For my recent vacation, I got Travelers Cheques. I can tell you that these aren't used very much anymore; just getting them (from the bank) took over an hour and they were a novelty in every single place I used them, except one small gas station in Bozeman, MT, staffed by it's likely owner -- old enough to have sat behind Moses in 3rd grade. For every person other than him, I was the first to introduce the checkout clerk to the hows-to-cash a traveler's check.
My wife and I took separate vacations. Yes, we love each other, but we have a lot of kids and they have various needs and we can't afford to take each of them on all the vacations. Some kids are defending their three-time world championship in a major international competition and some want to go mining and rock-hounding in the sticks. I stayed with family and got traveler's checks. She stayed in hotels and needed a card. Instead of Cheques she put her vacation budget on a MasterCard "Gift Card" (that's what it says where your name would normally be) at the bank (it took considerably less time to process...).
Since we don't use credit, and are on a strict budget, and since she needed something other than cash and since the hotels & rental car agencies want some sort of card, she went with the traveler's card. It worked pretty well, but alas, she brought it back with about $10 on it. So tonite we went out for a dessert-date, where we get some sort of dessert and chat for an hour. We settled on Frostee's and parking in a strip-mall parking lot. In the drive-thru lane I handed over the card, trying to siphon the last bit from it and I felt really self-conscious, feeling like I was doing something wrong and worrying about being caught. You see, I've told all my friends how we don't use credit -- I have a debit card but I only use it for gas, seriously that's it, all cash and online-bill-pay otherwise. All my friends know about my aversion to credit and so I was feeling like a guy in a porn shop stealing glances to make sure his church buddies don't notice his distinctive car parked in front. Of course, it wasn't a credit card, but it looked like one and felt like one and I felt weird using it.
It was a very odd feeling, but I'm grateful for it. Back when we first started *having* to wear seat belts they felt kind of funny. Now I feel completely naked without my seatbelt fastened. Handing over a card is like that, too, but in reverse. Having to part with actual cash, and not just hand over a card that is quickly returned imperceptibly lighter makes my purchasing decisions better. No longer is it a limitless well from which I can draw money. I can see how much I have. I have $20. I can buy ONE Star Destroyer or TWO DX Avairs. That's it. Or, I can decide maybe I don't really need ANOTHER disc and would like to eat at Quiznos and buy my wife a rose on my way home. I could stick to my budget on a card; of course. But, who does? Really, you do? Okay, you are the exception then. The rest of the people in America got a big problem, though, me included.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
The First Time I Ever Folfed
In the summer of 1990, fresh out of high school and before college, I worked for TW Services in Yellowstone National Park. I worked at Lake Lodge, on Lake Yellowstone. I have always thought that if I ever get to a place in life where I don't know what to do, or where to go, I'll go back there. Lots of great people of all ages (mostly young, though). It was like college, you lived in dorms and ate in a commissary, but you didn't have to study or go to class. Lots of hiking, card games, hanging out, etc. I made some regrettable but not life-altering decisions at this time, but it's turned out okay. My brother, who now works pretty closely with Wolfgang Puck, started working in Yellowstone in 1988, the year of the "Let 'Er Burn" fires. Turns out, that policy worked pretty well, it's beautiful now. Yellowstone park is a central theme in my life. The best Montana windsurfing lake is just above the Gardner entrance and I loved and learned and worked (as a cook) there. It's also the first place I played disc golf.
At the end of the season, those who were still there helped close. This is a sad time... most of the new friends moved home to start college (my college was still on quarters at the time and didn't start for a month after most). Each place in the park except Old Faithful was closed in the winter, and Old Faithful was on half-staff with a smaller kitchen. Anyway, the day we finished closing the Lodge kitchen we took some of those lids from five gallon buckets and one guy, the Store Keeper (I was a cook three days a week and Assistant Store Keeper the other two days... we ordered the food) told us how to play and we safaried the long, open lodge... "Exit sign, par 3," "Wooden Indian statue, par 4," etc. It was fun.
