konza_kid
Birdie Member
Definitely something to this, seeing as we are all on an internet forum discussing the minutia of flight characteristics and philosophy of throwing plastic circles.
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[Question] the 'boutique disc' problem
- Thread starter VictorB
- Start date
Definitely something to this, seeing as we are all on an internet forum discussing the minutia of flight characteristics and philosophy of throwing plastic circles.
VictorB
* Ace Member *
the same way you'd buy a jersey with your favorite players name on it.
Jugular
Birdie Member
No of course Discraft is not the only manufacturer that does it. For me I got to know Innova at first and then learning a whole other similar manufacturer's lineup just seems too overbearing. Not to mention that in terms of new shiny's Discraft seems to be the most prolific right now.
It seems any manufacturer that becomes successful does it. There are manufacturers that aren't yet quilty of all those things though and it's also a matter of degrees. I think so far, Kastaplast has very little in this regard. Also it's early on enough that I can stock up on small collections of their premium plastic discs without having to search for specific runs and stamps etc. I don't hold out hope that they won't be just as bad at it as everyone else.
Jugular
Birdie Member
I don't do this either so perhaps there's something related. For team sports in particular it seems odd to buy a shirt for one player given how often they're traded and you'll stay supporting the club/team/franchise not switch with the player.
In terms of supporting pros it seems to me that buying discs is the least effective method, if I don't like the disc I've just supported pointless plastic waste. It's a shame that only a handful of pros have Patreon pages allowing me to directly fund them.
tennesseetailor
Par Member
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2018
- Messages
- 152
What sports do you follow/watch? I've never heard of baseball/football/basketball fans not buying a jersey or tshirt or something of their favorite player simply because they could be traded at some point in their career. Fans also don't necessarily stay supporting a team if their favorite player gets traded. LeBron fans were Cavs fans, then Heat fans, then Cavs fans again, and now they're all Lakers fans. Popular players have followings these days moreso than teams.
It's very much the same with disc golf professionals. McBeth had everyone buying Destroyers and Novas and now I'm sure all those people are buying Zones and Buzzzes. Fans like who they like and will support them however they feel; with disc golf it's normally buying plastic even if it's going to sit in a box somewhere.
Marmoset
* Ace Member *
As a rule, in-production stock discs only for me.
Part of the reason I love DX Aviars so much is that they are so cheap and ubiquitous. If I lose one, I can easily get a replacement.
I have developed an unnatural love for my first run ESP LE Comet. If I ever lose that disc, it will not be fun (to say the least). And I play disc golf to have fun.
Having said that, I have no reservation about spending money on a disc that will support whatever cause I feel is important at the time. I probably won't be throwing it though. That would be a wall hanger or a gift I give somebody, not a thrower.
Part of the reason I love DX Aviars so much is that they are so cheap and ubiquitous. If I lose one, I can easily get a replacement.
I have developed an unnatural love for my first run ESP LE Comet. If I ever lose that disc, it will not be fun (to say the least). And I play disc golf to have fun.
Having said that, I have no reservation about spending money on a disc that will support whatever cause I feel is important at the time. I probably won't be throwing it though. That would be a wall hanger or a gift I give somebody, not a thrower.
- Joined
- Jul 29, 2009
- Messages
- 15,780
I'm more of a "Throw whatever finds its way to me" player.
I certainly don't seek out limited edition runs or stuff like that, but if one finds its way to me and I like it better than what's in my bag, I'll go with it.
I try not to get too attached to anything. I don't think it's a good headspace to be in.
I certainly don't seek out limited edition runs or stuff like that, but if one finds its way to me and I like it better than what's in my bag, I'll go with it.
I try not to get too attached to anything. I don't think it's a good headspace to be in.
dehaas
* Ace Member *
About the only thing boutique/oop that I have in the bag at this point is a Royal Rage and a star Max. Technically I walked off from some field throws a few weeks ago and left a 2015 Ledgestone Ti FLX Zone (IMO the best Zones out there). Been in the bag since they came out, and have a backup...just haven't put it in the bag yet.
I know people have a thing for old champ and star plastic, but I honestly think some of the current stuff from the last few years has been just as good if you have a place to go in person to fondle plastic. I've got a couple of buddies who prefer champ to star or vice versa, I'm not picky. Seems like some molds tend to fly "more true" in certain plastics than others, so I kinda go based off of that. I've got some champ molds in the bag, some star, gstar, and even pro.
