A Word About Disc Golf...

In the 70's the sport was formalized with baskets as targets, designed by 'Steady' Ed Headrick, the father of the frisbee and disc golf. These pole holes have developed over the years into multi-chained, disc grabbing devices....if you putt it in....The disc technology changed as well. The main impetus for disc design change stemmed from the fact that you did not need to catch a golf disc. Frisbees float in for an easy catch while golf discs are designed for speed and distance.

The wing shape and its associated flight charecteristics are the main difference between discs. Putters are blunt and rounded. Mid range drivers tend to have beveled edges and the distance drivers are thin and sharper edged. The mid-range discs and putters won't fly as far but will fly straighter ('hold the line'). The drivers are harder to control but when you get them to fly straight you will send it real far. The number on the back of the disc is the weight in grams. Drivers max weight is 175 grams, mid-range go to 180 and putters max is 175. The more stability to a wing shape the more likely the disc will hyzer out at the end. This means for a right handed person using a normal backhand throw the disc will go left at the end of its flight (hyzer). The amount of air friction and lift determine the performance of the disc in flight. Knowing your discs flight characteristics are as important as throwing the disc correctly. Learn the 4 finger power grip. The thumb is the only finger on top of the disc and the other four are squeezing the wing rim from the bottom. Line up your shot and when you throw (a drive), turn your back to the target and reach real far back with the disc. Use the back of your hand as your aim point and aim the back of your hand at the target. Squeeze the disc and move your arm as fast as possible so the disc rips out of your hand. Throw it so hard that your follow through causes you to spin. Try to throw your drives in low line drives and PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE. Remember you have to throw the disc hard to get the aerodynamics of the wing shape to respond correctly.

The best way to learn this throw is to take 3 or 4 of the same style and weight discs to an open field. Throw the same disc and adjust your throw until it works. This small time investment will save you alot of strokes on the course. Do the same with putting. Use 3 or 4 of the same style and weight putters and practice the same throw while using the same disc. I recommend new players learn the basics with a mid-range driver and a putter. Once you get the hang of it add a long range driver.

Recommended Mid-range discs for beginners
DISCRAFT-Stratus, Buzzz, Impact
INNOVA-XD, ROC, Stingray, Rhyno
Recommended Putters
INNOVA-Aviar
DISCRAFT-Challenger, Magnet
GATEWAY-Wizard

Gotta try a driver? These are my recommendations for newer players in the market to try a long range driver. Go for the lighter weights in these styles:
INNOVA-Roadrunner, Leopard, Sidewinder, Valkyrie, Monarch
DISCRAFT-Surge, Flash, XS, 150 Flick
GATEWAY-Inferno
The wing on drivers leans toward over stability. Most drivers cut hard left (for a right-hander) and will do so until you learn to throw it hard and low. These recommended drivers are less stable and will not cut so hard. This will help you get the distance quicker.
-This is a highly addictive game -- approach with caution.
Bart Zandstra
Channel Z's Disc Golf Fly Mart
PDGA # 11924

Questions or comments?

bart@channelzdj.com

What's the difference between a Distance Driver, Fairway Driver, Multi Purpose and Putt and Approach? As you have a selection of clubs in golf for driving, chipping, and putting in golf, you have different discs for different shots in disc golf. Distance drivers provide maximum distance to get the most out of your drives. Fairway drivers are drivers which are made for long accurate shots. Multi Purpose discs provide a range of discs for all sorts of long to medium range shots. Putt & Approach discs give you the accuracy to get the disc to and in the target. Most players use a selection of different types of discs to play disc golf.	About our Plastics We have 3 main plastic types, each with it's own unique properties. Our DX Plastic DX offers great grip at a great price. Pro Line Plastic PL provides added durability and unique feel. Champion Plastic  CH offers the highest durability and comes in cool pearl and clear colors.  About our Designs Innova patented golf disc technology in 1983 with the design of the first bevel edged disc. Since then, we've been at the forefront of disc design. Our discs are responsible for more World Records and more World Champions than all other companies combined.	A quick lesson on flight characteristics:  Stable - The tendency of a disc to remain straight through most of the flight. Understable/Turnover - The tendency of a disc to turn to the right during the high speed portion of the flight for a Right Hand Back Hand (RHBH) thrower. Overstable - The tendency of a disc to turn to the left at high or low speeds for a RHBH thrower. Hyzer - Is an angle of release where the outside edge or left edge of the disc is tilted downward for a RHBH thrower. Anhyzer - Is an angle of release where the outside edge or left edge of the disc is tilted upward for a RHBH thrower.

