Glow Golf…

For me, the single best thing about playing disc golf at night is that it’s fun. To be specific, it is 1.7 metric tons of fun. If you’ve never done it, you are seriously missing out.

There’s something different about it. It’s just you and your friends running around in the forest at night with discs that light up. It quickly brings out the child in everyone. All you need is a few discs, a way to see those discs, a course, and darkness.

When I first started playing glow golf, I used to bring my entire bag of discs. Bad move. It’s not a regular round. It’s just about getting out and having fun. You don’t need your full bag to do that. Over the years, I’ve pared down my glow bag to just 3-5 discs. That’s all you need for a great time playing disc golf at night.

I started by using glow plastic versions of discs I already carry. Honestly glow plastic is almost useless for the purpose of playing at night (although I do love how it feels and flies, especially my MoonShine Trespasses). It’s not very bright. It also loses it’s glow very quickly so you spend more time charging up the disc than throwing it. Even when charged, it can still be hard to find at night if you are off the fairway at all.

I quickly moved to taping lights on my discs. I started by using some little LEDs made for night fishing and then moved on to these that you can get at many online stores. These were a huge upgrade. Until it gets really cold or you hit a tree hard.

In the cold, the tape you use to hold them on the disc freezes and stops sticking. If you use tape where that doesn’t happen, you now have tape that leaves a sticky mess on your discs when you want to take it off. I’ve had many a shot that hit a tree where the disc went one way while the light went the other. Another problem you’ll run into is that if you hit a tree hard enough, sometimes those lights break or shut off. It’s very disheartening to watch your disc’s light wink out of existence mid flight leaving you with a very slim chance of actually finding that disc until tomorrow.

Because of these problems, I end up playing less glow golf than I’d like to. Between preparation and on course maintenance, there is a bit of a headache factor involved in a round of nighttime disc golf. Until now….

Enter Nite Ize…

When Nite Ize contacted me to see if I wanted to review their discs, I wasn’t too sure. But I thought they looked pretty cool and I already use a bunch of Nite Ize products. From Carabiners to Better Bands, I have always been very happy with their stuff. So I said sure, why not?

A couple of weeks later, a box of goodies from Nite Ize was at my door. Inside was 6 discs (2 putters, 2 mids, and drivers) along with a bunch of their Spotlit lights for clipping on the basket at night.

I want to start by saying I was very skeptical at first. I pictured these being like the Wham O golf discs or something Toys R Us would make as a house brand product. I was not expecting them to be useable for disc golf. Cool? Sure. Neat to throw in the dark? Yep. Discs that an experienced disc golfer would be happy using? I didn’t think so.

I was wrong.

The Discs…

The first thing you’ll notice about these discs is the plastic. It’s got a good amount of grip to it. It feels good in the hand and I was confident throwing it.

The design of the discs does take a bit of getting used to, but it’s really no big deal. There are these ribs that radiate out from the center location of the LED light. Nite Ize calls it a fiber-optic array. It takes the light from the LED and spreads it across the entire disc (which make it look extra cool). Where each rib hits the rim, you can feel it. A simple adjustment to grip the disc between the ribs is all you need to compensate.

Another thing I noticed about these ribs is that they gave the disc some more overall stiffness than you find with normal golf discs. I didn’t really noticed it until my first hard tree hit. They make a sound like no other disc and you can hear how solid they are when they hit.

Speaking of that, while I always cringe when a disc with a taped on light hits a tree, I grew to be very confident with the Nite Ize product. They hold up extremely well and not once did the light ever break or turn off. On inspection, the discs themselves hold up well too. I hit several trees pretty hard and none are worse for the wear. They didn’t change in flight either.

All of that together means you’d be hard pressed to lose one of these discs at night. The lighting arrangement on them is really great. They are fun to watch fly through the air and you can see them from a mile away. The LED will cycle through a bunch of colors (called disco mode) or you can lock it on your favorite. My first few rounds were played in disco mode, which I liked. After that I found it useful to lock each disc on a different color. That way it was easy to reach in my NutSac and grab the right disc without really looking too hard. I have landed on red for the driver, purple for the mid, and green for the putter (money baby!).

That leaves us with how they fly and overall they work really well. They all have the characteristics of discs that I’d select for a 3 disc round.

The Driver…

The driver has a wide rim. It’s a little wider than I prefer, but it ends up not being a problem. The driver is very controllable. Thrown hard, it has a nice bit of turn. I wouldn’t call it a turn over disc, but it does sit up and ride very nicely. At the end of its flight, it always faded.

Thrown with a good amount of hyzer, I could get it to fly a nice smooth right to left arc (RHBH). Thrown flat it flexed in a nice tight S with great distance. Thrown anny, it would hold the turn for 70% of it’s flight before fighting out at the end. It’s pretty much exactly what you would want in a controllable driver.

The only issue with the driver was in headwinds. I found that I had to back off a little and add some hyzer to keep it from flipping completely. Just a few throws, though, and I was comfortable using it in a moderate wind.  Luckily, night golf is mostly calm in my experience. Even on a windy day, the evenings often calm down considerably.

The Mid…

The mid reminded me of a Roc in its feel in the hand. It has the same profile and moderate dome you find in Champ Rocs. Appearance is where the similarity ends. The mid was the most understable of the 3 discs for me. Full power throws caused it to turn for most of its flight. Like the driver, though, it always came back at the end. It never simply flipped without coming back.

Powered down, I was able to get some really nice straight flights. It has decent glide too. Just like the driver, it worked on a variety of lines. I found myself wishing for just a little more stability, but that’s being picky. Overall, it’s a great all purpose mid.

