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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This post is designed to help you find some lightweight disc golf drivers to incorporate into your bag. We sincerely hope it helps you find that just-right disc for you.
Ever since lightweight discs became a presence in disc golf (most notably with Innova’s release of Blizzard plastic in 2010), they have been going in and out of vogue.
A lightweight driver can obviously benefit your game significantly on the course, but there are a fair amount of factors to consider when choosing the right one for you.
In this post we dive into those factors and try our very best to get those of you interested in incorporating lightweight drivers into your game some great options to choose from.
Let’s start by understanding what effects a lighter weight can have on a disc and why you might reach for one on the course…
How Lighter Weights Affect Flight
When choosing a lightweight driver it’s usually not as simple as choosing your favorite driver and just getting it in a lighter weight.
The lighter weight can significantly affect the flight characteristics of a disc and dramatically change how it flies for you.
Most notably, a lighter weight disc is usually less stable. And typically, the lighter you go with the disc, the less stable it becomes.
This means that the disc is more likely to turn in the air, and if you are not careful it could be more inclined to keep on turning and burning right into the ground (especially in a headwind (where we don’t generally recommend lighter drivers)).
But, if you find that right balance of plastic (which can also affect stability) and lighter weights, you can put that extra turn to your advantage and get a full flight out of the disc that you might not get if it were full weight.
This has some obvious advantages…
Why Choose A Lighter Driver?
If we were to poll 100 disc golfers (with a little truth serum) on why they choose a lighter weight driver, it’s not outrageous to think 100% of them would say that they want more distance.
More distance is the logical reason most people get that lighter disc. Within reason, it’s usually easier to throw a lighter object farther than a heavier one.
This is why discs for kids are lighter as well.
It’s also why most of the lighter weight discs are drivers instead of putters, mids or approach discs.
And, once you find the right one for you, it can definitely add that extra distance you crave.
The trick is to find the just-right disc for you that combines, speed, glide, stability, plastic-type and weight so you can maximize your distance and keep control of your disc in the process!
In addition, please note that many disc varieties do not come in lighter weights so the field is narrowed that way as well.
It’s no small feat, but we’re going to try! Let’s continue…
What is Considered Lightweight?
A typical disc comes in at 175 grams so thought we thought it would be worthwhile to define what is considered “lightweight”.
For our purposes, “lightweight” is considered anything 165 grams or less.
But, with that said, remember that not all lightweight discs fly the same.
The same disc at 165 grams and 135 grams will have vastly different flight characteristics (with the lighter one being significantly less stable and more susceptible to wind).
Just be sure to remember, as you go down in weight, your flight characteristics will change.
Infinite Can Organize by Weight!
Infinite is the biggest online disc golf retailer in the world!
And with so many discs you might be wondering how exactly you will find these lightweight discs in a sea of tens of thousands.
Well, we’ve got you covered. When you select a disc you can organize it by weights (low to high or high to low).
Just Click on The Disc –> Then press “Select Your Disc” –> In the top right of the red display box (near the X) is a “sort by” drop-down menu.Click that drop-down menu and select “Weight: Low to High”.
Now all of your discs are organized from lightest to heaviest and you’ll know very quickly if we have the weight you are looking for.
How We Ranked The Discs…
Grandma doesn’t just give away her prized meatball recipe does she? If your grandma is like ours, she guards that thing with her life!
We aren’t that protective, so we’re happy to share some ingredients and we’ll keep the portion sizes (percentages) to ourselves…
In Essence, our ranking system came down to a few key components.
We factored in ratings from other disc golfers, our personal experiences, longevity in the game (is it a tried and true disc?), and a few other minor variables (that may or may not include personal bias (we tried to leave it out but we’re only human!)) to come up with our ranking system.
It is by no means perfect, but we do hope it puts you in a position to get the right lightweight disc for you.
We also tried to create a lot of useful categories to help you identify some great lightweight driver options that will fit your specific game.
Let’s get into it!
Best Lightweight Drivers for the True Beginner!
For our purposes, we are defining a true beginner as someone who has been in the game for less than 3 months (welcome!) and/or consistently throws less than 200 feet (about 61 meters) on a max distance throw.
