Floating discs are awesome.
Most casuals don’t know they exist, believe it or not. Yet, those same dudes are happy to fork over a few extra bucks for glow gear. When it comes to gimmicky plastic, I can’t help but feel glow-in-the-dark discs take the cake over those that refuse to sink to the bottom of the wet stuff.
- One’s (largely) aesthetic.
- One’s (allegedly) utilitarian.
I like both; I bag both.
However, unlike glow discs, floating frisbees come with one BIG flaw …
Moving water.
Splash an R-Pro Wahoo into a pond, and it might take a few seconds, but she’ll resurface. If it’s close to shore, use a broken tree limb to retrieve it. And if it’s out in the middle of the water, you can still get it, but you’ll need to summon your inner Michael “Fish” Phelps to make it happen.
If it’s worth it, you’ll do it.
And if it’s not, you won’t.
Disc golfers are weird.
When a disc comes into contact with a stream or small river, though, the last thing you want from your golf frisbee is for it to float. Because, in reality, your best chance of getting it back is for it to sink quickly like a stone and get trapped underwater on a large rock or tree root.
If it keeps floating, though, you’ll need to run alongside said stream or small river at a pace not frequently possible, given the trees, bushes and boulders you’ll battle on both sides of it.
So, what are floating discs good for, exactly?
I’ve owned a DX Hydra since 2005 – I think that’s when I bought it, at least. I picked it up during a trip to Wal-Mart for school supplies. To date, I use it for these three things:
- I use it for short pond shots.
- I use it in hotel pools on vacations.
- I use it for great grip during rainy rounds.
* Note: In my experience, no matter the plastic, floatable discs are total grip monsters.
Most disc golf courses have running water on them – in my area, that is. If your neck of the woods is somewhat similar, for as good as they look on paper, floating discs will act as more of a headache-enhancer than a life-preserver, I’m afraid. Sure, build an all-glow bag, if you like …
But one floatable disc is enough.
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I throw Innova Discs. I live in Metro Phoenix AZ and one of my home courses is Fountain Hills. Innova F2’s are my go to around water. They don’t float but I don’t have to change my game or disc selection (other than throwing a less expensive disc with no stamp). Bottom line: since I’m not worried about losing the disc, I rarely throw in the water, I hit my lines with confidence.
Great tip, Mr. Monsoon!
Thanks for sharing 🙂
(also, I’ve always wanted to play Fountain Hills – one day)
I have exactly zero floating discs. In my area it’s mostly lakes and ponds to worry about. I have some dx discs that get the nod. I’ve tried the dragon- didn’t care for it. Now I just throw my 4th string Teebird (excuse me- tee-bird) if there’s water. I have two tee-birds and two teebirds (one in champ, one in star). I don’t think about the water, I just trust in my sidearm and should my tee-bird end up in the drink and I’m unable to retrieve it. Oh well, it’s just a yellow tee-bird. I’ll go get another
Kurt, the best part of this comment?
Clearly, you’re as bothered by the hyphen in the DX Teebird as I am …
That speaks volumes of your character: https://tinyurl.com/mr234yhd
(and it means you probably read the above article, which I always appreciate – haha)
Floaters are some of my all-time favourite discs, notably the DX Hydras you showed up above. You are very correct that you need to know the water you are throwing towards though. Most water near me is ponds/lakes, so no issues arise with using floaters. Moving water can be bad for sure as you noted, depending on how fast the water is moving and how wide across it is. Also, Florida where gators are makes floating a moot point, as you probably aren’t going to try to retrieve them anyway.
Oh, man …
If I live in Florida, screw the frisbee …
I want ZERO to do with those dinosaur lizards.
Absolutely terrifying.