The Kastaplast Berg: 5 observations from a skeptical disc golfer

I’m one of those guys who never throws new discs – there’s rarely a need.

For a new mold to make its way into my bag, it better act like some sort of metal-seeking missile. Otherwise, it’s probably a waste of time and money. As I see it, most manufacturers make serviceable discs. If there’s an issue with ‘em, it’s not the disc’s fault – I’m to blame.

The Kastaplast Berg caught my attention, though …

If you’re even the slightest bit active in the online disc golf community, you’ve heard about it. Allegedly, if the disc were to sprout legs, it wouldn’t walk on water – it’d run. It’s a flightless putter. It goes as far as you throw it. As such, it has the power to “transform” your short game.

I’m weak: Having heard about this disc for the past few years, I ordered one off eBay a month or so ago and started tinkering with it. Yes, there are more in-depth reviews online, but if you’re looking for a quick, need-to-know list of takeaways on the Berg, you’ve found it …

Have at it, peeps:

1. The K1 Soft plastic is butter in the hand

The disc I ordered was a white, 174-gram Kastaplast Berg in K1 Soft plastic. I went with the softer option, as I usually throw a gummy Champion Rhyno in the overstable putter slot. 

Forehand or backhand, it’s a “workhorse” disc for me – if I can throw it, I bust it out.

I can’t speak for the rest of Kastaplast’s plastics, but the K1 Soft is straight fire. It’s bendable, but not so bendable that it gets “floppy” when thrown at full power. Also, it’s durable. Over the past five-ish weeks, I’ve smacked countless trees – the disc still looks fine and flies the same, too.

Kastaplast is known for premium plastic blends – the K1 Soft stuff fits the bill.

2. I’ve never held a better-feeling approach disc

And this includes the Rhyno, folks – that’s REALLY hard for me to admit …

Feel-wise, here’s what the Berg has going for it:

• Both forehand and backhand, it’s comfy.
• The puddle-top is great – no dome whatsoever.
• If you like thumbtracks, this thing’ll rock your world.
• It’s not a deep-feeling putter, like a P2, Whale or Jokeri.
• I prefer beaded discs, but many don’t – this thing is beadless.

It’s dumb, but the disc feels like it belongs in my hand – it’s a natural fit. Regardless of distance, I use a fan grip for 100% of my putter and midrange shots. I think that has something to do with it. The Berg’s rim is bulky – so bulky, that a power grip might feel slightly awkward …

If you go that route, I’d recommend holding a friend’s before picking one up.

3. This thing’s a straight-up brick – can’t stress it enough

The Kastplast Berg is as advertised …

The only thing it does in the air is immediately work its way back to the ground.

Surprisingly, this was my LEAST FAVORITE thing about the Berg.

As stated earlier, I don’t switch out the discs in my bag all that often – what I bag is what I bag. And what I bag is a Rhyno. The Rhyno is a fairly “flightless” disc, in its own right. It’s nowhere near the Berg, though. In next to no time at all, I found myself missing the extra glide the Rhyno provides. To get the Berg to work, I had to lay into it every time – I couldn’t get used to it.

Because of its “cinder-block” flight, if I were to bag the Berg, I’d need an extra disc in my bag:

• I’d use the Berg for anything between 50 feet and 200 feet.
• I’d use the Rhyno for anything between 200 feet and 265 feet.

Instead of bagging two different approach putters, I prefer to bag one and learn how to throw it differently, depending upon what the course gives me – for short approaches, as well as off the tee for controlled drives. It’s a more “minimalist” way of bag-building, but it suits me fine.

One mold. Less decisions. More success.

4. If you’re wanting a freaking meathook, the Berg’s not it

The Berg isn’t a Zone – if you want a Zone, go buy a Zone.

This is a good thing – the Berg will hold the line you put on: hyzer, flat or anhyzer. It’ll flex, but only gently. And if you crank on it with too much angle, it’s likely not going to fight out of it.

It will dump, though.

It doesn’t fly, and when it’s done flying, it dumps – plain and simple.

5. Already comfortable with this slot? If so, pass on the Berg

The overstable approach putter is arguably the most important disc in your bag …

As Ken Climo will one day be heard whispering from his deathbed:

• “Drive for show.”
• “Putt for dough.”
• “Approach for easy, tap-in pars so you don’t look like an idiot.”

The Rhyno’s worked for me for years. Switching it up for a month was a fun experiment, but the Berg didn’t improve my approach game – quite the opposite, in fact. Granted, if I’d stuck with it for another few months, would it work? Of course it would, but what would be the point?

To bag a Berg for the sake of bagging a Berg?

Nah, that’s not my jam …

BUT, if your approach game sucks and lacks distance control, based on my experience, there’s probably not a better disc on the market than the Berg. Pick one up – use it, learn it, love it.

If that’s you, hit me up: I’ve got a white, lightly used, 174-gram Kastaplast Berg in K1 Soft plastic with your name written all over it – well, maybe once on the back of it, at least.
The Berg’s a great disc. It’s (kind of) worthy of the hype – it’s just not for me.