Disc Golf Gifts for the Player That Has Everything

November 4, 2016 Todd Durrant Leave a comment

This holiday shopping guide was written for 2021. Check out our most recent article for disc golf gift ideas.

See disc golf gift recommendations for 2017 HERE.

See our 2018 disc golf gift recommendations HERE.

As we take a look at the disc golfers in our lives and try to imagine what they could possibly need or want as a gift for the holiday season, or for birthdays, or just because we love them, it can sometimes be difficult. We see them trudging across courses with a bag loaded with discs, and we see their car trunks or bedroom floors covered with all those extra discs that they can’t fit into the bag. We are left to wonder, what more could they possibly need? First of all, remember that gift giving is not always about “needs” but about that little extra item that they would appreciate. It is about going that extra mile for somebody we love. So, let’s take a quick look at some of the possibilities that you may not have considered when it comes to finding the perfect gift for your disc golfer.

INEXPENSIVE GIFTS AND STOCKING-STUFFERS

Dirt Bags – Who wouldn’t want a gift called a “dirt bag”? These grip bags are becoming more and more popular with disc golfers who want to keep their hands dry and ready to grip their discs with more confidence. It helps those sweaty palms and slick fingers prepare for the upcoming throw. You can actually get many bags intended to do the trick, including Sportsacks, Whale Sacs, Chalk Bags, or Confidence Bags.

Zen and the Art of Disc Golf – This little book has become a sort of cult classic among disc golfers. It teaches players how to come to terms with their game, overcome their weaknesses, and reach a peaceful state of mind when out on the course. If your players loves good advice and tips for improving their mental approach to the game, then this could be a great gift for them.

UV Flashlight Glow Disc Charger – As we head into winter months where the daylight hours are much shorter for a lot of regions, some players still want to play in the dark. Glow disc golf is actually quite fun, adding a new twist to the game we all love. There are many disc models available in glow plastic, and nothing charges those glow discs faster than a UV Flashlight. Regular flashlights can take much longer to charge glow plastic, but this powerful LED UV Flashlight makes them shine almost instantly. It also quickly charges glow stickers and glow tape.

UFO Glow Tape Rings – If a disc golfer has favorite discs that they insist on throwing at night, even if they aren’t made of glow-in-the-dark plastic, then these UFO rings are perfect! Each sheet has different sized sticker rings that can be placed on any disc to turn it into a glow disc. Light up three or four discs per sheet with the different sized rings. These stickers light up instantly with a UV Flashlight, and hold a charge for a long time. Take those favorite discs and play in the dark!

Infinite Discs Bomber T-Shirt – The “Bomber” stamp from Infinite Discs was extremely popular on many disc models from several manufacturers. Now the stamp design is available on a t-shirt for those players who like to model their love for Infinite Discs, or who simply like to be known as a player that can really bomb a disc across the fairway. These heather red t-shirts are available in several sizes and at an inexpensive price of only $11.99 as a great gift idea.

Indoor Pocket Disc – This fun little novelty disc can be shoved into a package with any other gift, into a pocket, or into a stocking. It’s a great idea for a disc enthusiast that gives them something to throw around the house when it’s just too darn cold to go outside. They can target items around your home without causing damage, and it flies much better than you’d expect. Pull it out of your pocket and let it rip!

Aside from those items, you can always choose from a large variety of mini discs or “mini markers” that come in handy during tournament play, or just as a collectible. Plus, there are all kinds of little accessory ideas as well as a variety of apparel, like hats, shirts, wristbands, etc. that you can give to your disc golf enthusiast.

MODERATELY PRICED GIFT IDEAS

Maybe you want to spend a little more on a gift for your hopelessly addicted disc golfer, but it’s a struggle to come up with an idea that will really surprise them. Here are a few things to consider.

Infinite Deals Box – For only $67.88, you can give your favorite disc golfer something that they can never get enough of…more discs! But this is different than grabbing discs off of a store shelf, because this box comes with an element of complete surprise. The deals boxes feature seven discs in premium plastic, including a putter, mid-range discs, as well as overstable and understable drivers, including limited editions, funky misprints, and other really cool discs that they might never have thrown before. Plus, the price amounts to less than $10 per disc, which is a great deal no matter how you slice it for high-quality plastics. It gives them something new to explore, making it a disc golf adventure in a box.

Black Hole Mini Basket – The basket which serves as the target, or “hole” for disc golfers is about as iconic as it gets– it is the image that represents the sport. That is why the new trend of mini baskets is becoming very popular among those who love disc golf. No, it is NOT a functioning basket that would go in your yard or in a park. Regular sized discs can’t even stay in this thing when they hit the chains. This is a basket that is A) designed as a decorative tribute to the sport you love, and B) is a full-metal replica of an actual basket which can catch mini discs / mini markers, just for fun. So, you can get one of these things for your disc golf fanatic, and it will add a decorative element to their favorite room or man cave, plus you can throw in some mini discs that they can putt from the sofa, and they’ll think it is awesome. You could also get the extra-small, Micro Basket which won’t even hold mini discs, but it fits perfectly on a work desk as a symbol of their favorite sport and a reminder of where they’d rather be…on the course.

