Distance Driver Sales Race – Animated Graphs

Here at Infinite Discs, we love looking at statistics. The numbers always help tell a story of how the disc golf market is moving, at least when it comes to measuring how our own customers are responding to new discs or different brands. This week we thought it would be a lot of fun to make a video chart which shows actual movement of those trends through time.

Hot Distance Drivers

We know that distance drivers are considered the sports car of the disc golfer’s bag. It is one of the discs that almost every player feels defines them, their abilities, or their play style. It is one of those discs that players often swap when they feel like they need to revolutionize their game, so new distance drivers tend to get a lot of sales movement when they are first released.

That is why we thought it would be fun to track the movement of some popular, established distance drivers side-by-side with new distance drivers as they entered the market during the past 11 months. The ten distance drivers that we decided to track include some new ones that only came out in 2020, but we wanted to see how much attention they might have pulled away from the more established discs. These are the distance drivers we chose to track:

Destroyer (always a hot seller)
Wraith (another popular Innova seller)
Shryke (a somewhat newer driver by Innova)
Photon (a top-selling MVP driver)
DD3 (the new 2020 driver by Discmania)
Raider (the new 2020 driver by Dynamic Discs)
Trespass (a popular driver by Dynamic Discs before the Raider)
Pharaoh (a relatively new driver by Infinite Discs)
Force (an old driver by Discraft which became a McBeth signature disc in 2020)
Zeus (the first distance driver in McBeth’s own disc line)

This particular selection of discs lets us measure how Paul McBeth affected the market when moving from Innova to Discraft as his brand sponsor in 2020, how new discs affected other brands, how they compared to discs of their own brand (like the Raider vs the Trespass), how market hype can play into sales, and how availability may stifle the momentum of a new release.

The Percentage Animated Graph

This first animated graph is designed to show which disc was grabbing the larger percentage of the market through the movement of time from October 2018 through August 2019. That means that we take the total sales of these 10 distance drivers, add those sales together, and compare the percentages of that total that each one grabbed.

For example, the Destroyer may have been holding 40% of the total sum of sales for those 10 discs for a couple of months, but then a new driver comes out and grabs 40% of the total sales that particular week. That would make the Destroyer percentage drop, even though it may still be selling the same quantity as the previous months, simply because there is only 100% available for those 10 discs to share. This chart helps us to see which discs were grabbing attention at any given moment. The time line will appear at the bottom of the chart.

For your viewing pleasure, here is that October 2018 – August 2019 animated chart (click the play button to activate the graph):

You’ll notice that as the new 2020 discs entered the market, they grabbed a percentage of the sales for a moment, but sometimes didn’t keep that momentum, either because of limited availability or the hype didn’t last. For example, availability of both the DD3 and the Raider was fairly limited when they were first released and it took a little time for regular stock releases to give them a boost.

The Zeus went through huge spikes depending upon availability and the releases of the prototype (originally called the Kong), the first run, and ending with the August release of the limited edition Big Z Zeus– thus the spike at the end of the video when it grabbed a huge percentage of total sales.

You’ll also noticed that the Destroyer sales moved up as Paul McBeth announced his change of sponsors, while players and collectors grabbed his old signature edition before the end of 2019. It got another boost with the new Wysocki edition.

The Force sales at Discraft started to rise based on speculation about what he would throw, and then the announcement came of the Force as a McBeth signature disc. But then the Force died down as the attention turned to the Zeus, which as a disc in Paul’s own line, was grabbing more attention than the Force.

The Race – Total Sales Animated Graph

Now for a look at a chart that takes less explanation. This is very straight-forward. We totaled the sales through time, adding to the total with new sales from October 2018 through August 2019. This allows us to watch the total sales for that period like a race where the disc that sells the most by the end is the winner.

So, rather than comparing percentage of sales, we’re just adding sales for each separate disc. Will the slow-but-steady disc end up selling most in the end? Or will the spikes on new releases help boost the newcomers to the winning position?

For your viewing pleasure, here is that October 2018 – August 2019 animated race (click the play button to activate the graph):

It’s pretty obvious that the steady sales of the Destroyer kept it far enough ahead that even the spikes on new releases, including the Zeus, could not boost those newcomers to the lead. The Zeus finished in 2nd place, getting enough large spikes to push its totals up, but not high enough to take the win. The Wraith, even with it’s slow and steady sales, gave it the 3rd place title, with the Infinite Discs Pharaoh following closely behind.

We hope that you’ve enjoyed these animated charts. Watch them over and over and see what kind of analysis you can offer in the comments below.