These are just general parameters and we encourage you to take them loosely and explore the categories that best fit you personally! Here’s our beginner list…
Innova Leopard – Factory Flight Numbers: 6, 5, -2, 1 (Avg. Rating: 4.46 stars) The Leopard is perhaps the most classic of beginner disc golf drivers!
Westside Underworld – Factory Flight Numbers: 7, 6, -3, 1 (Avg. Rating: 4.52 stars) Another classic for beginners, with big glide and easy turn.
Latitude 64 Diamond – Factory Flight Numbers: 8, 6, -3, 1 (Avg. Rating: 4.59 stars) A very beginner-friendly disc for easy distance off the tee.
Axiom Crave – Factory Flight Numbers: 6.5, 5, -1, 1 (Avg. Rating: 4.71 stars) A do-it-all, straight-flying, beginner disc that stays in your bag for life!
Divergent Discs Tiyanak – Flight Numbers: 8, 5, -5, 1 (Avg. Rating: 4.6 stars) Perfect for true beginners. It Flips up easily and goes! Comes at a great price.
Innova Roadrunner – FactoryFlight Numbers: 9, 5, -4, 1 (Avg. Rating: 4.49 stars) Easy distance for the true beginner with plenty of fun and utility as you improve!
Innova Mamba – FactoryFlight Numbers: 11, 6, -5, 1 (Avg. Rating: 4.32 stars) An 11-speed with the glide and turn to justify it’s spot on a true beginner’s list.
The Tex from LSD – FactoryFlight Numbers: 6, 5, -3, 1 (Avg. Rating: 5.0 stars) A newer disc where the early returns for beginners are very favorable!
Top Lightweight Drivers for Advancing Beginners!
Our advancing beginners category is loosely defined as a player that has been playing somewhat regularly for at least 3 months and/or can drive the disc just over 200 feet (about 61 meters) pretty regularly and sometimes approaching 250 feet (76 meters).
For this player, our lightweight disc recommendations will add a bit more stability and/or speed so you can count on a more consistent flight on any given throw and still get the distance you seek!
Discraft Heat – FactoryFlight Numbers: 9, 6, -3, 1 (Avg. Rating: 4.47 stars) Another classic gliding beginner disc for distance and eventually finesse.
I-blend Infinite Centurion – FactoryFlight Numbers: 7, 5, -1, 2 (Avg. Rating: 4.87 stars) A do-it-all workhorse of a disc that holds many lines and has a place in any player’s bag. I-blend is a high-quality, affordable plastic perfect for beginners.
Innova Leopard3 – FactoryFlight Numbers: 7, 5, -2, 1 (Avg. Rating: 4.6 stars) Another consistent classic that stays in the bag as your game evolves.
Discraft Cicada – FactoryFlight Numbers: 7, 6, -1, 1 (Avg. Rating: 4.8 stars) A straight-flying, high-glide, consistent disc with a high approval rating.
Lone Star Tumbleweed – FactoryFlight Numbers: 10, 6, -3, 1 (Avg. Rating: 4.58 stars) This 10-speed is easy to launch and has high-glide for easy distance.
Prodigy F3 – FactoryFlight Numbers: 7, 5, -1, 2 (Avg. Rating: 4.54 stars) This disc is easy to control with a consistent flight that is easily repeated.
Innova Sidewinder – FactoryFlight Numbers: 9, 5, -3, 1 (Avg. Rating: 4.53 stars) Easy hyzer-flip distance and fun flight paths are what this disc is all about.
Axiom Virus – FactoryFlight Numbers: 9, 5, -3.5, 1 (Avg. Rating: 4.42 stars) This disc gets up and goes for easy distance right out of the box.
Discraft Avenger SS – FactoryFlight Numbers: 10, 5, -3, 1 (Avg. Rating: 4.32 stars) A classic easy-distance pioneer that has good glide and keeps its utility as your game evolves.
Great Lightweight Drivers for Intermediate Drivers!
Once again we are going to loosely define this “intermediate driver” of the disc as someone who is consistently driving over 250 feet (76 meters) and can get up to 300 feet (91 meters).
With this category (and the next one) we know we are talking about a higher percentage of players and we are adding a little more speed and little more stability to counter-balance the lighter weights on the discs.
We also know that if we get the right ones in your hands, you’re going to get a nice boost in distance. Here’s what we’ve got!
