If you’ve played disc golf long enough, you’ve probably entertained the thought of launching a disc golf-related venture of some sort. Who hasn’t dreamed of inventing a GPS microchip to keep tabs on wayward discs? Starting a brick-and-mortar plastic shop would be cool, too. Or, assuming you’re gifted with videography, making disc commercials that don’t suck …
Trust me: There’s a need.
Perhaps you’ve even considered designing and manufacturing your own discs. If you’re like most, though, the thought doesn’t stick around for long, because holy crap – that’s a LOT of weekends. Talent, funding and know-how are just the tip of that entrepreneurial iceberg …
Enter the Bingham brothers:
“Your everyday, recreational, middle-aged disc golfers.”
Much like me, these guys are run-of-the-mill disc golfers. The main difference being that, when they have a crazy, passing thought, they grab ahold of it – Wing It Disc Golf is the result.
For Wing It’s first mold, the brothers Bingham opted for an easy-to-throw control driver, the Stratosphere. It hit the market earlier this year. I’m amped to have taken it out for a (literal) spin.
The feel of the Stratosphere
Devoted baggers of Innova’s Star plastic will be fans of Wing It’s Lift blend …
Looking at you, Nathan Queen.
The Stratosphere’s plastic has the same feel, grip and glossy finish.
If you like domey discs with a thin rim, the Stratosphere will be your jam. Oddly enough, the disc has a similar in-hand feel to the Finish Line Era, which I reviewed back in late September of this year – just a touch more dome and bit less rim. Personally, as a forehand-dominant player, I prefer a more robust rim for my grip, but the Stratosphere wasn’t by any means off-putting …
Something to keep in mind.
* Note: Its first disc, Wing It admits the outside edge is slightly sharper than intended.
The flight of the Stratosphere
This disc is a shot-shaper’s dream.
For higher arm speeds, the Stratosphere is capable of carving up heavily wooded fairways with all sorts of nutty-looking, hyzer-flip lines. And out in the open, on a not-so-windy day, expect bomber S-turns out of this thing. Again, it’ll take some actual “arm juice” to get there …
But it’s doable.
I didn’t mention ‘em earlier, so let’s take care of it right now …
The obligatory flight numbers: 9 (Speed) 4 (Glide) -2 (Turn) 1 (Fade)
On their website, the Binghams invite buyers to provide feedback on these numbers, so I’ll offer mine here: Based on my experience, the Stratosphere flies more like a seven- or eight-speed fairway driver. Also, I’d give it more turn, too – think more -3 or -4 in that department.
I’ve mentioned this before, but I’m the opposite of most players in that my forehand has more power than my backhand. Given the user-friendly flight numbers, on a backhand line, this is a GREAT disc for me. Slight hyzer-flips serve my game well – the Stratosphere delivered.
On a right-hand, forehand huck, though, I found it extremely difficult to get the Stratosphere to work right – which is kind of the point. To get it to finish properly, a six o’clock-hyzer was needed. And I’m married with kids – my shoulder’s only got so many of those left in it …
Not a fan.
The aesthetic of the Stratosphere
This disc is a work of art …
Truly. Madly. Deeply.
I love the swirls and color scheme. Also, the stamp looks like a full-blown commissioned painting. Rival disc manufacturers, take note – THIS is what stock stamps should look like:
The artistic bar’s been raised …
Let’s see if anybody else can clear it.
Did the Wing It Disc Golf Stratosphere make my bag?
I REALLY wanted to like this disc, but I don’t …
The answer’s no.
Forehands require more torque-resistance – I throw plenty of ‘em. As a sidearm-dominant player, simply put, the Stratosphere has no place in my bag. For the rare backhand toss, I carry a Lots in the slot the Stratosphere satisfies. But realistically, Wing It never threatened to displace it …
I call ‘em like I see ‘em.
I did enjoy throwing it backhand, though. Fans of the Leopard3 will like this disc, as it performs similarly. And any backhand-heavy golfer who likes shaping shots will most likely find good use for it, as well. Heck, Cole Redalen drooled over it for nearly two minutes …
Maybe you will, too.
The Final Green Splatter Grade: B-
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