Ted Hegemann, Author at Infinite Discs Blog

Farthest Flying Disc Golf Discs: The Real Max Distance Drivers

October 28, 2024 Ted Hegemann 212 comments

Last year we posted a survey asking you which disc you reach for if you want the longest drive possible. Well, we want to know if your farthest flying disc has changed, so we’re asking again. And like last year, we’ll randomly select a few of you to win a $50 Infinite Discs gift card. you can read last year’s results below. Then post your response to the questions:

What mold and plastic do you reach for when you want to get the longest distance possible (assume that wind is not a factor)?
About how far are you throwing on a max drive attempt?
Is your max drive a forehand or backhand?

Here are the results for last year.

Farthest Flying Disc Golf Discs

We’ll take a look at the top discs for backhand throws, forehand throws, and which disc was number one for certain distance ranges. We’ll also look at the top molds from the survey to find out the max distance drivers from each manufacturer. Here are the survey results!

Farthest Backhand Disc

Taking first place with the most people choosing this disc as their farthest flyer with a backhand throw is the Innova Destroyer. This perennial fan favorite regularly takes the title of most discs sold at Infinite Discs. It has been a hot seller since it was introduced a decade and a half ago. The speed 12 disc flight gives disc golfers a gentle turn with a solid fade, allowing for lots of power while still creating the S-curve that we love when we’re throwing for distance.

Spoiler alert: The top four molds for farthest flying backhand disc are the same as the top four forehand molds, but in a different order. Taking second place is the Infinite Discs Pharaoh. Third place goes to the Innova Wraith, with a similar flight to the Destroyer, but slightly lower speed. Forth place is the Infinite Discs Emperor, which also has a flight similar to the Destroyer. Rounding out the top five is the Discmania DD3, another mold whose flight delivers the long S-curve.

Top Five Farthest Flying Discs for Backhand Throws

Farthest Forehand Disc

Taking the top title for farthest forehand disc is, once again, the Innova Destroyer. I think it’s safe to say that this disc will go far for most players. The stability of this mold helps fight the torque off the tee that a forehand throw generates, so it can get a long flight and a reliable finish. The Destroyer’s little brother, the Wraith, picked up second place for forehands. Two Infinite molds occupy the third and fourth spots, the Emperor and Pharaoh respectively. The long-flying Discraft Nuke holds the last of the top five spots.

Top Five Farthest Flying Forehand Discs

Two Tips for more Forehand Distance

Connor has a couple tips to get MORE FOREHAND DISTANCE. Watch this video to improve your sidearm throw.

The Farthest Flying Discs for Each Arm Speed

In our survey we asked what is your max distance, then we took the disc you threw to achieve that distance. While the Destroyer was the farthest flying disc overall according to our survey results, not all of us have the arm speed to get a Destroyer Max Distance.

So what are the best discs for distance for beginner and intermediate players? This chart shows the flight range for max throws, and the most popular disc to achieve that distance.

Backhand Max Distance by Arm Speed

Low Arm Speed – Less than 300 Feet Total Distance

Although there are lighter-weight discs in the faster molds, I would expect to see a few different molds for the shorter max distances. For those of us who throw a max drive of less than 300 feet, the Innova Valkyrie is our most popular choice. The Valkyrie has a lot of turn and a mild fade. That extra turn helps players who don’t have the speed to generate the longer drives that more experienced players have.

Moderate Arm Speed – 300-350 Feet Distance

Another Innova mold was the preferential disc for those people who throw 300-349 feet. The Innova Mamba is an understable driver that can be thrown on a hyzer angle to achieve extra-long turnover drives. Thrown flat, the Mamba can be amazing roller disc, too. For more info, check out this list of best distance drivers for beginners.

Intermediate Arm Speed -350-400 Feet Distance Range

The disc at the top of the list for the 350-399 foot range is also the number one choice for backhand and forehand shots. The Innova Destroyer is what more people reach for overall, and for those who max distance is 350-399 feet. The Destroyer was easily in first place, winning by quite a margin.

Max Distance for High Arm Speed Throwers

The number one disc for people who throw 400+ feet was a close race. I would have assumed that the Destroyer would be in first place, but the Destroyer came in second, behind the most popular choice. Taking the top spot for the big arms is the Infinite Discs Pharaoh. The Pharaoh doesn’t fade as much as a Destroyer, but it has plenty of glide for some smashing drives. That mold is available in a variety of plastic types and weights, including some signature discs.

Links to Max Backhand Throws Discs

Under 300 feet – Innova Valkyrie
300-349 feet – Innova Mamba
350-399 feet – Innova Destroyer
400 + feet – Infinite Discs Pharaoh

Farthest Forehand Throws by Distance

Forehand Throws Less than 350 Feet

For the sidearm drivers out there, the Innova Wraith is number one among disc golfers who throw under 300 feet. The second place overall winner is a speed 11 disc with a glide, turn, and fade that is similar to the Destroyer. The Wraith was also the top disc for people whose max drives are in the 300-349 foot range.

Forehand Throws between 350 and 400 Feet

Extending the max forehand range to 350-399 feet we find the Destroyer once again on top of the list. Since this distance range was the most popular, it allowed the Destroyer to end up as the most popular forehand disc overall. However, it was not the most popular for the 400+ range.

Sidearm Throws 400+ Feet

For those players who can flick a disc more than 400 feet, their disc of choice is the Infinite Discs Emperor. The speed 12 Emperor was released in 2019 and has become a staple for many disc golfers. It has a lot of glide and a strong, reliable fade. People who can throw 400+ will appreciate the Emperor’s ability to keep from overturning, while allowing a nice s-curve. Lesser- distance players will find the mold is still excellent in lighter weights.

Links to Max Forehand Throws Discs

Under 300 feet – Innova Wraith
300-349 feet – Innova Wraith
350-399 feet – Innova Destroyer
400+ – Infinite Discs Emperor

Farthest Flying Distance Drivers by Brand

So far in this survey we have only seen a few different manufacturers mentioned. There were actually many brands that received at least one vote. Here are the top 10 manufacturers, with the total number of molds that people chose as their farthest flying disc.