Prodigy Practice Bag – Of course, the disc golfer in your life has a bag to carry his or her discs, or they have a backpack that they absolutely love. But regardless of what they are using to carry discs around the course, they probably have a lot of extra discs laying around somewhere, maybe even scattered in a space that you would rather not see piled with plastic. This is the perfect, affordable bag (only $24 each) for storing those extra discs! It is made merely to store large quantities of discs in a simple, compact bag that can be moved from one place to another, or tucked into a car trunk or closet. It will help your disc golfer be more organized when it comes to storing their endless supply of discs.

Disc Gator – The Disc Gator is a simple, yet brilliant idea as a disc golf accessory that almost every player has wished to have at some point during their games. It is a telescopic pole with a rigged clamp that attaches to the end. It is used to reach as far as eleven feet into the pond, creek, prickly bushes, or tree branches to grab a disc that would otherwise be unreachable.

DiscDiver Golden Retriever – Here is another device that is specifically designed to retrieve discs from water hazards. The Golden Retriever sinks straight to the bottom and has a long line which can be used to drag it back to shore. It may take several tries to actually catch the disc and drag it back, so it is a bit like fishing…a game in itself…to retrieve that disc. But it ultimately saves a lot of money (not to mention keeps the clothing dry) when the player is able to pull their discs out of the water.

Nite Ize Flashflight LED Night Disc Golf Set – Perhaps you’re looking for a gift that will allow your beloved disc golfer to play at night in a fun, exciting way. This three-disc set will do the trick! It includes a putter, a mid-range, and a distance driver disc that all come with built-in LED lights that can either be set to a single color, or to rotate in “disco mode”. The discs actually fly quite well and are very easy to spot in the dark. It’s a great gift idea for the disc golfer that wants to take their night game a step beyond glow-in-the-dark plastic.

GO AHEAD…BLOW THE WAD

Zuca Backpack Cart – If the disc golfer you love already owns their ideal backpack, but the whole cart trend is making them feel like they’re being left behind, you can upgrade that backpack by giving them this Backpack Cart by Zuca. You simply push your backpack into the cart frame, and you’ve got a new cart! The player no longer needs to carry that backpack around the course, but can simply push or pull their huge selection of discs around the green like a pro. The backpack cart sells for $194.99 and for only $100 more, you could just pick the perfect color combination for a new, fully built Zuca Cart and they can throw the old backpack away.

Luxury E3 Bag – The E3 is the latest and greatest professional level backpack from Latitude 64. It can hold around thirty discs and has all of the extra pockets, straps, drink holders, and putter pockets that a player needs to carry all of their discs and accessories. It is available in many nice color schemes and is actually quite comfortable to wear considering the size of the bag.

There are quite a few nice backpacks available, if you’re looking for something more suited to your disc golfer’s tastes.

If you want a gift that will keep on giving, all year long, then check into a subscription to Infinite Discs VIP Club. This is a disc-of-the-month club where a special, limited edition disc with a unique stamp design is shipped out automatically to subscribers. Though it began as a month-to-month subscription, in December of 2016 it is opening a limited number of spots to those who want to purchase an entire year for themselves or for other disc golfers as a gift. That is $239 for an entire year of limited edition, collectible discs showing up at the door of the lucky recipient! It is a dream-come-true for the disc enthusiast who loves an unexpected surprise, each month.

Disc Golf Gift Ideas

Best-Selling Disc Golf Backpacks of Summer 2016

October 27, 2016 Todd Durrant Leave a comment

We often look with great interest at the best-selling disc golf discs for given periods of time. Best-sellers of the summer. Best-sellers of the year. Best-sellers of the quarter, etc. It is about time that we take a look at some of the hottest selling backpack bags from the summer of 2016.

#1 – Prodigy BP-3 Backpack – The number one spot was quickly claimed by a new backpack, the BP-3, that came out near the end of the summer. It flew of the shelves and onto the backs of players for one simple reason: The PRICE was right at only $29.99! The sales numbers would have been higher, but they sold out at Prodigy’s warehouse. The BP-3 certainly fills a niche for players who want to use a backpack, but always found the price a bit higher than they wanted to pay. It has very basic features, but is certainly serviceable for casual play. It can even be used for hiking or camping, or as a school backpack. At that price, why not?

#2 – Dynamic Discs Commander – The second place spot goes to the Commander which it a high-end bag that lands in the reasonable $120 range. It has become a popular backpack with players who like a compact feel and the sturdy nature of the bag. The “Black Ops” edition recently came out with a blackened stars-and-stripes theme.