Lake Lodge is near Lake Hotel. The Hotel was a nice place with a 4 star dining room. The Lodge was the Motel Six to the Hotel's Marriot. The Hotel had the post office and the Lodge was about a half-mile away. I went to check my mail one day. There were bison everywhere. Bison spook if you are near, but none were really that close. I was walking across an open field near the parking lot -- this is like a city mall area now, folks -- when I walk between two saplings and ten feet later hear a snap. I looked back to see a huge bison standing over the tree. I backed off, scared, and went into the post office. After I came out, a German tourist explained to me in horror of how he was getting into his car, spooked this nearby bison and it charged me, changing course at the last minute to take out the tree instead of me. This dude was wide-eyed. I avoid bison.
Two months later, playing folf, the leader of our small group says "outside of door frame, par 3." We had to shoot from inside, through an open door and then try to make the comeback shot above the door (a general area, nothing specific). Well, this dude, the Head Storekeeper, overplays his "drive" and lands it six feet from a grazing bison (these things were like cows on a ranch, just grazing anywhere they wanted). Against my advice, he not only goes out to retrieve the shot, but stands there and nails the "putt" with a bison only feet away. Ken Climo, eat your heart out. It wasn't a grizzly bear, but if you don't think a bison is big and intimidating, you are wrong.
That was my first time playing, though it was a couple years later before I played "for real." One of my favorite things to do now is to go to an open field and practice. On vacation recently, I visited a park I used to live nearby and realized I used to practice back then, but I didn't have any clue what I was doing (other than almost beaning people picnicking there). Learning is so much easier now, with the Internet.
At the end of the season, those who were still there helped close. This is a sad time... most of the new friends moved home to start college (my college was still on quarters at the time and didn't start for a month after most). Each place in the park except Old Faithful was closed in the winter, and Old Faithful was on half-staff with a smaller kitchen. Anyway, the day we finished closing the Lodge kitchen we took some of those lids from five gallon buckets and one guy, the Store Keeper (I was a cook three days a week and Assistant Store Keeper the other two days... we ordered the food) told us how to play and we safaried the long, open lodge... "Exit sign, par 3," "Wooden Indian statue, par 4," etc. It was fun.
Lake Lodge is near Lake Hotel. The Hotel was a nice place with a 4 star dining room. The Lodge was the Motel Six to the Hotel's Marriot. The Hotel had the post office and the Lodge was about a half-mile away. I went to check my mail one day. There were bison everywhere. Bison spook if you are near, but none were really that close. I was walking across an open field near the parking lot -- this is like a city mall area now, folks -- when I walk between two saplings and ten feet later hear a snap. I looked back to see a huge bison standing over the tree. I backed off, scared, and went into the post office. After I came out, a German tourist explained to me in horror of how he was getting into his car, spooked this nearby bison and it charged me, changing course at the last minute to take out the tree instead of me. This dude was wide-eyed. I avoid bison.
Two months later, playing folf, the leader of our small group says "outside of door frame, par 3." We had to shoot from inside, through an open door and then try to make the comeback shot above the door (a general area, nothing specific). Well, this dude, the Head Storekeeper, overplays his "drive" and lands it six feet from a grazing bison (these things were like cows on a ranch, just grazing anywhere they wanted). Against my advice, he not only goes out to retrieve the shot, but stands there and nails the "putt" with a bison only feet away. Ken Climo, eat your heart out. It wasn't a grizzly bear, but if you don't think a bison is big and intimidating, you are wrong.
That was my first time playing, though it was a couple years later before I played "for real." One of my favorite things to do now is to go to an open field and practice. On vacation recently, I visited a park I used to live nearby and realized I used to practice back then, but I didn't have any clue what I was doing (other than almost beaning people picnicking there). Learning is so much easier now, with the Internet.