It is never a surprise to see Innova at the top of any disc golf list. They have been around for four decades and offer more high-speed drivers than many smaller brands have total molds available. As we’ve seen in our annual State of Disc Golf survey, smaller brands are definitely taking an increasing amount of market share from Innova. However, Innova is still offers such a variety of discs that it will still end up on the top of lists like this.

Top Selling Distance Drivers by Brand

Check out the top selling distance drivers offered by the top 10 brands in the links below”

The farthest discs from each disc golf manufacturer

And finally, we look at which molds from each manufacturer that were selected the most times in the survey. Did YOUR farthest flying disc make the list?

Survey Results: Max Distance Discs

We asked YOU about your farthest flying disc, and you responded by the hundreds! We randomly selected 5 winners to receive an Infinite Discs gift card. Each person was contacted via email. Congrats to the winners for 2023:

Mason K

Jerry B

Joshua T

Jacob R

Matt Y

Now it’s your turn to contribute to the 2024 results. Comment below to let us know the answers to the following questions:

What mold and plastic do you reach for when you want to get the longest distance possible (assume that wind is not a factor)?
About how far are you throwing on a max drive attempt?
Is your max drive a forehand or backhand?

We tallied the votes and picked a few winners. The most popular disc from your voting is the Shryke, with most Shryke voters picking Star plastic. The Star Corvette was in second place.

We randomly selected five people who commented and awarded them an Infinite Gift Card. The winners are:

Jason F who reaches for his Champion Shryke when he wants to go for distance.

Rodney T prefers an Opto Saint for his bomber.

Vince R likes his Star Shryke on the long throws.

Dawson F uses a Jade to crush drives.

Michael C launches Sunny Vanillas the farthest.

All winners have been emailed

Best Disc Golf Bags

October 24, 2024 Ted Hegemann 27 comments

Best Disc Golf Bags

If you’ve been playing disc golf very long odds are that you own a disc golf bag. Some of us gravitate toward a cart, but most of us use a bag to carry our discs and accessories.

Bags come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. They have different carrying capacities and serve different purposes. In this blog we’ll look at sales and product review data to find the best disc golf bags for 2023. We’ll look at the different bag types, from small bags up to backpack bags, and find out which bag is the best for each type of bag.

Types of Disc Golf Bags

There are bag sizes and types on the market to fit every need. Some of us are minimalist golfers who just need a bag big enough for a couple discs. Others of us carry backups for our backup discs and every possible accessory available. Most of us are somewhere in between those extremes. Let’s look at the bag types and what they do.

Small bags

This type of bag carries around 10 discs and maybe a water bottle. It can have a shoulder strap or attach to your waist. These are the smallest of bags, although some of them are still capable of carrying a lot of discs and accessories.

Large bags

You can hold up to 15+ discs in a large bag, with additional room for snacks or accessories. This size bag can be carried with a single shoulder strap, or backpack type shoulder straps.

Economy Backpack

If you like backpack style bags but don’t want to carry a lot of discs, then Economy backpacks are the way to go. Even though smaller than regular backpack bags, economy bags still carry a lot of discs and a few other accessories.

Backpack Bags

These are the largest bag choice. They can hold over 20 discs, with room for snacks, accessories, retrievers, and even stools or umbrellas. They have two shoulder straps that help you carry a lot of discs more comfortably

And the winners for the Best Bags Are:

Best Small Disc Golf Bag: Infinite Discs Easy Bag

The Easy Bag is a minimalist bag and the perfect size for a quick round of disc golf when you only need a few discs. It is inexpensive, but made from a durable material. The Easy bag is popular with beginners, and more experienced disc golfers who just want a quick round with a few discs. Despite its small size, the Easy Bag can still hold 8-10 discs. Plus, it has a pocket for your phone or maybe an energy bar. The Easy Bag has a 4.8-star rating.

Top 5 small disc golf bags

View our top selling small bags here.

Best Large Disc Golf Bag: Infinite Discs Tournament Bag

The Infinite Discs Tournament Bag holds 18-22 discs in its main compartment, and a few more in the putter pocket. It comes with a padded shoulder strap. The bag features room for two water bottles, and a pocket for accessories. It also has a scorecard pocket, and pockets for minis and pencils.

View are top selling large bags here.

Honorable Mention: Disc Tote

While not technically a bag, the Disc Tote is listed in the Large Bag category, and it deserves a mention. Capable of holding several dozen discs, the Disc Tote is perfect for organizing your trunk, closet, or wherever you store your discs. The Tote can be stacked to safely store even more discs! The pockets around the outside can be used to stash other goodies, such as minis. When not in use it collapses to just a few inches thick.

Best Economy Disc Golf Backpack: Infinite Discs Slinger Deluxe

The Slinger Deluxe is the big brother to the Slinger bag. It has an increased disc capacity, a flat bottom so it will sit upright, a water bottle holder, and a zippered pocket for accessories. The Slinger Deluxe is an inexpensive backpack bag that holds a lot of discs and all the things you need for a round of disc golf.

Top 5 Best Economy Disc Golf Backpacks

View our top selling Economy Bags Here.

Best Disc Golf Backpack Bag: Dynamic Discs Commander

The Dynamic Discs Commander is a great example of a quality bag at an affordable price. It has all of the features you’re looking for in a disc golf bag: space for 20 discs with room to spare for accessories or snacks. There is room for two large water bottles, and a large pocket that can hold a jacket or some backup towels. If you want a quality Ogio bag at a great price, check out the Commander.