PDGA Approved Discs: Release Rate

As disc golf becomes undeniably more popular, more discs enter the disc golf scene, vying for space in disc golfers bags. These facts about how many discs are being approved today, vs just 10 years ago may blow your mind.

PDGA Disc Approval Rate

1964 – 1987 Disc Approval Numbers

According to the list of PDGA approved discs (found here), the first approved disc was in 1964. That disc was named, according to the sheet “Professional” and was made by Wham-O / DTW. Twenty three years later, at the end of 1987 that number had grown to 71 approved discs.

Discs Approved Today

Fast forward to 2013. In 2013 alone, there were 73 PDGA approved discs, and as of October 15th, 2014 there are 70 PDGA approved discs in 2014. Since January 1, 2013 there have been 143 PDGA approved discs.
In all, there are 686 PDGA approved discs. Nearly 21% of approved discs in the market, have come within the last two years. This does not take into account the large number of discs which were once approved, but no longer in production. Were currently produced discs only taken into account, the percentage would be much higher.

Disc Approval Rate Per Year, by Decade

One final way to look at how disc production has changed, is to view the average number of discs approved per year, during a given decade.

1960’s:

    • .2 discs per year, or 1 disc every 5 years.

1970’s:

    • 1.6 discs per year.

1980’s:

    • 6.9 discs per year.

1990’s:

    • 10.6 discs per year.

2000’s:

    • 23.6 discs per year.

2010’s:

    (To Date):51.6 discs per year.

Disc Brand Increase

  • In the history of PDGA approved discs, 48 different brands have produced discs all time.
  • Within the last two years (after October 15, 2012) 27 of those 48 brands have produced a new approved disc.
  • 21 brands have not produced a new model within the last two years, either because they no longer manufacture, or they have not expanded their lineup.
  • Within the last two years, of the 27 that have made an approved disc, 14 of those brands had never created a disc previously. Over half of the brands creating new models today, did not exist before October 2012.

Brand status for the last 2 Years

New Brands:

  1. Axiom Discs
  2. Deity Discs
  3. DMI Sports
  4. Dynamic Discs
  5. Essential Discs
  6. Eurodisc
  7. HOLE19 sarl
  8. Kastaplast
  9. Obsidian Discs Oy
  10. Paradigm Disc Golf
  11. Prodigy Disc
  12. Salient Discs
  13. UB Disc Golf – Hand Candy
  14. Yikun Sports

Older than 2 years, with 1 or more new models

  1. CHING Sports
  2. Disc Golf Association
  3. Discmania
  4. Discraft
  5. Gateway Disc Sports
  6. Innova-Champion Discs
  7. Latitude 64
  8. Legacy Discs
  9. Millennium Golf Discs
  10. MVP Disc Sports
  11. Prodiscus
  12. Vibram Disc Golf
  13. Westside Golf Discs

No new models within 2 years

  1. 1080 Disc Golf
  2. ABC Discs
  3. Aerobie
  4. Crosslap Discgolf Parks
  5. Daredevil Discs
  6. Disc Golf Aotearoa
  7. Discwing
  8. DKG Disc Sports
  9. Dynamic/Destiny Discs
  10. Ferris State University
  11. Hero Leports Co., Ltd.
  12. Lightning Discs
  13. Pacific Cycle
  14. Plastic Paradise
  15. Quest Applied Technologies
  16. Rip Disc Golf
  17. Skyiron
  18. Skyquest
  19. Snap Discsports
  20. Wham-O / DTW/li>