#3 – Dynamic Discs Sniper Backpack – Once again, price plays a factor in the sales for the Sniper backpack by Dynamic Discs. At $69.99 it is an affordable and dependable pack that gets the job done. It holds 16 discs in the main compartment plus has dual water bottle pockets. Perfect for a casual tournament round.

#4 – Innova Heropack – The Heropack is Innova’s more affordable, entry-level backpack at $89.99. It comes in a large variety of colors and it holds upwards of 25 discs plus putter pockets on the top and front of the bag. It also includes extra accessory pockets and a drink holder. It is a very well-rounded bag for the price.

#5 – MVP Voyager – The new Voyager takes the number five spot as another end-of-summer release. It is the newest backpack offering from MVP. It features a heavy duty padded back and straps for support, plus putter pocket, large upper compartment for storage, plus drink holders, accessory pockets, and straps for a stool, etc. It is a bag that competes on a professional level and sells for $139.95.

Those were the top-selling bags at Infinite Discs for the summer of 2016. It will be fun to see which backpacks get the most traction heading into the holiday season. Have fun out there!

TOBU Discs and Disc Tracking Technology

October 26, 2016 Todd Durrant 2 comments

TOBU is a disc manufacturer that has unleashed the first PDGA approved discs with built-in electronics for disc tracking. How many times have you been playing a rough course and wished that your disc had some kind of locator or tracking device? TOBU set out to fulfill that wish, and they now have two drivers, plus a mountable module for your own favorite discs!

The CHARGE is an overstable driver that will make a predictable fade at the end of any throw released at moderate speed. When thrown with more power, it will fly in a beautiful S-curve pattern, gently fading back for great distance. The Charge comes with molding on the disc that has a preloaded Tracking Module so that the disc can be tracked and recovered using smart phone Bluetooth technology.

Flight Ratings :
Speed : 9
Glide : 4
Turn : -1
Fade : 2

The POWER ROLLER is an understable fairway driver that is easy to throw for new players. Beginners can control the disc easily, getting straighter, more accurate shots without needing a powerful release. More experienced players will find the disc turning into a roller when thrown with power. The Power Roller has molding with a preloaded Tracking Module so that the disc can be tracked and recovered using smart phone Bluetooth technology.

Flight Ratings :
Speed : 8
Glide : 4
Turn : -3
Fade : 1

TOBU wasn’t satisfied with simply sticking components onto existing discs. Though they do offer the Seeker Module as a separate disc accessory that can be mounted onto any disc, they wanted to create discs with perfect weight distribution and design to fly perfectly with the built-in module.

Thus the Charge and Power Roller were designed with these additional electronics in mind. A lot of engineering time and effort was put into the design so that the total package would be ideal. The discs are made from high quality, medical grade plastic that is among the best on the market.

The discs also feature a textured inside rim with three separate sections of varied degrees of texture to work with any player’s preferred grip. There is a smooth section that feels like most discs on the market, then a lightly textured section of inner rim for those who like more grip, and a third, more obviously textured section for great grip against the elements like rain or humidity.

If you have a favorite disc that you don’t want to lose, you can purchase the Seeker Module separately. It comes with a handy, circular template tool to help you center it on the bottom of the flight plate of your disc. However, it should be noted that discs which have the Seeker Module added are no longer approved to be used in PDGA sanctioned events. The module may also effect the flight pattern of your disc, and will add about 8 grams to the weight of your disc with batteries installed.

The Seeker will work with any iPhone or Android device. Using Bluetooth technology, this tracking module sends a signal to your device to help you locate your disc when it gets lost. The flashing LED and loud beeping sound that give you the maximum ability to find your disc. It has super-strong mounting tape and a strong casing so that the module is not damaged or lost during disc use. The module works exclusively with the TOBU app.

General

Special Halloween Edition Stamps and Monsters for 2016

October 21, 2016 Todd Durrant Leave a comment

The trend of releasing special holiday edition discs with special stamps is growing in the disc golf market. Let’s take a look at the discs that have been released to celebrate Halloween in 2016.

One of the most hotly anticipated Halloween discs of the year is the Z Glo Buzzz a stamp featuring the traditional Buzzz Bee mashed-up with the iconic Freddy Krueger. The glow plastic is perfect for the shorter, darker days that come this time of year.

Another very popular disc that is already hard to find is the Vanish by Axiom Discs with the awesome, three-foil stamped spider. There were a few extra-limited editions with color variations which already sell for high prices on the internet to collectors.

Legacy Discs also put out their 2016 Halloween stamp which you can get on a Bandit, Rampage, or a Nemesis disc. The foil stamps come in a variety of colors, from solids to some of the more flashy foils.

Innova stuck with a more traditional Halloween look by using primarily orange and black discs, available with Firebirds, Rocs, TeeBirds, and Aviars. There are black, white, or orange stamps on the discs featuring a skull and disc golf basket with bat wings. Innova Halloween Discs are always a popular hit in the disc golf world, which first began with their classic Orange Pumpkin Aviar.