Top 5 Best Disc Golf Backpacks

Gift Card Winners:

The following names were randomly selected to win a $20 Gift Card:

Justin E, who prefers an Upper Park Pinch Pro

Dan E, who currently uses a school backpack, but has his eye on the Dynamic Discs Trooper

Howard S, who loves his Smack Bag

Forrest J, who uses an Infinite Discs Easy Bag for his small bag, and a GRIPeq for his larger bag

Derek T, who upgraded to a Dynamic Discs Paratrooper

General

Halloween Disc Golf Discs 2024

October 18, 2024 Ted Hegemann 2 comments

As fall colors start to appear in the trees and the daylight hours shorten, it means a lot less disc golf for most of us. For some it becomes difficult to find time when it’s still light. For others it means rearranging schedules to squeeze in a round here and there. But, it also means the Halloween season is upon us, with numerous brands coming out with themed disc stamps that celebrate the spooky holiday. This year was no exception.

Halloween Disc Golf Stamps 2024

I always look forward to seeing the spooky artwork and the interesting Halloween designs. I’ve been collecting them for years, and I’m always willing to add a couple more cool stamps to the collection. A lot of people love finding throwers that have Halloween stamps and colors. Let’s take a look at the stamps that are being released this spooky season.

Infinite Discs

G-Blend Halo Pharaoh Racing from the depth of Hell, the Pharaoh of the Dead leads an army of demons. And they’re headed your way! The Pharaoh is a bomber disc with tons of glide. Grip and rip a deadly Pharoah with this haunting stamp!

C-Blend Glow Centurion – The only thing worse than a zombie is a zombie with a weapon, body armor, and a bad attitude. The Centurion is a speed 7 fairway driver with enough turn to give the disc a nice s-curve, and a solid fade. The scary stamp is the icing on the zombie cake.

D-Blend Alpaca – This Alpaca is hangry! We’re not sure how it acquired its taste for human flesh, but watch out, it’s right behind you! The Alpaca is a wildly popular putter that feels great in your hand. It has a strait flight that is great for driving or putting. You’ll want to grab a few of these Halloween stamps for your bag.

Innova

R-Pro Pig – This Were-Pig has claws and fangs and a determined look in its eyes! This overstable mid features our custom Halloween stamp. The Pig is an awesome headwind disc can be used for hitting precision upshots, or hitting the basket with a hyzer putt. You’ll want to add this scary stamp to your pig-stamp collection!

Classic Color Glow Nexus Aviar – The Haunted Pumpkin makes it’s way to you for its annual Halloween appearance on an Innova disc. The Aviar is a staple in the disc golf community, and the favorite putter among many of us. With this cool stamp and glow plastic, you’ll be banging chains day or night!

Proto Color Glow Champion Gorgon – What do you get when you cross a pumpkin-ghoul and Medusa? We don’t know, but you should hope that you never run into it on a dark night! The Gorgon is a driver that can easily give you serious turning ability and massive distance. It is a speed 10 disc, so it might be the perfect disc for you if you need a smaller rim than faster drivers. This Halloween Gorgon comes in the amazing Proto Glow plastic, perfect for night rounds.

Proto Glow DX Roc – The mythical Roc was said to carry off animals as large as an elephant. It would have no problem carrying a few disc golfers! The Roc is a classic midrange disc that delivers wind-crushing stability and a solid fade. Many players have a variety of Rocs in their bag for a variety of needs. Try one today with the Halloween stamp.

Search all of our Halloween discs here.

Discraft

Continuing their tradition of offering creative, colorful Halloween discs featuring a different horror movie theme each year. This year they give a nod to the new Beatlejuice movie. Discraft offers their Halloween Buzzz with three options: SuperColor, single foil, and triple foil. The Buzzz is one of the most popular discs of all time! If you haven’t thrown one yet, a Beatlejuice stamp would be a great one to try! (available Oct. 11)

Prodigy

Check out the Grim Rippit stamp on the understable putt/approach disc, the Prodigy PA-5. The PA-5 is an amazing hyzer-flip disc that will slice through the woods on a straight line. The Grim Rippit stamp on 300 Soft Color Fractal looks amazing and is available in several good-looking colors!

Prodigy D3 is a high-speed driver with a bit of turn in its flight. Boasting a lower profile than its driver brothers, the D3 has the flight numbers that make for a versatile disc golf tool. Nab one today with the awesome Grave to Green stamp and kill it on the course! The Halloween stamp comes in ReBlend Plastic, which is their 100% recycled / regrind premium plastic blend. Available in several stamp and plastic color options

MVP

Introducing the Tour of Terror Team Series from MVP. Four molds are included in the series. Three of them are glow discs, and one of them is in a plastic type that its never been in before!

James Conrad – Eve of the Mothman

Is it a myth? Is it a legend? The Mothman may be a myth, but James Conrad is certainly a legend! This scary stamp sits on an Eclipse Detour. Master your backhand turnover lines with the understable midrange. Beginners will love its straight flight. Experienced players will love its easy shaping.

Simon Lizotte – Bridgewater Triangle

Celebrate the mysteries of the world with this new Halloween stamp from MVP. Southeastern Massachusetts, home of Simon Lizotte, reports a variety of paranormal activities in the area. From UFO sightings to poltergeists. There have even been Bigfoot sightings! The haunting stamp that gives a nod to these phenomena adorns the Eclipse Pixel. The Pixel is the second disc in the Simon Line. It has a micro bead and a wonderful straight flight. Pick up a Pixel today and see why Simon loves it so much!

Silva Saarinen – Beneath the Wave

The Iku-Turso sea monster supposedly lurks below the murky waves of Finnish waters! This creature has been terrorizing mankind for centuries. Now you can celebrate the monster and support Silva by picking up an Eclipse Wave. The Wave is MVP’s most popular driver. With a flight similar to the popular Wraith, the Wave will help you shred the fairways and achieve your longest throws. With the Tour of Terror Eclipse edition of the Wave, you’ll be bombing the course on glow rounds, too!

