This was a couple of weeks back, but the conversation was great …
The Foundation Disc Golf guys were discussing a hypothetical situation: If you were to launch a new disc-manufacturing company, what kind of golf frisbee would you bring to market first?
If my memory serves me correctly, the general consensus was that an “overstable putter’ would be best. The Discraft Zone exists. It’s a unique mold, though. They’d want to compete with it.
I guess, but man …
Doesn’t it seem like EVERY new disc drop is some sort of meathook? This year alone, we’ve seen the arrival of the Prodigy Distortion, Discmania Splice and Innova Toro. There are certainly others, but again – they’re all the exact kinds of discs power throwers would bag …
You know: Professional disc golfers.
The Tilt set the standard – everybody’s blindly following suit.
And it’s not even new molds, really. Think about the fanfare the Captain’s Raptor received when it first hit shelves. Yes, technically it’s a “retooled” Raptor, but how’s it been changed, exactly?
To fly more overstable.
And every year, how about the frenzy secondary sellers experience when the Sexton Firebird is made available? Allegedly, it’s the 11X Firebird mold, but again – more of the same: beef.
My question is this …
Who will lean HEAVILY into the mega-understable stuff?
And I’m not talking about something mildly flippy, either. For as comically “moo” as the Tilt is, I’m wanting to see something equally as ridiculous in its understability. Like, I want to sneeze with the disc and watch it do barrel rolls in the air – give me a FREAKING paper plate.
And brand it “The Doily,” if you could.
Sure, the Discraft Heat, Innova Roadrunner and Infinite Discs Sphinx are all solid, understable options, but fresh off the factory floor, some of those things will still fight out – you know it.
Let’s bypass that “beat-in” phase – if my six-month-old nephew can’t flip it, it’s broken.
Seriously, think of the benefits of going this route with a new mold:
- Benefit No. 1 – Beginners have something to buy à la carte – screw starter sets.
- Benefit No. 2 – Finally, a true, out-of-the-box roller disc for “noodle arms.”
- Benefit No. 3 – Learn to hyzer-flip a forehand – this is a dying skill set.
To date, the reason for why NO manufacturers have gone this route with their marketing budgets is pretty obvious: Most buyers want to throw what the pros throw – they bag overstable discs.
Take a look at Infinite Discs’ list of “The 100 Best-Selling Discs In 2021.” Surprise, surprise: The top three discs are all markedly overstable – the Destroyer, the Zone and the Wraith.
* Note: This list consists exclusively of the best-selling discs at Infinite Discs.
On the super-understable side of things, there’s virgin real estate, completely untouched by worn-out marketing messages. Nobody’s thought to pounce on it yet, it seems …
But somebody should – and soon.
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There is definitely an under-tapped market for understable plastic. And not just for beginners and noodle arms. I live in Colorado and play at 6500′ of elevation. The elevation (lack of air density) does some crazy things to a disc’s flight. Come here and throw your Destroyer and watch it turn into a meat hook. For reference, I throw Infinite Mayas for my distance drives and can get them out past 400′ with a full S-shaped flight. The same disc thrown at sea-level will get me an instant roller. Even with a good-sized market specific to high-elevation throwers, I have never seen a manufacturer target high-elevation disc golfers. I talk to newer players all the time and they end up buying what they see the pros throwing and then wonder why they can’t get a full flight out of their discs. I then have them throw some of my understable plastic and the light bulb turns on for them. Seems like a missed opportunity for manufacturers – one of them could really leverage some simple marketing tactics to push their understable discs and dominate the high-elevation market!
Collin, dude …
LOVE this comment!
I’m stationed in Utah, so I 100% get what you’re talking about.
Somebody will get to it, perhaps, but my fear is that the “understable stuff” doesn’t get much promotional attention, because it’s not “where the money’s at,” if that makes sense.
Yeah, you and I know what what discs will do the trick, but these are businesses – they’re in it for money, which makes sense …
I can hardly fault ’em for that.
Latitude’s Easy to Use -line? https://www.latitude64.se/disc-golf-products/golf-discs/easy-to-use/
Admittedly the names of these discs might reveal the target audience. But heck, my friend throws Jade very well and long indeed! For me, Zen (Perkins’ Meta Essence) is the go to driver for straight shots with hyzer (in Philonian terminology, other players talk about baby hyzers, but the pure hyzer is that).
For the pros though, that is most often the roller option.
Topias, dude …
LOVE that you brought this up.
Latitude 64 IS doing something in this space, and it’s AWESOME!
Wanting to write something on this: What’s your favorite disc in the “easy-to-use” line, out of curiosity?
My wife bags one of these, and she’s LOVING it …
LMK – thanks!
MVP/Axiom/Streamline with the new Paradox, Uplink, and now the Ascend! The paradox is probably the most fun disc in my bag to throw. The forehand hyzerflips with it are incredibly fun to throw! Both are great beginner discs! I’m eager to try the Ascend as soon as I can get my hands on one. Recently realized I have no reason to bag distance drivers, so filling my bag with more understable mids and fairway drivers has been great for my game! Still maxing out around 300′, but my backhand form has improved significantly. Understable discs saved my game! (And probably my shoulder, as I’m throwing far fewer forehands.)
Ben, dude …
LOVE the comment – thanks so much for reading / interacting!
Of the two you’ve tried (the Paradox and Uplink), which one do you prefer?
Would love to try one out for the blog, so curious to know …
Hit me back – thanks!
I get why you’re saying and agree many people blindly buy due to their favorite pro throwing it. I think there have been some good understable options the past couple years:
– Passion
– Essence (bit older)
But agree that more overstable is being produced. It’s argue that more lightweight stuff needs to be produced. It’s funny watching a pro throw a 168 Destroyer but then the TS is always a 173-175. Sure they bag a heavier weight but they also bag a lighter weight one. A lot of pros layer molds for wind or shape.
As far as Wraith being an overstable disc; I guess I disagree with this. I find this to be a great disc when someone is ready to step up for a speed over 8. Star plastic beats in nicely and really becomes a durable disc.
The Wraith certainly isn’t a “meathook” disc, by any means …
But it’s an overstable disc – at least initially.
But you’re right: Once that Star plastic starts to beat in, it becomes a beautiful flier for most arms.
BTW, Philo Brathwaite’s Tour Series Star Destroyers are made EXCLUSIVELY between 166 and 171 grams …
At least in the past they were – that was part of the “marketability” of the disc.
But he’s the only one – everything else, max weight …
Annoying. Haha.
As a noodle arm who loves understable for hyzerflips for distance, love this.
Any love for the Innova Daedalus and Mamba? The Mamba is my go to for any sort of distance. Just ordered an MVP Uplink to try a different brand.
Also – I suggest going with some of the mainstays (Sidewinder and Roadrunner for me) but in lighter weights to get more speed. I bag 140gram Sidewinders, Roadrunners, and Mambas and they behave more like they’re supposed to for me compared to the full 175 gram models.
Two things, Dustin:
1. Thanks for reading!
2. Appreciate the light-weight tips, too.
You won’t find a guy bigger on light-weight discs than myself …
Keep on huckin’, brotha!