Infinite Discs Blog

Farthest Flying Disc Golf Discs: The Real Max Distance Drivers

October 28, 2024 Ted Hegemann 211 comments

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

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

Here are the results for last year.

Farthest Flying Disc Golf Discs

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

Farthest Backhand Disc

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

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

Top Five Farthest Flying Discs for Backhand Throws

Farthest Forehand Disc

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

Top Five Farthest Flying Forehand Discs

Two Tips for more Forehand Distance

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

The Farthest Flying Discs for Each Arm Speed

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

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

Backhand Max Distance by Arm Speed

Low Arm Speed – Less than 300 Feet Total Distance

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

Moderate Arm Speed – 300-350 Feet Distance

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

Intermediate Arm Speed -350-400 Feet Distance Range

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

Max Distance for High Arm Speed Throwers

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

Links to Max Backhand Throws Discs

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

Farthest Forehand Throws by Distance

Forehand Throws Less than 350 Feet

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

Forehand Throws between 350 and 400 Feet

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

Sidearm Throws 400+ Feet

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

Links to Max Forehand Throws Discs

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

Farthest Flying Distance Drivers by Brand

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

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

Top Selling Distance Drivers by Brand

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

The farthest discs from each disc golf manufacturer

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

Survey Results: Max Distance Discs

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

Mason K

Jerry B

Joshua T

Jacob R

Matt Y

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

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

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

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

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

Rodney T prefers an Opto Saint for his bomber.

Vince R likes his Star Shryke on the long throws.

Dawson F uses a Jade to crush drives.

Michael C launches Sunny Vanillas the farthest.

All winners have been emailed

Best Disc Golf Bags

October 24, 2024 Ted Hegemann 27 comments

Best Disc Golf Bags

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

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

Types of Disc Golf Bags

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

Small bags

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

Large bags

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

Economy Backpack

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

Backpack Bags

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

And the winners for the Best Bags Are:

Best Small Disc Golf Bag: Infinite Discs Easy Bag

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

Top 5 small disc golf bags

View our top selling small bags here.

Best Large Disc Golf Bag: Infinite Discs Tournament Bag

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

View are top selling large bags here.

Honorable Mention: Disc Tote

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

Best Economy Disc Golf Backpack: Infinite Discs Slinger Deluxe

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

Top 5 Best Economy Disc Golf Backpacks

View our top selling Economy Bags Here.

Best Disc Golf Backpack Bag: Dynamic Discs Commander

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

Top 5 Best Disc Golf Backpacks

Gift Card Winners:

