Ted Hegemann, Author at Infinite Discs Blog

How to Putt: Disc Golf Putting Techniques

April 29, 2024 Ted Hegemann Leave a comment

a man putting disc golf

Unless you get an ace or a throw-in from the fairway, you’re going to putt on nearly every hole. Sometimes those putts are drop ins from a few feet away. Other times you have to work for them by letting the disc fly from great distances. How you choose to putt is up to you, but in this blog we will discuss different disc golf putting techniques and styles that disc golfer use to get the disc to the basket.

Although we will list a lot of techniques that are used in the disc golf world, we are going to focus on two different stances, and two different putting styles. These represent a bulk of the putts that you will see on any given day, and are tried and true techniques. Let’s start with some putting techniques that are a tad more unorthodox. Some of these unusual styles are used out of desperation or because you are in a situation with few choices, rather than using them on a regular basis.

Disc Golf Putting Techniques

TURBO PUTT

a turbo putt

The turbo putt is commonly called a pizza putt. It is accomplished by holding the disc flat with your thumb under the putter and your fingers around the outer rim. The motion is made by pushing the disc forward, then adding a ton of spin by snapping your wrist. That motion, when mastered, can give the disc enough spin to hit long putts.

Although the turbo can create a lot of spin, it is usually used for shorter putts on an elevated basket, or putting over a obstacles such as low bushes. It is fun to watch a good Turbo putter, but the technique is usually reserved for close putts or out of necessity.

BASKETBALL PUTT

This novelty putt sort of mimics a shot with a basketball. It is accomplished by holding the disc upside-down at an angle, then flicking your wrist like shooting a basketball. That motion gives the discs some spin and it flies in an arc to the basket. Although I have never seen this putt used, there is video of a few pros (like Ricky Wysocki) use that technique.

basketball putting technique

Another variation of this shot is to flip the disc so it doesn’t spin, but rather rotates slowly, then hits the chains on the full flight plate or bottom. Jennifer Allen has used this technique for short putts, usually on elevated baskets.

SCOOBER

Seen in tournament videos of Brodie Smith, the scoober is a method of throwing Ultimate discs in order to avoid defenders and progress downfield. It is thrown with the disc upside down and at an angle, so the disc will float toward the basket. It is just a short motion with the elbow and a flick of the wrist in a sort of reverse-forehand action. One of the great things about this putt is that the disc drops out of the sky, so if you miss, you won’t have a long comeback putt. Brody posted an instructional video on YouTube HERE

the scoober putt

Although the scoober could be used in a situation where you have an obstruction that you need to get around or over, most people lack the skill to pull it off. Unless you practice that putt, or have a lot of Ultimate experience, you will likely be more successful with another type of putt. If you have the skill to pull it off, you might save yourself a few strokes. And you will definitely impress your card mates!

KNEELING

A kneeling putt is another technique that is typically reserved for specific situations. If you are attempting a wide straddle putt, try dropping to one knee instead. You can usually kneel a little wider than just straddling. Plus, you might be more stable balancing on one knee (carry a foam mini to use as a cushion!).

There are a couple situations where a kneeling putt might be the best option: If you are behind an object and need to maximize your stretch to give yourself the most lateral distance possible. Or, if you have a very low ceiling that you need to get under, and don’t want to be bending down to attempt to putt. I recommend practicing these two scenarios so you can see how you need release to disc to get the direction and distance you need from those stances.

STEP

Although the step putt is fairly common in disc golf, the exact execution of the technique can vary from person to person, and depends on the situation. It is used to get a little more distance/power from a putt. The step putt can only be used outside of 10 meters from the basket, otherwise a foot fault could be called.

To execute a step putt, begin stepping toward the basket and make sure to release the disc before your foot hits the ground. Timing is important to maximize the power and ensure you don’t hit the ground before you release and get a foot fault. Although step putt can give you more power, it introduces more movement into your putts and requires more skill to properly execute.

JUMP

The big brother to a step putt is the jump putt. Instead of stepping forward, you jump toward the basket with both feet. As you are leaving the ground you release the disc, to optimize the power you transfer into it. It takes accurate timing, but can add a significant amount of distance to your putts.

Putting Stances

Now let’s look at the most popular putting stances, and talk about how to use them.

STRADDLE

Straddle Putt

While some of us use the straddle when needed, others make it their go-to stance. Think Nate Sexton or Kevin Jones. By using it as your regular stance, you’ll be much more comfortable if you are forced to straddle around an obstacle.

The straddle is typically used with a push put, although a spin putt works as well. Facing the basket with your feet parallel to each other, you can get extra power by implementing a jump putt out of your straddle stance. Or just stay planted on the ground and get your power from your legs and arms.

STAGGER

a stagger putt

The stance that you see most people putt from is the stagger stance. Although there are a lot of moving parts to a stagger stance, it can generate a lot of power. It is an athletic stance that allows you to get power from your legs, hips, shoulders, arms and wrists. You can use your back leg to push off and counterbalance your body.

The stagger stance is executed by placing one foot in front of the other, with the lead foot the same as your dominant hand (right foot for right-handed players). Most of your weight is on your back foot to start, then the weight is transferred to your front as you release. Your back leg then rises into the air to counterbalance your body, giving you more distance. If you want to see a gymnast try this technique and get the highest back-leg kick of anyone, check out a video with Jennifer Allen!

SPIN

Although both the spin and push putts each include some spinning and some pushing, the difference is the emphasis. In the case of the spin putt, the emphasis is to create a lot of spin on your disc. This is accomplished by bringing the disc near your body and snapping it toward the basket. That motion creates a lot of spin and is useful for many different disc golf scenarios.

When you use your elbow and wrist to create a lot of spin on your disc, it allows you to get longer distances from your putts. It also allows you to have a higher success rate in a windy situation by cutting through the wind. However, this putting technique also has some disadvantages.

Whenever you introduce additional moving parts into an equation, you have to rely on consistency among all of those parts. Any variations and your chances of a successful putt diminishes. That is the down side to spin putts. On the plus side, it can be used in either a straddle or stagger stance.

PUSH

The push putt has its emphasis on lofting the disc into the air with minimal spin. The disc floats to the basket with much less power. This softer approach means that missed putts won’t have as long of comeback putts. The arc of the putt can be useful in getting over obstacles. Plus, they are also less likely to spit out or bounce out since they don’t have as much speed.

