[Question] Converting to light discs

[mojorooks]

What are peoples experience with using lighter discs? I own a couple of them, buying them before realizing the difference weight makes. A year ago, I had no control of them but I might actually have a steadier release and might be able to use them. My distance records are currently held by Z Nuke SS and an Opto Havoc (speed 13's) but immediately following is an Opto Diamond (8 speed, 157 g). I haven't bagged the Diamond because it seems to need more space to get the distance but I should probably revisit that as well.

I currently bag up to speed 9 because I don't have the arm speed yet. If I throw lighter discs, can I throw higher speeds?

 

[SD86]

There is a "Best Disc Golf Discs" video out there that showed that a disc about 20 grams ligher than another (155g vs. 175g) would get about 34 feet more distance on a full power throw, all else being equal. What that full power throw is would depend on armspeed, of course.

So significant differences in weight can make a difference. But lighter weight discs also are affected by wind and throwing variances (i.e. the inconsistency of your throws) more than heavier discs. Overall, you might find that lighter weights in higher speed discs will work well for you.

 

[elmexdela]

you can throw whatever you want

 

[Marmoset]

What are peoples experience with using lighter discs? I own a couple of them, buying them before realizing the difference weight makes. A year ago, I had no control of them but I might actually have a steadier release and might be able to use them. My distance records are currently held by Z Nuke SS and an Opto Havoc (speed 13's) but immediately following is an Opto Diamond (8 speed, 157 g). I haven't bagged the Diamond because it seems to need more space to get the distance but I should probably revisit that as well.

I currently bag up to speed 9 because I don't have the arm speed yet. If I throw lighter discs, can I throw higher speeds?

I love light stuff, my entire bag was 150g (or less) for 8 years. Lighter weights do allow you to throw faster discs but my personal opinion is that you are better off learning how to throw the slower discs further. I know this doesn't help the immediate need for more distance but this is my advice.

I should note that my course is thickly wooded with trees so I never have to deal with wind. This might be why I like the lighter discs so much. People who regularly play windy courses will appreciate heavier discs.

Also, FWIW, I still carry at least one 150g putter now that I've migrated back to a max weight bag. Light weight discs are great for scrambling when you can only flick your wrist but still need a disk to carry a decent distance.

 

[SD86]

Also, FWIW, I still carry at least one 150g putter now that I've migrated back to a max weight bag. Light weight discs are great for scrambling when you can only flick your wrist but still need a disk to carry a decent distance.

This was how I 'discovered' the Polecat. I took the advice of some on these boards and tried a 150g Poleat as a 'Get Out Of Jail' disc. No power on it, just aiming and flicking my wrist, and that Polecat glided so well and flew so good... Moral of the story is that lightweight discs, be they putters, mids, or drivers, can have some advantages for some people. :thmbup:

 

[wolfmandragon]

150 class, or lower, is where MVP/Axiom truly shine. The weighted rim stores more angular momentum, which keeps the disc stable longer.

 

[Monocacy]

. . . Lighter weights do allow you to throw faster discs but my personal opinion is that you are better off learning how to throw the slower discs further. I know this doesn't help the immediate need for more distance but this is my advice.

^^^ This is excellent advice. Slow discs go far, too - I have probably never thrown anything farther than a seasoned 150 DX Teebird (speed 7).

I should note that my course is thickly wooded with trees so I never have to deal with wind. This might be why I like the lighter discs so much. People who regularly play windy courses will appreciate heavier discs.

Wind can be the bane of light discs. Thrown cleanly, a stable light disc still flies stable. And a little speed-stability can help with headwinds. Or just play some nice wooded courses.

But 150s can go crazy far in the wrong direction if you expose the flight plate to a crosswind.

 

[Keller]

Also, light weight discs are not going to miraculously get you a substantial distance gain if your form is a bit off.
Throw a 150 class driver a little nose up into the wrong and you'll see things you never thought a disc could do and end up in places you never thought possible!

Light weight discs can help you slow down and clean up your form.
Light discs are easier to throw when your clean
Light discs can get you some extra distance, but you're not going from 275 to 400 because of weight.
Light discs are a challenge in the wind and have actually helped me to learn the wind.
Light discs are damn fun!

They're worth a shot. Make a 5-6 disc bag of 150 class and give it a shot for a while. If nothing else, you'll learn a lot.

 

[slowplastic]

They do fly different, and glide a lot. You can get some amazing tailwind shots and turnover flights with lighter discs.

Personally I prefer going to a less stable mold in a more normal weight, normal for me being 165+ where I really don't notice any real difference. I think it just is more consistent for me disc to disc that way, less affected by the wind, and I don't have to rely on any weird plastics with bubbles or anything that tends to make them vary like crazy when trying to choose a disc.

Light discs do have benefits, I just find that I am way more likely to have issues with them during rounds so I don't trust it as much. Like I feel more trust smashing on a neutral putter than I do a 150 class fairway or driver.

But something that is OS in a light weight can have a very unique flight. I've thrown very light beefy Destroyers and Firebirds that carry straight for way longer than normal then hook up hard at the end still. That's a cool flight that you can't quite get any other way, from what I've thrown.

 

[zontar]

the Diamond is like cheating. please don't tell anyone about it.

 

[Keller]

the Diamond is like cheating. please don't tell anyone about it.

So is the Jade!:clap:

 

[mojorooks]

Thank you all for your input.

I love light stuff, my entire bag was 150g (or less) for 8 years. Lighter weights do allow you to throw faster discs but my personal opinion is that you are better off learning how to throw the slower discs further. I know this doesn't help the immediate need for more distance but this is my advice.