Course: Pioneer Park, Billings, MT
The first time I ever saw anyone folfing (here's the first time I ever folfed), it was at Pioneer Park in Billings, MT. I didn't know what they were doing (possibly, they didn't either). My buddies David and Derek and I were maybe 10 or 11 and hanging out/playing on the playground and trying to figure out what they were doing. I think they were trying to drop them inside hoola-hoops laying on the ground, but maybe they had baskets back then and I didn't understand them.
So, when I figured out I was going on vacation to my home state and visiting my folks in Billings, I looked up the courses on the local club site and found that Pioneer Park had a short course (curiously, it's 12 holes). It was a crowded evening, while I played and waited my folks watched the kids I had with me.
I really liked this course. There are a lot of old ash trees on top and grass below. There is a small stream going through and each hole seemed fairly unique, not impossibly hard but hard enough. It's a very inviting course and would be challenging to play regularly, but not intimidating to bring a friend to try disc golf for the first time. I doubt you'd be able to lose a disc here and there was little OB (the stream, I guess and a few streets if you are really wild). My folks said that the editorials in the local paper had a lot of sniping from park neighbors about the low-life that played there, but the groups around me were just a bunch of high-school or college kids in flip flops enjoying things. I didn't smell any pot (or even a cigarette), didn't see a 32 oz. anything. The group right in front of me was three young girls (maybe high school). Looked like your neighbor's kids on the JV volleyball team. Sheesh, those folks complaining in the paper ought to go to the bad side of town sometime, if they want to see real low-life. Most disc golfers just don't qualify.
Anyway, I played this one even, had a good time, though I had to rush off after 10 to change my daughter's "accident". I came back on my last day in town to take a few pictures.
A downhill basket near a stream with some tree cover. Pretty easy shot if you are good, not impossible if you aren't. Pioneer would be good to play with a group at various stages of progress in disc golf.
I birdied this hole, a short uphill shot (tee box is down on the right, out of picture).
I think I like these kinds of tee boxes. They are better footing (especially after rain) and yet you can uproot them and move them if you change the course. I know a guy who slipped in a dirt tee box and ended up breaking his leg in several places. Cement is great, but what if you want to move around the course? Not a huge deal, but I've seen these in a couple of places and think it would be nice here in Corpus Christi, where the clay mud is slick and it rains often.The Long Downhill Shot
[note: see discussion of this at DiscGolfersR.us]
So, I think I learned something about long downhill shots. I went on vacation and played my own home course at Blue Mountain, in Missoula, MT. Great course. #4 is a long downhill (650 length, tee is probably 100 feet higher than the basket).
I dreamed of this hole once I knew I was going on vacation and taking my gear. I even brought my WHOLE bag because I wanted to make sure I brought the right disc for this hole, instead of just bringing the Destroyer, Cobra and Aviar, as I originally planned.
But, all of my shots stunk. But, I think I know why and hopefully it will help me in the future. There are two more downhill shots at Blue Mountain. #10 and #12, I think. #10 was pretty long but not as much drop and #12 was shorter but with a good drop. Walking down to collect my drive on #12, and thinking of the three downhill holes (none of which endd up as well as I hoped) I thought up this, we'll see with more experience if I am right:
Downhill shots add more speed than I am able to get on a flat shot. This speed makes the disc do "it's thing" better than usual. On #4 I shot my Destroyer (my real shot), plus my Beast and Roadrunner, both turnover discs (both as test shots). I ripped all three pretty well. The Destroyer went out and started screaming along and then just hyzered off right big time (I'm RHFH on drives). The Beast faded left a ton but landed flat (way left and not that far away, it went farther left than down). The Roadrunner annied hard and rolled a bunch (NOT my intention, though this shot ended up closer to the hole than any... probably 200 feet away). My thought is this: These discs OVERDID what they were designed to do and I should have flicked them softer, so they wouldn't pick up so much speed. Otherwise, I can only figure to float my putter out there softly, or to put a wing up on the Destroyer so it won't hyzer so much.
So, I think I learned something about long downhill shots. I went on vacation and played my own home course at Blue Mountain, in Missoula, MT. Great course. #4 is a long downhill (650 length, tee is probably 100 feet higher than the basket).
