Tag: disc golf

Stamp Wars 2018 – Submit Your Design

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***Post Update, December 4, 2017. Voting is now live! To vote for the submitted stamps go to the “Stamp Wars Blog” InfiniteDiscs.com/StampWars

 

Vote Now


 

In 2017, Infinite Discs featured a duel between two stamps to see which would win in popularity and sales. The Aztec went up against the Tommy Cat and won. We then featured the Aztec stamp on many discs from several different manufacturers. Now it’s time to move on to the next battle…

STAMP WARS 2018

Infinite Discs is going to manage the battle differently this time. We’re inviting everybody with art skills who would like to submit a design to enter the fray. If you’ve got what it takes to make a stamp design that will both appeal to the disc golf public AND fit within the standard specs for disc stamping (see here and here as examples of those specs), then you’re welcome to enter!

We’re looking for one-color stamp designs, so all artwork should be submitted in black, just to keep it simple. For example, the stamp designs should look something like this:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basically, you’ll want to make sure that there are not too many thick areas– solid black areas can trap bubbles beneath the foil and flake off. Plus you don’t want lines that are too thin– they too can flake off. You’ll want a relatively even balance of black space and empty space. Take a look at other stamps that you like and see how they have stayed within those specs.

TO SUBMIT A DESIGN…

We have a simple Google Form that you can read and submit when you have a design ready. You can submit up to three different designs, if you feel so inspired. But you’ll have to submit the form with each work of art.

The form is basically a way to declare that you are willingly submitting your original artwork (NOT somebody else’s) to be used in the Infinite Discs Stamp Wars contest. By submitting, you’ll be giving us permission to display your artwork for voting and for advertising the contest. You’ll also be allowing us to use that stamp on discs if you make it to the final four, or win the first place. The prizes for those winners will be the only compensation offered.

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

Aside from the glory and bragging rights that come with victory, Infinite Discs will award a $100 gift card to each of the four finalists. Plus, the ultimate first place winner will receive an additional $250 gift card. Those gift cards can be used toward any products on the Infinite Discs website. Plus, you’ll be able to see your design flying through the skies on hundreds of discs!

WHAT IS THE DEADLINE?

All artwork submissions must be turned in by the end of November 2017. Then we’ll be able to launch the online voting in December so that the disc golf public and see all of the submitted stamp designs and pick their favorites. That gives you from now through November to polish and submit your designs.

HOW ARE WINNERS CHOSEN?

The initial voting will be online and the general public will basically cast their votes for their favorite stamps. The voting will be tallied at the very end of 2017 and we’ll announce the four finalists who have received the most votes in January, as a kick-off to the 2018 year. Those “final four” designs will ALL be stamped on an equal number of discs in an equal ratio of disc models. Once the discs are in stock, the final round will begin. The stamp that sells the most will decide the first place winner.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER RULES?

Well…yes. There are a couple of other rules. If a piece of artwork is submitted that simply won’t work as a stamp because the specs are ignored, then it will be disqualified. What is the point of having a design reach the finals that can’t physically be stamped on a disc?

Also, Infinite Discs has the right to reject any artwork which is considered tasteless or pornographic. Usually manufacturers won’t stamp those kinds of images on discs anyway, because they don’t want their brand associated with highly controversial images. We’re the same way. We don’t want Infinite Discs to openly represent nudity, hate speech, violence, or foul language.

Also, you may not submit artwork that would break copyright laws. You may not submit artwork based on existing, copyrighted images or characters. For example, no existing superheros, movies characters, trademarks, etc. We must reject any artwork which might infringe on the intellectual property rights of another company.

If you have any specific questions you may email todd@infinitediscs.com but please be sure to research everything you can first, because we don’t want to spend a lot of time explaining things that are already outlined here and on the Google submission form.

LET THE STAMP WARS BEGIN!

 

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR ARTWORK

The Joy of the Mystery Disc

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There is a growing niche within the disc golf market that loves a pleasant surprise. This has become apparent with mystery boxes and mystery disc programs popping up from different retailers. Infinite Discs has been a leader in the mystery disc market and have now added a new program, alongside their longer-running programs that have grown over the last few years, like the Deals Box and the VIP Club…

The Mystery Disc – Anytime You Want It!