At Infinite Discs, we’re most excited about our October special edition stamp that looks awesome in your bag all year, even beyond Halloween. We call it the “Infinite Monster” and it is featured on almost all of the most popular Innova disc models, as well as a few Discmania disc models, with many color combinations to suit your tastes. Here is a look at the Infinite Discs three-headed monster created by our VIP Club artist, NEOmi-trix.

Here is a quick tutorial on how to search remaining Halloween stamps, as well as other special edition stamps on Infinite Disc’s website:

1 – Use the Advanced Disc Search feature near the top of the page.
2 – Check-mark the box next to the word “Extras”
3 – Scroll down the resulting list until you see and check-mark the box next to “Holiday Edition”, or check-mark next to “Halloween Discs” or any other special stamp you want to search.
4 – Click the “View Individual Discs” button and scroll through the resulting pages of disc images, which you can click to purchase.

Happy Halloween!

Infinite Discs Illuminati Stamp

October 4, 2016 Todd Durrant Leave a comment

Infinite Discs is happy to present the follow-up to the popular Infinite Bomber stamp which was used across many disc molds from different manufacturers. Behold, the Infinite Illuminati stamp!

Once again, the stamp will appear across many different disc molds and manufacturers. The Infinite Illuminati stamp was debuted on the Super Glow Wizard and the Glow Lil Wizard (a miniature replication of the Wizard). The stamp looks great when centered in the middle of that cool, glowing background.

Infinite Discs currently has popular disc models from Trilogy (Westside, Latitude 64, and Dynamic Discs) in stock featuring the new stamp. If you’re a fan of the Destiny, Justice, King, Trespass, River, and more, you can get them with the Infinite Illuminati stamp.

More selection will follow as we continue to spread the Infinite Illuminati influence across popular disc makers.

Here is a quick review of how you can search for this stamp and browse the available discs within the store website:

Step 1 – Go to the Advanced Disc Search feature.

Step 2 – Check-mark the box next to “Extras”

Step 3 – Scroll down the list on the left side and check-mark the box next to “Infinite Discs Illuminati” (you could also search “Infinite Discs Bomber” or “Holiday Edition”, etc.)

Step 4 – Click the button that says View Individual Discs.

Step 5 – Scroll through pages of discs and buy the ones you love.

As you can see, by using that “Extras” feature, you can search for different special editions stamps. Search for more Infinite Bomber stamped discs, or for Holiday Themed stamps, bottom stamped discs, etc.

We plan to continue the fun by bringing in more supplies of several Infinite Discs stamps. We hope you love them as much as we do!

General

5 Months Into the Infinite Discs VIP Club

September 27, 2016 Todd Durrant 11 comments

The First Five Discs

The Infinite Discs VIP Club accepted its first subscribers in May 2016 and began our collector’s disc-of-the-month program. The intent of the VIP Club has been simple since the start– to introduce players to new discs featuring unique, collectible stamps. Each disc is produced in a limited quantity so that the VIP Club members have something truly unique in their bag and in their collection. The monthly featured discs come from different manufacturers and vary in style and purpose. We’ve watched the feedback so far and have found that many of the VIP Club members actually hang their discs on a wall rather than throw them, because they are so excited about the look of the discs. Here is an opportunity to look at the discs that have been featured each month from May to September:

Undertaker by Discraft in Titanium plastic

The first disc, featured in May, started off the club right. It was the new Undertaker fairway driver, which has been Discraft’s best-selling new release since the Nuke. At the time of the VIP release, the 2016 Undertaker had not yet been released to general retail outlets in Titanium plastic, so the VIP Club members got to feel and throw it first. Of course, the stamp is a limited edition, only featured on the VIP Club edition of the disc. All of the VIP Club discs were a fantastic silver Titianium plastic with black stamp which really popped. Infinite Discs ordered more of these than of the subsequent monthly discs because we were not sure at the time of arranging the featured disc how many VIP subscribers would sign up. Thus, it is not only labeled on the stamp as Infinite Discs VIP Series #1, but it is also the only disc that has a quantity of 500. The next few discs are all numbered with a quantity of 300.

Defender by Dynamic Discs in DyeMax plastic

The featured disc for June was the Defender, which was the newest 2016 distance driver from Dynamic Discs at the time. It had yet been seen on full-color DyeMax, and the VIP Club members received a really cool image designed just for the club edition. This high-speed, overstable distance driver is a great disc for experienced players. But even if it is “too much disc” or “too overstable” for new players, it proved attractive enough to add to any disc enthusiast’s collection. It will hold a place as the first full-color VIP Club disc, though it will not be the last.