That lack of speed can also be a downside, since you can’t get as much distance. Another disadvantage is that in windy conditions, the push putt can be difficult to properly execute, since your disc will be affected by the wind.

Summary

No matter your desired putting technique, the bottom line is to practice it enough to be effective. If you aren’t confident with your technique, it doesn’t really matter how you stand nor how you putt. Whichever style fits your game, get good at it through repetition. I also recommend spending a few minutes each putting session trying out other techniques, in case you have to use one of them out of necessity.

Get out hucking and throw what you love!

General

Go Green: Recycled and Eco Friendly Disc Golf Discs

April 22, 2024 Ted Hegemann 2 comments

Environmentally Friendly Disc golf Logo Today’s disc golf discs come in a variety of colors, shapes and materials, and most are made with some kind of plastic. Synthetic plastic has been around for over a century and has shaped the way we live. However, this amazing invention does come with some baggage. First, most plastic is made from crude oil or other non-renewable resources. And second, it does not easily break down, meaning it will be around for a long, long time.

In this blog we will look at the environmental aspects of disc golf discs and discuss ways to minimize the impact. We’ll look at what some manufacturers are doing to reuse and recycle plastic discs. Plus we will talk about other ways that we can be environmentally conscious as we participate in the sport of disc golf.

Long Live Plastic

If you grabbed your go-to driver and buried it in your backyard, your great-great-great grandchild would be able to dig it up and it would still be mostly intact. It might be more pitted and have a rougher feel, but it won’t have broken down much in that time span. That is just the nature of plastic. If you throw away an old disc, you essentially are burying it, and it will be around for hundreds of years. What other option do you have?

Plastic Blends

Most discs are made with a blend of plastic types. While this makes them feel awesome in our hand, it becomes problematic if we want to recycle the disc. Products made from a single plastic type come with a recycle logo and include a number that tells you which type of plastic types that product is made from. They can easily be recycled. Multi-type plastics don’t have that luxury. But there are still options for recycling.

Manufacturer Response

Manufacturers saw a couple possible solution to recycling their blemished plastic. First, they sold discs as factory seconds at a discount from their regularly priced discs. Some discs only have minor blemishes but still have the flight characteristics of a new discs. Those discs could be sold for less that retail, keeping the plastic on the market without adding any additional processing.

If discs were in worse shape than factory seconds and not resalable to the public, manufacturers still have an option to use them instead of tossing them in a landfill. They could shred the plastic and use it to make new discs. Since they formulated the plastic, they would know its properties and know what other plastics it would be compatible with. Many different brands offer discs with pre-consumer recycled plastic.

Brands With Eco Friendly Plastics

Recycled Plastic Emblem

Innova has its Echo Star line which is made of at least 50% recycled materials.

Dynamic Discs offers discs in recycled plastics such as BioFuzion, BioGold, and Revive.

Latitude 64 reuses their discs in their BioGold and Recycled plastics.

Westside has Revive plastic, and MVP has R2, both of which use blemished plastic to create new discs.

Doomsday Discs has it’s Biohazard plastic which is partially made from recycled material. They also have Landfill plastic. Landfill is made from recycled / regrind plastic that would normally go to the, you guessed it, landfill.

Discraft has been saving discs that didn’t pass their quality control measures, and now they are using the plastic from those discs to make new molds. Check out their Recycled ESP and imagine what discs those molds were made from.

Yikun now offers the Eco-Friendly Inner Colour Ultimate Frisbee. It is an Ultimate disc made from recycled plastics, for the environmentally conscious players.

The above plastic types are good examples of using existing plastic to make a new disc. Other brands use more eco-friendly plastics to begin with to produce a disc that doesn’t use as much non-renewable resources.

Discs Made from “Environmentally Friendly” Materials

Euro Disc is a German brand that makes ultimate and discs golf discs. They are demonstrating a strong commitment to environmental stewardship. Embracing eco-friendly practices, Eurodisc produces its range of frisbee discs, including Ultimate, Kids, and Mini models, from 100% bio-based organic plastic, derived from renewable resources. This approach ensures that the discs are sustainable and can be recycled through normal household waste systems.

AGL has its hemp blend, which used the amazing renewable resource of hemp to produce some of their discs.

Gateway has its Organic plastic, which uses recycled rubber and a corn-based bio-polymer to produce an amazing feeling plastic. They also off Hemp blend, which combines recycled rubber and hemp. Hemp is a renewable, natural, versatile plant that can be made into many different products.

Aerobees is Frances first disc manufacturer and their focus is biosourced materials, which are materials made from organic biological origins.

Not Recyclable

Although the aforementioned efforts by manufactures help reduce the amount of natural resources used when making the discs we love, most of today’s discs have one issue in common: Their multi-plastic ingredients make them mostly non-recyclable. That is the environmental cost of making disc golf discs with the current plastic choices. However, one company is trying to change that cost.

Trash Panda Disc Golf

Trash Panda Racoon Logo

I was able to visit with and interview Jesse from Trash Panda Disc Golf several years ago in Colorado. At the time, Jesse had an ambitious goal to make disc golf sustainable. He wanted to make discs out of recycled plastic, and make them recyclable, too. How has he done since then? I reached out to Jesse for an update! Here is what he said:

“Since we chatted last in my garage, we’ve released two molds made from 100% recycled plastic – the Inner Core and the Dune. With the success of those two molds, we’ve diverted 15,000 lbs of plastic from landfills and continue to exceed even our own expectations of what is possible.

“In 2023 we proudly became the first disc golf company to ever achieve B Corp certification – which is a month-long assessment that ensures companies meet the highest ethical and environmental standards.”

In addition to achieving his goal of producing a recyclable disc out of recycled plastic, Jesse and the crew at Trash Panda have set up a great program for recycling discs. Disc golfers can send in their unwanted/damaged/broken discs in exchange for a discount at Trash Panda. Those discs will then be either ground up am made into discs or other plastic products, or they will be donated to youth programs to grow the sport. Either way, the life of the plastic will be extended and will be kept out of the landfill. As of this writing, they have received over 11,500 discs and turned them into discs, minis, and Disc Dots.

What Can You Do?

Plastic Waste needing to be recycled

What you can do to be environmentally conscious?