Eagle McMahon – Flying Thrills

The dark is when gargoyles and other creatures take flight. You’ll never see them coming until it’s too late! Then your world will be filled with beasts, shrieks, and shivers! Enjoy this Mike Incho created stamp on a Fission Pyro. This is the first time the Pyro has been made in Fission plastic. The Pyro is an overstable midrange that has good glide and a solid fade. The Fission plastic will give you an enhanced flight and adds a new feel to the Pyro.

Discmania’s Spooky Series returns with a tasty selection of signature discs with spooky stamps. Check them out before they disappear!

Colton Montgomery’s Last Howl PD

Fight headwinds and creatures of the night with Colten Montgomery’s Last Howl PD. This haunting stamp comes on a Swirly S-line mold. The PD is overstable and reliable, yet at a slower speed to allow people with a variety of skill levels to make good use of its flight.

Check out the Last Howl PD here

Kyle Klein Vanguard (Sold Out!)

Make no bones about it, the Vanguard was meant to be thrown with power! Its flight is straight as a sword, or a femur, and the fade isn’t as aggressive as more stable discs. Support Kyle and get a great disc with a scary stamp!

Check out the Vanguard here

Niklas Anttila Nordic Phenom 3 DD3

This spooky Jack-O-Lantern has come to life! Seeking revenge for generations of carved pumpkins, the ghoulish stamp on a Horizon S-line would make a great addition to your bag. What is not scary is the flight of the DD3. Sporting the most popular flight numbers in disc golf, the DD3 will quickly become your go-to driver.

Check out the Nordic Phenom 3 here

Ella Hansen Show Stopper 2 FD

These possessed animals are part of the Scariest Show On Earth! You are their treat! Get this stamp on a Swirly S-line disc, and get to know the versatility of the FD. Shape shots and carve lines with this popular fairway driver.

Check out the Show Stopper 2 here

What is a Mando in Disc Golf?

September 26, 2024 Ted Hegemann Leave a comment

When I first started playing disc golf, I got to a hole on a course in northern Utah which had a sign on it that was new to me. The sign said ‘Mando’ and had an arrow pointing left of the tree it was attached to.

I looked to the left and saw a wooded fairway that was tight with lots of trees. To the right there were no obstacles. I didn’t know what the sign meant; it looked Spanish to me. So, I took aim to the right and let my disc fly… over a sidewalk and near a playground and parking lot. I’ve since learned about the ‘mando’, and although it does mean ‘command’ in Spanish, its name’s origin has a different meaning.

Mando are important to the game of disc golf. Among other things, they ensure that discs are going in a certain direction on certain holes, while protecting other people and property. In this blog we’ll learn about what mandos are, why we have them, and how they work. Let’s learn about the mando!

What is a Mando?

In the sport of disc golf, a mando is short for ‘mandatory’. In practice, that means that it is mandatory that you throw your disc on only one side of the obstacle or pole that the mando sign is attached to. If you don’t throw on that side of the mando, you get penalized.

A majority of the mandos that you see on a course are left or right mandos. That means you are required to go either left or right of a pole, tree, or whatever the arrow is attached to or rules indicate are the mando feature. If there are two arrows present, it is called a double mando. Typically, your disc has to travel between two mando arrows (or more specifically, between two objects that the arrows are attached to). There are also triple mandos, which are two side mandos and something across the top which limits the height that you can throw your disc.

In rare occasions, such as unsanctioned tournaments, you’ll see a quad mando. This is basically a rectangle shape that you have to be able to throw your disc through. I’ve only seen quad mandos at casual, funsy tournaments.

The most common indicators of a mando are arrows pointing either left or right. Sometimes they will have the word ‘mando’ on the sign, though not always. They might also be marked with a ribbon or tape to indicate the mando object. If tape or ribbon is used, there should be some indication on a tee sign or course rules which directions you need to throw in order to successfully execute the mando. A successful throw is called ‘making the mando’. An unsuccessful throw is a ‘missed mando’

Why Are Mandos Used In Disc Golf?

While mandos should be used sparingly in a course design (in my opinion), there are several reasons why a course designer might decide to include a mando on a hole. First is safety. The mando sign I referred to at the beginning of the blog was used to keep discs away from the playground, parking lot, and walking path. Keeping discs away from those areas makes the hole safer and reduces the chance of a bystander getting hit. Plus, it makes the hole more challenging and fun by forcing players to attack a wooded fairway. Which is the second reason someone might use a mando.

While the idea of throwing discs down a wide-open fairway might appeal to some people, most of us enjoy the challenge of having obstacles that we need to negotiate in order to progress down the fairway. Those obstacles make disc golf much more fun, challenging, and satisfying when successful. Course designer know this, and might add a mando or two in order to prevent people from taking an easier route.

There is one more reason designers might include a mando: course flow. A mando is often used in disc golf to direct the flow of play. It guides players along a specific path and preventing errant throws from interfering with, or landing in, other areas of the course. Some courses have areas like a swamp, thick bushes, or other natural or man-made features. These may be challenging, but would cause delays with disc retrieval from unintended areas. Mandos can help create a more enjoyable and efficient experience for everyone on the course.

Mando Rules and Penalties

Now that you know a little about what mandos are and when they are used, let’s look at the PDGA rules that govern mandos and how to play them. The section in the official rules is not very long, and worth a read if you want to brush up on the current requirements. They complete rules are found HERE. I’ll summarize the rules in this blog, but if you plan to play in a sanctioned tournament you should look up the official rules to make sure you understand and follow them.

PDGA 804.01 Mandatory Routes

1. A mando restricts the path that a disc may take in order to legally progress down the fairway toward the basket.

2. At the mando, there is an imaginary vertical plane that that borders one or more objects that are indicated by the mando or mandos. (see image)

3. If a disc crosses that imaginary plane, whether in the air or on the ground, either forward or backward (if a roller crosses on the correct side of the mando, but curls around and crosses the plane), it is considered a missed mando and the player receives a one-stroke penalty. The lie for the next shot depends on whether or not there is a drop zone on the hole.