Destiny by Westside in Tournament plastic

The featured disc for July was the new 2016 distance driver release from Westside called the Destiny. It was featured on a black Tournament plastic, though the discs that arrived from the manufacturer varied from stark black to swirly grey. All of them featured a unique, Tarot-influenced pink foil stamp design. Several VIP Club members have since commented that the Destiny was a disc that they ended up throwing frequently after discovering it through the club. It is a very player-friendly high-speed distance driver that can get great distance even for intermediate players.

A4 by Prodigy in 750 Plastic

After featuring a fairway driver and two distance drivers, the VIP Club members got something completely different in August. The A4 was one of Prodigy’s hot 2016 new releases and is a hybrid disc, blending elements of a putter and a mid-range disc. The “A” stands for “approach” and it is a very good disc for short-range approaches to the basket. The disc was featured in 750 plastic, the most premium blend offered by Prodigy, and the A4 had not yet been offered in 750 plastic at the time of the VIP Club release. The stamp featured a steampunk theme. This was the first disc in the VIP Series which came in a variation of disc colors and stamp colors. Thus different club members received different color combinations.

FD “Jackal” by Discmania in Metal Flake C-Line plastic

The featured disc for September was the first disc in the series that was not a new 2016 release. Instead, it was one of the top-selling discs from the growing Discmania catalog, a fairway driver called the FD. The disc was originally called the “Jackal”, so the stamp featured a ferocious Jackal image. Though not a new disc mold, the FD had not yet been released in Metal Flake C-Line plastic, so the VIP Club members got the first taste of this plastic blend with the FD. Once again, the disc and stamp colors varied, so different club members received differing color combinations. We received many messages inquiring about the identity of the September disc because many players are unaware that Innova manufactures all Discmania discs. Thus it has the Innova factory information embossed on the back. “C-Line” is the Discmania name for “Champion” plastic, so it is basically a Metal Flake Champion FD.

VIP Club Extras

Though the discs are the key focus of the VIP Club, those who have joined have also received a few extra items and benefits as members. For example, each new member of the VIP Club has received a metal bag tag which can be collected, or used in bag tag challenges when playing against other VIP Club members. Members have also received VIP Club towels, key chains, patches, and stickers. These little items are tossed in as a “thank you” to the subscribers and to help them identify themselves on the course as a member of the Infinite Discs VIP Club.

VIP Club members are also given exclusive access to a VIP-only store where they can pick up special edition discs that show up at the Infinite Discs warehouse, but at a discount. For example, some members have taken advantage of the store to buy discounted limited editions Buzzz discs, mini Wizards, and tournament stamped versions of the Destiny, etc. Though still in an early building stage, the VIP Store is a feature that we hope will be a tool for the disc collectors and enthusiasts in the club to get fun discs cheaper than they could on our already inexpensive website.

The monthly subscription cost for the VIP Club is $19.99 which covers the cost of the disc, the shipping, and any extra bonus material. There are some players who have commented that they would rather buy the discs of their preference from the regular store rather than pay for a monthly mystery disc, and we love that idea! If you’re a player that already knows what you want and you aren’t interested in collecting limited editions, then the huge selection of more than 22,000 discs in Infinite Discs online inventory is the perfect place for you. But if you like the joy of opening a surprise each month, and you love getting your hands on limited editions, then the VIP Club was created with you in mind! We hope that each disc ends up maintaining, if not increasing in value over time, and we’re still working to make it exciting each and every month.

Looking Forward at the VIP Club

We absolutely love and thank the VIP Club members who have subscribed so far. Whether you’ve been in for all five months, or you were in for a month or two, or if you barely joined, YOU have helped to make it possible for Infinite Discs to create something new and special. You have made it possible for us to approach disc manufacturers with some really great ideas. We hope to keep growing the club over time so that even more manufacturers will see the value in presenting their newest and best discs in new ways so that the enthusiastic players and supporters in the club can benefit from their membership. The more we are represented by large numbers of disc enthusiasts, the more we can push the limits in the future.

Heading into the final months of 2016, we are really excited about the discs that we’ve planned and arranged to have produced for us. These discs often take months of planning and creative effort. The upcoming disc for October 2016 will be disc #6 in the series and it is being specially manufactured for the club by the disc maker. It will fit the mood of Halloween and we are confident that it will stand out. Plus, it will be a beginner-friendly disc, as well as being a great utility disc for advanced throwers. It will be easy to throw at pretty much any level.

In November, we will see our first non-hybrid mid-range disc (the A4 was a hybrid). Again, it is being produced to our specifications by the manufacturer and we’re excited about it. It is another featured 2016 new release.

In December we have something very special planned to celebrate the holiday season. We won’t ruin the surprise, but from the moment the VIP Club members open the package, they’ll be treated to a special disc golf experience. We’re especially excited that we’ll be presenting some high-quality discs that are not as well known to the general disc golf public in the USA. It will be fun, it will make club members smile, and it will spotlight the growth of the sport worldwide.

