I’m a light-weight discs guy.
I’m hardly a psychopath, so my putters and midranges are all of the max-weight variety. But when it comes to fairway and distance drivers, unless it’s a wind-chomping Champion Firebird, I’m always on the lookout for my faster molds of choice in the ballpark of 167 to 171 grams.
Most don’t do this.
For them, it’s max weight or bust.
Assuming you’re somewhat inclined to build a bag like myself, have you ever grown frustrated at your local brick-and-mortar shop when every single Star Destroyer comes in at 175 grams?
Wouldn’t you know it, there’s a reason for it …
Four of ‘em, actually.
1. They eliminate a massive variable
There are a host of factors that determine how a golf disc is going to fly. In addition to the arm rocketing it forward, run, dome, color, parting-line height, cooling time and temperature, etc.
Weight is a big one, too.
Though a gram is (literally) no more than the weight of a paperclip, there’s a sizable difference between the way a 150-gram Lucid Maverick flies when compared to its 175-gram counterpart. And wouldn’t you know it – weight-wise, at least – between the two aforementioned discs, there are a total of 24 options, each offering something (somewhat) distinct in what it does in the air.
Thinking about all this can make your brain hurt …
Less Thinking + More Throwing = Greater Consistency
The 100% max-weight bag delivers.
2. They beat wind like no other
It’s not like a 175- or 180-gram frisbee isn’t susceptible to wind …
Gale-force gusts turn discs into rag dolls.
But if you opt for the heaviest disc a manufacturer makes, regardless of whether or not it eats wind like you hope, there’s no second-guessing that you’ve given the breeze the fattest opponent possible. Of course, the mold-selection itself might need some tweaking, but the weight’s there.
So when there’s a ripping headwind, you know what you’re throwing – max weight. And when there’s a friendly tailwind, you ALSO know what you’re throwing, because it doesn’t change …
Max weight.
3. They occupy most pro bags
Not all professionals opt exclusively for max-weight discs …
Shoutout to Philo Brathwaite.
But it’s not uncommon for a pro’s in-the-bag video to open with this line:
“Everything I bag is max-weight, so that’s something to keep in mind.”
It goes without saying that most Pro Tour peeps should be forced to register their throwing arms as weapons of mass destruction. Capable of slinging a tractor tire 300-plus feet – in theory, at least – the more mass packed into a frisbee, the greater the control they’ll have with it.
Max weight works for them.
It doesn’t always work for amateurs, though.
Still, in the weekend warrior’s mind, if Simon Lizotte needs a max-weight Time-Lapse out on the course, your 775-rated self needs one, too. What the best throw the worst will buy …
That just so happens to be max-weight frisbees.
4. They are everywhere
Thanks to a culmination of the above, max-weight discs are:
- Easy to find.
- Easy to purchase.
- Easy to replace, too.
If disc golfers keep buying them, manufacturers will keep producing them.
This isn’t complex economics.
Listen, I’m a firm believer in light-weight discs …
NONE of the above changes this.
Whatever your stance on disc weight, if you were wanting to know why max-weight golf frisbees get treated like the pretty girl at the dance, you’re now privy to the situation.
Do with this information as you see best fit.
Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.
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I’ve been dipping my toes into light weight drivers and it’s kind of crazy the difference 10 grams can make. And honestly, the same point could be made for plastics. It doesn’t always have to be the max weight halo star destroyer. I just picked up a 168g Gstar wraith and it has just blown my max weight champ wraith right out of the bag. I have so much more control and the plastic is way less beefy.
169g Pro Shryke got me past 400 and I actually prefer the cheaper plastic.
Sadly there are still so many who just want to throw what the pros throw then wonder why it doesn’t fly that way for them. Put the pride aside and watch the strokes disappear.
Preach, Matthew!
(BTW, this is a message that took me far too long to embrace – thanks)
For me as a rule of thumb as the speed goes up the weight goes down. I like my Wraiths in the low 160s. May go a little heavier for forehand. I think max weight putters are great though. I don’t mind a heavier fairway driver like a Tee Bird either. Type of plastic can have a drastic affect on stability as well. Just can’t wrap my mind around how someone can take a max weight Halo Destroyer and get 500 plus feet out of it
Joe,
There is ONE person who can do that …
And his name is Calvin Heimburg.
And because of him, he’s tricked a crap-ton of amateurs like you and me into thinking we can do the same thing. Haha.
Warmly,
Lucas
I like how you touched on control. I always throw 173g+ . Its where I feel comfortable. I find throwing lightweight discs difficult. Maybe its because I have a big arm for an amateur and create a lot of speed. I just feel max weight discs are far more consistent for me.
And that’s really the name of the game with heavier discs …
“Controlled Consistency”
(probably should’ve been its own subheading)
Keep on huckin’, brotha!
Bad form is what that is. Drew Gibson throws 167-169g destroyers and doesnt seem to have a problem!
Amen to that, Rudy!
I’ve messed with lighter weight discs some and the only lightweight disc that I ever really liked was a 160 gram Blizzard Beast. I could control it like crazy. But now that I’ve developed somewhat of an arm, and can reach 420′ no problem, I usually prefer max weight in most things. My two main drivers are the Star Wraith and Star Destroyer. I like my Star Wraiths max weight, but I like my Destroyers at about 168 grams.
Yeah, those Star Destroyers have a BIT too much bite on ’em for max-weight …
For my arm, at least.
I can honestly say that I was going to my local store and not understanding why every driver seemed to be max weight. I sometimes end up having to buy 171-172g discs online because they’re so ubiquitous and for me maybe easier on the arm than something heavier but I may be observing just low inventory when the heavier stuff is all picked over. Thanks for clarifying why the heavier stuff is about consistency and wind pushing capabilities. I am honestly interested in trying a 178g driver just to see what happens. I’ll make sure to head to the shop though.
Innova accidentally did a run of 180-gram Star Destroyers a few years back.
My arm, elbow and shoulder couldn’t handle something like that.
It hurts just typing about it. Haha.
My old, brittle, now for display use only, B-17 Flying Fortress weighs in at 185g. I never had the strength to throw it very far. Had better luck with the Bearcat. My P-51 Mustang disintegrated a couple of years ago.
That’s awesome, man!
When (and where) did you nab the B-17 Fortress?