Other disc sellers have joined the trend in selling mystery disc packages. One popular subscription program features a mystery disc plus mystery disc golf swag for $24.99 per month and has been received with open arms by hundreds of disc golf lovers who simply want to try something new without having to think about it. These usually aren’t custom stamped discs, yet still provide the element of surprise to the subscriber. The arrival of a monthly package in the mail is usually cause for excitement.

INFINITE DISCS is happy to introduce a way that customers can get a mystery disc anytime they want! This new program removes the subscription approach and is designed for those who simply want to try a new disc that is a complete surprise to them, but at an affordable price. Infinite Discs now has a Mystery Disc listed on the website, for those who want to buy one, or two, or more as part of their shopping trip. These are not necessarily custom stamped, or limited editions (though some mystery discs may have tournament or special stamps), but they are guaranteed to be premium plastic and high quality discs. Each Mystery Disc is only $12.

But here is an even easier way to get a mystery disc: If you just happen to be shopping the Infinite Discs website, you’ll also see an option during checkout that allows you to add a mystery disc to your package for only $12 extra, on top of your existing order. Plus, you can select to add mystery disc golf swag for another $8 in order to receive any item or combination of accessory items that amount to a value higher than $8. If you click to add one of each, then you’ll be paying only $20 for a mystery disc and mystery swag, and the best part is that you can do it whenever you want. If you don’t necessarily need a monthly surprise, then simply click to add a little mystery to your package every once in a while, when you’re in the mood. Don’t want to spend too much when you can’t afford to? Just be impulsive when you happen to have the extra money and you want a little surprise.

If you only want the mystery swag, which could include anything from a t-shirt in your specified size, a sportsack, towel, keychains, hats, etc. then you can just add it to your cart and check out.

Infinite Discs is always looking for ways to give our customers what they want at an affordable price, and in ways that are convenient to them.

Looking for Deals?

Infinite Discs has had the Deals Box as a product on our website for more than two years now, and it has steadily risen in demand. The boxes sell out quickly whenever a few more are added to inventory. At a price of $67.88, it’s a great deal considering that at least 6 of the 7 discs are guaranteed to be premium plastic blends (the putter can be a softer blend), with a mix of a putter, mid-ranges, plus both overstable and understable drivers. That’s less than $10 per disc. However, there is an element of surprise– either celebratory or disappointment when the box is opened, because the discs are a complete mystery to the buyer!

Some shoppers love the idea of trying out a bunch of randomly selected discs, even if a few are misprints or tournaments stamps, so they don’t really care what is inside the box. Other players are more selective in what they throw, so they run the risk of opening the box and finding discs that they don’t necessarily prefer or need. That’s the risk of a mystery box. But something keeps prompting shoppers to put these Deals Boxes in their cart. This product has remained the best-selling, non-specific disc product on the Infinite Discs website, and has sold far more than any other package set or disc golf starter set that we stock.

The VIP Club

In the spring of 2016, Infinite Discs launched its VIP Club, which is a subscription program that sends a unique, collectible, and completely unannounced disc to subscribers every month. Every month a shiny envelope arrives in the mail that contains a mystery disc. There are only enough discs made for the existing club members, making them instantly collectible and rare because the stamp design, and sometimes even the plastic blend, is unique for the club. Additional small items are usually thrown in the package with the disc, just for fun, like towels, minis, stickers, and other accessories. The opening of the shiny package each month is cause for great anticipation among VIP Club members who rush to post photos online and show-off their special editions. The support for the club has been wonderful, giving collectors and mystery disc lovers a monthly fix and something new to try from different disc makers.

However, the VIP Club isn’t for everybody. Some people really don’t want to spend $19.99 every month for the thrill of a mystery disc that may or may not be something they need. Yet still, there are club members who are very brand-specific in their tastes, but who subscribe because they know that their disc will most likely have a higher resale value than what they paid, when sold to somebody in the right collector market. Some subscribers are signed up for two each month, just because they want one to hang on the wall, and one to throw. Plus, VIP Club members have access to the VIP Club Store which features other uniquely stamped discs from time to time.

All of these programs and products are designed for those players and disc collectors who love the thrill of the unexpected.

How to Search for Newly Added Discs on Infinite Discs Website

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Infinite Discs has been growing at a very fast pace over the last couple of years, and with that growth comes the challenge of keeping up with the website development and building the features that our customers want.

One of the features that has been requested in the past and finally made available to our customers is the NEWLY ADDED DISCS search link. On your computer browser, open the Infinite Discs website, and then look on the right sidebar of the first page to find the link for Newly Added Discs.  Or on your phone browser, simply scroll down until you see the boxed menu for Featured Discs and you’ll see the Newly Added Discs link there.