I dreamed of this hole once I knew I was going on vacation and taking my gear. I even brought my WHOLE bag because I wanted to make sure I brought the right disc for this hole, instead of just bringing the Destroyer, Cobra and Aviar, as I originally planned.
But, all of my shots stunk. But, I think I know why and hopefully it will help me in the future. There are two more downhill shots at Blue Mountain. #10 and #12, I think. #10 was pretty long but not as much drop and #12 was shorter but with a good drop. Walking down to collect my drive on #12, and thinking of the three downhill holes (none of which endd up as well as I hoped) I thought up this, we'll see with more experience if I am right:
Downhill shots add more speed than I am able to get on a flat shot. This speed makes the disc do "it's thing" better than usual. On #4 I shot my Destroyer (my real shot), plus my Beast and Roadrunner, both turnover discs (both as test shots). I ripped all three pretty well. The Destroyer went out and started screaming along and then just hyzered off right big time (I'm RHFH on drives). The Beast faded left a ton but landed flat (way left and not that far away, it went farther left than down). The Roadrunner annied hard and rolled a bunch (NOT my intention, though this shot ended up closer to the hole than any... probably 200 feet away). My thought is this: These discs OVERDID what they were designed to do and I should have flicked them softer, so they wouldn't pick up so much speed. Otherwise, I can only figure to float my putter out there softly, or to put a wing up on the Destroyer so it won't hyzer so much.
Course: Blue Mountain, Missoula, MT
Missoula in the distance at Blue Mountain Disc Golf Course. This was taken from between the 2nd & 3rd holes at the course.I have a story about the real "first" time I disc golfed, but this is the first course I really played. It has baskets now, instead of the tone posts it used to have. I like baskets better, but understand why some were complaining about the tone posts being removed. I played Blue Mountain again on a recent vacation to my home state and college town. This is an excellent course in every way and is nearly identical (the back nine changed a bit) as when I started in the early 1990's.
Since I had begun planning my vacation, I dreamed about hitting a big shot on the 650 foot hill shot at #4 (I think it was four, maybe it was #5). Here's the view from the tee:
The tree in the foreground is at the top of the hill (the dirt area there is the amateur tees, but I was being manly on this day!). You go over this hill and straight down into a dry gulley with a lot of old pines towering high up (you can see their tops). I knew a guy who would aim for the tops of those trees to hit and then drop his disc down near the basket (tone pole then). I had high hopes for nailing a great shot here. Sadly, I couldn't do it. I had three drives (1st real, other two "tests" -- no one was behind me) that went off badly, though it was a good learning experience (read this). I was bummed to take a bogey on this hole.
This is the 5th hole at Blue Mtn. Medium length (about 315), with OB behind and trees in front and to left. If you can hit it down the middle it's good, but I tried to hook around to the right. I ended up with a tough par putt from under a sapling and hit it.
One of the nice improvements at Blue Mtn was the addition of a course guide on the pro boxes. Don't know when they were added (haven't played BMTN since 1995ish). Helped a lot, especially on the back nine.I ended up with a +8 but didn't play well. I missed 3 long but makeable birdie putts and ended up dbl-bogey, bogey, dbl-bogey at one stretch. I played Pattee Canyon earlier in the day and was tiring. I ran out of water after 10, too. Not trying to make excuses, just say that because +8 under those conditions isn't too bad. I think I should have played it about even.
This is my favorite course with a lot of history for me, lots of rounds with friends I haven't seen in 12-15 years. I wanted to play BMTN to rate my game back then to what it is now. I actually surprised myself, figuring I probably was terribly horrible back then and would be much better now. But, I think I might have been better back then than I thought. It's interesting, because with Youtube and other sites dedicated to helping throwers and playing with a lot more people here in Corpus Christi, it's easier to progress nowadays.