Infinite Maya – FactoryFlight Numbers: 11, 5, -3, 1 (Avg. Rating: 4.69 stars) This disc helps achieve consistent and reproducible distance and accuracy.
Infinite Sphinx – FactoryFlight Numbers: 9, 6, -3, 1 (Avg. Rating: 4.88 stars) The Sphinx is a gliding do-it-all phenom of a disc for almost any skill level!
Axiom Insanity – FactoryFlight Numbers: 9, 5, -2, 1.5 (Avg. Rating: 4.72 stars) This workhorse of a disc gives consistent results and holds many lines.
Latitude 64 Jade – FactoryFlight Numbers: 9, 6, -2, 1 (Avg. Rating: 4.87 stars) A hyzer-flip gem of a disc that is great for easy distance and holding long lines.
Millennium Orion LF – FactoryFlight Numbers: 9, 5, -1, 2 (Avg. Rating: 4.89 stars) A no-nonsense workhorse that goes straight with a consistent fade.
Discraft Undertaker – FactoryFlight Numbers: 9, 5, -1, 2 (Avg. Rating: 4.72 stars) Another very consistent flyer that can stay in your bag for life.
Innova Valkyrie – FactoryFlight Numbers: 9, 4, -2, 2 (Avg. Rating: 4.48 stars) A throwback big distance disc that can be used for many shot shapes and lines.
Lightweight Discs for Advancing Intermediate Distance Throwers!
Now we have entered the realm of throwers that get to 300 feet (91 meters) with their regular discs and sometimes push it further by approaching 375 feet (114 meters).
Hopefully, with the right lightweight disc in hand, these players can find that extra boost in distance they seek and still maintain the consistency to help them maximize their scoring potential on the course.
Here’s what we’ve got for you…
I-blend Infinite Pharaoh – FactoryFlight Numbers: 13, 6, -1, 2 (Avg. Rating: 4.72 stars) A distance cheat code. The speed and glide combined with lighter weights and I-blend plastic have this disc take off and never come down.
Innova Wraith – FactoryFlight Numbers: 11, 5, -1, 3 (Avg. Rating: 4.68 stars) An absolute all-timer with consistent flights. Great for forehand and backhand.
Discraft Drive – FactoryFlight Numbers: 11, 5, -1, 2 (Avg. Rating: 4.75 stars) The drive is an extremely straight driver for easy distance forehand or backhand.
Innova Tern – FactoryFlight Numbers: 12, 6, -2, 2 (Avg. Rating: 4.64 stars) This is a wide-rim, sleek, fast, easy-turn, big glide, distance-gobbling driver!
Finish Line Era – FactoryFlight Numbers: 10, 5, -1, 1.5 (Avg. Rating: 4.58 stars) This disc is a straight shooter that feels nice forehand or backhand.
Lone Star Curl – FactoryFlight Numbers: 11, 5, -1, 2 (Avg. Rating: 4.66 stars) A nice, consistent 11-speed that holds it’s line and goes long distances.
MVP Wave – FactoryFlight Numbers: 11, 5, -2, 2 (Avg. Rating: 4.41 stars) Nice hand feel and easy to launch. Promoters get big distance. Detractors can’t get consistent turn.
Lightweight Drivers for Advanced Distance Throwers!
Advanced Drivers can mean a lot of things. But if you are consistently pushing over 375 feet (114 meters) or 400 feet (122 meters), then you are putting a move on the disc. It’s probably also safer to say that you’ve been playing for some time and you understand how flight numbers, disc speed, spin rate, plastic types, disc weights, etc. affect a disc’s flight.
With that in mind, we present some lightweight discs that may be a good for you when you are trying to squeeze every last bit out of your drive. Here goes…
Innova Destroyer – FactoryFlight Numbers: 12, 5, -1, 3 (Avg. Rating: 4.66 stars) No surprise here. The Destroyer is used by top pros to get consistent, repeatable distance backhand or forehand.
Prodigy D2 – FactoryFlight Numbers: 12, 6, -.5, 3 (Avg. Rating: 4.66 stars) The D2 gives nice glide and distance and can hold up to big throws!
DD Trespass – FactoryFlight Numbers: 12, 5, -.5, 3 (Avg. Rating: 4.51 stars) Not as stable as the numbers suggest but a big distance disc once you dial in!