Infinite Discs has a lot of customers who are disc enthusiasts, and they want to get the best-looking discs, or the discs that meet very specific specifications, before other shoppers find them. They have asked for a way to see what we’re photographing and adding into our inventory in real time. That is now possible!

We’re not yet at the point where we’re adding inventory 24-hours-per-day, but we are usually adding new inventory onto the website during business hours on weekdays. With the Newly Added Discs link you can search for those fresh additions in almost anyway you’d like. Either refresh the page from time to time to see what else has been added in, or select a time period that you’d like to search, along with other specific queries to narrow down your search.

You can select to search for the last 7 Days, 10 Days, 15 Days, 20 Days, or 30 Days. Just to warn you, searching the discs added in the last 30 discs could pull up well over 8,000 results. If you want to search back further than that, you might as well search the entire website using the Advanced Disc Search feature, which is an excellent way to narrow down searches of the entire online inventory. Keep in mind that using the Newly Added Discs link will narrow your search to discs entered into inventory within the last 30 days (or fewer) so it will not automatically search the store entire inventory.

You can also narrow your disc search by brand, by disc model, or within a weight range, or a combination of all of those factors. Let’s say that I want to see which P2 putters by Discmania are still available from those entered in the last 30 days, but I only want max weight (175g) discs. I can select to search 30 Days, Discmania brand, P2 Psycho as the model, and 175g as my minimum weight. Suddenly, those discs appear and I can add them to my cart simply by scrolling through and clicking the “Add to Cart” button by the discs I want.

Be the first to find the treasures that used to take more effort and time! Find what you’re looking for quickly and easily! Or just sit and refresh the screen while we work to add new discs into our inventory.

Here is a tutorial video that will walk you through the process.
We always welcome your feedback!

Putter Wars 2017 – Summer Update

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PUTTER WARS…

At the end of April 2017 we took a look at how putter sales at Infinite Discs were panning out. The disc golf season was still young at the time, but we could already see which putters had momentum behind them.

Now it is time to follow-up and see if that momentum has carried through the summer months. This update covers through the end of July 2017.

At the end of April, the top four spots were held by the Discmania P2 at #1, the Innova Aviar at #2, the Gateway Wizard at #3, and the Dynamic Discs Judge at #4. Interestingly, those top four spots have not changed since the spring, though the sales have accelerated, leaving a larger gap between those leaders. For example, the quantity difference between the P2 and the forth place Judge is now a 57% difference!

Here is a chart of the top 10 putters according to numbers sold through Infinite Discs:

As you can see, the discs that are chasing the top four include three of the popular approach discs, like the Innova Nova, the Westside Harp, and the top-10 newcomer Innova Aviar3. In fact, the Aviar3 joined the race as a new disc this year and has moved up two spots since the last Putter Wars update.

The Streamline Pilot, which started the year as a hot new release, has dropped from the top 10, while the Latitude 64 Dagger has moved into the 10th spot. Rounding out the chart, we can see the Latitude 64 Pure holding strong in 8th place, and the MVP Atom holding on in 9th place.

The two honorable mentions that didn’t quite make the top 10, but that are still strong sellers are the Streamline Pilot and the Dynamic Discs Warden.

We will keep you updated as we head into the home stretch, just before the final, end-of-year holiday sales kick in. Until then, will anybody be able to catch the P2? 

Latitude 64 and the New Overmold Discs

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Most disc golfers who fall into the category of “disc enthusiasts” are familiar with the overmold approach used by MVP Disc Sports and their spin-off sister brand, Axiom. Aside from the obvious decorative effect of overmold discs, the combination of separate plate and rim plastics is also supposed to enhance the flight of the disc. There is apparently science to the approach of having differently weighted materials on the inside flight plate and the outside rim of the disc. However, the true test of how well that theory plays out on the disc golf courses comes from player experience. If a disc golfer feels like they are getting better results from one disc rather than another, then I’m not going to argue the point, whether the disc is an overmold model or a standard, single mold model. There are those who swear by the results, and those who aren’t believers. Those who wholeheartedly embraced the overmold philosophy have proudly given themselves the name of “gyro-heads.”

Overmold technology was briefly touched upon by Innova when they put out their extremely popular Nova putt-and-approach disc, and their not-so-popular Atlas mid-range. But at the moment, Innova’s interest in overmold discs has not continued beyond those two molds. We shall see if the future brings any continuation of their own unique approach.

