Why disc golfers hate the Innova Groove

By: Lucas Miller

To be fair, I don’t hate the Innova Groove.

That’s a strong word.

But I understand why it’s not a favorite flier.

Introduced in 2008, the 13-speed distance driver was marketed as a breakthrough in disc technology. Naturally, as a 13-speed, it’s wide-rimmed. The Groove was touted as a distance driver that – though fast and bulky in the rim department – could still be manufactured in lighter weights, thanks to a literal (and giant) “groove” that’d been carved into the underside of the rim.

DGPT: Calvin Heimburg

Here’s the logic:

  • Wide rims require substantially more plastic, so they’re heavier.
  • Wide rims with a notch carved into them require less, so they’re lighter.

Makes sense.

Here’s the problem …

If you thought the Star Destroyer was wildly inconsistent, try accounting for thousands of massive incisions along the entire circumference of a disc’s rim and see how they turn out. Trying out a new stamp is one thing; the actual “groove” might as well be brain surgery.

And there you have it …

The problem:

Inconsistency.

For the record, here are the Groove’s flight numbers: 13 (Speed) 6 (Glide) -2 (Turn) 2 (Fade)

As for myself, I DO have experience with the Groove. After I got back into disc golf following a six-year hiatus for overseas living, higher education and marriage, one of the first discs I found abandoned on a course was a 175-gram Champion Groove: It was a mother-freaking Firebird. Regardless of plastic or weight, others claim their Grooves fly like straight-up Roadrunners.

One mold.

Opposite ends of the stability spectrum.

That’s not good.

The Innova Factory Store: The I-Dye Champion Groove

However, the most offensive part of my short time with the Groove is Innova’s claim that it produces a level-six glide – forget about it. And I’m not even one of those guys who hates flight numbers. The fact of the matter, though, is that the Groove I stumbled upon was a cinder-block.

After three rounds, with no name and number on it, I sold it to Play-It-Again Sports.

I haven’t tugged on one since.

* Note: Miraculously, the similarly strange Innova Monarch is awesome – click here.

Is the Groove’s widespread hate little more than an example of unwarranted, public pile-on? Eh, probably. It’s gone overkill, at least. But let us hardcore Innova fanboys have fun with this one.

Besides …

I’m feeling groovy.

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Lucas Miller

Lucas Miller is the founder and editor-in-chief of Green Splatter. When he’s not out tossing a Champion Rhyno in his native Utah, he’s watching true-crime documentaries with his wife, wrestling his twin boys and praying the Oklahoma City Thunder’s rebuild passes quickly.

6 thoughts on “Why disc golfers hate the Innova Groove”

  1. Is this monarch you often mention just a slightly faster sidewinder???

    I assume you just hyzer flip it?

    Also, where was your over sea living experience???

    Reply

    • Yes, that’s the one.

      However, I wouldn’t compare it to a Sidewinder …

      I’ve had nothing but bad experiences with the Sidewinder, in fact.

      The ones I’ve always thrown were wildly overstable – nothing like the flight numbers.

      I carry two Champion Monarchs.

      One flies like a beaten Teebird with more glide.

      The other flies like a REALLY beaten Teebird (or maybe an Eagle), with lots of turn …

      She’ll always come back, though.

      Just an awesome mold next to nobody throws 🙂

      And I lived in Córdoba, Argentina for two years as a missionary.

      I’m fluent in Spanish – woot, woot! Haha.

      Reply

      • Just saw….you owned a max weight Groove! What’s the point? Need to get a 130 grammer to really give it a true review?

        Also – very cool about Argentina, and I assumed for missionary. Utah, over seas….i solved that riddle.

        Reply

  2. Man I’m curious I really want to try one. Have you tried the Rask? A friend of mine got one last week and it’s got an extra rim for lack of a better word on the bottom of the flight plate. Very thin rim as well. Super duper over stable can’t imagine the amount of power it would take to get distance with it. I’ve got just about every other disc I may as well try the groove as well. Have you ever seen one that actually flew?

    Reply

    • I haven’t, no.

      The Rask is nutty …

      The Foundation guys have done some work with one, so you might check that out.

      There are plenty of YouTube videos that feature it, too.

      The only experience I have with the Groove is first-hand, and it was awful.

      I’m sure there’s a great-flying Groove out there, though.

      I just don’t know anybody who’s had that experience. Haha.

      Reply

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