Discraft Nuke – FactoryFlight Numbers: 13, 5, -1, 3 (Avg. Rating: 4.41 stars) Always a lightning rod, but there’s no denying the distance potential of this disc!
Innova Charger – FactoryFlight Numbers: 13, 5, -1, 2 (Avg. Rating: 4.71 stars) A trustworthy, consistent, distance-eating driver for big throwers!
Lat. 64 Havoc – Flight Numbers: 13, 5, -1, 3 (Avg. Rating: 4.63 stars) Less stable than the numbers suggest but with more glide as well. Once you get the angles right, you can send this disc big distances.
Great Lightweight Disc Golf Drivers for Forehand Drives!
As you might expect, some of the discs that we’ve already listed are also great for the forehand. Discs like the Wraith, Era, Destroyer, Charger, Pharaoh, Drive, Nuke, and Racer are all great candidates for forehand distance drivers.
In addition to those, here some more lightweight discs that are excellent for forehand drives as well. Many of these are overstable to help them withstand the higher torques that are usually put on a forehand drive. This combined with the lighter weights can add to some nice distances when you find the right one for you.
Discraft Force – FactoryFlight Numbers: 12, 5, 0, 3 (Avg. Rating: 4.5 stars) The Force breaks the typical forehand mold with its big dome, but when you connect on it you can expect nice glide and reliable fade even at lighter weights.
Finish Line Daytona – FactoryFlight Numbers: 12, 4, 0, 3 (Avg. Rating: 4.79 stars) A very consistent disc that handles power well with a just-right stability.
Millenium Quasar – FactoryFlight Numbers: 13, 5, 0, 3 (Avg. Rating: 4.76 stars) This disc cuts through the air and fights out of steep angles for big distance.
Infinite Slab – FactoryFlight Numbers: 12, 3, 0, 4 (Avg. Rating: 4.71 stars) With a name like “Slab” you’re not getting this disc for graceful big distance, but it’s a smooth release and a reliable flight which can be perfect for controlled shots.
Innova Shryke – FactoryFlight Numbers: 13, 6, -2, 2 (Avg. Rating: 4.53 stars) This disc is far less stable than others on this list, and it takes a little practice to master the angles. But once you do the glide is real and can mean big distance.
Lat. 64 Ballista Pro – Flight Numbers: 14, 4, 0, 3 (Avg. Rating: 4.64 stars) Even at lighter weights this 14-speed disc can handle big power. But if you’ve got that power this disc can take you places far, far away.
Innova Boss – FactoryFlight Numbers: 13, 5, -1, 3 (Avg. Rating: 4.47 stars) Another disc that needs big power to reach its full potential, but rewards big throws with long, impressive drives.
Lightweight Disc Golf Drivers – In Summary
The way we see it, that is lightweight lists of discs with some big distance potential! Matching discs to individuals can be a tricky proposition given all the variables. Throwing lighter weights into the mix is yet another one that can greatly affect flight.
But when you find that right disc for you, the results can be immediate and the added distance can be real. This is what we wish for anyone reading this.
May your weights be small and your distances big!
Thank you for reading. We sincerely hope this helps you find your best driver yet. Also, if you have a lightweight disc that you swear by, let us all know in the comments.
The disc golf putter is the true workhorse of the sport. It can be used off the tee for drives of several hundred feet. It can be used as an approach disc in a variety of scenarios. And it can be used for the final toss into the basket.
Ok, technically you could used any type of disc in any situation. However, few people putt with drivers or even mids. The mighty putter, on the other hand, can easily be used for most types of throws.
Best Disc Golf Approach Disc?
Since putters are categorized as a ‘putt/approach’ discs, we need to get a little bit creative in order to get a list of the best putt discs or best approach discs. To do this, we will list the top selling putters, then look at top rated putters, and finally, we’ll list the top discs that we see on the course being used on approaches.
The Innova Gator is definitely one of the staples of this category. It was nominated in our midrange awards a few weeks ago, but it is mostly used as a true approach disc. The Gator is an overstable disc that features a flat top (sometimes :)) and a noticeable bead along the bottom of the disc. It is a disc that is great in the wind and offers a little more distance than some of the putters we have nominated as well.