If there is a drop zone, the player may proceed to the drop zone with the penalty throw (for example, if they missed the mando on their first throw, they get the stroke for the throw, plus the penalty stroke, so their throw from the drop zone will be their third stroke). The player also has the option, as always, of abandoning the throw and re-throwing from their last lie. In the previous example, they would then be throwing their third throw from the previous lie, which would be the tee pad. The rules of the mando would still be in play.

4. If a players disc lands just short of the imaginary plane, but hasn’t crossed yet, the player may must still pass the mando on the correct side to avoid a penalty. It is not legal to lean through and release the disc beyond the plane, since the back of their mini is on the other side of the plane.

Mando Strategy

It is often times best to avoid a penalty by not aiming anywhere near the mando. Other times it might be strategic to lay up near the mando, then take a more powerful throw on your next shot. That is especially true on narrow double mandos.

Conclusion

In this blog we’ve learned about mandos in disc golf, why we have them, and the different types. We also looked at the rules of play for mandos. There are many courses with no mandos, but others where they are necessary or desired. It’s good to know why they are there and how to play them.

Best of luck with the mandos you play!

The Infinite Discs Mystery Disc

September 18, 2024 Ted Hegemann One comment

Let’s face it, surprises can be a lot of fun! Especially when it comes to trying new discs. If you are a disc golf enthusiast or simply desire to try something new and unexpected, you’re going to want to check out Infinite Discs mystery disc add-on. What is a mystery disc and what makes it so exciting? Let’s explore Infinite Discs’ mystery disc program.

What are mystery discs?

Infinite’s mystery discs are just that – a surprise! When you order a disc from Infinite you have the option to add a mystery disc to your order when you checkout. We don’t let you know what the disc will look like, nor how it will fly. We only guarantee that it will be a premium-plastic disc.

What makes mystery discs fun?

You might get a special tournament stamp. You might get a unique stamp. You might get colorful disc. Possibly glow plastic. You might even get a disc from a brand you’ve never heard of. And you might end up with your new go-to disc! The fun part is not knowing what disc you will get until your order arrives.

disc golf

Best Disc Golf Putters for 2024

September 6, 2024 Ted Hegemann 30 comments

Earlier this year we showed you the best-selling putters for last year. Now that we’re half way through 2024 we thought we would give you an update and show you which putters are the hot ones for the year so far. Before we get into this year’s numbers let’s look at the top putters for 2023:

Top 50 Disc Golf Putters Sold in 2023

Top 50 Best selling disc golf putters of 2024

The glidey Glitch was sitting on the top spot, with the perennial favorite, the Alpaca, sitting in second. The Zone, Envy, and Tomb rounded out the top five. One out of every four putters sold last year were one of these five discs.

1-MVP Glitch
2-Infinite Discs Alpaca
3-Discraft Zone
4-Axiom Envy
5-Infinite Discs Tomb

Now let’s see how the numbers look for 2024

While the second- through fifth-place molds didn’t change, there is a new best-seller for 2024. The Axiom Pixel was released late enough in the year last year that it didn’t have time to overtake the popular Glitch. This year the Pixel sold enough to take first and account for 10% of all putters sold! The Glitch dropped to number seven this year.

In addition to the Pixel, new to the top 10 for 2024 are the PA-3 and Aviar. Dropping out are the Berg, Proxy, and Judge.

1- Axiom Pixel – The second mold in the popular Simon Line of discs, the Pixel has taken the disc golf world by storm! It is not only the top-selling putter, it is the top-selling mold of all types. It’s fairly neutral flight and rim depth make it a valuable tool from the tee pad to circle one. Check out the Pixel today to learn about the hype!

8- Prodigy PA-3 – The PA-3 is ten year’s old and continues to be one of the most popular putters. It has a straight flight with a decent fade. The PA-3 is the most popular putter for Prodigy.

10- Innova Aviar – The Aviar has been around for longer than most of us have been playing disc golf. You can find it in starter sets and in the bags of some of the top pros. Innova claims it has won more World Championships than any other putter! We know it is always a popular disc.

Check out the top 20 best-selling disc golf putters of last year HERE where you can see all the top molds and what’s on sale!

Top Brands for Best Putters

Graph showing disc golf brands with their numbers of top selling putters

Taking a look at the brands in the top 50 we see that MVP has the most molds in the top 50, including the number one spot. Last year Innova had the most top 50 discs, but this year they dropped to a 2-way tie for second place. They tied with long-time rival Discraft. Eighteen different brands made up the top 50, with seven of those having only one mold.

Highest Rated Disc Golf Putters

One of the awesome benefits to using the Infinite Discs site to shop is that you can read the reviews and see the ratings for discs you are interested in trying. Over time, the ratings become a great way to see what your fellow disc golfers think about certain molds. The ratings system ties is part of the Infinite Rewards. If you aren’t familiar with the Infinite Rewards program, where you can earn rewards by giving reviews or making purchases, check it out HERE and help our review data by giving feedback on your favorite discs.

We wanted to look at the discs in several different categories and see which molds are the top rated in those categories. We’ll start with the highest rated disc golf putters of all time.

All-Time Highest Rated Putters

The Discraft Zone edged out the Infinite Discs Tomb for the number one spot by a hundredth of a point! The Zone has an average rating of 4.89 out of five while the Tomb is rated 4.88. Both of these discs are throwing putters. The Alpaca is only a hundredth behind the Tomb to make a very close top three!

Discraft Zone Approach Disc - Not generally used as a putter but overall classified as a putt and approach disc.

#1 Discraft Zone – The zone is popular and highly rated partly because of its overstability. It can handle any headwind and nearly every arm and still get good distance. Plus, its thick rim feels amazing to grip and gives you confidence in your drives and upshots.

#2 Infinite Discs Tomb

#3 Infinite Discs Alpaca

Check out the top 20 highest rated putters HERE where you can see all the top molds and what’s on sale!