FOR MORE INFORMATION…

The Infinite Discs VIP Club currently has a limited number of spots available. So, those who desire to join need to be added to a waiting list. As previous members leave the club, we invite others to take the vacant spot. You can read more about the club here.

If you would like to be added to the waiting list for a subscription spot to open, then please email todd@infinitediscs.com with the subject header “I Want to Be a VIP”. You will receive a confirmation that you are on the waiting list. As soon as a spot opens, you’ll be notified.

General

The Cascading Effect of a PDGA Suspension

September 16, 2016 Todd Durrant 11 comments

When the PDGA pronounced an 18-month suspension of professional player, Bradley Williams, because of a shoulder-check leaving the tee at the 2016 Ledgestone Insurance Open, it began a cascading effect that may have reached its apex with the Pro-Tour decision to separate the finale from the PDGA by making it a non-sanctioned event. It didn’t take much for the wave to swell. One of the biggest names in disc golf, Paul McBeth, quickly posted on social media that he desired more transparency from the PDGA about the decision, and soon thereafter announced that he would not play non major PDGA events in protest. Pro Tour organizer, Steve Dodge, then made the announcement that he’d decided to separate the Pro Tour from the PDGA, making the finale an “unsanctioned tournament”.

There are many more details and undercurrents that can be researched about those cascading events, but the intention here is not to outline what happened, but simply to follow that chain of events down the rabbit hole. Let us project the attitude of separation further and ask some relevant questions that arise when a major tournament featuring top-tier pros suddenly declares that it does not need the existing governing body. For example, does separation from the PDGA really mean anything if the tournament still happens with the same players, the same payouts, and the same media attention?

The Value of The PDGA

What does the PDGA offer in terms of value?

According to the 2016 State of Disc Golf Survey, the most important aspect of PDGA membership is player ratings. 86% of respondents said that their PDGA# and Rating was “Important” or “Very Important”.

Survey respondents also value being able to see lifetime statistics of their competitive performance that appear on the PDGA website for current paying members.

A good number of those surveyed also value PDGA membership so that they don’t have to pay the $10 non PDGA registration fee for the tournaments they play.

If the PDGA is a governing body (the organization that sets the rules), how did they become such, and are they necessary if the independent tournament sets their own rules– rules which are accepted by the participating players? The list of questions and “what if’s” could go on and on.

The real question is, if the big names in disc golf start shunning the de facto governing body, then how long before that governing body no longer has any sway at all? It would carry into all aspects of the game, because the PDGA only has whatever power the players concede to give it through united acceptance. Take away that acceptance, even piece by piece, and the power lessens. If the Pro Tour says “we don’t need you” and it doesn’t change the material outcome of their events, then how long before smaller tournaments decide that PDGA sanctioning is no longer a necessity for their events either?

For example, the Cache Valley Classic is a PDGA sanctioned event that takes place in Logan, Utah, where Infinite Discs is located. It doesn’t draw big-name pros, but it fills a full roster of intermediate, advanced, and open players. By sanctioning the event, the PDGA established guidelines that had to be followed to the smallest detail, and also meant that a check for a few hundred dollars had to be written out to the PDGA.

What was the payback in terms of the event’s outcome? Would fewer players have come without sanctioning? Would it have been any less or more of a success, had those hundreds of dollars been withheld? It’s hard to say. It is possible that fewer of those open players who have sponsorship deals would have come. In their absence, more advanced, intermediate and even recreational players might have paid to participate, quickly filling any vacancy. What would have ultimately been missing? A stamp of approval? A formulaic ranking for the event, the course, and the players?

Let’s assume that PDGA rules are removed from previously sanctioned events? Who then becomes the governing body? Who enforces a standard? Is it too much of a stretch to assume that the tournament directors could step in and say, “these are the rules associated with this particular tournament”. What might happen then? There are a couple of possibilities. If the players all understand and approve of the rules and still love the way the tournament is set up, then certainly that is enough. If the players don’t like the rules, don’t show up to play, and don’t have a good experience with the tournament, then the event fails, probably loses money, and likely won’t be repeated.

The tournaments that set welcome and appropriate standards for participation would succeed. The ones who muck it up would fail. Is that a bad formula for the growth of disc golf as a competitive sport? Or is it too much like anarchy if there were no central authority figure, like the PDGA, to keep rules consistent and put their stamp of approval on events?

Technical Standards

The PDGA is not only involved with events, but is also responsible for the technical standards of the game. They set the guidelines for approved targets in tournament play, which all of us who have played temporary courses with home made bicycle wheel baskets are grateful for.

