As they should, newer disc golfers will try out just about every mold under the sun en route to building a bag. There’s nothing wrong with this. With thousands of options, might as well.
The mistake they often make, however, is thinking that a new mold, plastic or weight will magically “fix” their game – that it’ll compensate for poor form or a lack of field work …
It won’t.
More experienced disc golfers might not be quite as naive, but yeah – they do a version of the same thing. They see one of their favorite touring pros working magic with a specific disc. They know their game’s limitations, but still – it’s hard not to pull the trigger on pro-level plastic.
Take Calvin Heimburg, for example …
Almost single-handedly, he reinvigorated the Innova Eagle after years of Ken Climo and Gregg Barsby taking down tournaments with it. Even gifted golfers know their best chance of carving Vinny-esque lines will come from a TL or Leopard3 – the urge is just too strong to fight.
Which brings us to the finale of the 2022 Las Vegas Challenge and a lesson for us all …
It’s the archer, not the arrow.
On the FPO side, two of the top-five golfers switched manufacturers this off-season. Hailey King nabbed fourth place after moving to Innova from Discraft. And Catrina Allen took down the entire tournament with an unexpected, last-minute switch from Prodigy to DGA, as well.
DGA is technically a “major” disc manufacturer, but don’t kid yourself …
Beyond the Steady and Hurricane, you and your local disc dealer know next to nothing about their plastic. It didn’t matter. Cat could’ve thrown paper plates this weekend and won.
Catrina Allen with a birdie and the lead. #LasVegasChallenge pic.twitter.com/BdVXvEvSGp
— Disc Golf Pro Tour (@DiscGolfProTour) February 27, 2022
For the men, three of the top-15 finishers switched title sponsors, too: Ricky Wysocki, Nikko Locastro and Chris Dickerson. Admittedly, Wysocki and Dickerson securing seventh- and 12-place finishes respectively is disappointing, given their history of dominance …
They were both in the running at one point or another, but couldn’t put it all together.
And no, Drew Gibson didn’t switch manufacturers. But sponsored by Infinite Discs, he’s throwing a mixed bag. Multiple brands are yet further evidence they all do the trick. Innova, Legacy, Discraft, Infinite Discs, EV-7 – heck, even Prodiscus is getting some Gibson love.
And just like Catrina, he won the whole thing.
We’ve preached it before, and we’ll preach it again …
Disc comfort is king.
Beaded, thumbtracks, board-flat, wide-rimmed, pop-tops and puddle-tops – it’s all good stuff. If it feels strong in your hand, you’ll feel more confident out on the course. And if you feel more confident out on the course, your scores will reflect that confidence – it’s as simple as that.
Don’t give up on the discs in your bag just yet …
Much of what the pros do, you can’t – this isn’t one of those things.
New plastic isn’t necessary. Work with what you have. Win more.
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