Dynamic Discs used to run a “Winter Wardens” tournament series.
Back in 2016, bored out of my mind on a cold Saturday, in a spur-of-the-moment decision, I took part in one of ‘em. Basically, a Winter Wardens event was an unsanctioned, pitch-and-putt-style tournament played with nothing but a pair of Wardens provided as part of the player’s pack.
The Classic-Blend Warden was intended for putting, obviously. The Lucid Warden was meant to be used for short drives and approaches. And all of this during the winter months, of course.
At the time, outside of the Latitude 64 Diamond, I hadn’t had much experience with the Trilogy lineup. After my (sucky) performance that day, though I’ve far from given up on Trilogy, I can’t help but half-wince every time there’s a D.D. mold in my hand. Forget about the Warden …
It’s trash. I’m done with it.
Never again.
Innately, is the Warden an awful mold?
Absolutely not.
Not even I can make a claim that ridiculous with a straight face. Used primarily for short shots, as long as a putter feels good in your hand, it’s capable of getting the job done. For Dynamic Discs fans, the Warden’s a proven flier – and even for countless Pro Tour professionals.
It’s hard to argue against it.
What’s funny about disc golfers, though, is that certain molds simply don’t “work” for some hands. This is the case for open-level disc golfers, just as much as it is for amateurs, as well.
It happens for a number of reasons:
- The in-hand feel is off.
- A style of play doesn’t jive with it.
- Also, a lack of familiarity does the disc in.
The real culprit, though?
The brain.
It’s all in the head.
Spend enough time with a box of tissues, and you could make it work on the putting green or off the tee. What’s fun, though, is shouting from the rooftops how much you hate a mold that, through no fault of its own, fails to produce positive results for you out on the course.
Looking at you, Señor Berg.
I love selling people on the Innova Rhyno, just as much as I love throwing it – it’s my all-time favorite disc. Similarly, I waste zero time in making a snide comment when I see somebody putting with a Warden. And before you jump down my throat in the comments, relax …
It’s all in good fun.
No matter how patient you are with it …
Is there a specific disc that refuses to cooperate with your game?
Congrats: It’s official …
You’re a disc golfer.
Now go tell the whole world about it.
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My “warden” is the thought space Pathfinder. As someone who throws mostly Innova with the exception of my zones I decided I needed a straight flying mid. I went to my local brick n mortar and checked out the warship, the jay and mako3, the compass and of course the buzz. They ultimately sold me on the pathfinder. I want to love this disc so much but it just doesn’t work for me. I guess I’ll just stick to cycling Rocs.
Interesting …
If your cycled Rocs work for those straight-flying mid shots, why change?
Did you just want to try something new?
No harm in that, of course!
(BTW, my vote’s for the Mako3)
Exactly- addicted to new plastic. That’s half the fun is trying new molds. I’ll usually hang on to the ones that don’t work for a while and let friends try them out. I’ve been given a ton of free discs so I’m always happy to give discs away if it means they’re gonna fly rather than collect dust.
Don’t forget about Play-It-Again, Kurt!
Put a bit more “jangle” in your pocket for new discs …
Of course, giving them to friends is always a good call, too 🙂
Unfortunately the closest play it again sports is down in the Seattle area. Kayak Point Disc Golf Resort is actually closer for me. And I have picked up some gems from their $5 used bin.
It sounds like our local club might do a fundraiser sale from unclaimed lost n found discs. Our lost n found used to be at a brewery and a lot of people had their discs snatched before they could come and pick them up. Now that we have our first dedicated disc golf pro shop that has the lost n found they have something like 200 unclaimed discs.
So as soon as they do the garage sale (silent auction??) I’ll be there! I’m a big fan of used plastic. Supposedly they may also start doing consignment too. That would give me an excuse to make some room in my closet for new (to me) plastic. Win win!
Sounds like a great plan, man!
I love it when the local disc golf brick-and-mortar gets involved …
It REALLY connects ’em to the community 🙂
For me it’s either the buzz or the glitch. I can tell they’re probably good discs but I just can’t bring myself to like them no matter how hard I try.
The Glitch is a toss-up about how “good” it is, in my opinion …
It’s a bit gimmicky.
The Buzzz, though?
Yeah, it’s a proven flier – it’s a YOU thing.
(similar to me with the Warden, of course – I also don’t love the Buzzz, for what it’s worth)
It’s definitely a me thing. I know they’re one of the most popular discs out there. I’ve got a couple of them and they just don’t make the bag. One of my brothers swears by his buzz and he does really well with it. I would rather throw a roc or a stig in its place. Like you said there’s always that one.
Amen to that, Turbo!
Which Roc are you Rocking the most?
I’m all-in on the Champion Color Glow Roc3.
I’ve got the regular Roc in R pro plastic. Great disc, very floaty, not much power required for surprising distance
Very cool!
You don’t see many of those out on the course these days …
Glad it’s getting you what you need 🙂
Just could not get the Innova Aero to fly for me. No matter how I threw it, it always turned over. Play it again sports it went.
I’ve heard similar things about the Rollo from a bunch of people …
I thought it was awesome; so many people didn’t.
To each his own!
The good news?
We’ve only got about a million-and-a-half different molds to choose from 🙂
My Warden is the kcpro Roc. Got 2 of them and I don’t know what I’m doing wrong but both fly like a midrange mamba. Just dump right.
I’m sure I’m doing something wrong but thanks to Green Splatter I bought a Gator and I’m pulling that for anything under 250′.
Throwing straight sucks. Big hooks is my game. Been addicted to highly over stable mids ever since. As stated before…. Even putt with one.
Curious, Fletch …
What midrange DO you use to throw straight?
Or do you currently not have anything filling that slot?
I either flex a Gator, or try to throw my Jay or Dart. Usually the flex does better.
How far you thinking tho?
Probably somewhere between 250 and 325 feet?
Closer to 300-ish feet, I’m reaching for a midrange.
In Utah, given the stability of discs – assuming there’s no wind – my Rollo does great on a hyzer-flip line.
The Wombat3 is also money for this shot.
And it’s hard to beat the Mako3.
For me, though, I use a beat-to-death Champion Color Glow Roc3.
It’s a great slot to have, if you can fill it …
But trust me: I get the appeal of a baby-flex Gator, too.
Especially on a flick line – hard to beat it 🙂
I’m playing at elevation 0. So can’t really relate to Utah but using a Rollo for anything straight is an insane thought.
Realistically anything under 300 dead straight is a major weakness. I need to bend everything. 100 feet in I’m trying to master the Dart when I can’t bend in a Gator or justice. Work in progress on controlling the glide.
Nice!
How’s that Dart feel in your hand?
To me, it’s one of the most awkward-feeling discs on the market.
People that use ’em swear by ’em, though.
Nate Sexton, for example.
That man jams lengthy spin-putts with his like nobody’s business.
I can’t control the glide very well. Feels fine in hand. I use it mostly to push putt when I’m outside normal range. Just to try to get a fee more feet of glide.
I just need to figure out how hard to throw it. Every once in awhile I put too much into it and it dumps right. Why I love the gator. Don’t have to worry about that. It’s so consistent.
Man, I feel you on the plastic-changing thing …
It sucks, especially if you’re a creature of habit.
Also, I think THIS is what you’re talking about …
With the whole “wet discs” thing, I mean: https://tinyurl.com/4v7yumd8
It’s true …
Stable-to-overstable (or just flat overstable) is best.
If your gear can eliminate variables, it makes the game that much easier.
No wonder the pros throw so much beef, right?