How do you try out new discs?

[BrotherDave]

I'm curious to how some people decide a disc is right for them. I used to just plug a tryout into the bag with the starters and toss it on holes before or after the disc it's challenging. But I seem to always throw the second disc a little better so that seems dumb to me. I've decided to go crazy and just play a round with nothing but try-out discs every now and then. What say you?

 

[Eefman]

I usually just throw them in the bag with my "regulars".. Never really thought of second shots like that before, but it makes me reconsider some of the discs I've ditched in the past..

Great avatar by the way.

 

[vonDrehle]

I do the put in the bag and throw after my initial shot. After 4-5 rounds of this if it is something I like it goes in the bag. If I was using something else for that shot obviously it comes out. That is more or less for drivers. Right now I have been bringing a GL Havoc out with me to try out on open holes but haven't gotten a windless day to try it out yet.

For mid-ranges I just kind of put them in the bag and throw them where I would their roc counterparts (after research on what said mid will do). I guess I feel with mid-ranges they can't vary too much from my spectrum of New Roc - Perfect Roc - Beat to Hell Roc.

Of course then there are disc like the River where after one throw there is no debate on whether it is going in the bag or not. About to make my first putter switch since my putting has been awful and I have never really browsed the putter market. (Trying out Zero Line Pure) I plan on just dropping it in the bag and using it.

 

[Craton]

I like to take a bag full of stuff I NEVER use (champ katana, viking, beast, river, etc.) and make myself play a whole round with them. Often I just enjoy putting myself in someone else's shoes. Also, I've started to find that I freaking love champ beasts again.

As for mids, I don't care how many people compare this disc or that to a Buzzz, it's not going anywhere in my bag. That said, I am currently trying out a Z Hornet, which is actually fitting the spot between the Drone and Buzzz PERFECT. I just started making myself throw it where I'd throw the Drone to see how it works, and it's been a lot of fun.

Putters: I don't really feel a need to abandon ship on what's worked.

 

[wolito]

I think you really have to make an effort to try out a disc. Not just a little field work or thrown into the bag and use every once in a while, rather to use it almost exclusively for that type a shot. For instance a driver I will throw on nearly all tee shots for several rounds or use only a new mid disc for all those types of shots. We all have those certain discs that we "rediscover" when in actuality, we never really gave them a full effort to begin with. I don't think you can tell how a disc will do for you just by throwing it around occasionally.

 

[Geaver]

I'm blessed to live in south Austin, and discnation has a driving range that you can throw any disc in the store.

 

[JTacoma03]

I try to get a ballpark idea (via word of mouth, manufacturer charts, or even on here ) of what the tryout mold will do, then swap it for the disc I already carry which performs the same task. Depending on which mold (how often I throw the particular shot in question is necessary) I'll keep it in the bag for 2-7 days and see if I'm happier with the swap or want to go back.

If I'm happy with the swap after a few rounds I take it to a field and test the utility of the new disc to see what range of lines I can throw it on.

I discovered Eagle-X's this way and now throw them more than any driver except my Valkyries :thmbup:

 

[Geaver]

Hey, 25 posts. Do I get some kinda medal or something?

 

[LoPan12]

That said, I am currently trying out a Z Hornet, which is actually fitting the spot between the Drone and Buzzz PERFECT. I just started making myself throw it where I'd throw the Drone to see how it works, and it's been a lot of fun.

And I thought I was a little crazy for carrying a Drone and Hornet! :hfive:
That said...the current battle is FLX Drone vs Z Drone...and the Cryztal FLX is about to drop into the brawl!! OMG WTF?!?! :doh: :doh:

<--- Has too many Drones.
edit: No he doesn't.

 

[weeman]

Usually I'll look at the numbers to see what each new disc is comparable to then throw it along side a similar disc in my bag. Over about a dozen rounds or so of doing this I can figure out if I like the new disc or not and have time to see where it fits into my game. Sometimes other discs take longer to figure out so I'll just gradually work on them. Right after the BG Ams, I completely switched my bag to new stuff but didn't get to see how it faired since I was throwing in 25mph winds. I also ask a lot of people that already throw a disc I'm thinking about working on to see what they're pros and cons are for the disc. Right now I've got a River, Flow, Mako, and Glide working into the bag but I'm not too sure about the Flow. I'm not consistent with it yet and that bothers me.

