We wrote about this 17 days ago …
That didn’t take long: We’re back already.
Manufacturers have an apparent obsession with the mega-overstable stuff. And instead of more contrarian companies heading in the opposite direction with something flippy, the current trend is to pump out (or push) a bunch of speed-one putters, as if there were a pressing need for ‘em …
Trust me – there’s not.
The Berg has a cult-like following unlike any other disc. For some reason unbeknownst to man, Garrett Gurthie had a Tour Series Star Sonic for a hot minute. And people pray to the Polecat before going to bed – so much so that it got the “Halo treatment” from Rancho Cucamonga.
Also, remember the Hydrogen by Løft Discs?
Back in 2021, the company launched a Kickstarter campaign (weird, BTW) around creating disc golf’s “straightest-flying putter” – a speed-one, of course. They set a goal of €5,000. By July, with 2,764 woefully naive backers, they’d raised €206,397 – that’s just shy of $221,223.
That’s right: They’d exceeded their funding goal by a whopping 4,000% …
Hook, line and sinker: Amateur disc golfers had drunk the Kool-Aid on their putter. Strangely enough, however, in spite of massive supply chain issues and crazy inventory shortages throughout disc golf, you can readily pick one of these up over on Infinite Discs …
[Insert Sad Trombone Sound]
Here’s the problem with the speed-one throwing putter …
It’s a HARDCORE “tweener” disc.
It’s the low-velocity version of the speed-six fairway driver.
Take the Whippet, for example. It’s technically a speed-six fairway, but depending on who you ask, it’s more of an overstable midrange than a driver. This is especially true when you look at Innova’s speed-seven fairway lineup: the Eagle, Teebird, TL and Leopard3 – not bad, right?
A bit more speed, and you’ve reached the crème de la crème of fairway options.
It’s the same thing with speed-one throwing putters: More speed means more options.
Think about it – you’d throw a speed-one putter for largely two reasons:
- Reason No. 1 – To get off the tee on shorter holes.
- Reason No. 2 – To approach the basket on shorter upshots.
Should you attack either of the above with a speed-two, speed-three or speed-four putter, thanks to the increase in velocity, you can probably make it happen with a standstill. Remember: We’re talking about speed-one throwing putters – you’re (likely) not getting 275 feet out of it.
A 202 ft throw-in from Maria Oliva to jump start the round! pic.twitter.com/XMT7GLgwGI
— Disc Golf Pro Tour (@DiscGolfProTour) June 3, 2022
If you can eliminate a walk-up, X-step or longer reachback, go for it – the less variables to worry about, the better. It’s for this EXACT reason the forehand approach has thrived in recent years: There’s not much footwork involved – and best of all, you don’t take your eye off the target.
This might seem stupid, but outside of amateur disc golfers with too much time on their hands, how many Pro Tour players do you hear raving about Bergs and Polecats? Not that many …
#SorryNotSorry
Instead, amongst others, you see the Harp (speed-four), Reko (speed-three), Zone (speed-four), Envy (speed-three), AviarX3 (speed-three), Penrose (speed-two) and Invader (speed-three) popping out of professional bags for short drives and accurate upshots on the regular …
Take a hint: You don’t need the speed-one stuff for throwing.
Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.
Editor’s Suggestions:
- The unique gift Scott Stokely’s given disc golf
- Professional disc golfers don’t owe fans their time
- Disc golfers: How to keep your hands dry (no dirt needed)
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.
Hi again Taylor,
I’ve got a friend who is a die hard hydrogen fan, he uses it both for putting, of the tee and aproaches, he says it holds the line you put it on. The problem I have with it is that it’s too deep, I had the Berg myself earlier, but found it to be too much of a brick, so now I use the P2 and Tactic. Would like a more neutral disc throwing putter though, any suggestions?
Anywho, he raves about it, but he is the only one in our gruop who likes it, he even bought the new Borhium, but I suspect it’s because he is the amateur disc golfer with too much time on his hands, and he bought in on the gimmick, like MVP with their rims?
Out of the box the DD prime deputy is very neutral. Once it beats in, it’s great for hyzer flips. I usually carry a new one and a beat in version.
Ken, you’ll ALWAYS have a friend in us if you’re a “mold minimization” guy …
A+++.
Nikko, thanks for reading!