A NEW PLAYER?

But now a new company has jumped into the overmold market, and that is Latitude 64, who not only has their own brand, but manufactures discs for Dynamic Discs and Westside all within their factory in Sweden. Latitude 64 has come at the overmold approach with a different angle, combining both of their premium plastics into their initial models. So far, they have used their durable, translucent Opto plastic for the flight plate, and the their durable, opaque Gold Line plastic for the rim. They call the combination of the two plastics “Opto-G.” They claim that this approach makes the entire disc not only more durable, but more predictable in flight.

Let’s take a look at the three flagship overmold discs from Latitude 64, all of which seem to be aimed at the larger beginner-to-intermediate disc golfer demographic.

SAREK

First of all, let’s take a quick look at the putter. The Sarek is designed for precision with a very straight flight path and very good glide. It has very light end fade, so the Sarek can hold a line for long putts or approaches and would even work well as an easy-throw driver for a novice player. If you guide the angle of release with the tilt of your wrist, the Sarek holds that angle nicely as well.The putter can also be used for gentle forehand flicks with accuracy.

The rim is not too deep for my personal tastes, and the shape feels comfortable in the hand. I would feel comfortable recommending the Sarek as a putter for players of all experience levels.

GOBI

The Gobi really surprised me when I took it out for a few throws. For a mid-range, this disc can really go. I don’t usually throw my mid-range discs with much power (that’s not really the point of a mid-range) but once I saw how well it glides, I had to throw the Gobi with a little more heat. I wanted to see what kind of distance it could attain. With a little hyzer angle on the release, I got this disc to stand up and fly up to 300 ft. It doesn’t move fast, but it keeps going, and the gentle comeback fade at the end-of-flight results it even more distance.

But aside from surprising distance from the Gobi it is a really accurate, easily controlled mid-range for upshots and for working the fairway. It isn’t too understable, but it isn’t too overstable either. It’s a straight-flyer that obeys your command, and finishes with a gentle fade.

BRYCE

The Bryce is a great introductory fairway driver in Latitude 64’s overmold line. It is designed as a neutral driver with just enough stability to hold a straight line under respectable speeds. When thrown with too much speed, it flips a bit too much to the understable side, but that is because it is not designed as a high-speed distance driver. When thrown at a lower speed it can be easily controlled for accuracy and consistency at distances between 200 and 300 feet.

Latitude 64 is smart to make this introductory overmold driver accessible to the majority of players who work within the realm of novice to intermediate. So the speed and stability are just right at those skill levels. The excellent glide gives the flight just a little extra distance. New players can build up their speed and control with a disc like the Bryce, and then continue using the disc as a manageable fairway driver even as their skills increase.

Overall, all three of these discs cast a hopeful light on Latitude 64’s attempts at moving into the overmold territory. All three discs were particularly strong in terms of their glide, much like the classic Latitude 64 River. It will be interesting to see what they do when they start to stretch into more overstable and higher speed thresholds.

Six New Disc Golf Drivers for the Summer of 2017

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Heading into the summer months of 2017, we’ve seen a good number of new drivers from different disc brands, vying for attention. Let’s take a look at six of them, which just scratches the surface when it comes to new drivers for the year, but these should give you a place to start if you want to add something new to your bag when it comes to distance.

Prodigy X4 – Slightly Understable for Huge Distance

Let’s kick off this overview with one of my personal favorites, the Prodigy X4. I thought that the line of “X” drivers from Prodigy had been abandoned when the beefy, overstable X1 seemingly vanished from production, but alas, along came the new X4 for summer of 2017. It is the much more understable installment in the X Series, which has now been joined by the more manageable overstable X2 as well.

The X4, while being generally straight-to-understable, can handle the torque associated with high-power throws. It pulls very nicely to the understable side, but still provides and end-fade to get some serious distance, while not straying too far in one direction or the other. The X4 works well even for lower powered throws as a distance driver with dependable fade, but can be thrown at high speeds for wonderful distance results. It is hyped as a great driver for tunnel shots, though I found that the S-Curve flight characteristics would require a fairly wide “tunnel.” This is the kind of disc that I can have fun taking to a large fairway and just ripping it as hard as possible without sacrificing too much in the way of accuracy.

