I’m a fan of all things Innova …
If they sell it, I’ll buy it.
But even I can’t stand GStar plastic.
And I’m not alone in this …
When was the last time you saw DoubleG smash a GStar Teebird in the woods? Heck, forget Gurthie. When was the last time you saw ANY member of Team Innova reach for a GStar disc?
Yes, Dave Dunipace is listed as a “professional” on his PDGA profile. And, as the founding member of Team Innova, his GStar-loaded bag (or van) does qualify, but there’s some bias …
He invented the stuff.
I’m not a professional disc golfer …
Woefully far from it, in fact.
But even an untrained eye like my own can see why Innova’s finest have passed on the gummy goodness. For starters, it’s a floppy mess – literally. No, in spite of what Infinite Discs might claim, you can’t fold it in half. But when it gets hot outside, things get weak real quick …
Limp di*c.
Granted, if you’re playing a round in Antarctica, bust out some GStar gear. But if the plastic’s biggest selling point is that it’s sometimes capable of feeling like a “normal disc,” I’m out. Because you know what STILL feels firm in cold weather? Firm plastic – every time.
Which leads me to my second complaint …
Clean releases are harder to achieve.
I’m no Anthony Barela, but I can (somewhat) put a move on a disc. GStar’s droopiness nowhere near approaches the madness Elevation Disc Golf seems keen to inflict upon our sport. But if you can throw north of 325-ish feet, you’ll 100% feel it ebb and flow in your pull-through.
Next, perhaps my mind’s just sick and twisted, but I enjoy the journey of beating a disc into submission. Star plastic beats-in nicely. And once it gets to where I like it, it tends to hold. Should I need INSTANT understability, I simply adjust the mold and repeat the process.
And lastly, though hands-down the lamest of reasons …
My D.G. idols don’t rock ‘em …
And neither do yours.
I have no business throwing the multi-colored Calvin Heimburg Halo Destroyer in my bag. But because he throws it, I happily perform the strategic, on-course gymnastics in my brain to find legitimate uses for it. I’ll admit it: It’s dumb, stupid and idiotic. But you know what it’s not?
Illogical.
Like GStar plastic – see above.
If you’re a devout bagger of GStar frisbees, I’ve got good news …
What I think should have ZERO impact on how you build a bag. It’s near impossible for an amateur like myself to argue with results. If you’re nabbing ‘em like crazy, rock on, man …
Don’t change a thing.
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You find it too tacky and too limp?..fine, don’t throw it! I’m 63 and i’m at the sport for about a year and a half. my Athletic Memory far outweighs my waning athleticism.:: my core, legs, arms, hands have much lower potential than the young men on tour. I’m increasingly throwing mid 160’s, neutral to understable discs- NOT what the pros are throwing! I reference the pros for some technic and the lines they throw….. i’m much less interested in the discs they throw, and that includes the Women. What they throw.:: What they DON’T throw… this is less and less important to me.
Keep on keepin’ on, brotha!
What’s your go-to GStar disc?
Man, y’all were right. Didn’t like this article at all.
In defense of GStar plastic, here are three reasons I keep buying the stuff:
1. My arm speed doesn’t change from KC Pro Rocs to my GStar TL3s. And you know what? I get similar flight patterns but the TL3s go 50-100′ past the Rocs. Repeatable mechanics for the win.
2. “Slow is smooth, and smooth is yada yada whatever.” But seriously GStar is so easy to throw. Like just slow down a little and I can still get the same result instead of absolutely mashing a Star or Champion disc of the same mold.
3. Understability without sacrificing molds. Yeah, I only throw like five molds. And what happens when I lose that perfectly beat in Star Teebird? I have nothing. It would take three years to beat in a new one to that level. Or, I could just buy a GStar TeeBird and have pretty much the exact same disc by this afternoon.
I’ll admit, if I develop some crazy fast arm speed in the next six months, I’ll probably stop buying GStar plastic.
But on the off chance that doesn’t happen, I’ll take “Smooth form and distance for 400, Alex.”
Hot dang, man …
400-plus feet with GStar?!?!
Dude, keep at it – that’s awesome!
I’ve kind of fallen in love with GStar Destroyers. They tend to flip a little more than Star, and I’ve found that the domey ones aren’t unthrowably overstable like their Star counterparts, while still being glidey as all get out.
Adam, have to admit …
Though I’ve test-driven TONS of GSTar stuff, never thrown a GStar Destroyer …
Your comment (along with a crap-ton of Twitter comments) has me thinking it’s time!
+1 for GStar Destroyers, Star destroyer just starts going left as soon as it leaves my hand but for me a GStar Destroyer flies similar to a Champ Wraith but with a bit more glide.
Hot dang …
This must be one of those “hidden gems” people know about.
Maybe a review in the future?
Not a bad idea – thanks, Aaron!
I agree 100% on the G Star Destroyers. I can only throw Star Destroyers forehand but I can get good distance on light G Star Destroyers backhand. It has a really nice flight and not as massively overstable as star. Although my G Star Wraiths are pretty flippy. I do enjoy the plastic, and they look great but other than the G Star Destroyer I don’t really throw any of them for some reason
Good to know, Turbojoe!
You’ve been a reader (and commenter) long enough …
I trust your opinion 🙂
Gstar doesn’t suck buddy, it’s probably you. I have all plastics in my bag and gstar is by far the most consistent.
Nice!
Hey, if it’s working for you …
Keep at it, brotha!
I absolutely love my G star Rock.
Keep on hucking it, brotha!
If it works, it works …
Screw what somebody else thinks, right?
Man alive! I’m guessing that everybody that spells GStar like G star also spells McBeth like Macbeth? Hold it. And about GStar, I get it, it might be good for a couple things, but go Star. It is much firmer.
Dude. G-star wraith.
I’ll have to give that one a try!
100%. The Gstar Wraith is a wonderful hyser flip disc at Beaver Ranch elevation. Works great with a tailwind down in denver too. I like that I don’t have to muscle it so much to get a wonderful 420′ flight.