Buy environmentally friendly plastics – Make an effort to look see what recycled options are available. Many of the recycled plastics have an amazing feel and are still durable. By voting with our wallets, maybe was can get more options in ‘green’ plastics.

Buy used – Premium discs have a long life and we can usually get a used disc much cheaper than new. As an added benefit, used discs are sometimes already broken in. That will give us a seasoned disc immediately, instead of having to play with it for a long time.

Donate your discs – If you can trade discs with other disc golfers, or sell them to a retailer, we can end up with discs that we like or want to throw without the cost of buying new. If those options aren’t available, check out Trash Panda’s recycle program and give your old discs a new home.

There may be many aspects of our life where it is difficult or impossible to make a difference for the planet. Disc golf is not one of those things. Our sport comes with an environmental cost, but the steps we’ve outlined will help make disc golf more sustainable into the future. It always feels good to help with the environment, and if we can be helping while playing disc golf, that is a win-win for everyone.

Best Disc Golf Roller Discs 2024

April 9, 2024 Ted Hegemann 55 comments

In disc golf, having a wide range of shots in your arsenal is advantageous when it comes to competition or beating your personal records. Since we all face a variety of situations on the course, the more tools we have to achieve the shot we need, the better our chances of succeeding with. One of those tools is a roller shot. In this blog we will learn about rollers and discuss the best disc golf roller discs.

The list of best roller discs is difficult to amass, since there are so many molds that can be used for rollers. This list taken from previous surveys, current surveys, and from Infinite sales data. You can help with the data by participating in the survey at the end of this blog! Plus you’ll be entered into a drawing for Infinite gift cards.

What Is A Roller

A roller is a throw that intentionally hits the ground shortly after it’s released and rolls along its edge. It can be utilized for shorter, technical shots to get out of trouble. Or for longer shots when distance is necessary.

Rollers are useful when you have low-ceiling shots and still need to cover a lot of ground, or shorter technical shots. They are also great options when you have open spaces without roller obstructions, such as a ditch or pond in the fairway. The challenge of throwing a roller is making sure you land on the ground with the correct angle. Even so, the disc might hit some irregularity on the ground and end up going in a direction that the thrower didn’t intend.

Throwing Rollers

I’ve heard many people say that they haven’t even tried a roller shot, and don’t even know how to throw one. Other people have mastered the shot and use it when available or necessary. In this blog we will look at some roller discs and determine which ones are the best. Instead of focusing on shorter, technical rollers, we’ll discuss the distance shots.

If you manage to become proficient in throwing rollers, it can be a thing of beauty and reward the thrower with a lot of ground covered. Some of my longest throws were well-executed rollers. Let’s take a look at the best disc golf roller discs.

Note: You’ll notice that many of these discs, but not all of them, have a lot of turn and are considered understable discs. That characteristic makes it easier for people of any skill level to get the disc to get the angle needed for a roller. With sufficient arm speed, and disc could be a roller, but we’re focusing on molds that people indicated they use as roller discs.

Best Disc Golf Roller Discs

Innova Sidewinder 9, 5, -3, 1

Innova Sidewinder disc

The Sidewinder was made for either rollers or turnover shots. It has a good amount of turn to help get the disc at a good angle for rollers. While it may be too flippy for big arms at full power, it can be a useful utility disc for people of all skill levels.

Innova Leopard 6, 5, -2, 1

The Innova Leopard can be found in beginner sets because it is easy to throw and easy to get some turn, even for beginners. With just a little experience and practice, the Leopard can be a great roller disc. It is easy to get the necessary angle with the Leopard and is a great disc to start learning how to throw rollers.

Infinite Sphinx 9, 6, -3, 1

Infinite Discs Sphinx

With the Infinite Discs Sphinx’s flight numbers you would expect to find a roller in that mold, and you would be correct. The Sphinx can also be a good turnover disc, or even a good fairway driver for beginners. The I-Blend models come in 150-class weights, and sometimes even a bit lighter. The Sphinx is a great disc whose uses can evolve as your skill improves.

Innova Roadrunner 9, 5, -4, 1

Innova Champion Roadrunner

The speed-nine Roadrunner has a good rim size and perfect flight numbers for beginners to get good distance. With a little experience, players can utilize the turn in the Roadrunner to execute some impressive rollers. The mold has been popular as a roller disc since its release.

Innova Mamba 11, 6, -5, 1

Innova Star Mamba

With even more turn than the Roadrunner, the Innova Mamba boasts a slightly higher speed, which may offset the extra turn a little bit. It also has a lot of glide for those big turnover shots. But if you want a long roller shot, check out the Mamba. I threw a Metal Flake Mamba as my roller disc until it disappeared one day. I recommend the Mamba.

Innova Rollo 5, 6, -4, 1

Innova Star Rollo

Not even a year old the Rollo is a great roller option for disc golfers of all skill levels. It was designed and marketed as a roller disc and has the numbers to back that up. When you’re not trying to cover a lot of distance on the ground, the Rollo can also be used to get a lot of turn out of a throw. It makes a great beginner disc or a disc that can be shaped in the woods.

Prodigy F7 7, 5, -3, 1

Prodigy 400 F7

If you are a beginner looking for a great fairway driver, look no further than the Prodigy F7. It comes in a variety of plastic types to suit your preference. And its flight numbers are perfect for people just starting out. In the hands of a more skilled player, the F7 is an amazing roller or a turnover disc.

Latitude 64 Diamond 8, 6, -3, 1

The Diamond is among the best driver for beginners because of it noob-friendly flight numbers and its availability in lighter weights. Beyond its title as a great beginner disc, The Diamond makes a great roller disc. It is easy to get the Diamond to the ground at a good angle.

Westside Queen 14, 5, -3, 2

Westside Discs Origio Burst Queen

Because the Queen is a high-speed disc, it likely won’t be a roller for less experienced arms. That is not to say it isn’t useful for slower arms, it’s just that it won’t be used as a roller unless it is light weight or heavily seasoned. With a more experienced player the Queen can deliver some impressive rolls.

We Want To Hear From You!

There is the list of the best disc golf roller discs… but it is not complete! We need to hear from you so we can confirm and expand the list. Let us know your favorite roller disc when you’re going for distance.