As for wind, don’t throw the mid into a headwind. It’s the one disc of the three that just won’t work for you in that condition.

The Putter…

And now for the putter, my favorite of the three discs. With a profile similar to a beadless Aviar or a slightly deeper Pure, it feels great in my hand. I really enjoy both throwing and putting with this disc.

Putting with it does take some adjustment because of those aforementioned ribs on the bottom of the disc. After a while, though, they actually started to serve as a guide for where I place my fingers. For the most part, you can aim straight at the basket out to about the edge of the circle. It wasn’t until about 30 feet out that a little fade started to appear at the end of its flight.

Driving and up shots is where this disc shines (pun intended). You can really rip into this thing and it just takes the power without flipping. Step up and give it a good huck and it goes straight with a tiny fade at the end. On any given round I throw the putter a good bit more than the mid. If you were to buy just one of the 3 Nite Ize discs, and you are comfortable driving with putters, I would strongly encourage you to get the putter as your one Nite Ize disc.

Conclusion…

That said, I really love having all 3 discs for a glow round. I never find myself wishing I had spent the time to tape lights on my regular discs. Instead I just grab the Nite Ize set and head out to play. Overall, as an experienced disc golfer, I’m happy to play regular glow rounds with them.

In the end, we disc golfers buy a lot of discs that end up not getting used. We try new plastic a lot and can only carry so much. If you are anything like me you have a stack or 5 of unused discs somewhere in your house. The Nite Ize FlashFlight set won’t be one of those forgotten discs. If you currently play the occasional round of glow golf, or if you want to start, get yourself this set of discs. It won’t end up in one of those unused piles. Not to mention they have the most important flight characteristic of all… They are really, really fun.

Because Nite Ize was generous in sending us product to test, we’ve got a bunch of stuff to give away this time. We are giving away a driver, a mid, and a putter. We are also giving away a handful of the Spotlit keychain lights. All you have to do is be subscribed to the blog to be entered. Winners will be drawn on Wednesday, Feb 10, 2016 and will be notified via email. If you aren’t subscribed, simply enter your email below. Good luck!!!

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The post Nite Ize Flashflight LED Disc Review appeared first on Mind Body Disc - Disc Golf Blog.

It Started With the Judge

A couple of years back, the Dynamic Discs Judge won the Reader’s Choice Disc of the Year award. When I saw that, I had to try one. Let’s just say that as popular as that disc is with many people I know, it was definitely not my disc of the year.

The reason for that is that I just can’t get down with discs that have beads. I never could throw a Roc for just that reason. It turned out to be the same thing with the Judge. I wish it was different. I’ve seen magic performed with both of those beaded discs. Go watch Barry Schultz throw Rocs on a wooded course, it’s mesmerizing!

Needless to say, I was pretty excited when Dynamic released the Warden. Billed specifically as a beadless version of the Judge. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on one. In fact, after I got my first, I ordered 9 more so I could have a stack to practice with. I liked it that much!

That was two years ago. As most of you know I’ve since switched over to the Latitude 64 Pure as my putter of choice. Something in the Pure just clicked for me. But that’s NOT a knock on the Warden. Had I not run across the Pure, the Warden would still be in my bag.

I really enjoyed putting, throwing up shots, and driving with the Dynamic Discs Warden. In fact, I still keep a Fuzion and a Lucid version around for certain courses and conditions that call for it. It definitely finds an occasional home in my bag.

Last month I got a very cool Classic Blend Warden as part of the player’s pack for the MXG tournament in Milwaukee, WI. Since I already have all the Wardens I need, I figured it would make a good give away and a good reason to write a review of this disc.

What’s the scoop on the Dynamic Discs Warden?

Here’s what Dynamic Discs has to say about the Classic Blend Warden:

The Warden takes everything players love about the Judge and removes the bead to provide additional comfort in the hand. This putter has a very straight flight path and can fly just about any line you want. If you prefer a beadless putter with a straight flight path then the Warden is the putter for you.

Speed: 2 Glide: 4 Turn: 0 Fade: 0.5

Max Weight: 176g

Here’s the InBounds flight chart for the Warden next to the Judge for comparison.

I agree with Dynamic Disc’s listed flight numbers. What I don’t agree with is the flight chart for the Judge. From what I’ve seen, the Judge is straight with a tic more fade than the Warden. I would also note that if you go with a Warden in the Fuzion or Lucid plastic, you will get a little more fade out of it at the end of its flight.

That’s why I sometimes put those versions (a Fuzion or a Lucid) in my bag. They make great approach discs. If it’s cold out, I grab the Fuzion as it stays softer in colder temps. The Lucid comes out in the summer.

First Impressions

The Warden will remind you of several other headless putters. If you like headless putt and approach discs with just a touch of dome, you’ll like the Warden. It feels good in the hand and the lack of a bead lends to clean releases for both putts and longer throws.

It’s a bit taller than the Pure (at least it feels that way) and as mentioned has just a bit of dome to it. The Pure is flatter with a lower profile and that is why I chose it over the Warden. But not everyone likes flat, low profile discs. If this is you, the Warden will be a good choice.

The Warden is available is a ton of different flavors. There are some cool DyeMax Marvel designs, 6 different plastics, scented versions, and some nice custom stamps. There is a lot to pick from.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. The Latitude 64 family of brands (Lat, DD, and Westside) make some of the best feeling plastic in the game. You can be sure to find a Warden in a plastic that suits your taste.

