Disc golf: How to quickly familiarize yourself with a manufacturer’s discs

Each disc manufacturer has its own language.

Having begun with one of the company’s starter sets, I’m fluent in Innova. Aviars, Rocs, Teebirds, Firebirds, Wraiths and Destroyers: This is what makes the most sense to me.

As a disc golf blogger, however, this has proved problematic over the years – not everyone speaks my language. Furthermore, Innova doesn’t occupy the entirety of the disc golf market. With a host of great disc manufacturers all over the world, it’s important to know what they offer.

Perhaps you can relate.

It’s taken me 15-plus years to familiarize myself with Rancho Cucamonga’s lineup. With new articles dropping every day, I simply don’t have that kind of time for other brands. And even if I did, purely for educational purposes, I lack the disposable income to buy (and throw) their discs.

There has to be an easier way, right?

You’re in luck …

There is.

Two words: “flight charts”

A flight chart is a visual representation of a manufacturer’s discs. They differ in design, but generally speaking, they’re organized first in terms of speed and then in terms of stability. For example, from top to bottom, you might see distance drivers, fairway drivers, midranges and putters. Then, from left to right, discs would be arranged from understandable to overstable.

* Note: Click here for multiple examples of professional-looking flight charts.

The best way to find them is through Google’s image-search option.

Enter the following:

[Insert Manufacturer] + Flight Chart

That’s it.

One image with ALL the information you’d need a decade to experience firsthand.

Don’t attempt to memorize it. The goal is to first focus on a manufacturer’s most popular fliers. Then, from there, you’re looking to orient yourself with everything else – it’ll come in time.

To pinpoint the models that matter most, think of what a bag MUST have:

• It needs a stable-to-overstable putter.
• It needs an overstable approach putter.
• It needs a stable-to-overstable midrange.
• It needs a stable-to-overstable fairway.
• It needs an overstable utility frisbee.
• It needs a workhorse 12-speed, too.

Start there.

Another good idea is to take to Reddit (gross) or Disc Golf Course Review to see what the manufacturer’s most loyal disc golfers consider must-bag molds – they’ll know what’s best.

This kind of knowledge is hardly required for disc golf, but having it makes bag-building, following the Pro Tour and “talking shop” with other disc golfers WAY more enjoyable.

Not to mention, you’ll sound smarter.

Worth it.

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 101: Let the disc do the work
• Disc golf: Throw discs for your arm speed (it’s more fun)
• Counterpoint: You can putt with a premium-plastic putter

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