 INNOVA

INNOVA Golf Discs - More Models, More Plastics, More Choices. Organized by type and speed (more overstable discs are to the left, less overstable to the right) Legend: CH-Champion Plastic,  PL-Pro Line Plastic  DX-DX Plastic   | Click to link to version of disc. DISTANCE DRIVERS - Everyone wants to throw farther, our discs break world and personal records. Speed 11 Wraith PL CH Speed 10 Monster CH Orc DX CH Starfire CH PL Beast CH PL DX Speed 9 Firebird CH PL DX Viking CH  DX Valkyrie CH PL DX Sidewinder CH Speed 8 Dragon DX Archangel DX CH Speed 7 Banshee CH DX TeeBird CH DX Eagle CH DX Tee-Bird L PL CH FAIRWAY DRIVERS - Keeping on the fairway lowers scores, simple as that. Speed 6 Whippet PL DX Pegasus DX Gazelle DX Cheetah DX Leopard CH PL DX Speed 5 Viper  DX Raven DX MULTI-PURPOSE - Whether for drives, fairway shots, or approaches, these can handle it. Speed 5 Gator CH DX Spider CH  DX Cobra CH PL DX Panther CH DX Stingray CH DX Speed 4 ROC CH PL DX SharkCH PL DX Coyote CH Wolf DX Bulldog DX Hydra DX Classic ROC PL DX PUTT & APPROACH - When you get close, Putt & Approach gets the job done. Speed 3 Rhyno CH PL DX AeroCH  DX XD DX KC Pro Aviar PL Pro Aviar PL JK Pro Aviar PL Aviar Putt and Approach CH DX Classic Aviar DX Speed 2 Polecat DX Speed 1 Birdie DX PL

Note:
Discs marked with B is great for beginners, R is good for rollers, and W is best in the wind.

Putt and Approach

Rattler™ B
(Max weight -175 grams)
The Rattler™ is a super accurate putter/approach golf disc. The Rattler™ is a slow, flat flying disc that will get you in close from 100 to 150 feet and let you nail more of those monster putts.
Stability Rating: 0-D

Magnet™ B W
(Max weight -175 grams
Available in 150 class)
The Magnet™ is a perfect putter, not to hard, not too soft. It goes in and stays in. This disc is excellent in the wind and makes a superb short-range driver and approach disc.
Stability Rating: 1-Z / 0-D

Soft Magnet B
(Max weight -175 grams)
This softer version of our hot selling Magnet™ sticks to the chains and gets you those deuces. If you like a soft putter this is the one. It is nice and flexible.
Stability Rating: 0-D

Challenger™ W
(Max weight -174 grams)
The Challenger™ is an amazing, overstable putter. It can get around trouble for those long hyzer putts and is overstable enough to take a good amount of snap on approaches. Challenge every hole with the Challenger™.
Stability Rating: 1-X/1-D

SoftChallenger™ W
(Max weight -174 grams)
The same great flight characteristics of the popular putter the Challenger in a soft, grippy plastic.
Stability Rating: 1-X

Putt'r™
(Max weight -174 grams)
The Putt'r™ is an excellent turnover approach putter. It goes super straight, feels great in your hand. This newest installment to our line of putters has been referred to by some as the best putter ever!
Stability Rating: 0-Z / 0-X

 

Mid Range

 

MRV™B
(Max weight -175 grams)
The MRV™ is the perfect mid-range golf disc. It will hold a straight line on those mid-range drives and approaches.
Stability Rating: 1.5-Z / 1-X / 1-D

Hawk™ B
(Max weight -175 grams)
The Hawk™ is an excellent all-purpose mid-range driver and is a great disc for accurate drives, especially on tight fairways.
Stability Rating: 0

Comet™B
(Max weight -180 grams)
The Comet™ is a super accurate, straight flying mid to long-range driver and approach disc. This disc is also perfect for those right-turn (anhyzer) holes.
Stability Rating: 0-X

MRX™ W
(Max weight -175 grams)
The MRX™ is our most over-stable mid-range disc. This disc has the consistency to make the most difficult approaches seem easy. Great into the wind.
Stability Rating: 2-Z / 2-X

Wasp™ W
(Max weight -178 grams)
The Wasp™ is an overstable mid range with superb consistent flight characteristics for shots in the 250-350 ft. range.
Stability Rating: 1.5-Z / 1.5-D

Buzzz™ B
The Buzzz™ is a straighter flying version of our popular mid-range driver the Wasp. Thrown hard this disc will hold any line you put it on.
Stability Rating: .5-Z / .5-X / .5-D

Breeze™ B
(Max weight - 176 grams)
Our "International One Disc Ace Race" disc, the Breeze proved it deserved a place in our regular production line-up. This is definitely the best beginner disc in any of todays high-tech plastics. Stability Rating: -.5-Z

 

 

 

Drivers

 

Cyclone™ B
(Max weight -176 grams)
The Cyclone™ is our hottest selling golf disc ever. The Cyclone™ is the disc that pros use for maximum distance with pinpoint accuracy.
A disc golf standard.
Stability Rating: 1.5-Z / 1-X / 0-D

