It was a SINGLE tweet that brought about this article …
This little guy:
*** LOUDER FOR THE PEEPS IN THE BACK *** https://t.co/krULFDvrjD
— Green Splatter (@GreenSplatter) August 16, 2022
Given the text we used when quote-tweeting the above, you might think I lean heavily one way over the other in this debate – that’s not entirely true. Our commentary was directed at the idea of artificially “beat-in” discs. You know, as Kyle X4 points out, something as ridiculous as running over a max-weight, pop-top Star Destroyer with a Honda Accord – that’s a weird move, man.
People were oddly passionate about it …
Naturally, I’m now writing this.
The good and the bad: Beating a disc
In disc golf, few joys are as sweet as owning a beat-to-death disc in a premium polymer – and actually throwing it, too. It shows you’re patient with your plastic. It shows your dedication to a mold. And honestly, it’s just pretty cool. The ancient Champion Teebird grants instant respect.
But NONE of that really means much …
This does:
- When you beat a disc, you develop an intimate knowledge of everything about it.
- When you beat a disc, there’s a good chance it’s the best-feeling tool in your hand.
- When you beat a disc, you’re more familiar (duh) with it – consistency is the result.
- When you beat a disc, you’re granted constant access to a unique, one-of-a-kind flight.
Now that’s great and all …
But think of the emotional trauma you’ll experience when you unexpectedly lose your magic, five-year-old C-Line FD – that’s going to suck. And this shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, but the one you nab in a panic from Infinite Discs isn’t going to fly the same – that takes time …
Five years, in fact.
When beaten plastic’s good, it’s REALLY good.
And when it’s gone, you REALLY feel it.
The good and the bad: Buying understable
If you’re prone to losing discs, this method is for you.
This one’s obvious: The biggest benefit of buying a disc that needs no beating is that, when you inevitably lose it, replacing it is a few quick clicks and the cost of a middle-of-the-road meal.
There’s a need. You fill it.
Your game’s none the wiser.
For some odd reason, though, I take great pride in bagging very few molds. Inexplicable pride is one thing – complete confidence in ALL of my discs is another. Buying new, understable stuff means you’re probably working with lots of disc makes and models. Toss in the fact that every run has the potential to fly (and feel) different, and the consistency of your toolbox suffers …
Choose your battles wisely.
What do I do?
Really, a bit of both …
In an ideal world, I’d play two rounds of disc golf every day – and get paid handsomely for being woefully mediocre at it. As a result, my bag would be loaded with rare, sexily beaten frisbees.
The reality of the situation, however, is that I’ve got a job, wife, mortgage and twin, one-year-old boys who’ve made a sport out of systematically destroying my home. Yes, there are discs I’ve bagged for years, but when I lose one that demands immediate mega-flip, I buy new …
And I don’t think twice about it.
The molds I love most never leave my bag. There are multiples of ‘em, too. As such, even if I lose one every now and again, there’s almost always one that’s well-seasoned: Aviars, Rhynos, Roc3s, Dracos and Scorpiuses. The understable molds I’m more iffy on, though, I’ll buy for flight. I don’t care – whatever’s working will do the trick: Sails, Terns, Mayas, Diamonds, etc.
As is the case with most things in disc golf, you do you …
This is hardly a moral dilemma: If it feels right, it IS right.
Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.
Editor’s Suggestions:
- Disc golf: Be patient with new plastic
- Disc golf: How to legally modify a disc
- Gripe No. 3: Your forehand doesn’t magically make discs understable
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