I have a feeling that the X4 will become the top-selling disc in the X Series since it is not “too much disc” for the largest demographic of throwers who can toss in the 250-350 foot range, but is also fun for those who want to push it over 400 feet.

The Punisher – A Disc for the Power Throwers

Discraft has kicked off 2017 with a couple of beefy, overstable drivers for experienced power throwers, and the Punisher is the latest. First of all, the Machete was introduced as a highly overstable fairway driver for forehand throwers and wind-fighting, then the Punisher was released as an overstable distance driver to push the limits for power drives.

Discraft has often held an image as being a very beginner-friendly brand, using only a one-number stability rating and making discs that are manageable and even easy to throw for new players and the huge intermediate market. Of course, they have put out more advanced discs, but they are readily recognized for popular “easy throw” discs like the Avenger SS, the Buzzz, the Comet, the Heat, the Stratus, the Thrasher, and the new Archer. In 2017, Discraft seems to be interested in expanding that image into the competitive advanced and professional market.

A disc like the Punisher is much more difficult to throw as a novice, and it really takes some power to get impressive distance. It could fight head winds for a straighter result, but still requires a strong release. After a few throws, I felt like the Punisher was a Discraft answer to powerhouse distance drivers like the Innova Destroyer, with a manageable rim size– a 2.2cm rim, rather than the ultra-wide 2.5cm rimmed Nuke series. It’s a disc that I could see professional players actually carrying in their bags.

The Mayhem – Pretty in Flight

Axiom is a spin-off sister company to MVP, and the discs from the two brands often seem to mirror each other. The Mayhem is the first in the 23mm (wide rim) distance driver series for Axiom, following up last year’s 23mm distance driver releases from MVP. It is meant to be a high-speed distance driver that lands somewhere between the stability of the MVP Octane and the MVP Catalyst, with the Catalyst being the most understable of the two.

After field testing the Mayhem, I had a really hard time telling the difference between its flight characteristics and those of its MVP cousins. That isn’t saying that the results weren’t great, because the Mayhem is a very good distance driver with reliable and predictable fade, but it didn’t feel like a new disc. When it comes to Axiom, one of the great appeals is the combination of plate and rim colors and the often striking multi-color stamp editions that are often released. They are basically MVP discs that look more “pretty” if you want to throw with decorative style.

The Mayhem may have a name that sounds somewhat threatening, but the flight attributes of the disc are really not very threatening. I wouldn’t recommend the disc for new players, since it is indeed a high-speed driver, but it really isn’t too much disc for most intermediate players who should find the Mayhem to be an excellent driver off the tee.

The Drifter – A General Purpose Driver for All

Now let’s take a moment to recognize a new driver from a very young disc golf company, Full Turn Discs.  Full Turn is new on the scene and is still building the foundation of their brand. The Drifter is their 2017 driver release, and it is focused on a very large chunk of the disc golf market. Many players tend to be able to handle discs in the “speed 9” range, which is the no-man’s land between fairway and distance driver. For a lot of players, that is about as fast as they can handle and still get respectable distance in the 200ft to 300ft range. The Drifter can easily manage those distances without too much exaggeration on the understable side or on the fade. It is a somewhat neutral disc that allows players to learn good throwing technique, rather than focusing on discs that minimize their throwing weaknesses.

Full Turn discs are manufactured with the same plastic blends as the popular Finnish brand, Prodiscus, and the grippy premium plastics feel very good in the hand. The Drifter is comfortable and accessible and has the potential to be a workhorse driver for players at many levels.

The Fortress – You Should Expect Strength

Westside is part of the Trilogy collaboration of brands and is known for their popular distance drivers like the Destiny, the King, the World, and the Catapult, among others. The Fortress is the newest addition to the family, and it is very fitting of its name– it is not a disc for the weak. While flight ratings on Westside drivers can sometimes seem a little bit off-base when compared to other brands who use the same 4-digit system, the Fortress seems to be right on point. It takes power as a “speed 10” to get the distance, especially since it has no understable turn and wants to fade as soon as the velocity drops in the slightest. This is a disc for experienced players who want to navigate around objects, fight a head wind, or who simply throw with a lot of power, but aren’t looking for maximum distance. The Fortress is very serviceable for forehand throwers who generally need more stability.

Don’t hand this disc to a beginner or they might quickly become disenchanted with the sport of disc golf. It it more designed for the intermediate to advanced players who have an overstable slot in their bag that needs filling.

