Distance Drivers + Baseline Plastic = Bombs

In disc golf, it’s funny how you hear things, accept them as gospel and run with them. For example, the Destroyer is to be purchased in Star plastic – that’s the pinnacle of Destroyer performance. They exist, but GStar, Blizzard and Champion versions are just weird …

Or so you’re led to believe.

And no, the plastic-mold relationship isn’t quite as cut-and-dry, but the Lucid Raider, Z-Line Force, S-Line DD3 and Opto Ballista Pro are all secondary examples. You want the best those molds have to offer? Don’t get cute during the selection process – stick with what the pros bag.

Eh, this MIGHT not be the best way to do things …

For starters, I don’t care how pretty the color-stamp combo is, most of us have no business throwing the beefy, pop-top versions of the above discs, unless they’re beat to smithereens.

Still, they’re hard to resist for two reasons:

• Reason No. 1 – Your favorite pro works magic with ‘em – you gotta follow suit.
• Reason No. 2 – The game’s best distance drivers FEEL like complete bombers.

That second reason actually makes sense …

Wide-rimmed discs provide fingertips with more surface area on which to rip. Combine that fact with the intentional overstability of the aforementioned frisbees, and coming over the top of ‘em for a forced flex is gravy. They’re fast. They’re reliable. They’re capable of freak footage.

I don’t care if you’ve been in disc golf for five minutes, five months or five years: Hold an Icon Outlaw in your hand, and you’ll feel like you’re capable of conquering the world before dinner.

That’s the point: Disc manufacturers do their job well.

But “feel” is only part of the equation …

Actual execution is another.

Without it, congrats: You’ve got a longer Firebird in your hand.

Which, after 305 long-winded words, brings me to my point: For many, to maintain the “feel” of world-class distance, without actually having to sacrifice any of it, go with a baseline plastic.

I get that DX-esque gear gives off crazy “starter-set” vibes, but the benefits are there:

• Benefit No. 1 – It’s affordable – REALLY affordable.
• Benefit No. 2 – You won’t need months to beat in baseline plastic.
• Benefit No. 3 – The hyzer-flip-to-turn-to-fade is a TRUE distance line – not the flex.

Also, the term “baseline” needn’t refer strictly to DX-equivalent polymers – the Pro-equivalent stuff qualifies, as well. More middle-of-the-road plastics will last a bit longer, while still giving you the benefit of a rock-bottom baseline composition – this is a good place to get started.

Here’s what I’d do …

Pick up a SINGLE distance driver in your mold of choice in the manufacturer’s baseline plastic. Toss it in that ginormous bag of yours. Yeah, you might forget about it, but on an open, bomber hole, there’s a chance you work it into the rotation. Give it some love. Give it some time, too.

Gradually, as the once-sharp edges take their hits, without changing ANYTHING in your form, you’ll see the disc stretch farther and farther down the fairway – this is free distance. No joke, the only thing required of you is the humility to bag one distance driver in a “beginner” plastic.

You’d be a fool not to flirt with the idea.

Remember: Distance Drivers + Baseline Plastic = Bombs

It’s not the sexiest of distance solutions, but it’s the easiest, cheapest and most effective.

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