Innova: 5 reasons disc golfers are obsessed with the Star Destroyer

Make no mistake about it …

I’m NOT talking about the DX Destroyer, Pro Destroyer or Champion Destroyer – and I’m most certainly not talking about the GStar Destroyer, either. Instead, the focus of today’s piece is the mythical Star Destroyer. You’ve seen them, heard about them and probably thrown them, too.

So, what’s all the fuss about?

Read on.

1. Innova is king

Two words: “Ken Climo”

And here are two more: “Big Box”

Contrary to popular belief, Innova isn’t the oldest disc manufacturer – not by a long shot. Founded way back in 1948, that honor belongs to Wham-O. The company wasn’t producing discs, but they literally invented the Frisbee, so we’ll cut ‘em some slack. Even Discraft beat Innova off the line, having burst onto the scene in 1979 with Ultimate and Freestyle frisbees.

Bult golf discs?

That was all Innova in 1983.

Fun Fact: The world’s first-ever disc was the Eagle.

Having early-birded the rest of the golf disc-manufacturing world, it’s no surprise Rancho Cucamonga has bulletproof contracts with many of the United State’s biggest carriers of sporting goods: Big 5, Dick’s, Walmart, Academy, etc. If you’re new to disc golf, there’s a good chance your first frisbees came from a big-box retailer. If they did, there’s a good chance they’ve got Innova’s logo on them. And if they do, years later, you’re probably still hucking Innova.

Know it. Love it. Throw it.

This is what winning looks like.

2. It’s the O.G. reliable 12-speed

Relax, we’ll get to the Star Destroyer in a minute …

For now, know the following:

The first point on this list feeds into this one – the second.

The DD3, Force, Outlaw and Trespass: Ever heard of ‘em? They’re just a few of disc golf’s finest 12-speed distance drivers. Approved by the PDGA back in 2007 for sanctioned play, however, in one way or another, each and every one of them are Destroyer copycats.

There’s not a serious disc golfer on the planet who doesn’t see the need for a stable, glidey distance driver that – given the right amount of seasoning – can do just about anything in the air. 

The Destroyer isn’t hands-down the best 12-speed on the planet, but similar to Innova’s standing in the greater game of disc golf, it was the FIRST to stake its claim on the all-important slot.

That means a lot.

3. Star plastic seasons super well

So to recap …

Here’s where we’re at:

• Brand? Check.
• Model? Check.

But why Star plastic?

The Goldilocks Principle.

“Just right.”

Of all the polymers within Innova’s lineup, in the minds of many, Star strikes the ideal balance between beatability and durability. Smack a Star Destroyer into the first-available tree off the tee? No worries – she’ll survive. Repeat the feat enough times, though, and she’ll change …

But for the better.

Admittedly, there’s a great deal of inconsistency within the Star Destroyer family – no two seem to fly exactly the same. There’s a positive to this, though: Star Destroyers hold hyzer, flip to flat, turn and soar and even roll. Given Star plastic’s ability to season, you get a LOT for a little …

One mold. One plastic.

Many flight paths.

The Star Destroyer.

4. The forehand-backhand duality

This is a BIG selling point.

You might think all distance drivers work for the forehand-backhand combo, but you’d be wrong. Individual preference will differ from person to person, but if you’ve not got doll fingers, try gripping a Ballista with a backhand power grip – the rim’s WAY too shallow for it to happen.

For a forehand, it’s fine. For a backhand, it’s garbage.

For me, at least.

The Star Destroyer does NOT present this issue.

Forgive the broken record, but it’s true …

One mold. One plastic.

Forehand or backhand, many flight paths.

The Star Destroyer.

5. Paul McBeth will forever be an Innova man

If you’re new to the game, this’ll be hard to wrap your head around …

Paul McBeth is (still) Innova.

Sorry, Discraft.

McBeast spent the first 12 years of his professional career with Innova. During that time, he amassed four World Championships, two United States Championships, one Grand Slam season and a jaw-dropping 100-plus wins. And wouldn’t you know it, en route to making it happen …

He smashed on Star Destroyers.

So much so, in fact, from 2016 to 2018, his signature graced the flight plate. Yes, Avery Jenkins claimed that real estate as his own from 2009 to 2016. Ricky Wysocki did the same thing from 2019 to 2021. But still, to this very day, the Star Destroyer and McBeth go hand-in-hand.

The decade-plus with Dave Dunipace certainly helped, not to mention the fact that the guy was smack-dab in the prime of his career, but McBeth did more with a Star Destroyer than he’ll ever do with an ESP Force. As far as I’m concerned, the man’s still selling Star Destroyers …

Such is the effect of Paul McBeth.

You don’t have to bag a Star Destroyer. Truth be told, given the disc’s innate overstability, if your throwing arm is like that of most amateur disc golfers, a Star Wraith or Star Shryke would better suit your game. If you love disc golf, though, you owe it to yourself to take one out for a spin.

Sans hyperbole, the Star Destroyer is an all-time great disc.

Hop aboard the hype train.

Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.

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