How Innova selects its 3-Series molds

If you’re a seasoned disc golfer, this’ll be borderline insulting …

Apologies in advance.

Have you ever noticed how certain Innova discs have a three on ‘em?

You’ll see it on the flight plate – they look something like this:

Shop online or head to your local, brick-and-mortar disc golf shop – they’re all over the place. The most popular of the 3-Series lot are the AviarX3, Roc3, Leopard3, TL3 and Teebird3.

And though not as widely used, the less-common of the 3-Series lineup is still solid: the Mako3, Shark3, RocX3 and Wombat3. To this day, I have no earthly idea how the Wombat3 qualified for 3-Series molding, but here we are. Also, don’t be fooled by the Aviar3: It’s a pointless mold.

Buy an AviarX3 like a man.

But what’s so special about 3-Series discs?

To find out, I asked Dave Dunipace, co-founder and CEO of Innova Champion Discs …

Here’s what he had to say:

“It’s a normal disc, but it’s made with a low profile, instead of the normal profile. It has the same rim, too. The disc has the same flight characteristics of the regular mold, but it’s a little bit faster. For bigger arms, this makes the disc more torque-resistant, as well. So it’s a low-profile Roc, Leopard or Teebird. That’s what the 3-Series does.”

Makes sense.

If you were wondering, it’s for the reasons outlined above you don’t see any distance drivers outfitted with Innova’s 3-Series technology. By nature, they’re already low-profile frisbees. So while the thought of a Wraith3 or a Destroyer3 might sound cool, they’re simply not necessary.

But how exactly does Innova select the molds that’ll receive the 3-Series treatment?

Back to Dunipace:

“First of all, they’re usually popular discs. That, and they’re often on the domey side. They’re discs a lot of people like, but would like more with a lower profile. This is usually an issue of feel. The added torque resistance means they can throw it more consistently, too.”

This image should help conceptualize things:

The skinny of the 3-Series situation?

If you regularly throw over 300 feet, assuming it’s offered, opt for the 3-Series version of the Innova mold you bag. It’s faster. It’ll instill confidence in your hand. Most important of all, it’ll better handle the power you can put into it. And if you don’t, go with the normal, time-tested mold or its 3-Series counterpart in a baseline, beatable polymer – both are great options.

Thanks to Innova’s 3-Series innovation, for many of the manufacturer’s more classic, timeless molds, it’s not hard to get the right feel and flight for your game. Take a bow, Mr. Dunipace …

Bravo.

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