Yesterday, we published a post on the best way to flatten a warped disc …
So today, it only makes sense to write about how to add more dome to one, as well.
Paul McBeth was the first guy who really put “board-flat” discs on the map. If this doesn’t ring a bell, check out the line of “3-Series” discs from Innova – he’s responsible for ‘em, in large part: the Aviar3, AviarX3, Mako3, Shark3, Roc3, RocX3, TL3, Leopard3, Teebird3 …
And randomly, the Wombat3, too – I still have no idea how (or why) that mold made the cut.
Outside of a Gator, Justice, Felon or Firebird, due to feel, flight or perhaps a combination of both, if you’re one of those disc golfers who insists on ALL discs being as flat as possible, Innova’s 3-Series is a great place to start: It’s hard to go wrong with any of them, really.
But know this much …
Domey discs have their place, too.
In my experience, across the board, flat-top discs have less glide. The slower stuff flies more overstable, while fairway and distance drivers fly less stable – this can vary from mold to mold.
On the “pop-top” side of things, generally speaking, more dome means more glide. Flight paths trend in the opposite direction, however: Slower discs are less stable, while faster ones are beefy.
I’ll give you an example: the Star Destroyer.
If you spring for one of the Halo variety, you want dome – that’s what it’s known for. It glides for days. It’s a meathook, too. That one-two punch makes for something Calvin Heimburg, Anthony Barela or Garrett Gurthie can lay into with all they’ve got for max distance …
That is, unless the USPS man places it at the bottom of his mailbag. Or you forget about the disc and leave it in the trunk of your car on a hot day. It doesn’t matter what happens …
The result’s the same: a warped disc.
Sound PAINFULLY familiar?
If so, here’s how to bring back the dome your disc deserves:
- Step No. 1 – Find a bowl barely smaller in diameter than your disc – place it on a table.
- Step No. 2 – With the flight plate facing down, set the disc on top of the bowl.
- Step No. 3 – Bring a small pot of water to a strong, running boil.
- Step No. 4 – Pour the water in the disc until completely full.
- Step No. 5 – Let the disc sit overnight – in the morning …
Voilà.
* Note #1: For best results, use this reshaping method exclusively on discs in premium plastic.
* Note #2: Doing this is technically in violation of the PDGA’s Official Rules of Disc Golf.
Such a simple, no-mess process – hardly any boiling water is needed.
Even better, it EASILY brings back the original dome the manufacturer intended for the disc. The boiling water softens the disc’s flight plate. Suspended by the bowl, the weight of the water pulls the flight plate downward. As the water cools, so does the flight plate – the plastic hardens.
In the morning, flip the disc over – there’s your pop-top: good as new.
Go get your dome on.
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