The Teleport – A Driver for the Sake of Sheer Distance

The first maximum rim-width distance driver from MVP is the Teleport, and it hits the disc golf scene with something that a lot of players can’t resist– sheer distance. Now don’t get me wrong– you won’t be able to flick your wrist and watch this thing fly a mile. With a rim (wing) this size, you need to put a lot of speed behind the Teleport, but if you get it released just right, without letting it go too high, this thing will really get out there! It was a fun disc to field test!

MVP has argued since their inception that the “Gyro” (trademark) overmold disc design is just plain better, creating extra glide and control that is not present in traditional discs. I’m not sure I completely buy into the idea or understand the science behind it, because I’ve been able to throw traditional single-mold discs with just as much or more success than overmolds. But whatever they did with the Teleport seems to have given it a fun little turbo-boost.

I wasn’t able to get maximum distance with every throw, but when I released one “just right” it was fun to watch. The stability tuning was just right for a disc that is designed as a bomber without being too advanced for most players. Though the rim is definitely wide and may bother those who use a power-grip, I personally hold my drivers in a loose grip, so the wide rim didn’t bother me. The Teleport flies pretty darn straight for being a high-speed distance driver, if you can find a way to handle that rim. It is going to be a disc that a lot of players want to try. For some it will be a struggle, just because it needs a powerful release, but for others, the Teleport will be a disc they’ll want to throw again and again.

Keep your eyes open and your hands ready to grab onto other new disc golf drivers that are undoubtedly heading our way!

 

Putter Wars 2017 – Which Disc Golf Putter Will Win?

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blue discmania p2 disc golf disc

Putters are very personal discs. Some players can go through a lot of different putters before settling on one, primary putter for running the chains. Other players like to keep a variety of putters on hand for different settings and conditions. Some putters are better for approaches or drives. We all have our favorites, and we could argue for hours about which one is “best,” but honestly, the “best” putter is the one that feels right to each individual player.

For example, I currently have a stack of TUI putters by RPM Discs as my primary practice putter. The owner of Infinite Discs has been putting faithfully, and very accurately, with MONEY putters from ABC Discs. Another Infinite Discs employee putts with the Latitude 64 MACANA. These putters all have something in common– none of them are best-selling putters. However, they feel right to each individual player.

So for the sake of argument, let’s take a look at the one thing that can help determine which putters are the “top” putters in terms of the numbers of players using them. That can be determined by the number of players purchasing those discs, and those stats are readily at hand.

Let’s Talk About SALES

We are now approaching the month of May 2017, and we are starting to see putter sales rise as players, both veteran and novice, stock up on putters for the season. Which putters are the hottest movers? Undoubtedly, we’ll see some well known, long established putters rising to the top, but there are also some new putters that are making a splash in 2017.

First of all, here are a couple of comparison charts for the top 10 best-selling putters at Infinite Discs so far in 2017 (4 months including January, February, March, and April):

The Judge by Dynamic Discs was the best-selling putter at Infinite Discs in 2016, but has fallen behind in the first four months of 2017, dropping to 4th place while the three top-sellers are running a close race.

The Discmania P2 “Psycho” has jumped to the top, with the base D-Line plastic exploding in sales. Both P-Line and S-Line are also pushing the sales through the roof.

In second place, we see the juggernaut Aviar by Innova. With many different plastic types, it consistently adds up to being one of the top-selling putters. The McPro Aviar is the plastic blend that is pushing the sales much higher, accounting for more than 1/3 of total Aviar sales so far in 2017.

Third place is held by another long-time best-seller, the Wizard by Gateway. With probably more different plastic blends than any other putter out there, the Wizard is the top-selling disc for the Gateway brand. The most recent blends are the 4S (the most flexible, even more so than Super Stupid Soft) and Evolution Diamond, which is a premium, durable blend. Wizard sales at Infinite Discs have been given a big boost in 2017 with the addition of Wizard 6-Pack bundles which allow customers to grab a bunch of Wizards at once.

Fifth and Sixth place are both owned by discs which are actually more notorious as approach discs, rather than discs for putting. The Westside Harp is very popular, primarily because of the high profile use of the disc by pro disc-golfer, Ricky Wysocki. Sales of the Harp would be higher, possibly giving the Judge a run for the money if the most popular BT Hard plastic had been in stock. But the BT Hard blend has been out of stock from the manufacturer for most of early 2017.

