[Innova] Is the Katana like cheating?

[optidiscic]

So its absurd what this disc can do for distance....I was surprised to see almost every old pro at doubles pulling the Katana out of their bag and just obliterating previous Before Katana distances on every hole...from tight tunnels to open bombs the Katana was coming out.....almost made me sad as I dont really want to throw it although I have one in my jeep as a novelty disc mostly. I guess I thought based on DGCR guys that it was a NOOB disc and would destroy your form blah blah and then out on the course Im seeing it used in woods holding long tunnel lines and thrown into wind and Im starting to think it's a weapon in the hands of an experienced player....Do you feel cheated by what this disc is enabling newcomers to do or do you embrace it and have added it to your arsenal?

 

[tstack10]

It has helped me go from 320 to 340-350. But my strength is still shaping lines and putting.

 

[HeartlessCynic]

No.:|

 

[CwAlbino]

It's a great tool for an experienced player. More distance on the same line because of understability, and still able to get accuracy because you don't have to throw so hard. I would never choose to throw my nuke over my wildcat in a tight shot. Accuracy over distance.

 

[tstack10]

Agreed I'll throw teebird over katana if I need accuracy over distance.

 

[Craton]

I actually don't like it much- I know I can be doing better on my long distance form, capping out at just around 460' now, and would rather break the 500' without using a katana. There's just something about learning wraiths inside out for me that I'd rather beat the record with what I've been using than some disc that is basically going to tack on that distance for me.

 

[optidiscic]

I actually don't like it much- I know I can be doing better on my long distance form, capping out at just around 460' now, and would rather break the 500' without using a katana. There's just something about learning wraiths inside out for me that I'd rather beat the record with what I've been using than some disc that is basically going to tack on that distance for me.

This is how I feel as well...finally feel like I am starting to get the wraith and destroyers and tee birds to do what I want and want to evolve rather than get the D from a Katana......seems asinine but using the Katana seems almost like cheating to me.

 

[Craton]

Yeah. I suppose the wraith prob. felt like that back in the day when it came out- I just feel like it'd be so cheap to change NOTHING about my form and tack on 40 feet. I know it, because I did this with my friends Katana and refused to measure, but eying it I must have been really close to the 500' mark, since it was so far past my other throws.

I am sure this is a sweet disc for people who want to catch up to you who don't have the time to really work on their form. Plus, the disc isn't magic- even a slight headwind, and decent cross winds, and you can really get messed up I'm sure. And in a tailwind, I feel like people who don't know the disc very well will all of a sudden be confused as to why their magic wand stopped working.

It's a fun toy I'm sure, but I will stick to my guns. Wraith, Roadrunner, Teebird for life.

 

[Scoot_er]

The only thing you are cheating is yourself with that shallow rim!

Yes they go far but so does a Nuke and you can actually hold onto them.

But yes they are super long is the right person's hand and really not even fair.

 

[adh56]

Cheating? Did you mean to say Ninja?

 

[Rip Van]

Anything but an original Wham-o 97/119/141/165 is cheating, since that's all that was available when the sport was invented. Even Midnight Flyers are unfair. These kids today!

 

[pokamitch]

They are great in Champ plastic, not too understable, and I get a lil more disatnce than a Beast, but not enough to convert.

The Pro plastic is really flippy and I can't keep em straight.

 

[Oldstump]

throw style

I'm still trying to find a throwing style with the Katana to deliver consistent results. I throw FH and have found the conventiona lthrowing style for wraith, orc, and destoyer do not work for me. Some of this could come from the grip vs wider rim..

any input?

0ldstump

 

[leppard]

Katana is not for me. I get longer and more consistent throws with an R-Pro Boss. If they would only last.

 

[jkdisc]

yes, i feel like i'm cheating when i get so much distance with little effort, i also have tons of control so i can use it as my putter when i just need to drop it in the basket.

 

[Marmoset]

The Katana, Nuke, Ninja and R-Pro Boss are designed for lower powered throwers.
"Noob" does not eqaul "lower powered thrower"... some noobs have cannons; wild, unguided cannons but cannons nonetheless.
Noob=noob.
Lower powered thrower=lower powered thrower.

The reason I make this distinction is that some of the original disc golfers who have been playing since the first days of disc golf don't have the pep they had 30 years ago. They have the technique and the control but not the armspeed. This is the type of person who will benefit the most from these discs. These discs still have a huge wing and therefore are more demanding of clean form. You have to get the nose angle correct. They are pickier about OAT. They magnify form flaws. Because of these reasons, beginners (those who do not have a good grasp of decent form) looking for cheap distance will find it but along with it comes an increase of spraying.

I noticed on the Innova website that they described the Katana as being a "finesse disc." At first I was revolted by the description but that really is what these type of discs are... (relatively) high-powered finesse discs. If you do not have your form nailed down and you cannot control the many variables then these discs are not intended for you. You will see some distance increase but at a cost of a twitchier disc.

SO the OP asked if these discs are cheating. If you are a noob or you throw like a noob then yes, it is cheating; you are cheating yourself.
If you are a lower powered thrower that has a good handle on his or her mechanics then no, you are not cheating; this disc is actually designed with your skillset in mind.

 

[Emoney]

Let the disc do the work

I bagged one for one reason,wide open no wind or down wind, bombs and this disc delivers.I figured instead of throwing the guts out my wraiths i can let the disc do the work and get my D. I play with a 1000 rated player and we played this 567ft hole that had about 60ft of woods tunnel shot and then wide open fairways in a field. My friend ripped a nice shot about 450 and u could tell he was very pleased.Well im a big guy and this hole had a temp tee pad and it was sandy and i was afraid of slipping,so i took out the kan-of-tuna and took one step and ripped my disc only about 20ft shy of his.I was called a cheater,jokingly,but i could tell he meant it a little lol.

As for the OG's in this sport its great that it lets them play these bomb courses. One of my older friends said his biggest distance driver was an XD and thats all they had.The game has changed and so has technology.Just like the PGA tour. Senior golfers say they can hit the ball the same distance as when they were young cause of technology.Are they cheaters cause the have a golf shaft like a noodle and titanium zolex plutonium alloy on there clubface?

Distance will only get u so far,but u still gotta putt and approach,THERES NO CRYING IN DISC GOLF LOL:thmbup:

 

[jrawk]

having just discovered Pro Destroyers which on first throw improved my drive from 330 to 385, i'm now kinda interested in giving a Pro Katana a bit of a test run. I know that's still "short" for a destroyer, but an instant 55ft is very very alluring. If the Katana gets me past 400, why wouldn't i throw it?

 

[mattdabbs]

The Pro plastic is really flippy and I can't keep em straight.

I second this. I have only thrown these a few times so with some practice I am sure I could work this out by throwing them higher, etc. But I have a hard time working them into my bag. I can only think of 1 or 2 holes locally that it would really help on.

 

[mreynolds24]

I'm still trying to find a throwing style with the Katana to deliver consistent results. I throw FH and have found the conventiona lthrowing style for wraith, orc, and destoyer do not work for me. Some of this could come from the grip vs wider rim..

any input?

0ldstump

i throw all FH and went through a spell where i couldn't throw the katana very well... and just recently something clicked. I throw it with very slight anny and keep my arm up high as i come through and the disk should work left slowly and for a very long time before catching and fading just a tad at the end..