Since pics serve to describe a disc far better than words, here’s some images so you can get an idea of the rim.

How does it fly?

My first note is that all the flight descriptions below assume you are throwing cleanly with no wrist roll. No putter will fly well if a lot of torque is applied and the Warden is no exception.

Thrown smoothly, the Warden will reward you with some excellent flights. It’s a pretty stable disc for a putter. Let’s work from the tee on in to the basket…

Off the tee, you can really lay into it. Give it a bit of hyzer and a full power throw and it will pop up flat and glide straight for days. This disc has great distance for a putter.

If you back off a tad, but still throw it at a hyzer angle, it will start to sit up, but not quite get to flat. This will cause it to hold it’s left turn the entire flight. It will fade a bit more at the end during the low speed portion, but it will be a gentle fade, nothing aggressive.

Back off even more and you’ve got a disc that will hyzer around trees and obstacles in the woods with ease.

Thrown flat, you’ll see that once again your power level will determine what happens. Throw it full power flat and you’ll get a nice gentle turn. It won’t dump over sharply like many putters and this surprised me at first.

If you back off some, this is where some magic starts to happen. With just a little practice, you can get flat, straight lines with little to no fade at the end of the flight. The glide on this disc combined with these straight flights makes it a great approach disc when you have obstacles to deal with.

Because it doesn’t have a lot of fade at the end of it’s flight, the Warden holds an anny line extremely well. It just kind of settles down in a leftish direction. It’s touch of low speed stability means it will start to move back to flat at the end of its flight. That’s a desirable characteristic that will help minimize cut rolls.

It will not fight out of an anny like a more overstable putter and is not the choice for S shaped shots. You are better off with a Judge, Wizard, KC Pro Aviar, or Challenger for those shots.

In a headwind, you need to remember that this is a beadless putter. It will handle some breezes, but I would disc up or grab a more overstable putter for headwind duties. Something like the Westside Discs Shield would be appropriate.

This is also why I carry the more premium plastic versions. I’m a little more comfortable throwing the Lucid into some wind than the Classic Blend. I’m actually rather grab my Harp instead to be honest.

A tailwind is a different story. A tailwind will add a bit more fade to the end of the flight. It will also make this disc bomb when thrown high and hard. Putters need some height to get distance. When you throw the Warden on a high line with a tailwind, expect to see it fly further than you’d expect.

As a Putter…

So how about putting? The Warden has some nice glide. It will serve you well both inside and outside the circle. Some people who carry more overstable putters switch to something Warden-like when they get outside the circle. If you only carry the Warden, you won’t need an outside the circle putter. It will serve you well from anywhere.

Inside the circle, don’t expect much fade. Spin putters should aim directly at the center/right side of the chains. Same with pitch putters. You’ll start to see just a tad of left to right movement when you get past the 33 foot mark, but not a ton. You would have to be 50 feet or more away to start having to aim significantly right. Even then I only find I need to aim 1-2 discs right of the basket and putt flat.

The classic plastic and the fuzion plastic both seem grab chains really well. The lucid is not quite as good at grabbing so I’m not sure I’d use that as my putting putter.

How’s your arm?

We all have different arm speeds. Some of you are pros with big ole guns. Others of you have just started and are distinctly gunless right now. Most of us are in between somewhere. So….

What if you have a steroid riddle mutant arm? First, cut those steroids out, they aren’t good for you! Second, just back off a tad. If you can throw cleanly and on plane, you can definitely put quite a bit behind your throws with this disc. It will, of course, turn over easier for you, but it shouldn’t turn and burn with good form.

If you have the arm of a normal human being, the Warden will fly pretty much how I’ve reviewed it above. That’s because I too have the arm of a normal human being.

What about those of you with arms made of a Nerf/Jello hybrid? Surprisingly, you will also find it to fly as reviewed. The Warden does not take a lot to get it to fly as described. You might find it to fade just a bit more than I’ve talked about, but it won’t be a drastic difference.

What’s it remind me of?

This disc most reminded me of the Gateway Warlock. In both feel and flight they are similar. I would also compare this to an Innova beadles Aviar or the MVP Anode.

Summary

If you like beadless putters that you can putt, approach, and drive with, the Warden is a solid choice for you. Because it’s available in multiple plastics, you could definitely carry a few different variations and cover most of your putter needs.

The only slot it wouldn’t fill is the moderate to overstable putter slot. Because of that, most people would want to carry a more overstable counterpart or two. It pairs really well with the Shield. If you threw a Harp in the mix for extra overstable duties, you’d have a putter trilogy to reckon with (see what I did there?!).

If you are happy with your current putter, I don’t encourage you to tinker with this slot. It’s really hard to find a putter you love and once you do you are best served by not fiddling with your selection. Just stick with what you have and leave it at that.

If you have doubts about your current putter, and you like beadless discs, you should definitely check out the Warden. With putters, you definitely have to try a bunch  before you find one you love and the Warden should be one of the molds you try.

How to win

If you don’t want to buy one, then subscribe to this blog. I’m giving away that MXG stamped Classic Blend Dynamic Discs Warden you see in the pics above. It’s brand new and that stamp is pretty cool too! On Wednesday, 10/7/2015, I’ll be randomly selecting one blog subscriber to win! Stay tuned on Instagram and Twitter as that’s where I’ll announce the winner.

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Do you have questions I didn’t answer in this review? If so, let us know in the comments below (you’ll have to scroll down past the lefty version of the review below). I threw the Warden for a while and I think I’ve tried most other putters at one point or another. And if we don’t know the answer, we’ll definitely find out for you!

