Some discs don’t feel good in the hand …
Even popular ones.
From where I’m sitting, the Westside Harp is one of the trashiest-feeling discs on the market. It’s awkwardly tall and bulky. And though I love beaded approach discs, this one just feels off for some reason. No, I’m not a fan, but plenty of others swear by the mold – such is disc golf.
But while we might disagree on what jives with fingers and palms, short of full-blown, disc-slinging masochists, one thing all hands can agree on is the suckiness of flashing on a disc.
Have you ever picked up a disc and felt like you were one wrong move from a plastic-induced paper cut? There’s a good chance flashing was the culprit. Golf discs are created from a process known as “injection molding.” Two plates come together to create a disc – one for the top and one for the bottom. The excess plastic that leaks out between the two is called “flashing.”
Normally, the manufacturer trims this bit off …
But with thousands of discs on the production line, mistakes are made.
* Note #1: Flashing is the plastic itself; the actual line formed is the parting line height.
In my experience, softer, more baseline plastics with flashing aren’t that big of a deal. Due to the lack of durability, after a round or two, the flashing takes care of itself. It’s the firm, premium plastics you have to worry about. Gripping discs with razor-sharp flashing isn’t ideal, but forehand or backhand, it’s ripping on ‘em with power that causes painful problems …
My 750 A2 once made me “bleed my own blood.”
#Dodgeball
To take care of flashing, try out the following:
- Method No. 1 – Suck it up and throw the disc – this is legal.
- Method No. 2 – Lightly sand the flashing off the disc – this is legal, too.
- Method No. 3 – Use an X-Acto knife to slice off the flashing – this isn’t legal.
* Note #2: While popular, don’t rub your disc on a teepad – it’ll affect the disc’s flight.
Also, though requiring a BIT more elbow grease on your part, I’ve seen guys take the edge of a leather belt and rub the flashing off. Assuming the flashing’s not too extreme, the combination of heat and friction all but melts the extra plastic. Also, as an added bonus, no scuffing is required.
It’s illegal(-ish), though …
Your secret’s safe with me.
Yeah, flashing is annoying, but there’s no need to let out your inner (Nikko) crybaby …
This is a simple problem with a simple solution.
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Editor’s Suggestions:
- In defense of the Discmania Tilt …
- Disc golf: What does ‘glide’ even mean?
- Disc golf: Flight numbers aren’t evil (slow your roll)
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