The PDGA makes the ultimate decision to approve or not approve the discs that can be thrown in the game of disc golf. Of course, that technically means the discs that can or can’t be thrown in PDGA events, but the power of that “stamp of approval” has shaped the disc market. An approved disc is much more likely to sell successfully and has a shot at becoming a staple in the game. An unapproved disc is quickly dropped from production and banished into the dark corners of forgotten products. How many players own a Gateway Ninja disc? Not many. It is unapproved. How many players pull out the outlandish looking Turbo Putter? Not many, because it is unapproved and thus is nothing more than a collectible novelty. But if tournament promoters were to separate from the PDGA who set the disc guidelines, then it is logical to say that players could pull out whatever disc the tournament director allows. Suddenly, that unmentionable 180g Destroyer comes into play. Suddenly somebody brandishes a sharp-edged Ninja disc, or an Aerobie that they can throw 800 feet.

If the tournament director says, “follow PDGA guidelines” then that certainly sets the rules. This is what the Utah Open, an “unsanctioned” tournament that will be on the Pro Tour next year has done. Would, or should, an unsanctioned tournament need to pay the PDGA for declaring an enforcement of the rules and standards that were set by the PDGA?

Can Tournaments Effectively Govern Themselves?

Let’s go back to the small action that started this chain of cascading events. Let’s assume that a tournament is non PDGA sanctioned, and one player walks past another player who is approaching the tee and gives them a shoulder-check, either intentional or non-intentional. Does the offended player have recourse if they can’t call up the PDGA and complain? Of course they would. They’d simply tell the tournament director, “this guy behaved in an unsportsmanlike manner toward me, and it effected my game.” The tournament director, who is then the immediate governing body, then could decide the appropriate response. Maybe the result would be to add penalty strokes, or maybe to kick that one player out of the tournament, or even take the extreme of saying, “you’re not welcome here anymore…ever.” That’s their call. The tournament would then either benefit or lose credibility based on that decision, and that is where it ends. It doesn’t go beyond that. It doesn’t bleed into other tournaments, other opportunities, and a player’s ability to seek a livelihood with winnings.

In a world where there is no longer a generally accepted governing body, is disc golf better off? Would it continue to grow? Of course. The game is addictive, fun, challenging, beautiful, and would continue to be so, even without an entity setting rules which really aren’t changing much. But would it be perceived as less professional without that entity watching over the competitive side of the sport? Probably. Do we need an NFL, a PGA, an NBA, an NHL? Or do we take disc golf in a different direction that feels more open, more free, more organic, and less ruled by red tape?

Ratings

Another argument for the role of the PDGA remaining solidly implanted within the competitive disc golf world is that they have created a system of rating players, tournaments, courses, and events. Those ratings can consistently rank players in order, determined by performance. It is a mathematical formula, and the variables within that formula have been established and fed with data which helps division assignment. Thus, the ratings and rankings seem to make sense and treat all players, across the board, fairly. That matters, assuming you’ve paid the dues to become a member of the PDGA and you care about playing in a manner that produces accurate ratings. If the PDGA were to vanish, taking away those rankings, would chaos ensue? Would players suddenly feel like they have no measuring stick by which to evaluate their game play?

Many have argued that the disc golf rating system should be replaced with something more similar to ball golf.

While the PDGA does have a rating system that in most opinions is pretty good, it’s definitely not something that can’t be replicated or replaced. While our intention is not to create an official rating, Infinite Discs has created the Infinite Rating that uses and creates ratings very near those created by the PDGA. These ratings have been very valuable for creating divisions for our local disc golf events, especially for those players who are not PDGA members.

Compare the PDGA rating and the Infinite Rating from our recent tournament:

The main difference between the results is that the Infinite formula creates round ratings based on past results.The first round of the Infinite formula is based off of scores submitted before the tournament, while the second round is based off of scores submitted during the first round. The PDGA formula compares scores and determines a rating solely from within that round.

Formulas like these take the X’s and the Y’s into account when players upload scores from different courses, and then calculate a course rating, subsequent player ratings, and even individual round ratings based on averages within the existing data set. In the case of Infinite Courses, there are still very few courses and players that have a rating. Players need to upload scores under a variety of circumstances and in different locations for the X’s and Y’s to be replaced by actual, meaningful data. All it takes is enough people uploading scores in enough places, and suddenly there is a full-fledged rating system that can do essentially the same thing the PDGA system does, but without membership fees, and without the pretense of a governing body. Infinite Courses is free to access, free to use, and easy to pull up a variety of stats and comparisons, if that’s what you want out of your game. There will still be those in the silent majority who will never care about rantings, averages, and comparisons. They just want to play disc golf.

Ultimately, we can’t currently answer the questions posed by a world without the PDGA. Undoubtedly there would be less standardization in tournaments. With some of the current events, it sure teases us all with a glimpse of what that world might look like. We can imagine it. We could long for it, or we could fear it. But we probably shouldn’t worry about it, because with or without the PDGA, disc golf will continue to spread like wildfire. There is something magical in the disc golf experience which can’t be suppressed.