LHBH / RHFH Version:

LHBH/RHFH version:

It Started With the Judge

A couple of years back, the Dynamic Discs Judge won the Reader’s Choice Disc of the Year award. When I saw that, I had to try one. Let’s just say that as popular as that disc is with many people I know, it was definitely not my disc of the year.

The reason for that is that I just can’t get down with discs that have beads. I never could throw a Roc for just that reason. It turned out to be the same thing with the Judge. I wish it was different. I’ve seen magic performed with both of those beaded discs. Go watch Barry Schultz throw Rocs on a wooded course, it’s mesmerizing!

Needless to say, I was pretty excited when Dynamic released the Warden. Billed specifically as a beadless version of the Judge. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on one. In fact, after I got my first, I ordered 9 more so I could have a stack to practice with. I liked it that much!

That was two years ago. As most of you know I’ve since switched over to the Latitude 64 Pure as my putter of choice. Something in the Pure just clicked for me. But that’s NOT a knock on the Warden. Had I not run across the Pure, the Warden would still be in my bag.

I really enjoyed putting, throwing up shots, and driving with the Dynamic Discs Warden. In fact, I still keep a Fuzion and a Lucid version around for certain courses and conditions that call for it. It definitely finds an occasional home in my bag.

Last month I got a very cool Classic Blend Warden as part of the player’s pack for the MXG tournament in Milwaukee, WI. Since I already have all the Wardens I need, I figured it would make a good give away and a good reason to write a review of this disc.

What’s the scoop on the Dynamic Discs Warden?

Here’s what Dynamic Discs has to say about the Classic Blend Warden:

The Warden takes everything players love about the Judge and removes the bead to provide additional comfort in the hand. This putter has a very straight flight path and can fly just about any line you want. If you prefer a beadless putter with a straight flight path then the Warden is the putter for you.

Speed: 2 Glide: 4 Turn: 0 Fade: 0.5

Max Weight: 176g

Here’s the InBounds flight chart for the Warden next to the Judge for comparison.

I agree with Dynamic Disc’s listed flight numbers. What I don’t agree with is the flight chart for the Judge. From what I’ve seen, the Judge is straight with a tic more fade than the Warden. I would also note that if you go with a Warden in the Fuzion or Lucid plastic, you will get a little more fade out of it at the end of its flight.

That’s why I sometimes put those versions (a Fuzion or a Lucid) in my bag. They make great approach discs. If it’s cold out, I grab the Fuzion as it stays softer in colder temps. The Lucid comes out in the summer.

First Impressions

The Warden will remind you of several other headless putters. If you like headless putt and approach discs with just a touch of dome, you’ll like the Warden. It feels good in the hand and the lack of a bead lends to clean releases for both putts and longer throws.

It’s a bit taller than the Pure (at least it feels that way) and as mentioned has just a bit of dome to it. The Pure is flatter with a lower profile and that is why I chose it over the Warden. But not everyone likes flat, low profile discs. If this is you, the Warden will be a good choice.

The Warden is available is a ton of different flavors. There are some cool DyeMax Marvel designs, 6 different plastics, scented versions, and some nice custom stamps. There is a lot to pick from.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. The Latitude 64 family of brands (Lat, DD, and Westside) make some of the best feeling plastic in the game. You can be sure to find a Warden in a plastic that suits your taste.

Since pics serve to describe a disc far better than words, here’s some images so you can get an idea of the rim.

How does it fly?

My first note is that all the flight descriptions below assume you are throwing cleanly with no wrist roll. No putter will fly well if a lot of torque is applied and the Warden is no exception.

Thrown smoothly, the Warden will reward you with some excellent flights. It’s a pretty stable disc for a putter. Let’s work from the tee on in to the basket…

Off the tee, you can really lay into it. Give it a bit of hyzer and a full power throw and it will pop up flat and glide straight for days. This disc has great distance for a putter.

If you back off a tad, but still throw it at a hyzer angle, it will start to sit up, but not quite get to flat. This will cause it to hold it’s right turn the entire flight. It will fade a bit more at the end during the low speed portion, but it will be a gentle fade, nothing aggressive.

Back off even more and you’ve got a disc that will hyzer around trees and obstacles in the woods with ease.

Thrown flat, you’ll see that once again your power level will determine what happens. Throw it full power flat and you’ll get a nice gentle turn. It won’t dump over sharply like many putters and this surprised me at first.

If you back off some, this is where some magic starts to happen. With just a little practice, you can get flat, straight lines with little to no fade at the end of the flight. The glide on this disc combined with these straight flights makes it a great approach disc when you have obstacles to deal with.

Because it doesn’t have a lot of fade at the end of it’s flight, the Warden holds an anny line extremely well. It just kind of settles down in a rightish direction. It’s touch of low speed stability means it will start to move back to flat at the end of its flight. That’s a desirable characteristic that will help minimize cut rolls.

It will not fight out of an anny like a more overstable putter and is not the choice for S shaped shots. You are better off with a Judge, Wizard, KC Pro Aviar, or Challenger for those shots.

In a headwind, you need to remember that this is a beadless putter. It will handle some breezes, but I would disc up or grab a more overstable putter for headwind duties. Something like the Westside Discs Shield would be appropriate.

This is also why I carry the more premium plastic versions. I’m a little more comfortable throwing the Lucid into some wind than the Classic Blend. I’m actually rather grab my Harp instead to be honest.

A tailwind is a different story. A tailwind will add a bit more fade to the end of the flight. It will also make this disc bomb when thrown high and hard. Putters need some height to get distance. When you throw the Warden on a high line with a tailwind, expect to see it fly further than you’d expect.

