Instruction

Turn vs Fade Disc Golf

turn vs fade

If you are just starting to learn disc golf, there are different things that you need to know, including the disc. Aside from the different types of discs, you also need to familiarize the different flight patterns of the disc golf disc.

When it comes to flight patterns, you need to be aware of the disc golf disc’s turn and fade. But what is turn vs fade disc golf? Both these terms are characteristics of a disc golf disc in a flight. Their differences? Please check out the below.

Turn How Much a Disc Turn to the Right (RHBH)
Fade How Much a Disc Fade towards the Left

When comparing disc golf turn vs fade, the simplest explanation is that the “turn” is the tendency of the disc golf disc to rotate towards the right when thrown by a right-hand-back-hand (RHBH) thrower. The turn rating of the disc golf disc describes how much it tends to turn or flip during the high speed section of the flight. Disc also tends to flip over if it has a higher turn rating.

On the other hand, the fade is the tendency of the disc to fade towards the left at the end of the disc’s flight. It indicates how much the disc golf disc will dive left when thrown by a right-hand-back-hand (RHBH) thrower toward the tail end of its flight.

turn and fade

Turn

As mentioned earlier, the “turn” is how much a disc turns towards the right when thrown backhand by a right-handed disc golf player. If you check the top of the disc, you will see four numbers, which are the disc rating. The turn rating is the number that is rated from -5 to 1.

As far as the numbers are concerned, -5 will be assigned to a disc with the biggest tendency to spin towards the right when thrown by an RHBH player. On the other hand, +1 will be assigned to the disc that has the slightest tendency to turn right when thrown by an RHBH player.

To better understand the turn, you need to observe the disc golf disc when it is in the air. The normal flight will be flying in a straight line and will end falling in the reverse direction of the disc’s spin. The “turn” of the disc golf disc will be seen in the later part of the flight and officially end when the disc starts fading.

So, the “turn” is its capability to take flight in the opposite direction of the natural path of the disc’s flight. It is the capacity to break the line while beginning flying to the right. Then, the “turn” will end once the “fade” starts.

Meanwhile, the definition of turn will reverse if the disc is thrown by a left-handed player throwing backhand. The disc golf disc will turn towards the left if the current conditions on the field allow it.

On the other hand, when a player is right-handed, and the disc is thrown forehand, the disc golf disc will also turn towards the left. The disc golf disc will go towards the right when thrown with the forehand using a left handed player.

Fade

The fade is defined by how much the disc fades towards the left toward the end of the disc golf disc’s flight. Once the disc slows down in the flight, its tendency to go left is called fade when the disc is thrown by a right hander player throwing a backhand throw.

At the disc flight rating, the last number indicates its fade rating, which usually ranges from 0 to 5. In the disc fade rating, if the number is higher, the “fade” will be so much stronger. On the other hand, a wake fade will have the lowest number.

So, what is the meaning of the “fade” rating? A disc with the lowest fade rating will have the possibility of the easiest to throw, which will show a no fade at the end of the flight. The disc golf disc will just fly straight and will end in a straight line towards the end without fading towards the left.

On the other hand, if you are a beginner, you may need to avoid a high fade disc since it is not beginner friendly. The disc golf disc will just start going towards the left very quickly when thrown slowly, which is expected by a beginner. This situation will prevent the disc from achieving maximum distance.

Always remember that the fade of the disc happens at the end or after the disc turn. If you take a closer look at the natural flight of the disc, a clockwise spin of the disc golf disc will automatically result in the disc falling or fading towards the left. When it is a counter-clockwise spin, expect the disc to fade into the right.

Conclusion

After reading this article, you should have an idea of the difference between turn vs fade disc golf. Familiarizing these two terms is essential since they affect how the disc performs on the flight once it leaves your hand after the throw.

You also need to understand the flight ratings on the disc to fully grasp the disc’s tendency when it is being thrown.

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About Joshua Christensen

I am an ultimate frisbee player turned disc golfer. I have been playing disc golf for a few years now and have fallen in love with the sport and love to do what I can to further its growth!