I don't play nearly as much as I used to, so I'm not too worried about losing discs at this point. Stock discs are easier to replace, and if you have access to handpick you can typically find "the one" that just feels right in the hand. I've got rid of most of my expensive stuff, but am not opposed to having pricey stuff in the bag if I feel like I can't find the desired flight from something stock.
I know people have a thing for old champ and star plastic, but I honestly think some of the current stuff from the last few years has been just as good if you have a place to go in person to fondle plastic. I've got a couple of buddies who prefer champ to star or vice versa, I'm not picky. Seems like some molds tend to fly "more true" in certain plastics than others, so I kinda go based off of that. I've got some champ molds in the bag, some star, gstar, and even pro.
I don't play nearly as much as I used to, so I'm not too worried about losing discs at this point. Stock discs are easier to replace, and if you have access to handpick you can typically find "the one" that just feels right in the hand. I've got rid of most of my expensive stuff, but am not opposed to having pricey stuff in the bag if I feel like I can't find the desired flight from something stock.
The first disc that I really, really clicked with and threw all the time even when the situation really didn't call for it was this orange Ontario Roc I had in the '95-'96ish time frame. Something I found out was that I just reacted to the changes in flight as that thing beat in and really didn't notice or think about it, so when it started to flip and I replaced it with another Ontario Roc of the same weight it didn't fly at all like the orange one had. There was still a learning curve. I had to execute the shots.
I think of that a lot when people say "Nothing flies like an...". We say that about Comets all the time and to an extent it is true. I can play without a Comet, though. As much as I leaned on that orange Roc, I certainly could play without it. We make too much out of the equipment sometimes. Most people can beat me throwing a trash can lid regardless of what is in my bag, so the equipment is just what I make of it. You still have to throw them before they actually mean anything.
I have two conflicting preferences:
-I favor stock discs over limited run/OOP
-I favor bagging fewer molds when possible, rather than a different mold for every slot
"Boutique" discs in a unique plastic type are an easy way to bag multiple discs in the same mold. I can bag the same mold/weight in Lucid-X, Lucid, and Biofuzion and get three completely different flights off the shelf. That, to me, is the main benefit of boutique runs. The obvious downside is what to do when you lose a unique disc, or beat it in to the point of needing a fresh one. I've found the balance to be in how frequently I use the disc.
For example, I throw Trespasses in stock plastics as my main distance drivers. I rarely reach for the OS bookend in my bag, so I have no problem with bagging a Lucid-X Trespass in that slot rather than something like an Enforcer or PDx.
On the other hand, I also bag Felons. And unfortunately, I throw my Lucid-X Felon more than I throw the beat-in Fuzion Felon sitting next to it. That is a problem, since I'm relying on the boutique disc and therefore decreasing the beat-in time. If I could go back in a time machine, I'd likely bag Firebirds or Ahtis instead since their stock runs are much beefier than stock Felons.
So really I think it comes down to just how reliant you are on that boutique disc. If it is a rarely used complement for a workhorse in your bag, then buy it. But if you think it will be a workhorse, then you're probably better off finding something more readily available and cheaper.
-I favor stock discs over limited run/OOP
-I favor bagging fewer molds when possible, rather than a different mold for every slot
"Boutique" discs in a unique plastic type are an easy way to bag multiple discs in the same mold. I can bag the same mold/weight in Lucid-X, Lucid, and Biofuzion and get three completely different flights off the shelf. That, to me, is the main benefit of boutique runs. The obvious downside is what to do when you lose a unique disc, or beat it in to the point of needing a fresh one. I've found the balance to be in how frequently I use the disc.
For example, I throw Trespasses in stock plastics as my main distance drivers. I rarely reach for the OS bookend in my bag, so I have no problem with bagging a Lucid-X Trespass in that slot rather than something like an Enforcer or PDx.
On the other hand, I also bag Felons. And unfortunately, I throw my Lucid-X Felon more than I throw the beat-in Fuzion Felon sitting next to it. That is a problem, since I'm relying on the boutique disc and therefore decreasing the beat-in time. If I could go back in a time machine, I'd likely bag Firebirds or Ahtis instead since their stock runs are much beefier than stock Felons.
So really I think it comes down to just how reliant you are on that boutique disc. If it is a rarely used complement for a workhorse in your bag, then buy it. But if you think it will be a workhorse, then you're probably better off finding something more readily available and cheaper.