As a Putter…

So how about putting? The Warden has some nice glide. It will serve you well both inside and outside the circle. Some people who carry more overstable putters switch to something Warden-like when they get outside the circle. If you only carry the Warden, you won’t need an outside the circle putter. It will serve you well from anywhere.

Inside the circle, don’t expect much fade. Spin putters should aim directly at the center/left side of the chains. Same with pitch putters. You’ll start to see just a tad of right to left movement when you get past the 33 foot mark, but not a ton. You would have to be 50 feet or more away to start having to aim significantly left. Even then I only find I need to aim 1-2 discs left of the basket and putt flat.

The classic plastic and the fuzion plastic both seem grab chains really well. The lucid is not quite as good at grabbing so I’m not sure I’d use that as my putting putter.

How’s your arm?

We all have different arm speeds. Some of you are pros with big ole guns. Others of you have just started and are distinctly gunless right now. Most of us are in between somewhere. So….

What if you have a steroid riddle mutant arm? First, cut those steroids out, they aren’t good for you! Second, just back off a tad. If you can throw cleanly and on plane, you can definitely put quite a bit behind your throws with this disc. It will, of course, turn over easier for you, but it shouldn’t turn and burn with good form.

If you have the arm of a normal human being, the Warden will fly pretty much how I’ve reviewed it above. That’s because I too have the arm of a normal human being.

What about those of you with arms made of a Nerf/Jello hybrid? Surprisingly, you will also find it to fly as reviewed. The Warden does not take a lot to get it to fly as described. You might find it to fade just a bit more than I’ve talked about, but it won’t be a drastic difference.

What’s it remind me of?

This disc most reminded me of the Gateway Warlock. In both feel and flight they are similar. I would also compare this to an Innova beadles Aviar or the MVP Anode.

Summary

If you like beadless putters that you can putt, approach, and drive with, the Warden is a solid choice for you. Because it’s available in multiple plastics, you could definitely carry a few different variations and cover most of your putter needs.

The only slot it wouldn’t fill is the moderate to overstable putter slot. Because of that, most people would want to carry a more overstable counterpart or two. It pairs really well with the Shield. If you threw a Harp in the mix for extra overstable duties, you’d have a putter trilogy to reckon with (see what I did there?!).

If you are happy with your current putter, I don’t encourage you to tinker with this slot. It’s really hard to find a putter you love and once you do you are best served by not fiddling with your selection. Just stick with what you have and leave it at that.

If you have doubts about your current putter, and you like beadless discs, you should definitely check out the Warden. With putters, you definitely have to try a bunch  before you find one you love and the Warden should be one of the molds you try.

How to win

If you don’t want to buy one, then subscribe to this blog. I’m giving away that MXG stamped Classic Blend Dynamic Discs Warden you see in the pics above. It’s brand new and that stamp is pretty cool too! On Wednesday, 10/7/2015, I’ll be randomly selecting one blog subscriber to win! Stay tuned on Instagram and Twitter as that’s where I’ll announce the winner.

[wysija_form id=”1″]

Do you have questions I didn’t answer in this review? If so, let us know in the comments below. I threw the Warden for a while and I think I’ve tried most other putters at one point or another. And if we don’t know the answer, we’ll definitely find out for you!

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The post Dynamic Discs Warden Review appeared first on Mind Body Disc - Disc Golf Blog.

If you don’t get the reference, you need to stop reading this blog and go watch Billy Madison. Laugh a lot. Maybe even watch it twice before you resume reading this blog. As and aside, I’m here to tell you that neither shampoo nor conditioner is better. I’m bald, both of them are kind of useless to me.

When I got tired of telling the Swan to stop looking at me (OK, I never actually got tired of this), I decided I should probably take it out and give it a good testing. After all, this is the Swan “reborn”. The reissuing of the mythical Swan 1. Swan 1’s were selling on FaceBook for a good amount of money before this disc came out. I wanted to see what all the hubbub was about.

I need to start by saying that of all the slots in my bag, putter is the one I’m happiest with. I carry several Latitude 64 Pures. I got two aces last year (one a tournament ace for $112) with Pures. I’m not looking for a new putter. The Swan had it’s work cut out if it was going to impress me.

I went out to my local 9 hole pitch and putt practice course. I only took the swan. I played 36 holes. I went back and did that again the next day. That gave me a really good feel for what the Swan 1 Reborn was all about.

The first and most obvious observation is that it is under stable. Right out of the box, no beating in needed. I currently carry a beat in zero hard Pure that’s pretty easy to turn over. The Swan flew almost exactly the same as the beat Pure, but the Swan was brand new.

I think everyone needs to carry an under stable putter. They’re great for longer putts. They’re great for tailwind putts. They’re great for upshots that need to go dead straight and not fade. They’re great for longer upshots or drives that need to turn over and glide right (RHBH). They can be a very useful disc in a lot of circumstances.

The problem this gave me when playing my one disc rounds, though, was that I just couldn’t throw the Swan more than about 50%-60% power without it flipping over and having it go someplace I didn’t want it to. If you carry a Swan, you’ll have to carry other putters too. It just can’t be your full time driving or approach putter.

That said, if you need a putter to hyzer flip into a big glidey turn over shot, the Swan 1 Reborn rocks. If I ever lost my perfectly beat in Pure, I could sub in the Swan and not skip a beat.