We tabulated the results of your comments and there are an impressive 30 different molds! Many were on our list, but most weren’t. The Sphinx and the Roadrunner made our list AND the podium with your votes. The third podium member might not be familiar to some of you. It is the Prodiscus Flipperi

Prodiscus Fliperri 9, 3, -3, 0

A Prodiscus Flipperi Billed as a forgiving disc for beginners, the Flipperi can also be used as a roller. Manufactured in Finland, the Flipperi follows the usual Prodiscus naming convention of taking an English word, in this case Flipper, and adding a Finnish vowel. It truly is a flipper of a disc!

We randomly selected five commenters and gave them a $20 Infinite Discs gift card. The winners and their best roller disc are:

Todd – Prodiscus Flipperi

Michael L – Thought Space Athletics Ethos Mantra

Jacob K – Innova Roadrunner (Barsby Signature)

Ryan W – Discraft Hades

Daniel O – Above Ground Level Baobab

Products For Left-Handed Players

April 1, 2024 Ted Hegemann 16 comments

As all disc golfers know, left-handed players have it tough. I mean, sure, lefties have an unfair advantage because most courses are designed to be difficult for righties, making it easier for lefties. But, they more than pay for that advantage with all the grief they have to endure from the rest of us. “Cheating lefty” is a common nick-name for our left-handed brothers and sisters. Furthermore, all of the equipment associated with disc golf is made for right-handed players. From discs to carts to retrievers, lefties have to adapt to a righties world. That is, until now.

Equality For All

Infinite Discs is stepping up to introduce the world to disc golf gear designed specifically for left-handed players. We’re calling it the Southpaw collection and it is designed to help left-handed players play on equal footing, as it were, as the rest of the disc golf world! Well, except for the advantage they have of playing right-handed-designed courses. But, I digress. Here are the items being released:

The Southpaw Disc

This unique disc was not only designed by and for left-handed disc golfers, it was also manufactured in a way that is beneficial to lefties. Our top, left-handed scientists at Infinite Discs discovered that the Coriolis Effect was responsible for the favorable flight of discs for right-handed players. That effect made discs manufactured in the northern hemisphere naturally rotate in a clockwise direction, favorable to right-handed players. Our solution was to have the Southpaw manufactured in the southern hemisphere, ensuring the discs had an innate tendency to rotate counterclockwise, being favorable for southpaws.

The SouthPaw Disc

In addition to production location, our team has developed a top-secret mold that injects the plastic in a counterclockwise direction. This technology and manufacturing location, along with Infinite’s policy of only selling the disc to documented left-handed players, will create a disc so effective that left-handed players will dominate the sport at every level. Move over Isaac, James, and Paul because Chris Clemons, Nathan Queen, and Zach Melton are your future World Champs! Infinite anticipates that the PDGA will eventually make these discs illegal, so get them while you can.

Port-Side Basket

Every disc golfer knows that when you’re putting at a basket, hitting the chains on the right side is better and more efficient that hitting the chains on the left side. That is why the right chains are called the ‘strong’ side or the ‘pro’ side. And the left chains are called the ‘weak’ side or ‘am’ side. Unfortunately, left-handed players naturally come in on the left side of the basket, drastically increasing the odds that the disc will kick out of the basket. The engineers at Infinite solved that problem, and the Port-Side Basket was born.

The Portside Basket

Using engineering, physics, and a bit of sorcery, our researchers were able to reverse the strong and weak sides of the chains. This proprietary technology makes the left side strong and gives lefties a better chance of hitting their putts. Now Southpaws don’t need to settle for missed putts and chain outs because of the design of the basket. Left-handed players will watch their putts drop and their confidence soar with the Port-Side Basket by Infinite Discs!

Left-Hook Retriever

There are few things sadder than a left-handed player attempting to retrieve a disc while using a right-handed retriever. The frustration, depression, and humiliation has left (pardon the pun) many lefties looking for another sport. The grip is awkward, the tip is angled in the opposite direction, and many times discs have to be abandoned because the retriever is ineffective in the wrong hand. Compounding the problem, retriever manufacturers have no desire to make products for lefties, saying that ‘the market is too small’. At Infinite, we disagree! Introducing the Left-hook Retriever.

A left hand holding a disc golf retriever

The Left Hook Retriever

Our crack team of product developers, after month of failed experiments, concocted a way to physically reverse the handle orientation and hook angle to accommodate the needs of the left-handed player. No more frustration of not being able to retrieve a disc! No more physical awkwardness and pain trying to force a right-handed handle into a left hand, much like a round peg in a square hole. Pick up a Left-Hook Retriever for the lefty in your life!

Shop Now!

Be sure to check out all of the left-hand products at Infinite Discs and remember our motto, “Throw what works for your dominant hand!”

Best Glow in the Dark Discs

March 21, 2024 Ted Hegemann 2 comments

One of my favorite types of disc golf occurs in the dark. I get my glow discs ready, gather my disc lights and flashlights, and wait for the sun to set. I’m talking about a glow round, or night round. This type of disc golf is played with lighted discs and lighted baskets, and is a blast!

Watching glowing discs fly through the air is amazing, and a lot different than watching the flight during the day. In the dark you’ll see the lighted disc bounce off invisible trees, get knocked down by unseen obstacles, and skip at seemingly random places in space. You can even see a disc that gets buried in a bush much better than during the daylight hours. If you haven’t played a night round, do yourself a favor and put in on your list for this year. And keep reading to learn about glow rounds and the best glow discs.

It is difficult to show the actual glow of a disc in a picture. These all look like they are glowing the same brightness. They are not.

Glowing Discs

Although there are many different ways to light up a disc, which we will discuss later, having a glow in the dark disc to play with is a great way to play at night. That does not mean EVERY glow disc is good for hucking in the dark. Not all glow discs are created equal. Some are barely visible in the dark, even after charging the plastic with a bright light. Others will maintain a bright glow long after playing a hole. When it comes to glow plastic, there is a wide variety of glow brightness. Disc color, manufacturers glow formula, and plastic type can all affect how bright the disc will glow.

Let’s look at some of the best glow discs and talk about what to do if you have a disc that is supposed to glow in the dark, but isn’t very bright when you charge it. Or if you prefer to throw discs in the dark that aren’t glow plastic.