Highest Rated Very Overstable Disc Golf Putters

You might not have heard of the Goliath Discs Pillar before but it is the highest rated very overstable disc. The Pillar has a perfect 5-star rating! It helps that there are only two reviews for the disc. That really skews the data, but I’m okay giving them a mention. Taking second (or first, depending on how you feel about the first one) is the Discraft Zone. In third place with a 4.68 star rating is the Prodigy A1.

Goliath overstable putter

#1 Goliath Discs Pillar – The Pillar is the overstable putter in the Goliath discs lineup. The Iowa company got their first mold approved two years ago and have been designing and releasing discs regularly since then. The Pillar is one of the beefiest discs in their lineup and it is available in the Oasis plastic, which is a premium plastic.

#2 Discraft Zone

#3 Prodigy A1

Check out the top 20 very overstable disc golf putters HERE where you can see all the top molds and what’s on sale!

Highest Rated Overstable Disc Golf Putters

When James Conrad threw his Envy into the basket on the last hole at the 2021 World Championships in Utah (I was there!), he certainly gave a nice boost in sales for the putter. The Axiom Envy holds the top spot in the ‘overstable putter’ category with 4.87 out of 5 stars. Taking second place is the popular Berg from Kastaplast. In the final podium spot is the long-time Gateway hit, the Wizard, which averages 4.72 stars.
Although any putter could be used as a thrower or a putter, most of the discs in the Very Overstable and Overstable Putters categories are used as throwing putters.

Axiom Envy, top selling disc golf putt and approach disc.

#1 Axiom Discs Envy – The overstable, throwing/putting putter has an overstable flight, but is still shapable and useful in a variety of situations on the course. The Envy’s profile is a little thinner than some putters, which is appealing to many. An older, more beat in Envy can be used in tight fairways and situations where control is crucial.

#2 Kastaplast Berg

#3 Gateway Wizard

Check out the top 20 overstable disc golf putters HERE where you can see all the top molds and what’s on sale!

Highest Rated Stable Flying Disc Golf Putters

A couple of Infinite molds sit atop the list of highest rated stable putters. The Tomb at 4.88 stars and the Alpaca at 4.87 stars. The best-selling disc of 2023 takes third with 4.85 stars. The disc rating drop off slowly as people really like a lot of discs in this category. Discs with stable flights can be used by such a large number of people with differing skill levels and in a large variety of situations. That is why there are so many on this list that are top selling discs, too.
Although many of the discs in this category are mainly throwing putters, they can also be used as putting putters. Look at this category as a list of the top putting putters.

Infinite Discs Tomb best putt and approach disc

#1 Infinite Discs Tomb – The Tomb is a beaded putter with just enough stability to give the disc a wide range of uses. Comfortable and easy to throw for beginners, the Tomb can also be a valuable weapon for advanced players. It is available In many different plastic types and weights, so you are sure to find one that suits you.

#2 Infinite Discs Alpaca

#3 – MVP Glitch

Check out the top 20 stable disc golf putters HERE where you can see all the top molds and what’s on sale!

Highest Rated Understable Disc Golf Putters

Although the understable putter category has some well-known names in the top 10, such as the Fierce and the Dynamic Discs Deputy, it is also full of lesser known brands and molds. Most disc golfers will have heard of Prodigy and their PA5, which is the highest rated understable putter. They may not be as familiar with the Mobius and RPM’s Tui, a New Zealand brand and disc. Check out the top 20 to see how many of brands you are familiar with.

Prodigy PA 5 best understable putter

#1 Prodigy PA5 – Described as a “silky smooth understable putt and approach disc that has the ability to hit and hold turnover lines and can perform straight hyzerflips”. The speed 3 putter has a little glide and a good amount of turn. Can be used on the putting green for straight putts, or as a driving putter when you need to flex around objects. The PA5 is available in many different Prodigy plastics.

#2 RPM Discs Tui

#3 EV-7 Mobius

Check out the top 20 understable disc golf putters HERE where you can see all the top molds and what’s on sale!

Let Us Know About YOUR Favorite Putters!

Those are our lists of the top putters with sales and ratings data. Now we want to hear from YOU!

1 – What is your favorite/go-to throwing putter?
2 – What is your favorite/go-to putting putter?

Best Disc Golf Retrievers

September 6, 2024 Ted Hegemann One comment

Best Disc Golf Retrievers

One of the irritating aspects of disc golf is searching for lost discs. When a disc lands in thick grass, bushes, trees, reeds, water, or some unknown landing place, it can appear that discs sometimes disappear off the face of the earth. Even more frustrating is when we can see a disc, but can’t reach it. Whether it is in a pond, up a tree, over a fence, or in a thorny bush, the idea of leaving a disc behind is very difficult.

Enter the retriever. Disc golf retrievers can make the task of getting our wayward discs back into our bags much easier – and in some cases they are the only way to get a disc back. In this blog post we will compare the different types and brands of retrievers, and recommend the best ones for you.

For the sake of this blog, we will categorize retrievers into two categories: retrievers that use a pole or extension device, and retrievers that use a rope or cord. We can then break down those two categories and talk about the variations of those categories. Then we’ll see which retriever is the best in each category.

Max Distance suction cup pole disc golf retriever

Pole or extension devices

An obvious benefit to having an extension devices is that you can reach discs that you wouldn’t normally be able to reach. The poles come in a variety of sizes, from compact 6-foot poles to massive 20-foot poles. The smaller ones are lighter and take up less room, but limit the distance you can reach. Poles have different tips that can be used for different purposes. These retrievers can reach and retrieve discs that would be impossible for rope-type retrievers.

Pole retriever dragging a disc golf disc out of the water. One of the drawbacks of having a telescopic pole is their use in water. Although they can successfully be used to retrieve a disc in a river or pond, they are sometimes difficult to control and can only serve to dislodge the disc, but not bring it to shore. The success of the retrieval depends on the body of water and the tip of the retriever. They can’t reach a disc that lies beyond their max extension. Plus, they can end up with water inside them, which might leak out into your bag or cause corrosion. It is also possible to break a pole if too much force is exerted.