With the Swan, I was also leaving my upshots and my longer putts to the right. I’m used to putters that have some fade at the end. My brain just automatically throws them to the right a little to allow for the fade. The Swan goes straight on these shots. There’s really no fade to speak of.

Once I got used to that, it was actually pretty cool. 60 foot putts could be thrown directly at the basket. Those longer putts just seemed to float right at the chains and always end up exactly where I aimed them. Tight tunnels that needed a finesse approach with no fade were no problem. Just an easy toss with a touch of hyzer and the Swan would sit up flat and head straight down the tunnel. It’s a very point and shoot disc.

The warning I would give you is the same one I would give about any under stable disc. There’s a lot more possibility of error than there is with something more stable. The Swan is absolutely unforgiving of mistakes.

If you turn it over too much, it isn’t coming back (at which point you scream, “Where are you going, Swan!?!?!”). If it catches even the slightest headwind, it’s going right (RHBH). If you roll your wrist at all on approaches or drives, it’s not going to end up where you hoped it would.

These are not reasons to avoid an under stable putter. They are just part of the deal. Same as any other “flippy” disc. You have to have good form to throw them. In fact, I would say that discs like this are ideal in helping to teach you correct form. It’s very fun to watch them thrown well.

In the end, I can think of quite a few people who might enjoy the Swan 1 Reborn. Here’s a short list. Are you on it?

1. You want to carry just one putter for both short and long putts.
2. You lost your favorite beat in putter and don’t have the time or patience to beat a new one in.
3. You don’t have a beat in putter.
4. You want to learn how to throw hyzer flips and controlled turnover shots. (This would be the perfect disc to teach you this skill)
5. You want to be able to scream a Billy Madison quote at your disc whenever you pull it out.
6. You play tight, wooded courses and need a finesse disc for shorter approaces.
7. Your current putter is leaving you short or short and left (RHBH) more than you’d like.
8. You are a pitch/loft putter.
9. You play on courses with some shorter anhyzer lines.
10. You play on a lot of wooded courses.

I never threw the original Swan so I can’t give a comparison. Then again, if you were a fan of the original, you probably already have one of these reissues anyway.

As usual, I’ll be giving away my review copy of the disc later this week over on the FaceBook page. Keep an eye out there for the announcement if you want a chance to win one! Until then, I’ll just leave it here on my desk and continue to yell at it. Stop looking at me Swan!!!!

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The post Stop Looking at Me Swan!!! appeared first on Mind Body Disc - Disc Golf Blog.

Last week, I wrote a post about why it’s important not only not to bash a particular disc maker, but also why it’s important to keep an open mind and try new stuff from new companies.  That left the question of what discs one might want to try.

On Friday, we posted the first half of a list of discs that are worth at least a throw or two on your part.  We didn’t want to keep you waiting too long for the second half of that list.  So for your Monday reading and on line shopping enjoyment, here it is.

The Verdict

What can I say but this is the best over stable mid range I’ve ever thrown.  Super predictable, awesome in the wind, clean release, goes far, and powers down nicely.  This disc is one of the 3 most used in my bag by far.  I see lots of discussions on line about whether or not an over stable mid is even necessary.  I can’t help but think anyone saying one isn’t needed just hasn’t thrown a Verdict.

The Trespass

Reminds me a lot of the Millennium Orion LF, just longer.  Flips up flat, goes straight, always comes back.  With 400 feet of power, it will flip and ride nicely, but always in a nice tight S.  Newer ones will handle a good amount of wind without flipping.  Beat ones will turn on a controlled line and finish flat.  Looking for a new distance driver, but one you can actually control?  The Trespass could be the ticket for you.

Other discs that deserve a try from DD:  Enforcer, Escape, Judge, and Truth.

The Pure

The one disc you couldn’t take away from me if you tried.  It’s my putter.  It’s my upshot disc.  It’s what replaced the Tangent in my bag.  I carry 4-5 and wish I could carry more.  It’s shallow for a putter, which turns some people off, but I like a shallow putter.  This disc does anything I want except hold up in a headwind.  260 and in with no wind?  90% of the time, that’s a Pure shot for me.  Looking for a putter to putt, approach, and drive with that just goes straight?  This is it.  Need one that holds a hyper or an anny?  Yep, it’ll do that too.

The Vision

Does anything you want it to.  I’d be lost in the woods without this disc.  The most versatile fairway driver I’ve ever thrown.  It’s also my go to distance driver when line shaping is important.  This disc doesn’t like OAT and requires a smooth clean throw.  It’s almost like a Comet in that respect.  But dialed in, I’ve found nothing better for my straight and under stable fairway driver slot.

Other discs to try from Lat 64: Blitz, Halo, Mercy, Riot, Havoc, River, Saint, Sinus, Striker, Trident, Villain, XXX.

The Tursas

Everyone needs a Tursas.  This really isn’t a try it, you might like it disc.  This is a try it and clear a spot in your bag for it disc.  Like the Comet, you need proper form for this disc to work its magic.  But it is magic.  I remember watching the old Marshall Street DVDs and wondering how in the hell Barry Schultz could throw a Roc perfectly straight for a long way and then have it turn gently at the end of it’s flight and finish right.  Sorcery and black magic was all I could come up with.  Well, up until now, that throw was really only possible with a Roc or Buzzz that had been seasoned to perfection over years of use.  Now that line is available right out of the box with the Tursas.  It’s crazy, throw it with a slight hyzer and it flies just like Barry’s Roc did on those DVDs.

