There’s plenty that’s fun about disc golf.
Fresh frisbees are just as much a blast to collect as they are to throw. Building a bag isn’t only an exercise in strategic thinking – it’s an art form. Of course, being outdoors is great. And spending time with friends is never a bad thing. You can swing the other way, too – solo golf is awesome.
I’d argue, however, that the most enjoyable aspect of the game is watching a disc fly. There’s no purer thrill in all of disc golf than smashing a disc on a hyzer angle, only to watch it flip to flat, soar straight, turn ever so slightly late in its flight and fade back towards its final destination.
It’s a beautiful sight to behold.
It’s (practically) a religious experience to be the one responsible for it.
Whether new to the game or with years of the sport under their belts, I worry not enough golfers know the game this way. And let’s not limit this to the token “full flight” described above …
Reaching for ANY kind of disc, knowing what it does and then getting it to deliver?
It’s a high unlike any other.
Allow me to use myself as an example.
In recent years, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve forced a Champion Eagle into my bag. It’s been in and out of that thing on numerous occasions – it has ZERO staying power. I’ve seen Calvin Heimburg do so much with his; I’ve struggled to give up on it doing the same for me.
Chalk it up to Utah’s elevation or a string-bean throwing arm, it doesn’t work …
I’ve accepted it.
Fortunately, I’ve moved on to something that DOES work …
The Champion Leopard3.
With some seasoning, it’ll carve up the same Calvin-esque lines I see on the Disc Golf Network. The only difference? The tool’s a better fit: It works for my arm speed – not Vinny’s. As a direct result, I’m not only playing better, but as the headline suggests, I’m having more fun, as well.
UDisc would agree.
Similarly, Destroyers are all the rage in the distance-driver department, but Wraiths and Shrykes might be more your (literal) speed – even the Mamba is an incredible, underutilized frisbee.
Moving away from Innova, for as much as Ricky Wysocki gives the Felon a good name on camera, the Renegade is more than enough fairway-driver beef for most amateur arms.
This applies to slower-speed discs, too.
- The Buzzz is mega-popular, but the Comet is a more mortal-friendly midrange.
- The Distortion can handle a fast-flying chicken-wing, but all yours needs is a PA-2.
* Note: For help with this, image-search the following: “[Insert Manufacturer] Flight Chart”
Energizer Bunny-style, the examples for this go on and on and on, etc.
No, you might not (yet) be able to throw the same discs you see on the Pro Tour …
Rest assured, one day, you will.
In the meantime, achieve the same flight paths, but with different weaponry.
And have WAY more fun in the process.
Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.
Editor’s Suggestions:
- Disc Golf 101: Let the disc do the work
- Disc golf: You need a soft approach disc in your bag
- Counterpoint: You can putt with a premium-plastic putter
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Everything and everyone has always told me…. Don’t throw a disc you’re not ready for. My leopard3 and Valkyrie were my go-to off the tee pad FOR YEARS!!! Then someone found a Star Shryke with no ink. Told me to give it a huck. First throw it did that thing. The S. Pulled out udisc to measure cuz that was beautiful. THE BEST! 381 feet. Wtf. And I’m at sea level. I’m still a hack but maybe I’m not the noodle arm? Or maybe the third number is more important than the first for most amateurs? Oh and yes i bought 2 shrykes, a tern, and a destroyer that night.
Unpopular opinion: We all need to throw high speed discs to learn what we are capable of. Buy that 13 speed -2 or -3 Frisbee and see what it does?
New longest Shryke drive: 418″
(But usually 350ish)
The Shryke is INSTANT distance …
That’s how it was advertised, as well.
It can get squirrely in any kind of wind, which sucks …
But if it’s a calm day, it’s a great disc.
Feet, not inches! Ooopsies
I’ve done the same thing gone from the champion eagles to the leopard 3s. With a lot of success and a lot less frustration.
Well written article.
Thanks, Datrucks!
Great minds think alike, eh?
Man I agree on the Shryke!! When I started I got an Innova starter set. My Leopard got so beat in and it wobbled so bad I couldn’t set distance. Finally I got a Star Mamba and that changed my forehand game. Then I got a Champion Daedalus, Star Shryke, and Star Wraith. The Daedalus was just too overstable. I ended up selling it. The Wraith was clutch for forehand flexes. But the Shryke was my first disc that I consistently get that full flight. It is the most underrated beginner disc ever.
And it feels EXACTLY like a Destroyer in the hand, as well …
That’s pretty cool 🙂
Throw a lighter weight Destroyer or whatever mold and you’ll have way more fun. Those molds are popular for a reason.
Latitude 64 Diamond…
Amen.
Great article. I’m going to a paradigm these days and just blew away my distance record with a no wind 430′ bomb.
The mamba is a great go-to for my hyzerflip, and I just realized the leopard3 can give me those late turns that we see from Calvin’s champion Eagle (albeit with 100′-150’+ less distance).
I still can’t figure out how the pros are ripping those 450′ shots with a mid range disc. When I try to go full power with any mids it immediately turns into the ground.
Your guess is as good as mine, Nicholas …
Go with what’s working to achieve the same shot.
If it’s a midrange, great.
If it’s a full-blown driver, also great.
It shouldn’t matter much 🙂
Thanks for reading!
In a recent video by OTB they measured the arm speed of the pros. They throw in the range of 70-75mph with some going over 80. Beginners usually throw in the sub 40s and as you go up in the ratings so does the average arm speed. The pros also have better form than most of the rest of us. So they are getting the most out of their throws.
I took a few years off from DG. Recently got back into throwing and, well, a lot of the old arsenal is just plastic discs in a box now. I’ve got one 9 speed in the bag and it’s a utility disc. Everything else is 7 or under. I’m having a blast.
Welcome back, Noah!
We’re happy to have you onboard, once again.
(you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone – haha)