Allow me to get this out of the way right from the get-go …
I’m not including putting putters in this – that’s psycho behavior.
Here’s an observation I’ve gnawed on for the past bit …
“Smart” disc golfers love to cycle discs – or talk about it, at least. For them, it’s the higher, more educated way of doing things – I’ve written about it, myself. I’m hardly a historian of the game, but Sir Ken Climo has to play some role in this – the KC Pro Roc worked wonders for the guy.
For those new to the game or unfamiliar with the practice, cycling refers to bagging a number of discs of the same mold in baseline plastic. Naturally, with consistent use, softer polymers break in quicker. The result is multiple discs of the SAME mold with the SAME in-hand feel …
But with different flights:
- New – The disc offers an overstable flight.
- Used – The disc offers a stable (straight) flight.
- Abused – The disc offers a more understable flight.
Doing things this way, you’ll hit some TRULY remarkable lines …
The stuff manufacturers can’t produce.
But while I love to smash on Jawbreaker Zones and Buzzzes like everybody else, there’s an argument to be made for not beating in discs – and it’s not a stupid-sounding one, either.
First and foremost, I’m not sponsored – not even Lone Star Disc’s Ranger Team would take me. And if you’re somehow stomaching this blog’s content, my guess is you’re not sponsored, too.
Cycling discs requires a lot of frisbees – this isn’t a “one-and-done” sort of thing. Philo Brathwaite is the poster child of cycling discs with the DX Roc as his arrow of choice …
He once estimated he starts the season with 20 freshies – that’s not cheap.
Next, one throw can ruin MONTHS of work …
That’s a literal statement.
It takes time to get an Electron Soft (or Firm) Envy to achieve James Conrad-esque magic out on the course – that thing needs to get well-acquainted with a buttload of trees. Flight-wise, once you’ve got it right where you want it, all it takes is ONE wayward throw to ruin the thing …
And quite literally – like, shatter it.
Better luck next time.
And lastly, as sorry of an amateur as I am, I need all the help I can get. As such, I’m big on consistency of flight. When I purchase a Star Wombat3, eight times out of 10, I get what I anticipated. When cycling discs, yeah, the unique, one-of-a-kind flights can be gravy …
But they can change – and mid-round, incredibly.
That’s not good.
The truth of the matter?
This isn’t a “one-or-the-other” kind of dilemma …
If you play in the woods, you need wacky flights to advance down the fairway off the tee. At the same time, however, you need durability – the Paul Bunyan within you is strong. If you lean heavily one way, experiment with the other. If it works, adjust. And if it doesn’t, screw it …
It’s disc golf – not brain surgery.
I’ve had by butt whooped up and down the course with BOTH kinds of bags …
Baseline has its place, but so does an all-premium setup.
Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.
Editor’s Suggestions:
- Review: The Innova Whippet
- Disc golf: Why finding your ‘workhorse’ midrange is key
- Disc golf: What’s a sandbagger? (and 3 signs you are one)
Real quick, if you happen to buy something through a link in this article, there’s a chance we’ll get a small share of the sale. It’s how we keep the lights on. To learn more, click here.