Several glow-in-the-dark discs

Best Glow In The Dark Discs

I grabbed a UV flashlight and headed to a dark room to test a bunch of glow discs. A good glow plastic will appear bright immediately after the light hits it, and stay glowing for quite a while after you shut off the light. That quality is necessary because your disc needs to stay glowing long enough to find it after your shot. Fortunately there are several brands that have amazing glow plastic. Here are the top discs that I tested:

1 – (Tie) MVP Eclipse 2.0 and Innova Proto Glow (their new glow plastic)

Innova reformulated their glow plastic and it turned out great! It’s called Proto Glow and it debuted in their 40^th Anniversary DX Aviar. That plastic glow really good, and their Champion Proto Glow plastic even better. The discs lights right up when you shine a light on it. And it stays lit for quite a while. The Proto Glow that I tested were neck-and-neck with the Eclipse 2.0 plastic. You are definitely going to want to check out Innova’s Proto Glow plastic!

MVP’s Eclipse 2.0 glow plastic is bright and long lasting. It’s been one of the best glow plastics for a while. The green glow plastic is much brighter than some of their other colors, although those other colors glow brighter than many other brands’ glow plastics. You can watch your glowing green MVP disc fly into the darkness, knowing it will hold its glow.

3 – Thought Space Athletics

TSA Glow plastic is another type of plastic that is excellent for night rounds. It stays bright for a long time, and still has a good amount of glow left after you’ve thrown the disc and go to look for it. Thought Space offers many of their molds in Glow plastic.

4 – Lone Star Disc

The Bravo Glow from Lone Star Disc is a shining example (sorry, couldn’t resist) of a great glow plastic. As a nice bonus, Lone Star makes the Bravo in pretty much every mold they make. You’ll be delighted in the disc selection and the quality of the glow.

5 – Kastaplast

Although the Kastaplast Glow discs that I tested weren’t as bright as the others I listed, they are still better than other discs on the market. I’ve read and heard a lot of people say the Kastaplast Glow is their favorite glow plastic. You won’t be disappointed if you pick Kastaplast for your night rounds.

Other great glow plastic brands include Infinite Discs glow plastic, Discraft’s Mega Glow, and Moonshine 2.0, found on Trilogy brands.

Other Ways To Light Up A Disc

If you want to skip the glow plastic altogether, there are other ways you can get in a round of disc golf at night. They involve taking your go-to discs and adding some light to them. This is accomplished with actual LED lights, or glow-in-the-dark tape or stickers.

disc golf glow tape

Glow Tape

Attaching tape or stickers that glow to your disc is a quick, easy, and relatively inexpensive way to be able to play in the dark and still see your disc. It attaches directly to the disc and gets charged up with a flashlight. After the round the stickers can be easily removed for regular play. They add a negligible weight to your disc, and shouldn’t affect the flight. They are NOT legal for use in a sanctioned tournament, but most glow rounds are casual and/or unsanctioned.

disc golf disc light

Disc Lights

You also have the option of attaching an LED light directly to your disc with tape. Clear packing tape is a great option. I’ve seen lights come off a disc before, so make sure you are generous with the tape. Mine never come off because I use 6-7” of tape.

The lights have a switch that can be turned on and off as needed. Or you can just leave it on the entire round. The batteries will last for a couple glow rounds. Turning off the multicolor lights take a bit longer because you have to scroll through the colors. However, the different colors come in handy if there are several people playing who have lights with one color and you need a different color to distinguish your discs.

Disc Light Visibility

One thing to keep in mind with the lights or the stickers is that you might place them on one side of the disc, and it will land on the other side, making the tape or light difficult to see. It isn’t as bad with translucent discs, such as Champion plastic. But with opaque discs it can be difficult to see. It’s nice to put a sticker or light on both sides, just to make sure.

Other glow round enhancers

UV Flashlight for disc golf

UV Flashlights

Most people have a flashlight or two lying around that they could use to charge their glow discs. However, they are blinding and take a bit of the fun out of a glow round. A better alternative is a UV(Ultra Violet) flashlight. The UV light charges up a disc faster and is easier on your eyes. When the light hits the glow disc, it’s still pretty bright, but overall it’s much better than a flashlight.

Halo Red Disc Golf Charger

Wireless Glow Charger

With the Halo Red Disc Golf Glow Charger, you can press in included remote and charge two glow discs, without the blinding light that accompanies a UV flashlight. Just press the remote and the charger lights up to charge your disc, then shuts off after a pre-selected amount of time. The rechargeable battery lasts for two complete rounds. Get the glow you need, without disrupting the night round ambiance.

Light for a disc golf basket

Basket Lights

What good are amazing glow discs if you can’t see your target? Basket lights illuminate the target and give you something to aim at. They install easily and the batteries last a few rounds. Grab a few lights and head to your local course to experience the fun of a glow round!

Check out all of our Night Round Accessories HERE

Check out all of our Glow Discs HERE and find on sale glow discs here.

Best Disc Golf Training Devices

March 14, 2024 Ted Hegemann 2 comments

When you see your PDGA rating rise to new levels, or if you find yourself setting new personal records on your local course, or maybe when you find yourself on the podium more often at tournaments, if feels great to know that you are progressing in the sport. Playing a lot is one way to improve our game. Another way which helps us even faster is by training. In this blog we will look at the best disc golf training devices to find out which ones will help you.

Disc golf training accessories help us get the reps in more frequently, leading to sharper skills and better form. Here are some of the best training devices:

The MVP Pod V2 Disc Holder

1 – MVP Pod V2 – Since you will be putting on a majority of all holes that you play, it makes sense to making putting a regular part of your overall practice regime. Practicing putts is not the most fun thing in the world, so it’s nice to make the most of the time we will be putting. One way to improve our practice efficiency is to have the putters within easy reach. The Pod meets that need nicely!

The MVP Pod V2 is a metal stand that holds a stack of putters to you don’t have to be bending down to pick them up, nor do you have to hold a stack while you try to maintain good form. It’s called the ‘V2’ because this version of the Pod comes with two 3” extension poles to hole even more discs. The Pod V2 holds 26 putters and even more drivers, for when you’re doing field work.

In addition to holding a lot of discs, the Pod is easy to transport. It comes apart or sets up in minutes, so you can take it to a field or practice basket with ease. Its all-metal construction means it will hold up to transporting and use for many years.

