Jeff Panis once referred to the Rhyno as Innova’s most “overrated” mold …
He’s the manufacturer’s director of marketing.
For as much as I like (and idolize) the guy, it’s a criminal way to describe it.
Upfront, I’ll have you know the Rhyno is my all-time favorite mold. So from here on out, take what I write with a grain of salt. Yes, I’ll do my absolute best to be as unbiased as possible with this review, but take note: I’ve not yet recovered from the pain Panis inflicted upon me …
I’m here to set the record straight.
The feel of the Rhyno
Here’s how the Rhyno came to be:
The Birdie Top + The Big Bead Aviar Bottom = The Rhyno
I tell you this, because the top of the disc has a thumbtrack that runs along the outer edge of the flight plate. I prefer thumbtracks, as they give my thumb a place to really DIG into the disc.
And as implied by the name, the bottom of a Big Bead Aviar comes with just that – a bead. I don’t know many people who can’t stand the feel of a thumbtrack, but I know many who hate beaded putters – keep this in mind. As for me, this is a big-time selling point. I putt with KC Pro Aviars, so having the bottom of the Rhyno feel exactly the same is great for continuity.
And now for plastic …
Here’s my advice: Go gummy.
R-Pro and Star runs of Rhynos tend to offer it – they hit and stick better by the basket. On the flip side of things, DX and Champion Rhynos are rock-hard – especially the Champion ones. Personally, I bag “gummy” Champion Rhynos, but those are tough to find and pricier …
You’ll have to take to eBay for ‘em.
As long as there’s give to your Rhyno, it’ll do its job.
The flight of the Rhyno
I won’t make you go hunting for ‘em …
Here are the flight numbers: 2 (Speed) 1 (Glide) 0 (Turn) 3 (Fade)
I have no earthly idea why, but the Rhyno is constantly compared to the Pig – as if they were one-or-the-other type molds. Trust me on this: They offer WAY different flights. The Rhyno isn’t markedly beefy like a Pig or straight-to-understable like a Colt. Instead, while certainly leaning overstable, it occupies a space between the two aforementioned driving and approach putters.
Thrown flat, it flies straight and gently fades. Thrown on hyzer, it’ll hold hyzer. Thrown on anhyzer, it’ll flatten and keep riding. What I like most about the flight path of the Rhyno is its versatility, though. Given the neutral depth of the disc, for short drives and approaches, it’ll do what you tell it to do without flying too far – and on BOTH forehand and backhand lines.
Within 225 feet of the pin, I go Rhyno …
Every. Single. Time.
The aesthetic of the Rhyno
It’s Innova …
So nothing jaw-dropping.
The stock design for the Champion Rhyno was recently overhauled – click here to check that out. And the DX Rhyno’s artwork is a classic within the Innova lineup. But overall, when you purchase a Rhyno, you’re not nabbing it for sex appeal – it’s a working man’s approach putter.
I do have a few “gummy” Champion Rhynos worth showing off, though …
Here are a pair of random tourney stamps:
Here’s a misprint – it’s NOT a Teebird:
And make of this what you will:
Given my line of work, you might think I’m yanking your chain, but I’m not – I despise disc collections. The Rhyno is a cherished enough mold, however, that I’ve made an exception.
Did the Innova Rhyno make my bag?
Yea, verily.
Given the frequency of use, the overstable approach putter is arguably disc golf’s most popular slot. Because of it, I’ve thrown (and reviewed) a crap-ton of them. But for as much as I’ve tried to shake the Rhyno, I can’t. I’ve been with it too long – it’s a “comfort blanket” of sorts. And for what it’s worth, there’s no better one-two punch on the planet than the Rhyno–Gator combo …
“Overrated” my buttocks …
Suck it, Jeff.
The Final Green Splatter Grade: A+
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I used to bag a Ching fusion Tank years ago, which I understand was the same as the SE soft Rhyno. I lost that thing years ago and regretted it ever since.
Have heard the same thing, but have never had the fortune of throwing one …
Man, that’s a bummer.
Have you seen any on eBay, by chance?
That was so biased but I loved it anyway. What do you think of the Caiman?
Bahahaha …
Hey, I tried, right?
TBH, as I understand it, the Caiman is basically just a beadless Gator …
So if you hate the bead of a Gator, nab a Caiman.
But I pray to the Gator most nights, so I’ve never felt the need to lean into the Caiman, you know?
It’d pair nicely with a Rhyno, though.
I am also a Rhyno thrower, I have one for longer approaches and the first disc I ever bought is still my main putter Rhyno. It’s a very old run gummy Champ Rhyno that they released with the DX stamp on it. The stamp is long gone but it is my pride and joy. I agree that anything inside 200-225 can easily be thrown by a Rhyno. It holds your line and has a great anhyzer flight. I also pick up other putters and approach discs and they will be fun to mess around with but once I get to a tournament and the throw counts, I always reach for my Rhyno!
Chad, this is one of the most relatable comments out there …
For a Rhyno-thrower, I mean.
I WANT to throw something else, because of how much new, exciting stuff there is in this slot, but man …
The Rhyno can’t be beat.
I’m in the exact same situation.
My primary putter is a gummy champ tye-dye rhyno with the PFN dx stamp (it is also the first disk I ever bought new).
I’ve tried more than a dozen “traditional” putters since, but have never gained the confidence I have in my old reliable Rhyno.
Happily on the rhyno squad for life!
Woah, you putt with it?
That’s wild …
And in Champion plastic, nonetheless!
But hey, if it’s working – keep at it!
(the R-Pro is great for putting, too)
I got a f2 rhyno and that thing is gummy as the dickens! It is a pretty good disc I will say.
Congrats, Benji!
That’s what you’re looking for, my friend …
Great disc.
Not for everybody, but it’s a trusted flier in my bag 🙂
Last weekend I bought a Pro Line Rhino. A guy was selling his collection out the back of his car. It was signed by Kevin McKoy and looked to have a little wear so I figured it would be fine to throw. After I threw it, the seller said it was never thrown.
Now I am too worried to throw except in a completely open field. I love the soft plastic. It feels way nicer than my Berg and it seems to have a very neutral flight path.
I would like to find another but what little info I can find about it but my feeling is it’s old and will be crazy expensive to replace.
Is r-pro really gummy? This one feels like my classic soft Judges. Do I need to look for a gummy Champion?
I’d go with the R-Pro Rhyno, for sure.
They’re gummy, and they don’t cost all that much, either.
Granted, the “Gummy Champion” Rhyno is EPIC …
It’ll just set you back a pretty penny on eBAy, so you probably don’t want to start there.
Buy an R-Pro. Throw it like mad. If you’re in love, nab a Gummy Champion on eBay for Christmas.
That’s what I’d do 🙂
Thanks. I will be on the hunt for an R-Pro.
No problem, Bryan!
BTW, they cycle REALLY well …
Like, that’s their bread-and-butter.
You’ll have a blast with ’em 🙂
ISO: Any gummy CG CFR rhynos folks have laying around:)
That’s the dream, isn’t it, Tony?
(I’ve got a couple, but I’m still hanging onto ’em – I’ll let you know if that changes)
I happened to find a gummy rhyno on the used rack at my local shop. Looks like it’s from around the early 20-teens. Felt like Christmas-come -early 🙂
Oh, that’s such a sweet find …
How much did you have to hand over for it?