Another disc that we nominated in the midrange category, the Dynamic Discs Justice is a beefy overstable disc that is often used as an approach disc. It is great for making an approach when you need to get around a sharp corner. It also holds up in stiff winds. Like I said in the midrange article, pretty much nothing is going to make the Justice turn over in flight.
The Hyzerbomb Mortar was also nominated in the midrange discs, but it is primarily used as an approach disc. The mold is just like an Innova Gator but it has a beadless rim. This makes it more friendly to forehand throws, but it still has a strong overstable flight that is workable from all over the disc golf course.
The Discmania P2 was also nominated in our putter category. Discmania has done a great job of differentiating be benefits of each plastic type, and that is especially applicable to those who use the P2 as an approach disc. The S-Line P2 is known as the most overstable P2 and the D-Line is one of the more understable versions. Both plastic blends are popular driving putters that can serve different purposes for your approach game.
The Envy had a big following before James Conrad’s Holy Shot during the 2021 World Championship. But that shot sure didn’t hurt sales. With a decent amount of fade, the putter can be used for technical approach shots that require shaping. Plus the disc gets straighter as it beats in, giving you even more options for your upshot. It has a shallower rim than many putters, making it easy to grip. The Envy comes in a variety of plastic types to satisfy every preference.
Which approach disc do you think is the best? Share your opinion by commenting below and telling us which disc you think is the best approach disc in the world and why!
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.
When it comes to choosing the best disc golf disc, getting the right weight is an important factor. The weight of a disc affects its speed, stability and the way it will fly. Understanding this relationship can provide a significant advantage in the discs you choose to purchase and throw on the course.
Release Velocity and it’s Relationship to Distance
The faster you’re able to throw the disc, the greater your potential to get more distance. This provides a relationship between the release velocity of a throw and the distance the disc travels.
According to a Best Disc Golf Discs Youtube video, for every additional mile per hour in speed at release, there is an average increase of 7.2 feet in distance. So the easiest way to get more “arm speed” and throw faster is by increasing your release velocity with lighter weight discs.
Research shows that reducing the disc weight can lead to an increase in throw speed. For instance, shaving off 20 grams from a disc’s weight can enhance the speed by 6.5 miles per hour. Theoretically, this could result in an impressive gain of 47 feet in distance.
Lighter Discs for Big Distance
The potential of lighter discs isn’t merely theoretical. For disc golf distance competitions, world records have been set with light weight discs weighing under 160 grams. This underscores the point that lighter discs, when thrown correctly, can achieve astounding distances. For me personally, I can most easily get full flight and maximum distance with a 149 gram Pharaoh.
Disc Stability Also Matters
While light weight discs have potential for more distance, the flight dynamics of the disc can also change. Lighter discs, by their nature, tend to exhibit more turn, which can affect the intended flight path. To counter this tendency, it might be advantageous to choose a more stable driver or increase the weight. Increased stability allows for more consistent flight paths.
While the weight of the disc may not actually affect the discs stability, the fact that you are able to throw light weight discs faster will affect its stability.
Factoring in Wind Conditions
Disc weight makes a big difference when it comes to throwing in the wind. Lights discs are affected much more than heavier discs, simply because of physics. All other factors being equal, lighter discs will get blown around more than a heavier disc, since there is less mass to get moving. That goes for a head/tail wind, as well as a cross wind.
Which Weight to Choose?
With a lot of disc golfers trying out popular discs by different brands, we thought that we would address the questions of disc weight. For some players, the weight of the disc is not particularly important as long as it flies the way that they want it to. But for other players, the disc weight is very important since they prefer the performance of heavier discs, or desire the easier distance that may come with lighter discs, etc.
Your weight choice should primarily depend on the disc you are purchasing and what you intend to use that disc for.
Choosing Weight for Putters and Midrange Discs
Because the objective and putter and midrange discs is not distance but control, in most instances you should choose heavier, near max weight discs.
Disc Golf Putter Weights
Most disc golf putters have a max weight of 173-175grams. Personally, I like a putter around the 170-172 gram range. It really probably doesn’t make much of a difference, but psychologically in my mind that “lighter” putter will glide just a little bit more. When it comes to making putts, it’s really all about confidence.