The Nova by Innova is likewise popular as an approach disc, with its reputation boosted by pro disc-golfer, Paul McBeth. The sales have been helped recently by a love for the artistic frame that the over-mold design of the Nova provides. With attractive stamps and great dual color combinations, customers race to buy the most appealing discs whenever a new supply arrives.

The Atom by MVP is making a surprising run into the top 10 best-selling putters of 2017, lifted by the new release of the Atom in Proton plastic. Many fans of the Atom had clamored for a more durable Proton plastic version of the disc for driving, and it was delivered. The Atom was also released in the new Electron Firm plastic blend right at the end of April.

The Pure by Latitude 64 has been a consistently selling putter at Infinite Discs for quite a while, released in glow-in-the-dark Moonshine Plastic in April 2017.

The 9th and 10th place putters are both 2017 newcomers. The Aviar3 by Innova flew off the shelves as a flat-topped, faster, more overstable version of the famous Aviar. Being presented as a new variation of the Aviar, it is no wonder that players want to give it a try. The momentum will likely carry on as the Aviar3 is released in more plastic blends.

The Pilot by Streamline, a brand new spin-off company from MVP in 2017, made a very strong introductory showing, spiking to 10th place so far. A lot of those sales at Infinite Discs were due to a special edition Pilot in Electron Soft plastic with five stamp variations for collectors. There were also 5-Pilot Packs and a massive 21-Pilots Pack which boosted initial sales. The long-term sales of the Pilot are yet to be seen, but it has started off the year strong.

Other Strong Newcomers

Aside from the Aviar3 and Pilot launching with impressive sales in 2017, there are some other putters that are making a splash, and as the year pans out, they have a shot at reaching the top 10.

The Slammer by Dynamic Discs is another disc which could fall more into the category of being an approach disc, though it works wonderfully as an overstable headwind putter. With limited editions helping to build anticipation, the launch of the Slammer was certainly strong, and we will see if that momentum continues.

The Caltrop by Latitude 64 is an interesting putter, being the first by Latitude 64 with a thumb-track. Sales were initially strong, as it was the first major putter release of 2017, though the momentum has slowed under the shadow of other new putters like the Aviar3, Pilot, and Slammer.

The Crown by Westside is another new putter that came out in the spring of 2017, and the initial reviews have been very positive. With a feel and style similar to two of the top 4 putters in this article, the Wizard and the Judge, it has the potential to at least become the best-selling putter released by Westside so far.

Other putters are on the way in 2017, and we will soon see what kind of a splash they make in the disc golf market. Will they dethrone other newcomers like the Crown, the Slammer, or the Pilot? Or will they fade into a growing arsenal of discs that are pouring into the market each year, becoming yet another lesser-known favorite for a few players. Stay tuned, and we’ll find out!

 

 

Presenting…The 2016 INFY AWARDS – Vote Now!

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INFINITE DISCS is proud to introduce the annual INFY AWARDS! This is our fun end-of-year voting for disc golf awards to recognize the discs and players that made the year better.

We’re a little late in launching the voting for the 2016 INFY AWARDS because we were running the much more extensive State of Disc Golf Survey through the month of January, but in the future, the voting will take place right at the end of the year, so you can all have the year’s highlights fresh on your mind.

So, think back to the year 2016, and let’s take a look at the nominees…

If you’d like to freshen-up on the discs that were released in 2016, you can see a helpful run-down HERE. Then when you proceed to voting, you’ll be able to vote for your favorite putter, mid-range, and driver as well as for the disc that you consider the very best new disc of 2016.

You will also be given the opportunity to vote for both the female and male Pro Player of the Year. This would be a player that you feel made the biggest impact on the game in the year 2016. The players in the voting among the top-ranked by the PDGA. You will be able to write-in any player that you feel deserves the spot, if they are not listed.

Click Here To Vote in the 2016 Infy Awards

Now, let’s look at the nominees for Most Memorable Disc Golf Moment of 2016…

Paul McBeth Gets Revenge at Memorial

video: Smashboxxtv

In 2015, Paul McBeth lost the Memorial Championship in a one hole playoff to Jeremy Koling after having his bag stolen before the final two rounds. McBeth came back in 2016 and after battling back and forth with touring partner Nate Sextion on the final few holes, he managed to pull out a one stroke victory to take back the Memorial Championship title

Ricky Wysocki Sinks Long Putt on the Final Hole of Master’s Cup to Take Down McBeth

video: thediscgolfguy

Ricky v Paul–A rivalry that has been defined over the last few years by Paul finding a way to hang onto a lead or Ricky finding a way to squander his. But this moment was where things started to shift in Ricky’s favor. Tied going into the final hole, Ricky sunk a huge putt to put pressure on McBeth to hit a long putt of his own in order to force a playoff. McBeth couldn’t answer, Ricky found a win, and we all saw the birth of Ricky’s “Raptor Legs.”