Check out the MVP Pod V2 HERE

Visionary Practice Net

A Visionary disc golf practice net

2 – Visionary Practice Net – The best way to improve your form is through regular practice and field work. Often times it is inconvenient to find an empty field big enough to throw distance drivers. That’s where a practice net really shines.

Visionary nets are specifically designed for disc golf discs. They have a return channel that catches the discs and collects them for easy retrieval. If you want to take full-power shots in your backyard or garage, these nets are perfect for you.

The nets come in a couple different sizes, from single-thrower to larger nets that allow several people to throw at once. All of them feature the patent pending return channel, with the bigger nets having multiple channels.

While the obvious reason for getting a net is so you can practice your drives, there is another reason to invest in this practice tool. They are also perfect for putting practice. A net set up behind your basket will stop any errant putts and make gathering them that much faster. Your putting sessions will be more efficient and you can spend more time putting than chasing discs. If you combine an MVP Pod V2 and a net, before long you’ll be putting like a pro!

Check out the 6-pocket Visionary Practice Nets HERE

Check out the 3-pocket Visionary Practice Nets HERE

ProPull Disc Golf Trainer

The propull disc golf elastic band trainer

3 – Propull Disc Golf Trainer – If you’re looking for a way to warm up before a round or keep your form in good shape, you’ll want to consider the ProPull Disc Golf Trainer. The Trainer is a disc with hardware attached that allows you to go through the motions of a throw and feel resistance as you pull the disc. It comes with two elastic tubes for different levels of resistance.

The ProPull can be used indoor or outdoor. It has a strap that attaches to a tree or other object, and also comes with a strap that attaches to a door. The training product also has a safety strap in case the disc slips out of your hand.

Here is a YouTube Video featuring Infinite Discs own Dave Feldberg talking about the ProPull and its benefits, as well as how to use it.

VIDEO

Check out all of the ProPull Disc Golf Trainer HERE

Flightowel

Flightowel disc fob and towel

4 – Flightowel – Years ago I cut up an old disc and would hold the small section of it along with a towel, and use that to warm up. I liked it because I was gripping an actual rim and the towel offered a little resistance. I was thrilled when the Flightowel came to market because it was an even better version of the device that I made. It was cleaner and more effective product.

The Flightowel is a small portion of an actual disc and is attached to a towel with a strong cord. The discs are cut out of a variety of molds, so you can find the mold that you would like to warm up with. The towel has a small clever pocket that creates a little resistance when you go through the throwing motion. You simply grab the disc fob and go through the throwing motion. I do this regularly to warm up after a backup on the course, so I can keep my arm ready to throw.

Flightowels are made in America and come in a variety of towel and fob colors. They come labeled with the mold they were made from. Flightowels are available in left-hand and right-hand options.

Check out all of the Flightowel options HERE

Disc Dot

The Disc Dot putting aid

5– Disc Dot – The Disc Dot is a putting training tool designed to help you narrow your focus on the basket while putting. The device slips over a link on your practice basket and helps you focus on that point. By training our eyes and brains to aim for a single point, it increases our chances of making our putts. The basket seems much bigger after focusing on a tiny Dot.

Disc Dots come in a variety of colors, including glow in the dark. They are now made of recycled discs.

Check out Disc Dots HERE

Chain Suppressor

The Chain Suppressor neoprene sleeve to keep baskets quiet

6 – Chain Suppressor – Having a basket around the house to practice putting is the best way to improve our putting and lower our scores. If the noise of the chains is preventing us from practicing as much as we should, then the Chain Suppressor is the perfect product for you. Whether you are concerned about being a noisy neighbor, or you have young kids that have a nap time, the Suppressor greatly reduces the chain noise that is usually music to our ears.

The Chain Suppressor is a neoprene sleeve that attaches directly to the pole to greatly reduce the noise made when the chains smack the pole during a putt. It can be easily removed for times when you want to hear the chains. It also has two yellow lines that you can use as an aiming aid.

Check out Chain Suppressors HERE

Basket Pole Holder

7 – Basket Pole Holder – Moving a basket from place to place can be problematic if the basket needs to be disassembled to move. The poles are difficult to keep with the basket and tend to roll around as you transport the basket. The last thing you need is a hassle moving the basket. The Basket Pole Holders are a pair of rubberized straps that keep the poles securely attached to the rest of the basket. Make your practice sessions more stress free with the Basket Pole Holders.

Check out Basket Pole Holder Straps HERE

What Training Devices Do You Use?

Comment below and let us know what devices you use, and which ones you would like to check out!

New Discs Golf Discs for 2024

February 29, 2024 Ted Hegemann Leave a comment

One cool thing that we can look forward to as every year as disc golfers is to see what new molds will be released. Even larger companies with tons of existing molds covering every flight pattern will release a few new ones so they can stay fresh in everyone’s mind. That means a lot of new disc golf discs for 2024.

With the rapid growth that disc golf seen in the past decade or so, in addition to the brands we’ve known for years releasing discs, now we get lots of completely new companies eager to release discs to the growing members of our sport. It is amazing to see so many companies jumping into disc golf.

In this blog we’ll take a look at some of the discs that are new for 2024. These are discs that have been released this year, or are going to be released soon. Then we’ll look at discs that have been PDGA approved in the past few months and highlight some new brands that might be making their mark on our sport.

New Disc Golf Discs For 2024

Axiom Pixel – The second release from the Simon Line, the Pixel is a strait-flying putt/approach disc from Axiom. Available in a few different plastic types.

Elevation Disc Golf Psychic – The brand that has given us a variety of extra-floppy discs recently released their inaugural distance driver, the Psychic. You’ll get all the distance of a driver with the stopping ability of all their molds.

Goliath Ark – In keeping with their biblical theme, Goliath’s newest mold is the Ark. It is a stable fairway driver that is available in their Oasis plastic.

Latitude 64 Brave – This fairway driver has the glide, turn, and fade that combine for some long throws. It will suit players of all skill levels.

Lone Star Discs Spur

Lone Star Disc Spur – The Spur is an overstable fairway driver with enough fade that it can handle forehand or headwind shots.

Lone Disc Bearkat – The flippy mid from Lone Star is available now. Name after the Sam Houston University mascot, the Bearkat has a decent amount of turn and a mild fade.