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

Justin E, who prefers an Upper Park Pinch Pro

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

Howard S, who loves his Smack Bag

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

Derek T, who upgraded to a Dynamic Discs Paratrooper

General

Best Lightweight Drivers in Disc Golf

October 22, 2024 Mister Disc 4 comments

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 – Factory Flight 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 – Factory Flight 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 – Factory Flight 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 – Factory Flight Numbers: 9, 6, -3, 1 (Avg. Rating: 4.47 stars) Another classic gliding beginner disc for distance and eventually finesse.
I-blend Infinite Centurion – Factory Flight 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 – Factory Flight Numbers: 7, 5, -2, 1 (Avg. Rating: 4.6 stars) Another consistent classic that stays in the bag as your game evolves.
Discraft Cicada – Factory Flight Numbers: 7, 6, -1, 1 (Avg. Rating: 4.8 stars) A straight-flying, high-glide, consistent disc with a high approval rating.
Lone Star Mockingbird – Factory Flight Numbers: 7, 5, -2, 1 (Avg. Rating: 4.81 stars) Another do-it-all, hold-many-lines, easy throw equals easy distance disc!
Lone Star Tumbleweed – Factory Flight 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 – Factory Flight 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 – Factory Flight 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 – Factory Flight 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 – Factory Flight 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 – Factory Flight Numbers: 11, 5, -3, 1 (Avg. Rating: 4.69 stars) This disc helps achieve consistent and reproducible distance and accuracy.
Infinite Sphinx – Factory Flight 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 – Factory Flight 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 – Factory Flight 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 – Factory Flight Numbers: 9, 5, -1, 2 (Avg. Rating: 4.89 stars) A no-nonsense workhorse that goes straight with a consistent fade.
Discraft Undertaker – Factory Flight Numbers: 9, 5, -1, 2 (Avg. Rating: 4.72 stars) Another very consistent flyer that can stay in your bag for life.
Innova Valkyrie – Factory Flight 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 – Factory Flight 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 – Factory Flight Numbers: 11, 5, -1, 3 (Avg. Rating: 4.68 stars) An absolute all-timer with consistent flights. Great for forehand and backhand.
Discraft Drive – Factory Flight Numbers: 11, 5, -1, 2 (Avg. Rating: 4.75 stars) The drive is an extremely straight driver for easy distance forehand or backhand.
Innova Racer – Factory Flight Numbers: 12, 6, -1, 2 (Avg. Rating: 4.75 stars) A fun, gliding, easy-distance, nice hand-feel, newer entry from Innova.
Prodigy D4 – Factory Flight Numbers: 13, 5, -3, 2 (Avg. Rating: 4.32 stars) Author’s personal bias weighed heavily here. 161g Prodigy Air is my farthest flying backhand disc (along with Pharaoh). Maybe, it’s similar for you?
Discraft Surge SS – Factory Flight Numbers: 11, 5, -2, 2 (Avg. Rating: 4.63 stars) A distance classic that is a consistent forehand or backhand driver.
Viking Discs Ragnarok – Factory Flight Numbers: 11, 5, -1, 2 (Avg. Rating: 4.63 stars) A fun, easy-distance, try-something-new driver with consistency.
Innova Tern – Factory Flight 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 – Factory Flight 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 – Factory Flight 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 – Factory Flight 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 – Factory Flight 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 – Factory Flight 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 – Factory Flight 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 – Factory Flight 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 – Factory Flight 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 – Factory Flight 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 – Factory Flight 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 – Factory Flight 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 – Factory Flight 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 – Factory Flight 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 – Factory Flight 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.

Halloween Disc Golf Discs 2024

October 18, 2024 Ted Hegemann 2 comments

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

Halloween Disc Golf Stamps 2024

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

Infinite Discs

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

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

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

Innova

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

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

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

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

Search all of our Halloween discs here.

Discraft

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

Prodigy

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

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

MVP

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

James Conrad – Eve of the Mothman

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

Simon Lizotte – Bridgewater Triangle

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

Silva Saarinen – Beneath the Wave

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

Eagle McMahon – Flying Thrills

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

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

Colton Montgomery’s Last Howl PD

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

Check out the Last Howl PD here

Kyle Klein Vanguard (Sold Out!)

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

Check out the Vanguard here

Niklas Anttila Nordic Phenom 3 DD3

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

Check out the Nordic Phenom 3 here

Ella Hansen Show Stopper 2 FD

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

Check out the Show Stopper 2 here

Disc Golf X-Outs, Misprints and Factory Seconds

October 17, 2024 Alan Leave a comment

In this post we will cover what these terms mean, how they are used, and how to find those kinds of discs. In disc golf, factory seconds, x-outs, and misprints are basically discs that didn’t make the cut for regular retail sales, for a variety of reasons. These discs are typically of good quality, but may have small defects that make them unacceptable for “normal” sale.

X-Out Discs

X-out disc golf discs (also known as factory seconds) have slight factory defects that don’t meet manufacturer standards. Because the quality of these discs is not good enough to be sold at full price, you can save some money by purchasing factory second discs.

Reasons Discs Get Classified as X-Out Factory Seconds

There are several reasons why certain discs get classified as factory seconds. The most common defects come from unwanted air bubbles in the rim, black specs that somehow end up in the disc, small bumps, gouges in the rim, and errors in color configuration.

Air Bubbles
Poor Flashing Removal
Unusual indentations in rim
Excessive dome
Puddle Top
Wavey Flight Plate
Foreign Particles in the Plastic

With certain factory seconds, it’s baffling why they didn’t meet manufacturer standards because they appear identical to their full-price counterparts. Manufacturers sometimes detect minor imperfections in a batch, leading them to classify the entire lot as X-Outs, even though many discs within it are perfectly sound. It’s a bit of a mystery sometimes, but for you it means snagging a great deal on discs that might be virtually indistinguishable from the regular ones.