We want your opinion. If you are a PDGA member, what aspects of the PDGA enhance your disc golf experience? If you aren’t a member, are you more or less inclined to play a tournament if it is sanctioned by the PDGA? Is there something we’re missing that makes the PDGA more essential than we can comprehend?

Top Selling Discs by Brand (Summer 2016)

September 10, 2016 Todd Durrant 2 comments

It is always fun to take a look back at a period of time and see which discs are selling the most. Disc trends can come and go, but some discs manage to hold top-selling position for extended periods of time. Let’s take a look at the short-term sales at Infinite Discs for the 90-day period spanning the 2016 summer months. Let’s break it down brand by brand.

First of all, let’s take a look at the top 10 sellers for INNOVA, which is ranked by not only mold, but plastic type:

#1 – Star Destroyer
#2 – McPro Aviar
#3 – DX Roc
#4 – Star TeeBird
#5 – KC Pro Aviar
#6 – KC Pro Roc
#7 – XT Mix Nova
#8 – Champion Colored Glow Firebird
#9 – Champion TeeBird
#10 – McPro Roc3

Now let’s take a look at the top 10 sellers from DISCRAFT, by mold and plastic type:

#1 – Elite Z Buzzz
#2 – CryZtal Buzzz GT
#3 – Pro-D Buzzz
#4 – Elite Z Undertaker
#5 – Titanium Buzzz
#6 – Elite Z Flick
#7 – Elite Z Thrasher
#8 – Elite Z Buzzz SS
#9 – Ledgestone Titanium Crank SS
#10 – Elite X Stratus

Here is a look at LATITUDE 64 and their top 10 best-sellers:

#1 – Zero Hard Dagger
#2 – Gold Line Saint
#3 – Opto Saint
#4 – Gold Line River
#5 – Opto River
#6 – Opto Pure
#7 – Opto Fury
#8 – Opto Jade
#9 – Opto Maul
#10 – Zero Hard Pure

Here is a look at WESTSIDE DISCS and their top 10 best-sellers, where the Harp is obviously making a huge splash right now (thank you Ricky Wysocki):

#1 – BT Hard Harp
#2 – VIP Destiny
#3 – Tournament Destiny
#4 – VIP Harp
#5 – BT Medium Harp
#6 – BT Soft Harp
#7 – Tournament Harp
#8 – VIP Tursas
#9 – Tournament King
#10 – VIP King

Now let’s take a look at the top 10 best-sellers for DISCMANIA where the DDX sales more than double the sales of any other disc:

#1 – Swirly S-Line DDX
#2 – S-Line DDX
#3 – S-Line P2
#4 – D-Line P2
#5 – S-Line FD
#6 – C-Line FD
#7 – Signature Glow C-Line MD3
#8 – C-Line CD2
#9 – C-Line TD
#10 – P-Line P2

Here is a look at the top 10 best-sellers for MVP where the Catalyst distance driver is flying off the shelf. Interestingly, only one putter enters the top 10 which is otherwise entirely ruled by distance drivers:

#1 – Neutron Catalyst
#2 – Neutron Octane
#3 – Neutron Inertia
#4 – Neutron Motion
#5 – Proton Inertia
#6 – Fission Photon
#7 – Neutron Impulse
#8 – Neutron Orbital
#9 – Neutron Nitro
#10 – Electron Atom

Let’s take a quick look at the top 10 best-selling discs from Dynamic Discs:

#1 – Classic Judge
#2 – Classic Blend Judge
#3 – Lucid EMac Truth
#4 – Classic Warden
#5 – Lucid Justice
#6 – Prime Marshal
#7 – Lucid Trespass
#8 – BioFuzion Defender
#9 – Lucid Escape
#10 – Classic Soft Judge

Here are the top 5 best-selling discs from PRODIGY:

#1 – 400G A4
#2 – 400G D6
#3 – 400G D3
#4 – 350G PA-3
#5 – 400G M4

Here are the top 5 best-selling discs from VIBRAM:

#1 – X-Link Medium Onyx
#2 – Granite Medium Lace
#3 – Granite Medium UnLace
#4 – X-Link Medium Lace
#5 – X-Link Firm Lace

Here are the top 5 best-selling discs from LEGACY:

#1 – Icon Outlaw
#2 – Pinnacle Outlaw
#3 – Icon Cannon
#4 – Sparkle Enemy
#5 – Legacy Special Release Rampage

Here are the top 5 best-selling discs from DGA:

#1 – Pro-Line Sail
#2 – Pro-Line Pipeline
#3 – Signature Blowfly II
#4 – Signature Blowfly I
#5 – D-Line Steady

And here are the top 5 best-sellers from AXIOM:

#1 – Neutron Thrill
#2 – Neutron Soft Envy
#3 – Neutron Defy
#4 – Neutron Vanish
#5 – Plasma Envy

There are other disc makers that have discs that sell regularly, but the above cover the companies that sell enough discs to merit a ranking order at this point, covering the 2016 summer season.

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