The device on the end of the pole affect the success of the retrieval.

The suction cup works amazing in water. Preferably standing water, but it can also be used in rivers with a varying degree of success.

Max Stick w/suction tip

Hooks are useful in trees and can also be used to scoot your disc toward the shore when retrieving in water. They are a good universal tip.

Dynamic Discs Retriever

Metal loops are great for securing the disc to the retriever, but they can be cumbersome in trees. In moving water it might be difficult to ‘catch’ the disc.

Bird Dog Retriever

Rope Retriever Devices

One of the best reasons to have a rope device is because you can reach a lot further with them than a Rope retreiver getting a disc out of the water pole. If your disc is in water beyond the reach of your pole, you would be out of luck unless you had a rope retriever such as a Disc Claw or Golden Retriever.

This would be a good time for some pro tips that I’ve learned by having a rope-type retriever. The two issues that I recommend that owners correct are considered cons, but can easily be remedied.

First, get an additional length of paracord to attach to the end of the rope that comes with the retriever. It will greatly extend the distance that you can reach your disc. The length of rope that comes with the retriever device is not as long as you might need. Just make sure you tie a good knot so the retriever doesn’t end up permanently in the water.

Second tip, get a separate object to wrap the rope around besides the retriever itself, so you can just unwind the amount of rope that you need to reach the disc, instead of keeping the rope around the retriever and having to unwind the entire length of rope. I use a landscape string reel to hold my excess retriever cord. Take care of those two issues and you’ll eliminate some of the cons of the device.

There are a couple of other areas where the rope-retrievers fall short. First, it is mainly just used for water retrievals. You could use it on grass or ice, but it is designed for water use. Is your disc in a tree? This type of disc will likely not be the one you’ll need.

The second issue you might have is that the retriever isn’t as effective if the disc is on rocks. You need to be able to slide over the disc and ‘catch’ it in the retriever. If there are rocks in the way, you might be out of luck.

Best Disc Retriever Winners

With those pros and cons for each retriever in mind, let’s look at your best retriever options.

Best Pole Extension Disc Retriever

Max Stick

Max Stick suction cup Retriever

The first time I used a Max Stick suction cup retriever, I loved how it performed. I had a disc in a river and the Max Stick had no problem holding on to my disc and lifting it out of the water. I’ve retrieved several discs from pond as well. While the suction cups shine in water, using the retriever in trees is hit and miss. Getting the ball to stick to your disc can be challenging. And maneuvering your disc through the branches doesn’t always work. That is especially true in bushes, where the disc can become unstuck and fall to a place where you don’t have room to stick the suction cups to the disc.

I think the ideal retriever would be the suction cups with a retractable or detachable hook. That would be the best of both worlds. Even so, the Max Stick is great in water and pretty good in trees. It comes in several different pole sizes, including a massive 29-foot model. You also have the option of buying the suction cup head to screw on to your existing retriever. Check out this popular retriever in the link below

Max Stick

Best Rope Retriever Winner

The Disc Claw and the Golden Retriever are both excellent choices for ponds that don’t have large rocks or branches. The enemies of either of those retrievers are rocks and branches, which can make a disc irretrievable and could possibly snag the retriever. If the pond has silt, sand, mud, or moss and you stand a good chance of getting your disc back. As mentioned above, extra rope and a something besides the retriever itself to wrap the rope around will make owning either of these a better option.

Winner? I’m going to call this a tie. The Claw had a few more snags on rocks that the Golden Retriever. However, as the Claw advertises, it kicks up less silt than the Golden Retriever. That keeps your disc visible for more attempts at retrieving it, should that be necessary. Plus, the Claw is a couple bucks cheaper.

Honorable Mentions

Wrist Rocket – Best Retriever for High Trees

I had heard that people have used wrist rockets to retrieve discs from trees, so I finally bought one to carry around. The first time I had a disc that was beyond the reach of my retriever, I broke out the sling shot and knocked it down after just a few tries. Just last weekend a group of us were able to get four discs out of a tree at a local tournament (although it did take quite a while and numerous attempts). They don’t take up much space and can be another option when the pole retriever can’t reach.

Wrist Rocket

Driver Diver

This little piece of plastic is a handy device that doesn’t take up much space. You attach the gadget to a stick with reusable zip ties and the stick becomes your retriever. Perfect for courses with a few smaller bodies of water and trees. Hang it from your bag until needed. Make sure you don’t leave it in a hot car, because it can warp. Mine did, so I took a heat gun to it and that fixed the warp.

Disc retriever attachment on an ordinary stick

Driver Diver

Conclusion

There isn’t one retriever that is best for every situation. But you can still minimize the chances of not being able to retrieve your disc by getting a couple different types. Although I carry an extendable retriever with me at all times, I also usually have a wrist rocket with me. If I’m using a cart and there are water hazards, I’ll also take along a Golden Retriever. If I’m not using a cart, I’ll leave the Golden in my car and get the disc later if needed. It’s worth the effort and increases my chances of going home with all my discs.

Check out our entire retriever inventory here.

Best Midrange Disc Golf Discs for 2024

September 6, 2024 Ted Hegemann 99 comments

If you are in a disc golf scenario where you need more distance than a putter, but not the distance you need with a driver, you are in a perfect situation to use a midrange. The midrange, or ‘mid’, is a great tool for approach shots where minimal ground action is desired. They come in a variety of flight ratings so they can be used for a variety of different shots. Their slower speeds make them good starting discs for beginners.

In this blog, we’ll look at the best midrange discs for 2024. Just like similar blogs about the best putters, best high speed drivers and best fairway drivers, we’ll look at the top 50 based on sales at Infinite Discs. Then we’ll look at the highest rated mid’s.

We’ll start by taking a look back to last year and the best midrange discs for the year.