Downside of Factory Second Discs

Factory second defects are primarily cosmetic and are not supposed to have a significant effect on flight characteristics or durability.

With that said, some factory second defects do substantially alter the flight of the discs. If you notice a visual bulge, extra dome, or indention in your factory second disc, this disc will fly a little bit differently than the unblemished variety. For this reason, buying factory seconds is not always the best if you’re looking to replace a disc with a specific flight path.

To make things slightly more confusing… When golf discs have serious defects that will alter flight, manufacturers like Innova and Latitude 64 recycle and regrind the plastic rather than try to resell blemished discs. Discs made from this “recycled plastic” are sold as a unique plastic blend called “echo star” or “recycled.” These discs aren’t actually factory seconds, they are simply a different plastic blend made from recycled materials — and usually priced less.

We do carry several recycled discs available for sale. This plastic is an option for many of the common Trilogy Discs. These plastic types are known respectably as “recycled”, “reprocessed” and “Bio Fuzion” and are found under the individual disc pages. Infinite Discs I-Blend plastic is made partially of recycled plastic parts.

Click this link to search from our assortment of X-Out Factory Second Discs

Misprint Golf Discs

Misprint discs meet manufacturer standards during production, but the flaws occur during the hot stamping process. In many cases these discs are stamped multiple times. The Infinite Discs Sphinx (below) was stamped multiple times.

In other instances, the foil didn’t set properly and created a flaw in the print. Sometimes these print blemishes are very minor, such as a partial stamp. Once in a while, discs are simply given the wrong stamp. While it may have the Ape stamp, it’s actually a Valkyrie. Always look at the handwritten or engraved disc name on the bottom of the disc to determine the actual mold.

The reality is, after a few throws disc stamps are going to get scratched anyways. Discs that are double stamped are unique, and sometimes create even more impressive artwork. Some double stamps give a 3D look to the stamp.

If you’re the type of person that likes high quality discs, but not high prices, misprint and factory seconds are your best bet to save some money.

Best Way to Find Misprints and X-Outs for Sale

When adding products to InfiniteDiscs.com our employees have a field called “additional input” where they label additional information about each specific disc they manually add to inventory.

If the factory second disc also has a special “Factory Second” stamp, it will also be found under our Factory Second Stamp type page here.

We have a large team and because it is humans who do our inventory adding errors do occur. It is not uncommon for you to find misprints or x-outs that were not labeled and are found in other locations on our website. In general the “plastic type” (and lower price) will help you to determine if the disc is indeed an X-Out.

For consistency and ease of entering the data, we enter all misprints or factory second discs into our system with the term “x-out” listed after the plastic name in the plastic type field. If you see the plastic type is “Star x-out”, then the price has been discounted and the disc you will receive is a misprinted or factory second version of Star plastic.

To view the misprint and factory second golf discs we have on our “additional input” and stamp type pages, the links below will take you directly to all the search results.

Another way to find X-Outs on InfiniteDiscs.com is by using our “Advanced Discs Search”

Under “Stamp” you can select “X-Out Factory Second” and then narrow down your factory second search by disc brand, type, color, or flight ratings. (Note: We don’t always enter in the stamp type properly, so while this search can pull up some specific misprint discs, not all factory seconds will necessarily show up under this search.)

Why Should You Buy X-Outs and Misprints?

Price

There are a number of different reasons to buy Factory Second, X-Out, and Misprint Discs. The primary reason is price. Because of the manufacturing or stamping errors, you get a price break.

Disposable Discs – That aren’t heart breaking to replace

Factory Second discs are your go-to when you’re not a stickler for a specific flight path. They’re perfect for those days when you just want to hit the course without worrying too much about precision. These discs shine as “disposable discs”, or discs that you don’t care as much is you lose. Especially if your regular disc golf playground is adorned with water hazards or dense vegetation. Losing one won’t break the bank, and you won’t lose sleep over it either.

