Disc Golf After 40: Smarter Disc Selection, Better Warmups, More Fun Rounds

Disc golf does not have to fade after 40, but it usually has to change. In a recent Disc Golf Answer Man episode, Bobby sat down with Charles Rector of Masters Line Disc Golf to talk about what older players can do to keep playing longer, avoid injuries, and still score well.

Rector’s story starts like a lot of disc golfers. In 2016, he and some friends spotted baskets at a campsite, rented a few discs, and got hooked immediately. Years later, after a rough stretch of injuries in 2024, including a torn meniscus and surgery, he realized his “same old” approach was not sustainable. That experience pushed him into content creation, building Masters Line Disc Golf as a resource for players navigating age, aches, and changing distance.

A big theme of the conversation was disc selection. Rector explained that many players hold onto high speed drivers out of habit or ego, even when they can no longer get them up to speed. When a disc that used to push forward starts fading earlier, it can be a sign that the player is not generating the speed it needs. His practical solution is simple: field work. Throw the familiar distance driver, then compare it to slower options and watch the flights. If a fairway driver is landing within the same range with less effort, it may be the smarter choice.

Bobby connected that idea to a common beginner mistake too. New players often assume they should throw what pros throw, but a beginner will rarely get a pro-level flight from an overstable, high speed disc. Starting with putters and midranges helps reveal form issues, and building up to fairway drivers creates faster improvement with fewer bad habits.

The conversation also highlighted warmups for disc golf, especially for players over 40. Rector arrives early, uses bands, shoulder work, and movement drills, then throws lightly before the round. If pain shows up early, he treats it as a warning sign to slow down and play smarter instead of forcing power.

For older players, the takeaway is clear: distance may fade, but smarter golf can improve. Better warmups, better disc choices, and better decisions can keep disc golf fun for years to come.