EV-7 Lid – The Lid is a catching mold that resulted from a collaboration with EV-7 and Hyperflite. It is an expanded version of their popular canine disc.

Discraft Kratos – The new putter from Discraft will be released on March 8. A beaded Luna? It sure sports an overstable flight like the Luna. The Paul McBeth Kratos will have a limited edition release, so make sure you get your order in soon after the drop.

Discraft Kratos

Infinite Discs Khonsu – This beadless midrange from Infinite looks to be a flippy mold. Perfect for those right-hand turning shots.

Axiom Pitch – This may be Axiom’s answer to the Glitch, and if that is the case, it will be a hit. Fans will have to wait for the upcoming solar eclipse until it is released.

Doomsday Discs Apocalypse – The Apocalypse was recently released, to the dismay of noodle arms all over the world. This extra-beefy high-speed driver is nothing but FADE. Good disc if you need to play in hurricane-force winds.

Doomsday Discs Crisis – Pick the type of Crisis you’re having Doomsday Discs Midlife Crisis in your life and get an appropriately-stamped

Doomsday Discs Rot – According to Doomsday, the Rot will be their first beaded putter. It will have a flat top and fly fairly straight.

Doomsday Discs Proximity Mine – This is a speed 1 disc with a touch of stability. Maybe some competition for the Berg? I don’t have a release date.

Chumba Discs Sombra – The first release from Chumba Discs is a straight, beadless putter. ‘Sombra’ means ‘shadow is Spanish. It is currently available.

Legacy Discs Sumo – If you’re looking for a very overstable putter, be sure to check out the Sumo. It has a low glide and can fight any headwind. Available in four different plastics.

Ice Age – Only recently approved, this mold will be rolling out soon.

PDGA Approved Molds

Now let’s shift to molds that have been PDGA approved in the past three months. It is interesting to see so many new brands on the list.

PDGA Recently Approved Discs

On this list you can see some of the long-time manufacturers in the sport: Innova, Discraft, and Gateway Discs. These brands have been around for decades, but are still coming up with new molds. But, you can also see brands getting their first mold(s) approved. Here are some first-timers:

Bernoulli – Undoubtedly named after Daniel Bornelli, a Swiss physisist who developed theories of fluid mechanics that explain the flight of a disc golf disc. They got their first two molds approvede recently, the Einstien, and the self-titled Bernoulli.

Evolvent Discs – This Swedish brand was started by two engineers who want to produce the best disc golf prosucts on the market. Their first mold, the Readiness, was approved in December.

Goeringer Discs – Their first disc, the Cherry Blossum, got approved at the end of last year.

Gorilla Performance Discs – The Texas company not only recently got three molds approved, they have two molds, the Silverback and Chango, in production and available to purchase on their website.

Grassland Discs – Grassland has chosen 3D printing as the method to producing their discs for now. Their first mold is the Chickadee. They are a Canadian brand, based in Saskatchewan.

Meridian Discs – They had two molds that were recently PDGA approved, the Tundra and the Strait.

Negative – Negative is the name of a brand that just got their first disc approved. It is the Ritual. I couldn’t find any information about the company.

Ocean Discs – Ocean Discs appears to be a manufacturer in England. They got their Sea Turtle mold approved in December.

PrintPractical – The Extruder is the first mold produced by PrintPractical. The disc is named after the part of a 3D printer that pushes out the heated filament. They will be 3D printing all of their molds.

RIPR – Another Canadian company, RIPR produces a miniature rubber disc that fits in your pocket and is easy to throw. They also go their first disc golf mold approved, the Flame Skimmer. Two additional molds are currently going through the PDGA approval process: the Leatherback and the Grey Wolf.

Stokely Discs – Scott Stokely is a professional disc golfer and coach. He also has a couple molds available. They recently got PDGA approved and are available on his website.

Visionary Disc Golf – Visionary began by making disc golf practice nets. As of January of this year, they now sell discs. The Amethyst is their first disc.

X-UFO – This brand, whose parent company is does injection-molding, is a Chinese brand that had a slew of molds approved this month. Their line-up includes the Star Bat, Star Demon, Star Bison, Star Bear, and Star Dorado

Keep in mind that this list is just the brands who were getting their first mold(s) approved in the past three months (December 2023-February 2024)! That just goes to show you how much the disc golf landscape has changed in the last few years. The molds from just these companies represent a third of all of the molds approved.

Hopefully we will get to see some of the new brands make it to our shelves. It’s always fun to try discs from new brands. When they do come to market, we’ll be sure to let you know!

New Releases - New Disc Golf Discs on the Market

Best Disc Golf Baskets of 2024

February 15, 2024 Ted Hegemann 175 comments

It is not uncommon as a disc golf retailer to get asked for basket recommendations. Having ready access to a basket (and using it) is one of the best possible ways for any disc golfer to improve their disc golf skills. So, which basket would be the best for you? Well, that depends on a few factors. Having owned a number of different baskets, I can safely say that there are certain baskets that are better for certain situations. In this blog we’ll look at those factors and determine the best baskets, which will help you narrow down your choices. We also want to hear from you at the end, and will be giving out gift cards to random commenters.

Best Basket For You

One of the first questions that I ask someone who is looking for a recommendation for a basket is how the basket will mainly be used. If you are going to be setting up the basket in your backyard and at most moving around your yard, your basket needs will be different than if you will be hauling it to the course and using it for a temp hole from time to time.

I’ll group the baskets according their general type. The baskets will be sorted by Economy Baskets, Cloth Baskets, High-end Home Baskets, Narrow Baskets and Course Baskets. Then I will list the best for each type.

Best Economy Baskets

This is an entry level type of basket that is great for a first basket, a basket on a budget, or if you just want a basket but don’t want to spend much money. This level of basket does not have the quality nor disc catching ability that a more expensive basket. However, you can still develop your putting skills as much on an economy basket as a more expensive basket.

1 – Divergent Discs Portable Basket

The Divergent Discs Portable Basket is a nice, inexpensive basket that is easy to set up. It comes in several vibrant colors so you can choose your favorite. The basket has two rows of 12 zinc-coated chains for durability and function. Check out this popular basket today!