Great for Practice

Picture this: you’ve found your favorite molds, and you’re itching to hone your skills on the field, but you don’t want to spend a fortune buying multiples of that mold. Enter Factory Seconds. Why buy one when you can grab a bunch? Load up with 10 Factory Seconds, and you’ve got yourself the perfect arsenal for field work and practice sessions. It’s cost-effective, efficient, and lets you focus on perfecting your game.

Character and Collectability?

On the other hand, Misprint discs offer a different kind of charm. The visual quirks and unique misprints give these discs character. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t want a disc with a story to tell? Misprints are the way to go when you’re more about saving money than obsessing over the visual aesthetics of your disc. Misprints, being one-of-a-kind, frequently command high prices in the secondary collectors market.

The best part? Misprints maintain the same flight characteristics as their full-priced counterparts. So, when you’re tackling courses where disc loss is practically inevitable, these are your saving grace. You get to keep your “go-to” without breaking the bank or your heart when it takes an unexpected detour into the unknown.

In a nutshell, Factory Second and Misprint discs are the savvy disc golfer’s secret weapons. They’re practical, economical, and add a dash of personality to your game.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Infinite Discs with double stamps x-outs or misprints?

They could be both, but most of the times a double stamp will be a misprint. If there is a stamping error where there was dropout or the disc wasn’t wasn’t aligned properly, to ensure that our inventory team knows it’s a misprint, the stamp team simply stamps the disc again a second time. Other brands like Dynamic Discs seem to do the same thing to signify a misprint.

What does X Out mean in disc golf?

X-Out is simply a term used for a factory second. There is no universal term used among the different disc golf brands so in some cases the terminology will vary. When Innova manufactures a disc that doesn’t meet their quality guidelines, they manually mark it with an X on the top of the flight plate. An X-Out is a disc that meets the criteria for sale but falls short of the full retail standard, resulting in a discounted price and designation as an X-Out.

How can I tell if an X-out Infinite Disc is actually just a Misprint?

When we get factory second discs from Innova, they are always marked with a small X on the top of the flight plate. While we often stamp these F2’s with fun stamps, the X marked underneath the stamp indicates that the disc didn’t pass the manufacturing guidelines.

The nice thing is that whether it’s a factory second or a misprint, it’s always going to be less expensive than the blemished version.

Are MVP “Factory Misprints” factory seconds or Misprints?

MVP has two different blemished discs stamps that they use. When the discs has the “lab seconds” stamp, it is a manufacturing error.

When the discs have the “Factory Misprint” stamp, from what I can tell, these are misprint errors rather than manufacturing. MVP’s 3 foil machine has a very high dropout rate and so the rate of misprint MVP discs seems to be higher than with other brands.

Because MVP does the second “factory misprint” stamp on top of the original fallout stamp, it’s sometimes hard to see the original stamp blemish. This is the case for MVP, Axiom, and Streamline discs I’ve observed.

Are Factory Seconds as durable as other discs?

Yes. At least usually. Factory second discs share the same plastic variations as their standard counterparts. However, there are instances where manufacturers may switch between plastic varieties, resulting in occasional differences. These unique blends might not match the durability of pure polymers.

Are Factory Seconds PDGA Approved?

Yes. Factory Second discs are PDGA approved, meaning they meet the standards set by the Professional Disc Golf Association for disc golf size, weight, dimensions, and flexibility. While factory seconds may have minor cosmetic blemishes or variations, their approval shape aligns with the regulations, allowing disc golfers to confidently use them in PDGA-sanctioned events without any concerns about compliance. If a disc a manufacturer makes will not align with PDGA standards, then they should not release them to the public.

What is an Innova F2?

Innova often uses a F2 stamp on their factory second discs. The Innova F2 is not actually a disc but can be any number of Innova discs that are signified as factory seconds. We often get confused customers who receive a disc with an Innova factory second stamp and wonder what disc the Innova F2 is.

Why are there so many Misprints?

