Elevation Disc Golf is a company that started about 1 year ago. They have specialized in making rubber discs that are extremely floppy. These discs sell out rapidly, and are quite useful. People enjoy these discs as they offer no ground play. The Koi, or the Intercepter are the only discs that are available at this moment.
Divergent Discs is another company that has emerge within this last year or so. They’re focusing on creating discs for the rest of us. They keep things really simple, providing a mold in one plastic type. They too have released a floppy disc, the Alpas.
These discs make for great approach discs because of their floppiness. Their flimsy form allows the disc to absorb energy and to remain where they land. This is beneficial as it lessens the chance of rollaways or bad kicks.
Elevation Koi Review
The way this disc feels very similar to the run 1 of the Interceptors, but a little more stiffer – just slightly though. Meaning it is still quite floppy and smashable. Where this is a rubber disc, gripping it feels a little odd from other typical plastic discs. The disc bends to how your hand is gripping it. It takes some time to get used to how the disc feels in your hands. This disc works best for a backhand power grip, it is difficult for me to throw forehand. It folds out of my hand too often when I try forehand throws.
The flight path of this is straight with a gentle fade at the end. It is a real easy throw, you can easily put too much power and turnover the disc. For me, it is difficult to feel confident in the angle release. The disc just hangs loose. This is good though, because when this disc lands, it stops. I’ve seen it land on a tree trunk and stay on the trunk.
Overall, this is an interesting disc, it isn’t my favorite, but the no ground play does have a certain allure to it. Definitely worth it if you’re looking for a disc that has no ground play.
Divergent Discs Review
The Alpas is an interesting disc, just like the Koi. It isn’t as soft as the Koi is, but it is still pretty flimsy. The rim is quite shallow, which can be uncomfortable for some people. My hand does feel a little cramped power gripping this disc. Gripping this disc though is still comfortable enough, and confident inspiring enough that the shallowness isn’t too much of a problem.
The Alpas is an understable putter. I could easily turn this disc over without trying. This is more of a touch approach disc than a driving putter. The angle control on this disc is manageable. It has a little bit of sag in it whilst holding the disc. The floppiness does the trick in absorbing energy and not moving once it hits the ground. So this disc does the trick in offering little to no ground play.
Overall, this is a good approach disc that doesn’t move around on the ground after it lands.
Check out the video below to see these discs’ flight.
Concluding Thoughts
It is kind of hard to say which of these is the better disc. They share some similar attributes but they are also different enough that they are hard to compare. The Alpas offers a little more rigidity, while the Koi is extremely soft. They are both supposed to stop rollaways, but I have seen both of them hit the ground and roll away.