Reaper™ W
(Max weight -176 grams)
The Reaper™ is overstable and very fast out of your hand. Great for side arm and back hand drives. The Reaper™ is good for throwing in windy conditions.
Stability Rating: 2.5-Z / 2-X / 2-D

XL™ B R
(Max weight -174 grams
Available in 150 class)
The XL™ is one of the farthest flying disc ever made. This disc holds an almost perfect line on big throws yet manages to be a very easy disc for beginners to control. Former world distance record holder of 693 feet.
Stability Rating: 1.5-Z / 1-X / 0-D

Xtra™ W
(Max weight -174 grams)
The Xtra™ is a tamed down version of the Xtreme™ that is also over-stable but is fast and much easier to throw. Excellent stability and control.
Stability Rating: 2.5-Z / 2.5-X / 2-D

Xpress™ B R
(Max weight -174 grams)
The Xpress™ is an extra long, turnover/roller driver that is an excellent choice for that hard to execute long slow right turn or super long hyzer release straight shot.
Stability Rating: 0-Z /-1-X

XS™ B R
(Max weight -174 grams)
The XS™ is our farthest flying disc ever. 2001 world distance record holder at 712 feet. Easy to throw.
Stability Rating: 1.5-Z / 1-X

Predator™ W
(Max weight -174 grams)
The Predator™ streaks down the fairway like a big cat at top speed. It holds a line even in the wind and dives in to capture the game. The Predator™ is fast, overstable, and consistent.
Stability Rating: 2.5-Z / 2-X

Wildcat™ W
(Max weight -174 grams)
The Wildcat™ is a super fast low profile extra long distance driver that will deliver maximum distance with predictability.
Stability Rating: 1.5-Z / 1.5-X

Talon™ W
(Max weight -174 grams
Available in 150 class)
The Talon™ is our lowest profile high speed extra long driver. It holds a perfect line throughout a broad range of release speeds and wind conditions.
Stability Rating: 2-Z / 2-X

Crush™ W
(Max weight -174 grams)
The CRUSH™, overstable extra long range driver is a wide rim, flat top disc that is debuting in our Elite-Z plastic. The CRUSH™ is a very fast and controlable extra long driver with excellent glide.
Stability Rating:1.8-Z

Flash™ W-B
(Max weight -174 grams)
This maximum distance driver is the fastest and has the greatest glide of any driver now available.
With a stability rating of 1.5. This disc will appeal to disc golfers of all skill levels.
Stability Rating:1.5-Z

Flick™ W-B
(Max weight -174 grams: Available in 150 class)
The Elite-Z FLICK™ is the sleekest designed disc to date. Debuting in our all new Elite-Z™ 150 class, this super fast driver will change the way you look at lightweight plastic.
Stability Rating: 2-Z

Venom™
(Max weight -174 grams)
The Venom™ is our fastest, most overstable max distance driver in the Pro-D™ line. This disc is great into the wind and it's speed equals that of any of our drivers.
Stability Rating: 2-D

Avenger™
(Max weight -174 grams)
The Avenger™ is a maximum distance driver that can be used by ams and pros alike. You can throw it anhyzer and it comes back. You can throw it flat and it goes straight for a long way.
Stability Rating: 1.6-X

 

X-Clone™ W
(Max weight -176 grams)
The X-Clone™ is designed to handle the extra throwing power of the worlds' top pro and make it easy for players of all skill levels to get maximum distance on upwind drives.
Stability Rating: 2-X

Eclipse™ B R
(Max weight -182 grams)
The Eclipse™ is a low flying driver that is very easy to throw. The Eclipse™ is also great for roll shots.
Stability Rating: 0-D

Stratus™ B R
(Max weight -176 grams)
The Stratus™ is great for beginners as well as pros. It will fly straight at low to mid speeds and will turn to the right easily for those hard to get turns. The Stratus™ is super for roll shots as well.
Stability Rating: -1-X / -1-D

Xtreme™ W
(Max weight -174 grams)
The Xtreme™ over-stable driver is simply that. When you need a disc to pull hard left (right hand, backhand throw) this is it. Throw into any wind and it will hold.
Stability Rating: 3-X

Cyclone2™ W
(Max weight -176 grams)
The Cyclone2™ is a more over-stable version of our Cyclone™. If you need extra stability into the wind or because you throw very hard, this is the disc. This disc will take a high-speed release and come back consistently.
Stability Rating: 1.5-X

Storm™ W
(Max weight -176 grams
Available in 150 class)
A super mid to long range disc that is very predictable. Just overstable enough to handle moderate winds and high release speed.
Stability Rating: 1-X

 

Questions or comments?

bart@channelzdj.com