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2014
- Messages
- 8,179
It's tricky because sometimes when you fall in love with a short run disc, and then having a hard time finding it again. But that can happen with stock runs too. I found FAF Firebirds early in my playing days and replicating those discs after about 2015.
The molds which the pros typically choose for their signature discs are rarely of interest to me because I can't throw 400'. Their selections are usually too overstable. The only exceptions which come to mind are from BlackInkDiscs: Catrina Allen's F7 and Lizotte's FD.
After 9 years of buying, I have become very conscious of availability regarding plastics and weights. Drivers, 9 speed and above, need to be regularly available in grippy plastics, and weights from 156 to 164 to accommodate my weak bh. My bag is primarily made up of Trilogy and Discraft products, but I really don't care about manufacturers. For instance, I would buy a Thunderbird in GStar before an Undertaker in Z or a Culverin in Opto.
This year I did pay a premium to try the new Opto X Glimmer Fury and Underworld. They are beautiful, durable, have greater stability, but worse grip than Trilogy's other plastics.
After 9 years of buying, I have become very conscious of availability regarding plastics and weights. Drivers, 9 speed and above, need to be regularly available in grippy plastics, and weights from 156 to 164 to accommodate my weak bh. My bag is primarily made up of Trilogy and Discraft products, but I really don't care about manufacturers. For instance, I would buy a Thunderbird in GStar before an Undertaker in Z or a Culverin in Opto.
This year I did pay a premium to try the new Opto X Glimmer Fury and Underworld. They are beautiful, durable, have greater stability, but worse grip than Trilogy's other plastics.
I agree, but definitely wouldn't limit this to the "newer generation." I play with golfers, new and seasoned, that have this mentality. Apparently that specific run of 'destroyer' (insert any ancient Innova [usually] mold) is irreplaceable.... I call bull-honky. We are saturated with so many companies and so many discs. Your just being stubborn... and maybe find joy in throwing a plastic circle others might pay $100 for!
rocthecourse
* Ace Member *
I prefer stock discs. I have even started to lean towards throwing popular discs so there is less chance of them going OOP. I feel like I am good enough to adapt to throwing most discs* so why spend extra on special discs.
*Specifically, If I changed my entire bag within a few weeks I would be scoring similar to what I was before.
*Specifically, If I changed my entire bag within a few weeks I would be scoring similar to what I was before.
jakebake91
* Ace Member *
I once played a round with a dude who only threw proto star Innova discs. Claimed it gave him a psychological advantage in tourney play . I'm no expert, but that's an expensive bag.
I throw 100% stock discs. Trying not to throw oop discs. If I loose one of the few I have that are oop, they are being replaced by a stock production disc. I'm not hoarding backups. That's silly to me. Just how I roll.
I throw 100% stock discs. Trying not to throw oop discs. If I loose one of the few I have that are oop, they are being replaced by a stock production disc. I'm not hoarding backups. That's silly to me. Just how I roll.
BuzzzChief
Double Eagle Member
Yes, exactly this. Even if you stick with stock discs, if you throw the same one for long enough it will often be tough to replace. At one point I had the following discs in my bag, all purchased as "stock" runs:
*D and S/DS Destroyers
3rd run PD
CE and 11X Firebird
11X Teebird
CE Leopard
11x Rocs
Pearly Champ Gator
They're all collectible and valuable but in many cases I just bought them stock. I think I bought the Gator at Sports Authority!
The moral of the story is to buy whatever works within your comfortable price range. Eventually everything becomes hard to replace. If you stick with stock discs, at least it's cheaper to hoard a few before they become rare. But it might be tougher to find perfect matches.
I am willing to spend more on the discs I'm less likely to lose.
Putters mostly, like old gummy champ putters and such. Drivers I plan on throwing as far as possible, I like to keep reasonable as not only will I be cycling through them faster but they're more likely to be lost also
Putters mostly, like old gummy champ putters and such. Drivers I plan on throwing as far as possible, I like to keep reasonable as not only will I be cycling through them faster but they're more likely to be lost also
dehaas
* Ace Member *
This is a big reason I'm sticking to stock plastics myself, I tend to throw my drivers in the 160's at this point. A lot of the special release stuff is max weight. I still like max weight for putters and mids, but I like drivers a big lighter, easier to get them up to speed.
Yeah, 11x kc pro teebirds have the cult following for being reliably beefy. That plastic was pretty much indestructible, but a nice gummy JL stock teebird starts out plenty beefy and the plastic is pretty bullet proof also.