Midrange Disc Weights
Some Midrange Discs have wider diameters, and thus the PDGA allows for heavier max weights. Large diameter mids like the Buzzz and Roc3 have max weights of up to 180 grams.
If you’re looking for something very overstable, you probably want a heavier disc, or at least something in the 165g plus weight range. If you want something that will glide a little bit more and not fall to the ground as fast, consider something lighter than mid weight for that mold.
Best Weight for Disc Golf Drivers
Disc golf drivers and their sharp rims usually have a maximum weight of 175 grams or less.
When it comes to choosing drivers, this is when the weight ranges really matters. The reality is that you will probably want a variety of different weights depending on your intended use for the driver. If you’re looking for big distance, use a lighter disc.
While I can’t usually tell the difference between a 170 gram, and a 173 gram disc, there is a noticeable difference between max weigh drivers and those in the 160’s. When a disc golf driver gets in the 150’s or lower weight range, there is a noticeable difference in the speed you are able to throw the disc and the way that it will fly.
If you have a tendency to “turn over” your disc, you probably want to stay away from light weight drivers as the heavier varieties will provide more consistency.
Some disc golfers choose to throw light weight but very overstable discs to get the best of both velocity and stability.
The real way to choose the right disc weight for you is simply to try your favorite driver in a number of different weight ranges to see which ones perform best for you in varying situations.
Lighter Weights for Beginners
Because new disc golfers do not have the arm speed to get a full flight out of disc, the best discs for beginners are usually light weight discs, at least in terms of drivers. Mid weight midrange discs are also recommended for newer players.
Sometimes factory second blemishes make x-out discs lighter than the non x-out version, so a factory second version is a way to get a lighter disc in the mold you are looking at.
Are the Weights Listed on Disc Golf Discs Accurate?
Here at Infinite Discs, we try to represent each disc as accurately as possible on our website by including a photo and the details for each disc. We decided years ago that we would trust the manufacturers when it comes to indicating the weight of their discs.
Most major disc manufacturers take the time to weigh the discs as they come out of the mold and painstakingly mark those weights in ink, with stickers, or embossed on the bottom of each disc. We trust that they have a well-established procedure for accurately weighing those discs as part of their manufacturing process.
WHY DON’T WE WEIGH THE DISCS at Infinite Discs?
Because we’ve chosen to trust the disc manufacturers to represent their products accurately and according to their own standards, we do not take the extra time to weigh each disc as we add them into our online inventory. Here at Infinite Discs, we currently have three different digital scales which we use to weigh packages as we ship them. When used to weigh individual discs, we can lay the same disc on each of those three scales and get results that may differ a gram or two from one scale to the next or from the weight indicated on the disc. So which of those scales is correct?
Scale Variations
We have heard the argument that “gravity is the same everywhere,” and that is correct. While gravity may not change, the calibration of different scales might differ. While we do not own the most top-of-the-line digital scales, we have noticed that there can be differences between them, so we don’t feel that we should automatically judge a disc’s factory weight to be wrong if it differs slightly from what one of our scales might say.
The same 173-174 Kong on another one of our digital scales.
Let’s assume for a moment that we receive a disc marked as 175g by the factory, using their procedures. Then we weigh the disc and find that our scale says 174g or maybe 176g. We feel strongly that it is not our place to then scratch out the factory weight and indicate our own results on the disc. We also don’t feel that we should list the disc on our website with a weight that is different than the factory results– the purchaser of the disc would receive it, see that our advertised weight doesn’t match what is marked on the disc and feel deceived. They might weigh the disc themselves and find a result of 173g on their own scale and feel that both we and the factory were wrong. Thus, we stick with what the factory says and don’t alter the disc or the weight information provided. That way, the manufacturer becomes the ultimate authority for the disc that they produced.
DIFFERENT BRANDS AND THEIR WEIGHT DESIGNATIONS
We’ve seen a lot of players move from one brand to another when purchasing discs. We’d like to address another important consideration when it comes to the procedures of those different brands. Innova, for example, typically marks their weights to the precise gram by writing the weight on the bottom of the disc in ink. Players who throw Innova or discs by other brands that use a similar procedure are able to pick the exact weight that they feel is perfect for them.