The Giant

Headwinds don’t usually make for great distance throws.  The Giant will change that for you.  20-30 mph headwinds are no issue for this disc.  It just goes forever into a headwind.  Neat thing is it’s a pretty long disc with no wind.  Great for big hyzers and low skip shots.  Broken in, they are money for a main work horse driver.

Other Westside plastic worth trying: King, Northmen, Swan, Stag, Sword, and World.

Blunt Gumbputt

Probably the best warm up disc out there.  Great to play catch with before a round or tournament.  As an approach disc, few discs sit and stick as well as this floppy disc does.  It’s rare that you come across a truly unique golf disc, but this is one of them.

The Breaker

Really nice over stable approach disc.  Reminded me of a Gator or a Drone in flight.  Reliable in the wind.  For me, felt great in my hand and always had a super clean release.  Very forgiving disc too.  A lot of the discs that I’ve recommended need good form to throw well.  The Breaker didn’t get squirrelly on me at all, even with a bad throw.

Other DGA discs worth trying: Hurricane, Rogue, and Squall.

The PD (power driver)

First of all, probably the coolest stamp in disc golf.  Not sure why, but I love it.  This disc is very much like the Orion LF and a longer TeeBird.  Nice small rim, but still with great glide and distance.  Flips up flat and rides straight.  Works well in a headwind.  Makes a great all around driver.  Big stability difference between C line and the other plastics, though.  C line is super beefy and lacks the distance the other plastics give.  Need a new main driver?  Give this a try.

The TD (turning driver)

Another great stamp, but who doesn’t like monkeys?  A very shallow disc, but one that does line shaping better than most.  Need it to turn, it will.  Need it to go straight, it will.  Need it to power down well, does that too!  If you are looking for a disc to be able to really work into different lines but don’t have a monster arm, this is a good choice.

Other notables from Discmania:  FD, FD2, PD2, and the P2

The D3

Another pure distance bomber.  Easy to turn over and get to glide for days.  This was the first disc I ever broke 400 feet with (not a common occurrence for me, so always memorable).  I liked the protos better than the production runs as they seemed a bit more stable to me.  You can still find those around.  If you don’t have a huge arm, but are looking for a disc to give you some serious D, this might be it.

The M4

I throw so many new discs that I rarely say “Wow” after throwing one.  The M4 was one of those rare discs.  Super flat, great rim shape, and infinitely workable right out of the box.  The only thing it didn’t do well was wind.  Everything else was spectacular.  This is one of those small handful of discs that actually do hold any line you put on it.  Need a do it all mid? This could very well end your search.

Other Prodigy discs to toss at least once:  D2, F5, M2, PA1, and the X1.

The Cannon

The name says it all.  It’s a lot like the Havoc in that you need room for it to do its thing.  Legacy has some great plastic too.  Feels great in the hand.  Really hard not to yell, “BOOM!!!” every time you throw it.  Nice thing is you don’t need a Cannon for an arm to get this disc to cruise for you.  This was the first Legacy disc I tried and I immediately ordered a few more to try after testing this one out.

The Gauge

Point and shoot.  Simple as that.  It’s hard to get a mid range right.  Can it take power, work lines, power down, and not flip if you look at it wrong?  The Gauge is all these.  And again with the great plastic.  Personally, I think Legacy has some of the sweetest feeling plastic out there.  Need a do it all mid that goes where you want it to?  Try out a Gauge.

Other discs that are must tries from Legacy:  Rampage, Clutch, and Patriot.

The Wizard

If it wasn’t for the Wizard, I’m not sure that Gateway would even still be around.  One of the best all around putters ever made, the Wizard is legendary.  It’s a lot like a KC Pro Aviar in flight, but available in about 3,000 different plastics.  This is the putter to learn to drive with.  For a putter, it handles wind very well.  It can be thrown far, really far.  If you are looking for a stable to slightly over stable putter that can be thrown in a ton of different situations, the Wizard is one you’ll want to try.

The Spirit

If you are in need of a wind disc, this might be the most overlooked wind disc on the market.  With a pretty wide rim, it’s not for everyone.  For those that don’t mind the rim it’s just a killer headwind disc.  It’s also one of the best skippers out there.  If you play in the midwest or other really windy regions, the Spirit will be a stroke saver on the course.

Other discs worth a try from Gateway:  Samurai, Apache, Element, Blaze, Warlock, and Voodoo.

Hopefully that gives you some idea of discs that might be worth a try next time you are placing an order.  Will everyone like all of them?  Nope.  Some of you might pick up a couple of these discs and hate them.  You might also find a couple you fall in love with.  It’s those one or two you fall in love with that are magical.  The disc that just clicks from throw one.  Here’s to hoping you find at least one of those this season!

What discs did we miss from these companies? If your favorite isn’t represented, let everyone know about it in the comments!

If you like disc recommendations and reviews, we have you covered! Make sure to subscribe to the blog and you’ll never miss a post or a review!

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The post Try It, You Might Like It! Part 2 appeared first on Mind Body Disc - Disc Golf Blog.

I was also encouraged to see how many people out there throw a mixed bag.  There was a time, not too long ago, where that didn’t happen on the scale that it does today.  While a lot of disc golfers still stick to just one company or family of companies (in the spirit of full disclosure I’m of one of them, but more on that in another post), more and more people are dipping their toe into the really rewarding waters of new plastic.

I have a sickness.  I have an unexplainable need to buy and try almost every new disc that comes out.  That includes all plastic variations, all new rim configurations, and even new runs of discs that I hear fly different than previous ones.  I love new plastic.  I love throwing new molds.  I love feeling the plastic and blends that the newer companies are putting out there.  Like I said, I have a sickness.