2 – Axiom Lite/Streamline Lite/Black Hole Lite

The Lite baskets from MVP/Streamline/Axiom are similar in design and function. The Black Hole Lite is available in black, while the Streamline and Axiom versions come in several different colors. All three brands have 26 chains for improved stopping power. They are lighter, less expensive versions of the Pro series. They all set up easily without tools.

3 – Black Hole Pro/Axiom Pro

The Pro Basket is a step up from the Lite in both cost and quality. MVP Black Hole Pro Basket The quality of the welds, electroplating, and design combine to give you a upper-level quality at an entry-level price. The Pro basket has 24 chains in a pattern to help minimize chain outs and run throughs, to improve your confidence.

Check out all of Infinite Discs’ portable baskets HERE

Best Cloth Baskets

Since portability is a major reason to purchase a basket, making the basket out of cloth will help make moving it around even easier. Cloth baskets fold up and are easy to carry. I’ve had my Mach Lite for nearly a decade and it still works fine.

1 – DGA Mach Lite

DGA Mach Lite Baskets

The design of the Mach Lite is impressive. It sets up in about a minute, and takes down in about the same. The included cloth bag makes it easy to transport. With the cloth basket you will make putts that you wouldn’t make on a metal basket, and run through the chains more, but if you’re looking for ease of transport, it’s worth it.

2- Innova Traveler

If you like to practice putting and you have a bunch of putters, this is a basket to consider. It’s deep basket let’s you putt a dozen discs and they will sit deep enough that they won’t interfere with your putts. It is similar to the Mach Lite in its ability to catch discs, which isn’t the best. But since it is easy to haul around, that is a good trade off.

3 – Dynamic Discs Scout

Dynamic Discs Scout Basket

The chains on the Scout feel a little stiffer than the Mach Lite or the Traveler. If you have a fast putt, the chains will help stop your discs. If not, you may end up with more bounce outs than you would like. You definitely won’t have discs run through the chains. Like the other cloth baskets, the Scout sets up easily and at 24 pounds is easy to transport.

Best High-end Home Baskets

If you want to duplicate the performance of a course basket but don’t want to fork out the big bucks for one, these are some good baskets to consider. They are more durable and stop discs better than economy baskets. If you will be moving baskets around a lot these will hold up better. They usually still as easy to disassemble. If you are okay with the extra cost, these will last longer than cheaper baskets.

1- Axiom Pro HD/Black Hole Pro HD

Another step up from the Pro baskets, the Pro HD has additional features that bump it out of the economy range. It features thicker wire and heavier chains than the Pro. Naturally this makes it a little more difficult to carry around. Yet, it still disassembles in under a minute. Considering the quality improvements, this basket is not much more than the HD.

2- Innova Discatcher EZ

Innova DisCatcher EZ Basket

This high-end home basket features 24 hot-dip galvanized chains to catch your putts. It comes in three powder-coated colors to give you a little variety. It is designed to replicate the performance of a course basket, but at a much lower cost.

3- DisCatcher Sport 24

The DisCatcher Sport 24 is a high-quality basket that you can use at home for putting practice, and also as a temp basket on a course. It is easy to move around and set up. It features 18 chains in the outer row, and six on the inner. This is a good combination of disc stopping and run-through prevention. Requires a screwdriver for assembly/disassembly.

Check out all of Infinite Discs’ portable baskets HERE

Best Narrow Baskets

This genre of basket is designed to help you focus on a smaller target, then when you are playing on a regulation basket, it will seem bigger. I’ve had one in the past and I liked putting on it. I wouldn’t recommend one as a first basket. If you already have a regular basket, this would make a good second basket.

1- Dynamic Discs Marksman Lite

Dynamic Discs Marksman Lite Basket

This is a lighter and much less expensive basket than the Marksman. It has fewer chains and is lighter. It is still difficult to actually make it int the basket when putting. That’s kind of the point of this type of basket. Still, even fewer putts will stick in this basket vs the Marksman. If you’re okay with that then you’ll save quite a bit by going with this version of the Marksman.

2- Black Hole Precision

Like the other Black Hole baskets, the Precision is also easy to set up or take down – without tools. It has a single row of 12 chains in a narrow ring. The chains are course-weighted for more stopping power and fewer bounce outs.

3- ProBasket Skill

Latitude 64 ProBasket Skill Disc Golf Basket

The ProBasket Skill is a higher quality target basket at a higher price. It has 15 chains and will grab a few more putts than the other narrow baskets. If you are going to be moving the baskets around a lot, it would be worth it to have the more sturdy ProBasket. If not, save a few bucks and get one of the cheaper baskets.

Honorable Mention

Mach Shift 3-in-1 Basket

The Mach Shift 3-in-1 basket

The Mach Shift is a hybrid basket that converts from a regular sized basket to a narrow basket. And if you really want to hone your focus, it drops down to become a shorter narrow basket! It has pretty good disc stopping ability as a full-sized basket and should be considered as an option if you’re thinking about getting a narrow basket.

Best Course Baskets

These baskets are professional level portable baskets. They are heavy-duty, and heavy. If you want to mimic all of the benefits of a course basket at home, these are the baskets for you. You’ll get durability and disc-grabbing power. Plus, if you need to add a hole to an existing course, these baskets will fill in nicely.

1- Dynamic Discs Recruit

Dynamic Discs Recruit Basket

Weighing in at 60 pounds, you’ll be glad that the Dynamic Discs Recruit comes with a wheel on the base. It has 26 heavy-duty chains to grab your discs. With tools you can break down the basket for transport, and it will fit nicely in your trunk. This basket is great for putting practice because it performs just like a professional course basket.

2- ProBasket Trainer

Approved for sanctioned tournaments up to B-Tier. The ProBasket Trainer has two rows of 13 chains each to catch and hold your putts. It is a top-tier basket that is similar to the best course baskets. The ProBasket comes apart for easier transport.

Check out all of Infinite Discs’ portable baskets HERE

This blog gives you some ideas about the options available for you. By considering what you will be using the basket for, and how much you want to spend, you can pick a basket that will work for you. Keep in mind, if you are practicing your putts on even the cheapest basket, you will still be improving!

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We want to hear from you!

If you have a basket, tell us which one you have.
If you have more than one, let us know your favorite.
Don’t have a basket? Which one would be at the top of your wish list?

We’ll select five random commenters and award an Infinite Discs gift card.

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