 

Cam Todd Wins GBO–Shows He’s Still Got It

video: Jomez Productions

Remember Cam Todd? If you didn’t before the 2016 Glass Blown Open, he made sure that you will remember him now. The 2002 World Champion showed that he still has some magic left in him. He battled at the top of leaderboard all week long, and going into the final hole he led young guns Paul McBeth and Ricky Wysocki by one and two strokes respectively. He managed to hold them off, and take home the Glass Blown Open title.

“Chipmunk-Gate”–Epic Playoff Finish Between Michael Johansen and Bradley Williams at Vibram Open

video: Another Round Productions

What would life be without a little bit of controversy? The Disc Golf Pro Tour kicked off at the Vibram Open. It went to a playoff that had an unlikely ending. In watching live, Johansen’s approach shot took a very unlikely skip up and over a rock wall and out of bounds, which left the door open for Williams to get up and down and take hope the win. But take a closer look a that approach shot…

Philo Brathwaite Cans an Unforgettable Albatross on Par 5 at Beaver State Fling

video: Central Coast Disc Golf

The disc golf shot seen around the world. This incredible shot at the Beaver State Fling was featured on ESPN and a handful of other sporting and science shows. Philo Brathwaite hit an albatross by getting the 850ft Hole 6 at Milo McIver West in just two throws. Absolutely incredible.

Majestic Playoff at the Majestic–Nate Sexton and Ricky Wysocki

video: Prodigy Disc

In one of the most exciting finishes of the 2016 season, Ricky Wysocki and Nate Sexton battled for what felt like hours in a playoff where they went back and forth between holes 1 and 22. Sexton had a chance to take the win with a short inside the circle putt, but he clanked it off the front rim. The next time around on hole 22, it looked like Sexton would have another chance as Wysocki shanked his drive wide right, but Wysocki once again showed us what his range and “Raptor Legs” were all about with another long putt that Sexton could not answer.

Paige Pierce Gets an Ace During Pro World’s Doubles Competition

video: thediscgolfguy

Another highlight that was featured on the Sports Center top 10. Paige Pierce hit a beautiful ace at Jones East in Emporia, Kansas during the World Championships mixed doubles event. She and her partner Jeremy Koling would go on to win the event.

Valerie Jenkins Wins Her Fourth World Title–First Since 2009

video: Prodigy Disc

The Women’s Open field over the last few years has been primarily dominated by Paige Pierce and Catrina Allen, but one competitor that has consistently fought to not be forgotten is Valerie Jenkins. So this year at Worlds she showed that she still has what it takes to compete at the top level by grabbing her fourth career world championship, and her first since 2009.

Ricky Wysocki Gets His First Victory at Worlds

video: Jomez Productions

A day that Ricky Wysocki had dreamed of for years finally came to a reality this summer. The World Championships had been McBeth’s event 4 years in a row, but Ricky was determined to prove that 2016 was his year. Ricky played an incredible tournament from start to finish, playing nearly mistake free golf to prevent any late round heroics from McBeth to stop him. The elusive World Title was finally Ricky’s, and the stage was set for another epic battle for 2017.

McBeth Strikes Back at Ledgestone Insurance Open

video: Prodigy Disc

Just one week after losing the World Championships for the first time since winning his first title in 2012, McBeth was determined to show he still means business. He came out hot and stayed hot throughout the weekend, culminating in a course record setting final round at the notoriously difficult (and slightly controversial) Lake Eureka disc golf course.

Jeremy Koling Wins First USDGC–Final Round Cancelled Due to Hurricane

video: The Spin TV

Jeremy Koling had a respectable 2016 season, but it ended with a bang, and lots of rain. Koling fought to get ahead of fellow competitor Eagle McMahon to finish the third round. The entire event had been in suspense waiting for Hurricane Matthew. The Hurricane held off for the first 3 rounds, but the tournament directors decided the conditions were unacceptable to continue play, and cancelled the final round, giving Koling the title of United States Disc Golf Champion.

Click HERE to Vote in the 2016 Infy Awards!

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