players should throw.
Overstable vs understable — which should I choose?
If you're throwing 90m+ and want reliability and headwind resistance, go overstable (Force, Zeus). If you want maximum distance and your arm speed is still developing, go understable (Thrasher, Avenger SS). Most bags carry one of each.
Does plastic type matter for distance drivers?
Yes. Premium plastics (ESP, Star, Champion) hold their flight characteristics longer. Base plastics beat in faster and get more understable over time. For distance drivers you want to buy, get premium plastic so the flight stays consistent.