However, Discraft has not traditionally marked each disc to the gram. They instead choose to put a sticker on their discs that indicates a weight range. For example, they’ll put a sticker on a disc that says 170 – 172. That way, they are acknowledging that there will be some variation in weight for the discs produced in that batch. Other discs may be lighter and marked with weight stickers like 167 – 169, or heavier with 177+ (typical for mid-range discs like the Buzzz). Again, we assume that their range is accurate, but can’t promise that when weighed on somebody’s personal scale that it won’t fall a gram above or below the range that Discraft indicated.
Our Policy
When we list discs by companies that use a weight range on a sticker, we have chosen to be consistent in our data entry practices by simply listing the low number on that sticker. That is because our data entry system does not allow for a range, but wants a single number. Thus, a disc marked as 170 – 172 will be listed as 170. A disc with a sticker saying 173 – 175 will be listed as 173. The “max weight” for a Discraft driver would typically be listed as 173, but could actually weigh on the higher end of that range.
Other brands that use weight ranges include DGA, Viking Discs, Yikun Discs, and the new Active Baseline series of discs from Discmania (not individually weighed, but sold in a weight range).
WHAT IF THE WEIGHT IS JUST PLAIN WRONG?
While we’d like to believe that we live in a world where mistakes don’t happen, that is simply not a reality. While taking photos and adding thousands of discs per week onto our website, it is possible that some busy, tired employee here at Infinite Discs may type a weight in incorrectly. Usually we catch that error before the disc ships and we contact the buyer to make sure that they get a weight that they want. If the disc slips past another employee at the shipping station and the buyer receives a disc that has a factory weight that is different than what we entered, then we take care of the problem.
If we have entered the disc weight according the factory-marked weight, as indicated above, but the buyer believes it is still inaccurate or marked incorrectly, then we’re still happy to help the best we can, knowing that some busy, tired employee at the factory may have made a mistake. After all, nobody is perfect, and mistakes are always possible. We just want to clarify that we are doing the best we can to represent discs on our website exactly as the factory specified.
174g vs 175g
In the end, when disc weight becomes a hot topic of discussion or a complaint, we often find ourselves wondering if that gram or two was really going to make a difference in the player’s game. Would a 174g disc perform that much worse for an average player who claims that they absolutely must have a 175g disc? That’s an argument to be settled elsewhere. As disc connoisseurs, we can attest that here at Infinite Discs we have discs in our bags that straddle a lot of weight ranges, and they fly as well as we can throw them.
We hope that this information has been helpful in understand a little bit more about disc weights and how they effect flight. We hope you better understand how brands mark the weight of their discs, and how we at Infinite Discs work with those brands and trust in those manufacturers to indicate the weight of their discs so that our buyers can make an informed purchasing decision.
The flight of a disc is one of the most important factors we consider when buying a disc. The feel of the disc in our hand would be a close second. But, how the disc actually flies for us tops the list of factors. One of the most important aspects of the flight of a disc is its stability.
Disc Stability
The stability of a given disc is how the disc flies immediately out of our hand, and how it behaves as it slows down. I talked about those disc qualities in my blog about flight numbers, HERE. For this blog, we’ll explore the terms ‘overstable’, ‘stable’, and ‘understable’. We will also looks at the weakness in using those terms to describe the flight of a disc. So, let’s get right to it!
The terminology can be confusing. For the sake of this blog post, I’ll look at each of the three terms mentioned above and establish a definition for each of them, so we can be consistent in our description about the flight of the disc. I’ll start with the term ‘overstable’.
Overstable
Let’s define ‘overstable’ as a discs ability to resist turning during the first part of the flight, and its hard fade as the disc slows down. The ‘turn’ of a disc, for a right-hand back-hand throw (RHBH) is its movement to the right immediately after the disc is thrown. The ‘fade’ is its movement to the left as the disc slows down. As players improve their technique and skill, their ability to throw the disc at high speeds increases. As the speed of the throw increases, so does the need for more overstable discs to prevent the flight from turning too much.
Now let’s consider the term ‘understable’. We consider a disc as being understable if it has a tendency to turn a significant amount right out of the hand. A disc that is very understable typically doesn’t have very much fade at the end. An understable disc is great for newer players who lack the arm speed to throw more overstable discs, since they can’t generate enough speed for the overstable discs to fly right. If the necessary speed can’t be achieved, nearly every disc becomes overstable to a beginner. Check out this list for the top understable disc golf discs.