Having quite figured out how to grant Taylor response-capabilities on WordPress …
So, for now, you’ll have to deal with me – sorry!
If the Hydrogen works for your buddy, great – keep at it!
For you, on the other hand, I’d REALLY consider trying out a DX or R-Pro Rhyno.
Champion might be a bit overstable, but the others will beat into something beautiful.
Also, people rave about Innova’s Invader – another disc worth trying out.
And if you haven’t yet given the Axiom Envy a fair shake, you gotta do it …
LMK what you think – happy to answer any other questions you might have!
I think you forgot the polecat is a joke. Although Big Jerm does rave about it during a Jonesboro practice round before throwing it in the water. Also both Scott Stokely and Eric Oakley, the second and third most famous open bag players (behind drew Gibson) both rave about the berg. No one is using a 1 speed for 275ft. But very often you find yourself 125ft out. Which you can stand still forehand or backhand a 1 speed disc and not worry as much about juicing it too far. Now particularly for the berg, it is one of the most torque resistant putters on the market. Probably the most torque resistant disc slower than 4 speed. This makes it the easiest true putter to forehand. In a market dominated by beaded and beadless aviar clones, this is important.
I guess I’m just not sure what the point of this article is. Yes, you can’t throw a 1 speed far, that’s the point of them.
Noah, thanks for reading!
I’ll have to agree with you on your point about the Berg: It’s VERY unique.
It’s a disc that “zigs,” while others “zag,” you know?
Also, fair criticism on the article: Never going to argue against somebody else’s take …
That’s the point of this blog 🙂
My rebuttal would be as follows: Few people need to introduce an entirely new mold into their bag for 100-foot shots.
That same putter you putt with?
You can either 1) Jump putt approach right under the basket – you won’t go long, or 2) Run it from that distance with your putting putter.
It’s SUCH a niche disc, that it feels pretty unnecessary …
BUT, if it works for you or whomever, man: GO. FOR. IT.
I’ll sleep just fine at night – and again, thanks for reading, man!
Appreciate the feedback 🙂
“Oh. I wonder why no Innova/MVP/Discraft/Trilogy player is bagging a Kastaplast disc. That completely proves my point”
What the… This is so wrong in so many ways…
I am a Berg thrower. For some 7 years… Will not speak about any other discs mentioned therefore.
The whole article is pretty much based on a premise that it is more comfortable to use higher speed discs. Well… that might be true but in rather special occasions like when you need some special curve or a low skip shot. For short not obstructed shot makes speed 1 perfect sense. If you take it for a precision 100 m shot, then you are an idiot. But for anything within 60 m I can throw it BH, FH or even a FH roll, all standstill and precise. And I am a noodle arm. And with no glide I do not care about overthrowing the basket (or landing zone), because it drops. None other disc in the market offers that for me. It has quite unique shape, so does not fit everybody. But if it does, you get one of the most useful SHORT game disc.
So yes, I do use it for both these reasons, because it is way better than e. g. Reko, which can glide another 30 ft. And I am not suffering in any way. Neither my game. I actually benefit a lot of it, therefore I call this article just a lousy hate of a guy who did not understand the purpose.
Yes it is a hype now. So what. Not all 1 speed discs are useful. Same for other speeds (like Groove)…
Thanks for reading, Vojtěch!
Your passion for the Berg is admirable – if it’s working for you, don’t change a thing!
Something I think is important to point out:
* What most disc golfers need: low-glide putters.
* What most disc golfers buy: low-speed putters.
There’s a difference between the two – my belief is the first one’s MUCH more important.
Again, thanks for reading – love your passion!
I have to say I’m on the Berg side and I enjoy my Berg very much. I use it mainly for putter distance approaches in which I don’t want to overshoot the basket. My main putter is a prodiscus Sparta which is by far and away my favorite putter ever but wind really affects it and it’s very glidy. If you put a little too much mustard on it you’re 30 or 40 ft past the basket before you know it. If I have a death putt or a long approach that I don’t want to overthrow I always reach for the berg. And it performs wonderfully in that regard. Also it tends to sit nicely where it lands. Unless you skip off the side of the basket it will typically just lay there. Wrong kick off the basket though and it becomes a roller that won’t stop
Hey, tens-of-thousands of golfers can’t be wrong, right?
Bergs are made. Bergs are bought. Bergs are bagged.
The proof is in the pudding.