For the longest time, the weakest slot in my bag was the straight-as-an-arrow fairway driver. Apart from the pair of regular and flat-top Champion Firebirds that saw plenty of action out on the course, when it came time to hit a tight, wooded gap with distance, I’d go with a Roc3 …
Nothing too aggressive – just hit the gap and deal with the remaining distance later.
Essentially, what I was looking for was a PURE fairway driver – or “control driver,” as they’re often known. As I see it, at its core, the job of a true fairway driver isn’t to bite off as much distance as possible: It’s to first throw straight – and then bite off a fair amount of distance.
Working within the Innova lineup, Eagles are great, but they lack glide, and – fresh off the UPS man’s truck – dump pretty severely. Teebirds and Teebird3s certainly fly farther, but for an amateur arm like my own, do more of the same – hook up like it’s a prom night in Vegas.
On the flip (pun intended) side of the spectrum, you have the Roadrunner and Leopard or Leopard3 – three awesome discs in their own right. They’re just a bit more finicky than you might like. If your hyzer-flip angles aren’t spot-on, you’ll fire off unintentional “throwlers.”
Can you relate to ANY of the above?
If so, take the TL out for a test drive – here’s literally how it came to be:
Teebird (T) + Leopard (L) = TL
The TL (and TL3) is a combination of the Teebird and Leopard – if you’re anything like me, it’s that mega-juicy middle-ground you’re looking for from a TRUE control driver. In theory, when you average out a mold that’s a touch overstable with one that’s a touch understandable, the end result is something that’s stable: It flies dead-straight, even for inexperienced arms.
* Note #1: All “3-series” discs from Innova tend to be slightly faster, with a bit less glide.
* Note #2: Their flight plates are usually flatter, as well – keep this in mind when shopping.
What’s nuts about the TL is that it gets next to NO love within the disc golf community …
Innova’s fairway lineup is the same for almost everybody: Firebird and a Teebird or Eagle for the bulk of controlled throws – mix and match ‘em, and you’re good to go. Seriously, think about it for a second: When was the last time you heard a member of Team Innova rave about the TL?
Wait no longer …
Check out what Eveliina Salonen says is the best-flying disc in her bag:
* Note #3: Eveliina’s putting might blow chunks, but her driving’s the best in the FPO field.
Again, right out of the box, the TL or TL3 will soar straight with minimal fade at the end of its flight. It’s good in the hand, too – it has the traditional, thinner-rimmed feel of nearly all fairway drivers. My natural, most comfortable release angle is a slight hyzer. If yours is the same, the TL will work for you almost immediately – go with Star or Champion plastic for longevity.
The TL does the trick for me …
Regardless of skill level, there’s a dang-good chance it’ll do the same for you, too.
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Editor’s Suggestions:
- What’s the ‘Sleepy Scale’ in disc golf?
- Get rid of headphones in professional disc golf
- Par should mean something in professional disc golf
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Instinct has surpassed Teebird or Eagle IMO They are so good and handle moderate wind easily.
Awesome insight, Andy!
The Teebird and Eagle-X (not so much the L) seem to handle wind pretty well, also …
Is there anything else, as you see it, that gives the Instinct an advantage over those two?
Would love to learn more – LMK!
Thanks.
I just got a brain fart and decided to try to throw as many of Vinny’s molds as I can, including switching from the Zone to the Rhyno. Not sure about the Toro, but I already throw a Caiman. The Roc, Teebird, Rhyno, and Eagle are his only molds that I do not currently bag. I am super excited because not only are they all molds that I understand, but you can get all of them factory second except I haven’t found a F2 Toro. That will make it much cheaper in the long run. And I already throw ninety percent of his molds so why not jump all the way in? He is far and away my favorite player and it’s not even close. Hate to stop supporting Gannon and Paul but their fine without my life savings.
Good luck on your journey!
Heads-up: The Toro is going to fill your Zone slot – not the Rhyno.
There’s this misconception out there that the Rhyno is mad-overstable …
It’s not.
It’s a good, overstable approach putter, but the Toro is a completely different kind of beast.
Let me know what you think of the Eagle when you get the chance …
It never really worked for me.
I just got one it is pretty domey so I will have to use your flattening process on it but I would say it is just a more stable more torque resistant Tl. I like it a lot better than the Teebird3 that I used to have. I can’t wait to give the Rhyno a shot. I threw my cousin’s sockibomb slammer and I have a pretty good feeling that is going similar to the Rhyno. 100% excited about it! If I can throw it 1% as good as Vinny can I will be absolutely tickled. About the eagle though I am planning to have about three of them in my bag all the time. Awesome fairway driver.
Nice, man!
Been a LONG-TIME fan of the Rhyno …
It’l pair beautifully with that Toro.
Honestly, it should cover just about EVERY approach you need, forehand or backhand.
That kind of duality is important for approach discs, as I see it.