Discs Approved Since October 15, 2012

Model

  1. Lace
  2. King VIP Air
  3. Stag
  4. Tursas
  5. Underworld
  6. Rival
  7. Zombee (Ace Race 2012)
  8. Amp
  9. Patriot
  10. Tern
  11. Escape
  12. Fugitive
  13. Judge
  14. Trespass
  15. Delivery
  16. Transition
  17. Transporter
  18. D1
  19. D2
  20. D3
  21. D4
  22. Shock
  23. 135G UltiPro Junior Ultimate
  24. 150G WaKa Freestyle Disc
  25. 175G UltiPro Ultimate
  26. View
  27. Assault
  28. Sabotage
  29. Vendetta
  30. P3 – Putt & Approach
  31. Proline Breaker
  32. Tangent
  33. Mace
  34. Laseri
  35. M1
  36. M2 (originally the M3)
  37. M3 (originally the M2)
  38. M4
  39. PA1
  40. PA2
  41. PA4
  42. Suspect
  43. Giant VIP Air
  44. Stag VIP Air
  45. Sword VIP Air
  46. Warship VIP Air
  47. MD3 – Midrange Driver
  48. Renegade
  49. Fury
  50. Tensor
  51. Mystic (retooled)
  52. Verdict
  53. Delivery Organic
  54. Transition Organic
  55. Transporter Organic
  56. Stiletto
  57. Truth
  58. Atlas
  59. Omega SuperSoft Big Bead
  60. O-Lace
  61. unLace
  62. F1
  63. F2
  64. F3
  65. F7
  66. Crank
  67. Rask
  68. Rage (retooled)
  69. Tank – Panzer
  70. D5
  71. Procul
  72. Nova
  73. Mortar
  74. Prometheus
  75. Resistor
  76. Bandit
  77. Gauge
  78. Mongoose
  79. Warden
  80. D5 (retooled)
  81. Saint Pro
  82. Foxbat
  83. Harp (Kannel1)
  84. Hatchet (Sotakipves1)
  85. Sorcerer (Tietäjä1)
  86. World (Maailma1)
  87. F5
  88. Yao
  89. Mantis (Ace Race 2013)
  90. Servo
  91. Antidote
  92. Jade
  93. Aries
  94. M5
  95. Alias
  96. Envy
  97. Rask (retooled)
  98. Tiger
  99. Inertia
  100. Switch
  101. Witness
  102. Daedalus
  103. Chimera
  104. Impulse
  105. Motion
  106. Tesla
  107. Outlaw
  108. Crave
  109. Claws
  110. Gui
  111. Wings
  112. Inspire
  113. Thief
  114. FD2
  115. Scythe
  116. Boatman VIP Air
  117. Shield
  118. Tursas VIP Air
  119. Underworld VIP Air
  120. Torrent
  121. PA3
  122. Four20
  123. Enforcer
  124. Claymore
  125. Dagger
  126. X1
  127. Monstrum
  128. Vein
  129. Lex
  130. Da’e
  131. Gou
  132. Hu
  133. Jun
  134. Assassin (retooled)
  135. Chief (retooled)
  136. Kaxe
  137. Missilen
  138. Backdraft
  139. Shaman
  140. Clash
  141. Supreme Legacy
  142. Felon
  143. Freedom
  144. Buzzz OS
  145. Bird-Dog
  146. Terrapin
  147. Touch
  148. Thunderbird
  149. Veteran
  150. Solace
  151. Honey
  152. H1
  153. Jiao
  154. Wei
  155. CD2
  156. Outlaw (retooled)
  157. Splinter
  158. Proxy
  159. Theory
  160. H2
  161. H4
  162. All in One

 

Manufacturer

Vibram Disc Golf
Westside Golf Discs
Westside Golf Discs
Westside Golf Discs
Westside Golf Discs
Legacy Discs
Discraft
MVP Disc Sports
Legacy Discs
Innova-Champion Discs
Dynamic Discs
Dynamic Discs
Dynamic Discs
Dynamic Discs
Eurodisc
Eurodisc
Eurodisc
Prodigy Disc
Prodigy Disc
Prodigy Disc
Prodigy Disc
MVP Disc Sports
Yikun Sports
Yikun Sports
Yikun Sports
Yikun Sports
DMI Sports
DMI Sports
DMI Sports
Discmania
Disc Golf Association
MVP Disc Sports
Latitude 64
Prodiscus
Prodigy Disc
Prodigy Disc
Prodigy Disc
Prodigy Disc
Prodigy Disc
Prodigy Disc
Prodigy Disc
Dynamic Discs
Westside Golf Discs
Westside Golf Discs
Westside Golf Discs
Westside Golf Discs
Discmania
Dynamic Discs
Latitude 64
MVP Disc Sports
Gateway Disc Sports
Dynamic Discs
Eurodisc
Eurodisc
Eurodisc
Latitude 64
Dynamic Discs
Innova-Champion Discs
Millennium Golf Discs
Vibram Disc Golf
Vibram Disc Golf
Prodigy Disc
Prodigy Disc
Prodigy Disc
Prodigy Disc
Discraft
Kastaplast
Gateway Disc Sports
Millennium Golf Discs
Prodigy Disc
UB Disc Golf – Hand Candy
Innova-Champion Discs
Millennium Golf Discs
Salient Discs
MVP Disc Sports
Legacy Discs
Legacy Discs
Legacy Discs
Dynamic Discs
Prodigy Disc
Latitude 64
Innova-Champion Discs
Westside Golf Discs
Westside Golf Discs
Westside Golf Discs
Westside Golf Discs
Prodigy Disc
Yikun Sports
Discraft
MVP Disc Sports
Salient Discs
Latitude 64
Millennium Golf Discs
Prodigy Disc
Axiom Discs
Axiom Discs
Kastaplast
Paradigm Disc Golf
MVP Disc Sports
MVP Disc Sports
Dynamic Discs
Innova-Champion Discs
Deity Discs
MVP Disc Sports
MVP Disc Sports
MVP Disc Sports
Legacy Discs
Axiom Discs
Yikun Sports
Yikun Sports
Yikun Sports
Axiom Discs
Dynamic Discs
Discmania
Latitude 64
Westside Golf Discs
Westside Golf Discs
Westside Golf Discs
Westside Golf Discs
Disc Golf Association
Prodigy Disc
Vibram Disc Golf
Dynamic Discs
Latitude 64
Latitude 64
Prodigy Disc
UB Disc Golf – Hand Candy
Salient Discs
UB Disc Golf – Hand Candy
Yikun Sports
Yikun Sports
Yikun Sports
Yikun Sports
Gateway Disc Sports
Gateway Disc Sports
Kastaplast
Latitude 64
Salient Discs
Gateway Disc Sports
Axiom Discs
CHING Sports
Dynamic Discs
Dynamic Discs
Discraft
Paradigm Disc Golf
Paradigm Disc Golf
Salient Discs
Innova-Champion Discs
Millennium Golf Discs
Vibram Disc Golf
Essential Discs
Prodigy Disc
Yikun Sports
Yikun Sports
Discmania
Legacy Discs
Obsidian Discs Oy
Axiom Discs
Axiom Discs
Prodigy Disc
Prodigy Disc