I should note that my course is thickly wooded with trees so I never have to deal with wind. This might be why I like the lighter discs so much. People who regularly play windy courses will appreciate heavier discs.

Also, FWIW, I still carry at least one 150g putter now that I've migrated back to a max weight bag. Light weight discs are great for scrambling when you can only flick your wrist but still need a disk to carry a decent distance.

My course is pretty wooded as well and some lighter weights might work for some of it.

you can throw whatever you want

I CAN throw whatever I like. I could throw big rocks but that would cause me to throw out my back and I don't think my back would feel good hitting the chains!

Also, light weight discs are not going to miraculously get you a substantial distance gain if your form is a bit off.
Throw a 150 class driver a little nose up into the wrong and you'll see things you never thought a disc could do and end up in places you never thought possible!

Light weight discs can help you slow down and clean up your form.
Light discs are easier to throw when your clean
Light discs can get you some extra distance, but you're not going from 275 to 400 because of weight.
Light discs are a challenge in the wind and have actually helped me to learn the wind.
Light discs are damn fun!

They're worth a shot. Make a 5-6 disc bag of 150 class and give it a shot for a while. If nothing else, you'll learn a lot.

Yeah, I have a 147g blizzard destroyer and that is what normally happens, LOL. Yes, my form needs work, I think I do a lot of strong arming instead of snap. My release is pretty smooth now, but i'm sure I still have some OAT left.

After reading all your thoughts, I think lights will work for me but I need to disc them down. But I should probably work out my snap on heavier stuff.

I have a destroyer and beast I might trade in for a control driver. After owning the Diamond, Jade was on my radar although it looks like they may have discontinued it.

I've seen not a lot of love for Blizzard but what other light plastics do you have experience with?

 

[Marmoset]

I've seen not a lot of love for Blizzard but what other light plastics do you have experience with?

I only have two: a Boss and a Destroyer. One is great, the other is "meh". I think the specific run will determine how good they are. If you aren't throwing far, the differences will be minimized.

FWIW...
I'm throwing putters 300' and my distance drives are going over 400'. My personal preference is to throw slower discs. When I carried my all 150g bag, I threw Eagle Xs for almost all driver shots (no need for Blizzard on these slower discs). The Boss rarely came out. Having said that, 90% of my throws were (and still are) with putters. I think that learning to throw light discs cleanly increased my distance and my love for putters.

 

[Keller]

After reading all your thoughts, I think lights will work for me but I need to disc them down. But I should probably work out my snap on heavier stuff.

I disagree (from my own experience). Nothing will slow you down faster than throwing a starter pack! The DX Aviar, Shark and Leopard really are a good place to start in light weight. Add a Star Eagle and I'd be good to go!
You're focusing too much on the ending "snap" and forgetting it starts from the ground up. Pick your favorite mid and putter, then buy one of each in 150class and start from there. They will show you how bad your OAT really is and help you clean it up.

I've seen not a lot of love for Blizzard but what other light plastics do you have experience with?

I've had good luck with Star, Champion and DX.
Starlite has been OK, but I've had a few weird ones, and Blizzard I no longer bother with.
Try to avoid stuff with lots of bubbles.

Take it slow, I wouldn't buy anything faster than a speed 7, and a DX 155gr Teebird will go far!

 

[mojorooks]

I disagree (from my own experience). Nothing will slow you down faster than throwing a starter pack! The DX Aviar, Shark and Leopard really are a good place to start in light weight. Add a Star Eagle and I'd be good to go!
You're focusing too much on the ending "snap" and forgetting it starts from the ground up. Pick your favorite mid and putter, then buy one of each in 150class and start from there. They will show you how bad your OAT really is and help you clean it up.



I've had good luck with Star, Champion and DX.
Starlite has been OK, but I've had a few weird ones, and Blizzard I no longer bother with.
Try to avoid stuff with lots of bubbles.

Take it slow, I wouldn't buy anything faster than a speed 7, and a DX 155gr Teebird will go far!

Ok, I get that and it makes sense. I guess that is why I couldn't throw my 147g DX Beast a year ago when I started.

 

[Skins]

I've got a mixed bag and have thrown plenty of blizzard plastic but it always beats in waaaaaay to quickly and had consistency issues from disc to disc of the same mold.

Now throwing Air plastic from Dd and Lat.
What I like about their Air plastic is the durability and weight. Opto or Lucid Air plastic is usually between 154g to 164g. While other manufacturers have skinneyed up the flight plate with regular weight plastic to get into the low 160g weights, inconsistencies with these runs as far as dome and PLH have been the main problem.

The Air plastic is able to achieve a consistent disc run to run without compromising quality. I think it's because they are able to generate a flight plate thicknesses that keeps the disc consistent with regard to stability in the perfect weight of 158-162g.

I bag 2- Lucid Trespass Airs, 1 Explorer Air and 1 Maverick Air for big high turnovers uphill.
I'm 52 years old and these help me with distance in general and with uphill shots.

 

[Alexplz]

you can throw whatever you want

pack it up boys, elmex just invalidated this whole. entire. forum.

 

[elmexdela]

pack it up boys, elmex just invalidated this whole. entire. forum.

thank you for giving me this much power <3 <3 <3

 

[Streets]

elmex is the realist mofo on this whole site.

 

[mojorooks]

pack it up boys, elmex just invalidated this whole. entire. forum.

I disagree. He ALMOST invalidates it. The majority of the content of this website is made up of those who can't currently go out and throw anything because they are stuck at work and would rather WAY over-analyze things than think about the reality of employment.