 

[Technohic]

Seems like once a topic comes up once around here, it comes up all the time. OAT and discing down is so last year. This year, its strong arming and trying out discs.

I have subscribed to the idea of a single disc plus putter round to get to know each and every disc I use as well as newcomers. Got some catching up to do but have a few out of the way. It is cool to see that I CAN beam an ESP Hornet low for a straight shot and how flexing it works. Not to mention, if its a new disc; its a great way to break it in.

 

[JoshEpoo]

I avoid fiddling with my setup on the course. The field is where new plastic gets put through the paces. Whether a disc flies well or not is easy enough to determine in a small sample of throws. After that it's just about practice and execution.

For the most part I just keep my bag the same. I've added one disc in the last 18 months, a Hornet.

 

[bcr123psu]

I'll toss them in a field while I'm practicing with my "regular" discs. If I like what I see, they'll make it into the bag for a round or two before I decide their fate.

 

[Donovan]

I go to field and throw it as level as I can with a few varying speeds and different wind conditions and then decide if this fills a hole in my bag or if it will replace something I was unsure about before.

If it fills a hole, it is in the bag for game play and see if it stays.

If it replaces something, I compare them in the field together and if it is still a toss up, I may try playing with both for a while. The thing to keep in mind for me, is that it is a new disc and it will still get beat in some over time. So, because of this, I am not too quick to replace a disc that already works.


I won't say there is such thing as I will never replace a certain disc in my bag, because anything could happen, i.e. rules change, injury, age, strength change in my body, technology of disc construction, and so on. The reasons are unlimited.

 

[Midnightbiker]

I'm curious to how some people decide a disc is right for them. I used to just plug a tryout into the bag with the starters and toss it on holes before or after the disc it's challenging. But I seem to always throw the second disc a little better so that seems dumb to me. I've decided to go crazy and just play a round with nothing but try-out discs every now and then. What say you?

First thing I do is ask myself what I want a disc to do. Go left? Right? Long? Short? Approach?

Then I look for a disc that will meet that need, and talk to people about what they might use for that type of shot.

After I get a disc like that in, I go to my practice field and make 50-100 throws, and watch the disc carefully, and study how it flies, how it fades, or turns over, and how far it goes. I also see if I have something in my bag that its going to replace, or if it is going to go in the bag at all, or back up another disc in case I loose one. I do this will all my discs.

I also write the info on the rim, so when I look into my bag, I know what disc will do what for me. Its a great way to find just the right disc for the shot. Also, some discs can do double duty , like your disc for hard fades, can also be the best disc to throw into a strong headwind.

I like to know my discs backwards and forwards, before I ever hit the course with them.

I have several discs coming in right now, and this weekend I will spend 1-2 hours in the field with them learning how they will fly for me.

 

[Smigles]

Mostly by throwing.

Seriosly : throwing it on my practice field. I just include new discs in my normal field work routine and see how they do.

Some discs are stuck there for years. Others ( like my wasp ) took ONE practice field throw and went straight into the bag. Love on first throw.

 

[Bubbajoe]

For me new discs start in the pratice field. I'll throw next to what ever disc they're auditioning against for 3-4 sessions and then dicide. I do this with drivers, mids, and putters. This seems to be a pretty rigorous trial as the only mold to make it in the bag last season was the QOLS and occasionally a Fuse.

 

[New013]

I usually throw it around my backyard for about a week then go out on the course with it. sometimes i do throw it after i've thrown the disc it might be replacing or sometimes i'll throw it for my shot.

 

[Dthunderchicken]

I'm curious to how some people decide a disc is right for them. What say you?

That's what soccer fields are for. I usually have new discs shipped to work. When they come in, lunch time becomes practice time. I'll often throw something known along with the new disc.

 

[bikinjack]

I usually put a disc I want to try out in the bag, and then never remember to throw it on the course. In theory, I think it would be best to try out new stuff in the field, but I almost never just throw in a field.