Date Approved

10/30/12
10/30/12
10/30/12
10/30/12
10/30/12
11/02/12
11/13/12
11/14/12
11/28/12
12/03/12
12/07/12
12/07/12
12/07/12
12/07/12
12/11/12
12/11/12
12/11/12
01/01/13
01/01/13
01/01/13
01/01/13
01/15/13
01/16/13
01/16/13
01/16/13
01/16/13
02/08/13
02/08/13
02/08/13
02/13/13
02/22/13
02/22/13
03/04/13
03/04/13
03/05/13
03/05/13
03/05/13
03/05/13
03/05/13
03/05/13
03/05/13
03/10/13
03/10/13
03/10/13
03/10/13
03/10/13
03/29/13
04/04/13
04/19/13
04/19/13
05/14/13
05/30/13
05/30/13
05/30/13
05/30/13
05/30/13
06/18/13
06/18/13
06/22/13
06/25/13
06/25/13
07/06/13
07/06/13
07/06/13
07/06/13
07/08/13
07/18/13
08/29/13
08/29/13
08/29/13
08/29/13
09/03/13
09/03/13
09/03/13
09/23/13
09/25/13
09/25/13
09/25/13
10/14/13
10/14/13
10/17/13
10/22/13
10/28/13
10/28/13
10/28/13
10/28/13
11/01/13
11/01/13
12/01/13
12/01/13
12/16/13
12/20/13
01/06/14
01/06/14
01/12/14
01/12/14
01/12/14
01/19/14
02/10/14
02/10/14
02/17/14
02/17/14
02/22/14
02/22/14
02/22/14
02/22/14
02/25/14
03/09/14
03/09/14
03/09/14
03/09/14
03/22/14
03/22/14
03/24/14
03/24/14
03/24/14
03/24/14
03/24/14
03/24/14
03/25/14
03/25/14
03/31/14
04/07/14
04/13/14
04/13/14
05/04/14
05/04/14
05/13/14
05/13/14
05/13/14
05/13/14
05/13/14
05/13/14
05/19/14
05/19/14
05/19/14
05/22/14
05/22/14
06/09/14
06/10/14
07/14/14
07/14/14
07/14/14
07/19/14
07/19/14
07/19/14
07/20/14
08/05/14
08/05/14
08/05/14
08/26/14
08/26/14
08/26/14
08/26/14
09/05/14
09/17/14
09/17/14
09/24/14
09/24/14
09/26/14
09/26/14
10/01/14

We’re curious what you think. Comment below and let us know your thoughts on any or all of the following:

  • With this many new models and new brands, is it good for the sport?
  • History shows us that not all of the molds being produced today will remain in production. Will discs be moved to “out of production” more quickly, because more discs have entered the market? Or is there room enough for all of the new molds being released, especially when considering industry growth in general?
  • Do you like the additional selection, or do you wish we were back to the days of ?
  • How much of your bag is comprised of these new molds?
  • From the brands which are older than two years, and have not produced any new discs, do you own or use any of their discs? If so, which discs?