DGA

DGA—short for Disc Golf Association—is the original disc golf company. It was founded by “Steady” Ed Headrick, the man widely credited with inventing the sport of disc golf. Before creating DGA, Steady Ed worked at Wham-O, where he was responsible for promoting and marketing their Frisbee line. While at Wham-O, he developed the idea of using Frisbees for organized competition and later patented the disc golf “pole hole” basket, which became the standard target for the sport.

In the early days, DGA manufactured its own discs, but by the 1980s, they began sourcing disc production to other manufacturers—except for their unique, flexible Blowfly series, which they continued to produce in-house.

Over time, DGA shifted its business focus away from discs and toward course development. For many years, they were best known not for their discs, but as one of the leading course designers and basket suppliers in the world. Their strong partnership with Discraft played a major role during this time: DGA relied on Discraft to manufacture most of their discs, while DGA in turn helped Discraft design and refine their own line of baskets.

Today, the relationship between the two companies is even closer—Discraft is now a part-owner of DGA and handles distribution for DGA’s disc lineup. Since DGA discs are manufactured by Discraft, some crossover exists in mold design and plastic blends. This is also why Discraft-sponsored pros like Paul McBeth have occasionally thrown DGA discs as part of their bag.

If you're looking to explore what DGA has to offer, you're in the right place. Though DGA might not get the same spotlight as some of the bigger brands, they’ve built a loyal following with discs that deliver consistent performance across the board.

Top Selling DGA Discs
The most popular DGA discs among players of all levels include:

Quake – A reliable, overstable midrange known for its torque resistance and predictable fade.

Sail – A highly understable distance driver that's perfect for players with slower arm speed or those seeking max glide.

Pipeline – A versatile, stable fairway driver that holds a variety of lines.

Sonar – A grippy, beadless putter with a straight flight ideal for putting and short drives.

Breaker – A trusted overstable approach disc that works well for both backhand and forehand throws.

Best DGA Discs for Beginners
If you're just getting into disc golf, DGA offers several beginner-friendly molds that are easy to throw and control:

Vortex – A lightweight, beginner-focused fairway driver with high glide and a neutral flight path.

Squall – A controllable midrange with a bit of speed and lots of glide—great for beginners moving up in distance.

Sail – One of the easiest drivers to throw for distance, even with minimal power.

Rift – A slightly understable midrange that handles like a dream for touch shots and learning angle control.

Blowfly – A soft, flexible putter that’s great for those who want maximum control and minimal ground play.

Highest Rated DGA Discs
Looking for top-tier performance? These are the DGA discs that players consistently rate as their best:

Quake – Praised for its dependability and flight consistency in all conditions.

Undertow – A controllable, understable driver that offers long, accurate flights without much effort.

Breaker – A staple in many players' short-game arsenal for its overstability and versatility.

Pipeline – A go-to disc for shaping controlled fairway lines.

Hellfire – DGA’s beefiest overstable driver, perfect for big forehands and headwind shots.

Glow discs have been a signature part of DGA’s heritage, tracing back to the original Night Flyer from 1978, which was the first disc explicitly made for disc golf and featured a glow-in-the-dark Wham-O mold with a phosphorescent twist. That beloved glow disc evolved into the iconic Midnight Flyer, thanks to Steady Ed Headrick’s enhancements—ramping up the glow material to about 40–45%, creating substantially heavier discs that are still highly coveted by collectors.

Each year, DGA releases a limited-edition Midnight Flyer, stamping it on favorite molds like the Quake, Pipeline, Squall, Sail, Blowfly, and Breaker. These are proudly branded with the “Midnight Flyer #X” stamp to indicate the batch, and they’re produced in small runs tied to events like the Masters Cup tournament or anniversary celebrations.

Today’s Midnight Flyers are more than just glow discs—they pay homage to DGA’s legacy while offering excellent nighttime visibility and durability for casual round play. Available in drivers, fairway drivers, midranges, and putters, they continue the tradition of blending performance, collectibility, and glow-in-the-dark fun.

Why Midnight Flyers Matter:

Historical significance — A direct descendant of the sport’s first glow disc.

Enhanced glow — Original Midnight Flyers packed much more glow material than standard discs.

Limited annual runs — Each release is a unique, collectible stamp on various DGA molds.

Functional and fun — Durable for play, visible in low-light conditions, and a conversation piece in any bag.

While DGA is one of the most respected names in disc golf, they do not manufacture most of their discs themselves. Instead, the majority of DGA discs are produced by Discraft, one of the sport’s top manufacturers. This partnership allows DGA to offer high-quality discs with reliable consistency, thanks to Discraft’s well-established production process.

In recent years, Discraft has also taken on a larger role in distributing DGA discs, and they currently hold part ownership of the DGA brand. That close relationship is the reason you may see Discraft-sponsored professionals occasionally throwing DGA molds—they're made in the same facility.

However, not every DGA disc is produced by Discraft. Certain specialty discs, like the Blowfly and Gumbputt, are made using a soft, rubber-like material and are not manufactured by Discraft. These discs stand out for their ultra-flexible design and are produced through a different, undisclosed partner.

In short, most DGA discs are molded by Discraft, with a few exceptions made elsewhere using unique materials not found in the Discraft lineup.