The bigger the bead, the better.
No wonder I’m all-in on the Big Bead Aviar.
Not everyone’s so keen on beaded golf discs, though …
To each his own.
If the term’s new to you, a “bead” is the small, curb-like ring that runs along the inside edge of many discs. They most commonly appear on putters and midranges. However, though far from the norm, they can be found on a handful of drivers, as well. The first PDGA-approved discs to feature the bead were the Innova Aviar, Classic Roc and Classic Hammer way back in 1987.
Nowadays, it’s not just Innova that works the bead into their molds, as all major disc manufacturers include them on select frisbees. So, what’s the big deal, exactly? If all disc companies see the need to offer their customers beaded options, there must be some perk, right?
Well, there is …
But it’s not as big of a deal as you might think. Put simply, the presence of a bead makes a golf disc slightly more overstable and torque-resistant. The Aviar is a great example of this …
- Here are the flight numbers for the Classic Aviar: 2 | 3 | 0 | 0]
- And here they are for the Aviar Driver or Big Bead Aviar: 2 | 3 | 0 | 2]
The first isn’t beaded.
The second is.
That is THE difference.
And yet, notice the uptick in fade (2) on the beaded version of the world’s best-selling putter.
Why is this, exactly?
Damage to the bottom of the rim, as well as the edge of a disc, makes it more understable. The presence of a bead gives the bottom of the rim an extra layer of protection, so to speak. As a result, the disc not only starts out more overstable and torque-resistant, but – in spite of a crap-ton of tree-kicks – it holds that overstability and torque-resistance for longer, too.
In my experience, disc golfers either love the bead or think it’s one of the dumbest things in all of disc design. Pro-bead people appreciate the extra bit of plastic, as they feel it gives them a place to rest their pointer finger when throwing – this is usually most beneficial when putting. They also like throwing more overstable, torque-resistant stuff, which is totally understandable.
On the flip side of this coin, the anti-bead crowd can’t stand the in-hand awkwardness a bead can sometimes produce. Ultimately, you go with what feels (and flies) the best for you and your game. If that’s a bead, great – you’ve got plenty of options. And if not, that’s okay, too.
As for me and my bag, it’s bead-or-bust.
Happy tossing.
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Editor’s Suggestions:
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