Well, that said, I thought I’d share a list of discs you might like to try.  This isn’t a disc review article.  It’s just a list of discs that I’ve tried and thought were exceptional.  I think all of the companies deserve a try and I think they all make at least a few really great discs.  If just one person finds a new disc that saves them strokes, it will have been worth the time it took to write this!  Without further blabbering on my part, here is part one…..

The Nova

Call it a copy of MVP.  Call it a toy disc.  Call it a gimmick.  Call it what you want, but also call it awesome.  I never really got a lot of putts in with it, but for upshots it was amazing.  Consistent in both a head and tail wind, it just goes where you put it.  It can take a surprising amount of snap.  For me, best of all was its almost complete lack of turn or fade right out of the box.  If you have been looking for a do it all up shot disc that’s shorter than your mids, but still capable of some decent distance, give the Nova a try.

The Banshee

Most Innova throwers I know use a Firebird in the overstable fairway driver slot.  I couldn’t ever click with the Firebird.  The Banshee has a little less of a power requirement to get it to fly.  It will also stay flat and straight a lot longer than a Firebird will.  To me, that made it more versatile.  It’s also flat, which for me is always a bonus.  Wind?  It laughs at the wind.  If you need an overstable fairway driver, and you aren’t a Firebird person, try the Banshee.

Other Innova discs that every serious disc golfer needs to have thrown: Aviar, Beast, Boss, Roc, Destroyer, Eagle, Teebird, Valkyrie, Firebird, Gator, Leopard, RoadRunner, Sidewinder, Stingray, Viking, Tern, and the Wraith.

The Crush

This disc has been around forever.  It’s still one of the most consistent drivers out there.  New it can handle the wind really well.  Broken in they go far.  This was the disc I learned to throw hyzers with.  It’s a really great distance driver without a huge wing.  Really a work horse driver.  Great disc to pick if you are only going to carry one driver mold.

The Comet

This is the disc that will have you flying with elation and ready to kill someone all in the same round.  The Comet is one of the few discs out there that can actually teach you how to throw a disc correctly.  If your form is off at all, it will burn you.  If you are smooth, clean, and on plane?  This disc rewards like no other.  Watching someone play with Comets that has thrown them for years is awe inspiring.  Looking to work on your form?  Pick one of these up.

Other Discraft discs that are definitely worth a try:  Avenger, Buzzz, Challenger, Magnet, Meteor, Nuke, Predator, and the XL.

The Polaris LS

If I had to give someone one disc to learn and play with as a new player, this would be it.  The Polaris is an infinitely controllable fairway driver.  It handles power as well as weaker throws.  It will hyzer flip easily for someone who is learning that throw.  OK into moderate wind, it is a do it all driver.  I used to keep a box of these in the car just to give to newer players I saw out playing with plastic that was way too over stable for their skill level.  If a versatile fairway driver is what you are in need of, this is one of the most underrated discs out there.

The Orion LF

This was my primary driver for years.  With a flight similar to a PD or Teebird, in a word it’s reliable.  Thrown hard it will slide right (RHBH) just a little.  Mostly, though, it flips up flat, flies straight for days, and always fades at the end. Dave Dunipace designed this disc and at the time it was released, he called it one of the best drivers he had ever designed.  If you only try one new disc from this list, find a way to make it this one.

Other Millennium discs of note:  JLS, Orion LS, and the Quasar.

The Tangent

From the first throw, I knew this was a special disc.  Almost every manufacturer will tell you that their new disc “holds any line you put it on”.  The Tangent is one of the few where that is absolutely true.  Thrown flat and straight it does not fade.  Not at all.  Over time, it will develop a little bit of turn if thrown hard, but the MVP plastic and design seems to make their discs take forever to break in at all.  I can only think of a few other discs that are this versatile or accurate.  Don’t want to take another 2 years to beat the fade out of your current mid mold?  Pick up a Tangent.

The Anode

The only premium plastic putter I’ve ever carried to putt with.  Great off the tee and on approaches.  The Anode can take a ton of snap and flies incredibly straight with little to no fade.  If you ever get tired of repairing your base plastic putters, and want to try something in a premium plastic, try the Anode.

Additional MVP discs that are worth a try: Axis, Tensor, Vector, and Volt.

The Envy

Kind of like the MVP Anode, but not as deep.  Also seems to have more fade than the MVP putters.  I found this disc really good for putting in the wind as well as those longer outside the circle putts.  Great off the tee.  Of all the discs in my bag, my putter slot changes the least.  If I was looking for a new putter, though, this one would be in the running.

The Alias

If you like the idea of the Tangent, but want something that will go farther, have a tic of fade, and fight back out of an anny at the end, the Alias is where it’s at.  For me, it was basically a Tangent that I could throw harder and further.  Some people like a straight disc, but still want that reliable come back at the end.  The Alias is worth a try for those people.

I’m a little lacking in my Axiom trials so at this time, these are the only two I’ve thrown and liked enough to recommend trying.  Hmmm, I guess I’ll have some new Axiom to try in my next mail call!

Check out part 2 of this post where I’ll get to Dynamic Discs, Lat 64, Westside, Gateway, DGA, Prodigy, Discmania, and Lecacy.  Until then, get out and try some new plastic!

What discs from these brands did we miss. Tell us your favorites and why in the comments below!

You never know when we are going to make a recommendation that changes your game forever. Make sure you don’t miss a thing by subscribing to the blog below!

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The post Try It, You Might Like It! Part 1 appeared first on Mind Body Disc - Disc Golf Blog.