Top 50 Midrange Discs 2023

Topping the list of the Best Midrange Discs of 2023 is the perennial champion, the Discraft Buzzz. The beadless buzz has been around for decades and is one of the most popular discs of all time. It has a neutral flight and can be thrown on a slight hyzer, which will flip to flat and cruise for a long, straight flight. The Buzzz is the choice of many top pros. It is available in pretty much any plastic made by Discraft. One out of every six midrange discs that Infinite sells is a Buzzz.

Second on the list is a newer mold, the Axiom Hex. The Hex has a flight similar to the Buzzz. Although it is a relatively new mold, its sales are boosted by Simon Lizotte. His popularity contributes to a lot of Hex sales. That’s what happens when you have popular flight numbers on a disc being used and promoted by a popular player.

Rounding out the top three is another ‘older’ mold, the Innova Pig. The overstable Pig experienced a resurgence a few years ago when Ricky Wysocki threw the mold as an Innova team member. The Pig has a different flight than the other two, being very overstable. It makes a great driving/approach disc, particularly in a headwind.

Best Midrange Discs 2024

Now let’s look at the best midranges discs of the first half of 2024 to see any changes to the list.

Sitting atop the list for the first half of 2024 is the Discraft Buzzz, once again. The difference is the percentage of all midranges that the Buzzz represents. This year the Buzzz’s share of the market dropped from 16% last year to 8% so far this year. The Axiom Hex also dropped from last year to this, going from 10% to a little over 4%.

Although there are several top-ten discs for last year that also made the list this year, there are also two new molds in the top ten. The Innova Rollo was just released this year, and made it’s way to number two on the list. A little over 5% of all midrange discs sold this year was a Rollo. The Thought Space Athletics Mana moved up to the number five spot.

Top Buzz Plastics

Discraft Buzzz sales by Plastic Type Graph

The Discraft Buzzz in a variety of different plastics

The 20^th anniversary of the Buzzz occurred last year, and a special edition of the mold was released. It came in Elite Z plastic, a variation of their popular Z plastic. The disc sold a bunch and the Elite Z was the number one plastic for the Buzzz. It accounted for 18% of all Buzzz’s sold. Discraft’s ESP plastic was second place at 15.4%. Their Signature ESP was third. It is the same plastic as ESP, but supporting a touring pro like Paul McBeth and Paige Pierce.

Top Midrange Brands

Top midrange brands graph showing disc golf brands that feature mids in the top fifty.

Although Innova and Discraft have the most molds in the top 50, this time Discraft takes the top spot with 9 molds. Innova is right behind them in second with 8 molds. MVP and Lone Star tied for third with 4 each. There was a four-way tie for fifth with Axiom, Infinite, Kastaplast and Dynamic Discs each having 3 molds in the top 50.

Highest Rated Midrange Discs

As part of its rewards program, Infinite Discs encourages customers to leave reviews for the discs and accessories they purchase. Along with a review, people can rate the products on a scale from one to five stars. We will now turn to those ratings to see which midrange discs rated the highest.

Highest Rated Midrange - Discraft Buzzz

Not only did the Buzzz sell the most, it is also tied for the highest rated. The Buzzz holds an average rating of 4.8 stars, which ties the Prodigy M4. The M4 is a slightly understable midrange. RPM’s Piwakawaka was just a bit behind the other two with 4.79 out of five stars

Highest Rated Very Overstable Midrange Discs

These beefy discs have massive amounts of fade, and are not for everyone. If you have enough skill and arm speed, you may be in the market for one of these discs and want to check them out. Because these discs are all rated high, I didn’t include them in the overall ratings. Otherwise it would look exactly like this section. If you get one of these molds, you are looking for something extra beefy, and they all deliver. That may be why the high ratings.

Legacy Pursuit, highest rated overstable midrange disc.

The highest-rated very overstable midrange disc is the Legacy Pursuit. The Pursuit has a fade rating of three and an average rating of 4.89 out of five. The Yikun Crossbow has even beefier fade of 4. It is rated just below the Pursuit with a rating of 4.88. Legacy has two molds in the top three, with the third place going to the Legacy Recluse.

Highest Rated Overstable Midrange Discs

RPM Kotuku

Looking at the highest rated overstable midrange discs we see the RPM Kotuku. RPM is a New Zealand brand with a decent number of available molds. Check out their discs with their unique naming structure HERE. The Kotuku has a rating of 4.83.

The Innova Roc takes the second place with a rating of 4.74. Two Trilogy discs tied for the last podium spot. Westside Discs Gatekeeper and the popular Dynamic Discs EMAC Truth both have ratings of 4.70.

Highest Rated Understable Midrange Discs

Prodigy M4 - Highest rated understable mid

If you want a midrange that will give you a little (or a lot) of turn in your its flight, you will want an understable mid. They are also good for beginners because they help with a longer flight while beginners develop their form. They are also great for approaches or drives in a tailwind.

The highest rated understable midrange comes from Prodigy. It is their slightly flippy mid, the M4. The M4 has a rating of 4.80 out of five stars. The next highest rated disc is another mold from New Zealand, the RPM Piwakawaka. Two molds tie for the last spot on the understable mid podium. Dynamic Discs Bounty and the Discraft Meteor both tied with a rating of 4.73.

Highest Rated Stable Midrange Discs

Mako 3 Highest Rated straight flying midrange

Stable midrange discs have little or no turn, and little or no fade. The fly straight or whatever line you put them on. Stable mids are valuable work horses that get used a lot. The highest rated of this type of mid is the Innova Mako3, with a user-rating of 4.74. Next up is the Infinite Discs Anubis. It has an average rating of 4.71. The Latitude 64 Compass takes the last spot in the category, with a rating of 4.67

What are Your Favorite Midrange Discs?

Those are our lists of the best midrange discs with sales and ratings data. Let’s add to the data by hearing from YOU!

1 – What is your favorite midrange?
2 – What is your favorite over/understable midrange?
3 – What do you think will be the best midrange for next year?

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