One of the ways the manufacturers can offer more molds to beginners is to offer overstable molds in lighter weights. Due to the disc having less mass, newer players can ‘cheat’ the system and still throw molds that would be too overstable in heavier weights.
Now let’s talk about the term that has a little more flexible definition: ‘stable’. When I hear people calling a disc ‘stable’, they typically mean that the disc doesn’t have a lot of turn, nor does it fade hard. When I hear it in reference to another disc, it can either mean more overstable or more understable, depending on the situation. If you say that you are throwing a Slab (12, 3, 0, 4), but want something a little more stable, you are saying that you want a disc that is not so overstable.
If you are throwing a Kon Tiki (4, 5, -3, 0) and say you want something a little more stable, you mean that you want something that is less understable. Basically, in both examples you are saying that you want something that flies a little less extreme and a little closer to a neutral flight.
Occasionally, I’ll hear someone refer to a disc being more stable than another, when they mean more overstable. That is an inconsistent use of the term, and may lead to a follow-up question to clarify the meaning. To eliminate any ambiguity, I recommend referring to discs as being more or less overstable or understable.
The flight numbers of a disc help us know the basic flight of a disc. Those numbers are fairly accurate if we can throw the disc at the proper speed. If we can throw a disc with sufficient speed, we can then look at the last two rating in the flight rating to determine the overstability or understability of a disc. Let’s look at some examples.
Disc Flight Number Examples
The Scepter and the Sphinx are speed nine discs from Infinite. The Scepter’s flight numbers are 9, 4, 0, 4. The ‘0, 4’ are the last two numbers, and tell you that this mold would resist turning, even at high speeds (the 0), and will finish strong to the left (the 4). It is an example of an overstable fairway driver.
The flight numbers for the Sphinx are 9, 6, -3, 1. The -3 is the amount of turn that the Sphinx exhibits when thrown at the necessary speed. That means it will turn to the right quite a bit at high speeds. Add a little headwind into the situation and the Sphinx could end up as a roller. Plus, the last number, ‘1’, indicates that the Sphinx isn’t going to fade very much to the left. It is an understable fairway driver.
The more negative the turn number means the more turn to the right the disc will move during the high-speed portion of the flight. A disc with a -5 turn number will turn more to the right than one with a -1 turn number. Discs with a turn of 0 or positive 1 won’t turn to the right very much at all, and are great for headwind shots.
The fade number tells you how much a disc will move to the left at the end of the flight. The higher the number, the more it will travel to the left as it slows down. In our examples above, the Scepter (fade number is 4) moves a lot more left than the Sphinx (fade number is 1).
Visualize Overstable/Understable/Stable
For many of us, understanding overstable vs. understable and comprehending the behavior of a disc just by reading a blog post can be challenging. If you’re a visual learner, this video will provide a clear demonstration of how Connor throws discs with various stabilities, showcasing their distinct flight patterns.
Conclusion
Knowing the stability of a disc helps up choose discs that work for our needs. We can get a general idea how the disc will fly, and can determine if it is something we are looking for. Keep in mind that the weight and plastic type also affect the stability of a disc. Check out Infinite’s flight ratings for each disc, for a more accurate depiction of a discs actual flight. Click HERE to see the blog mentioned previously, which talks about the Infinite Flight Rating.
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
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.
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
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!
#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.
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.
#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.
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.
#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.
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.
#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.
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.
#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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
One of the best reasons to have a rope device is because you can reach a lot further with them than a 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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
In the top right of the red display box (near the X) is a “sort by” drop-down menu.
Click that drop-down menu and select “Weight: Low to High”.
and its hard fade as the disc slows down. The ‘turn’ of a disc, for a right-hand back-hand throw (RHBH) is its movement to the right immediately after the disc is thrown. The ‘fade’ is its movement to the left as the disc slows down. As players improve their technique and skill, their ability to throw the disc at high speeds increases. As the speed of the throw increases, so does the need for more overstable discs to prevent the flight from turning too much.
Now let’s consider the term ‘
4. The ‘0, 4’ are the last two numbers, and tell you that this mold would resist turning, even at high speeds (the 0), and will finish strong to the left (the 4). It is an example of an overstable fairway driver.
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.
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.