The hot stamping technique employed in disc golf is grounded in rather dated technology, with few companies producing hot stamp machines today. At Infinite Discs, both machines in use are actually refurbished units from the past. This method relies on a marriage of temperature and pressure to bond foil to plastics.

Aligning the stamping process is no small feat due to the diverse shapes, dome varieties, and plastic options of each disc mold. The intricacies don’t stop there—different foil types react distinctively to various plastic compositions, and variations in flight plate thickness demand constant adjustments. Setting up our hot stamp can be quite a process, often taking up to half an hour, involving ample trial and error and lots of painters tape to find that sweet spot where the disc stamps just right, applying the correct pressure without any dropout. It’s a meticulous process to achieve disc stamping perfection. This is the reason there are so many misprints in disc golf.

Why do some discs have double or even multiple stamps?

Stamping discs is a bit of an art. When our creative team at Infinite Discs set up the stamp machines, they often use a factory second disc for practice runs. It ensures the settings are spot-on and that each stamp plate hits just right before pulling out the full price discs. This is why you might spot certain stamps on factory seconds that don’t match the actual disc. It’s also another reason you can get some unique collectable discs by shopping through X-Outs.

What Brands Does Infinite Discs Stamp?

We hot stamp a number of different disc golf brands in house which may result in misprint discs. We stamp all or almost all the discs for the following brands:

Infinite Discs
Finish Line Discs
Dino Discs
Wing-It Disc Golf

In addition to stock stamps, we also have many of these discs available as blanks for event and tournament sponsorship. Because we do all the stamping for these brands, there is a good chance that we have actual misprint discs for them.

We also do special runs and stamping for certain molds for the following brands. When we do custom stamping “in house” we will likely have at least a few hot stamping errors where these products will be listed as misprints. If you find a three foil stamp version of any of these brands, we likely did the hot stamping.

Birdie Disc Golf
Clash Discs
Discmania
Discraft
Doomsday Discs
Dynamic Discs
Divergent Discs
Kastaplast
Latitude 64
Legacy
Lone Star Disc
MVP
Prodigy
Prodiscus
RPM Discs
UPlay
Viking
Wild Discs
Yikun

Conclusion

Factory seconds or x-outs, with their slight defects, offer an affordable alternative for disc purchases. Misprints add character with flaws arising during the stamping process. Our guide has not only explains the nature of these discs but also provides practical insights into finding and purchasing them. From economic advantages to suitability for practice and the allure of collectability, factory seconds and misprints emerge as valuable choices for players, practitioners, and collectors alike. Delve into the world of disc golf X-Outs and misprints with our easy to search pages on InfiniteDiscs.com.

Best Disc Golf Approach Discs

October 7, 2024 Jace Smellie 49 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.

Top sellers of 2024:

1 Axiom Pixel
2 Infinite Discs Alpaca
3 Axiom Envy
4 Discraft Zone
5 Infinite Discs Tomb
6 MVP Glitch
7 Gateway Wizard
8 Discraft Luna
9 Prodigy PA-3
10 Innova Aviar

Now let’s look at the highest-rated approach discs:

Let’s look at a few other approach discs that we see on the course:

Innova Gator

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.

Dynamic Discs Justice

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.

Hyzerbomb Mortar

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.

Discmania P2

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.

Best Approach Disc of 2018:

Axiom Envy

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.

For more information, check out the top selling disc golf approach discs here.

What are your favorite approach discs?

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!

Strangest Thing in Your Disc Golf Bag – Disc Golf Comedy

September 27, 2024 Alan Leave a comment

In addition to discs, there are numerous accessories and personal items you can carry with you in your disc golf bag to enhance both comfort and personal enjoyment on the course.

What do you carry in your disc golf bag?

Check out this sketch by the one and only Tyler Brickley.

Disc Golf Comedy

What is a Mando in Disc Golf?

September 26, 2024 Ted Hegemann Leave a comment

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

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

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

What is a Mando?

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

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

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

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

Why Are Mandos Used In Disc Golf?

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

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

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

Mando Rules and Penalties

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

PDGA 804.01 Mandatory Routes

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

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

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

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

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

Mando Strategy

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

Conclusion

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

Best of luck with the mandos you play!

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