Course: Pattee Canyon, Missoula, MT
Typical hole at Pattee Canyon. Some weren't this open and some were longer. I played this course recently, on a trip to my home state. It had just opened for the season because the area was well used as a folf course and x-country ski area and the vegetation needed a break to regroup. I had never played this course, not realizing it was there back in the early 1990's when I played at the Blue Mountain course.
First couple and the 18th holes were in open tall-grass areas like this, putting "findable" shots at a premium.This is a very fun course. Pretty tight, with plenty of trees. The first couple of holes are in an open area with young trees then most of the rest are in a more sloped area with bigger, older trees that tower above. Some of the views from the tees were awesome. In the middle holes some were tight and short, which made for some good variety. I shot my putter on a couple but could have done more often if I didn't need a specific curve or skip.
I played the course at about 8 over... didn't keep track tightly, as I played with a guy and his girl and we talked a lot. But it was about that. I didn't play particularly well, but had a fine time nonetheless.
If you are in Missoula, make time for this course. It's up Pattee Canyon (a beautiful drive) about 6 or 8 miles. Look for the big picnic area and then follow the signs dealing with "Folf."
Saturday, July 5, 2008
What's in my Bag #2
In my first "What's in my Bag" I wrote about every disc I have ever used. Now, to what is currently in my bag. I will update as needed, you might notice duplicate information but I'll try to highlight changes.
Distance Drivers
Star Destroyer (175g) - great general driver; for straight long shots to minor fades & hyzers. I really like how this feels.
Pro Wraith (174g) - Don't use it much, opting for the Destroyer instead, but still comparing it and don't want to give up on it yet. I might find I like it better than the Destroyer as I get better and longer with my drives.
Star Monster (175g) - I'm only keeping this until I figure out if the Firebird can replace it. If not, I'll probably pick up a Teerex and see if the Teerex can replace it. I need to play a few afternoons with a decent breeze to really know. I'm dying to find something as I don't really like the grip on the Monster.
Champion Beast (172g) - The Destroyer and the Roadrunner are beginning to see more playing time but I'm not cutting the Beast yet. I'm finding that Champion plastic isn't for me, though. I'm not 100% sure about that, because this is my only Champion disc. Might be the narrow rim. Either way, you might be reading about this one on the waiver wire soon.
Star Roadrunner (175g). I really like this disc. I bought it for two holes with sweeping lefts that I have trouble with and it works great. It also works great as a tailwind driver and for tunnel shots. It's very versatile and I could see the day where I might have something like a Firebird/Teerex, Destroyer and a Roadrunner and that's it... all strong Star plastic so I wouldn't have to deal with changing characteristics but would have essentially an overstable, stable and understable in grips I like.
Pro Firebird (175g) Not yet used, just bought it today.
Fairway Drivers
DX Banshee (175g) - Until I can figure out a short-range hyzer, this one isn't leaving my bag. I don't like it for it's "real" use, but when I need a dead low speed sweeping hyzer (just think of how you threw when you first started), this is a perfect disc. Hole #6 at Live Oak Park is about 200' straight, then a hard right turn. I always overthrow the Wraith & Destroyer even if I put nothing on them, but the Banshee goes about 200 and dies right hard to the right (I throw RHFH).
DX Teebird (170g): Just bought it but haven't used it. Will buy a Star copy if I like it.
Mid-range
DX Cobra (177g) - I love this disc. For a RHFH thrower and my grip, it's a great. I can toss it 250 easily but it's quickly beating in and I keep ending up way left. I am trying to locate a Pro version of it for durability, but still... it's starts understable and any beat-in makes it moreso, so I still need a stable to overstable mid-range.
DX Skeeter (174g): This is the stable mid-range. I haven't used it yet, but I have high hopes for it. I'm finally good enough that I can throw a mid-range farther than I could a driver 8 months ago and my drives are hard to control if I try to finesse them with 50% power. I don't like the deeper rims of the Shark & Roc, but the Cobra and Skeeter have shallow rims and are really comfortable. Crossing my fingers. If I end up liking it, I'll buy it in Star for durability because at this point I don't want to deal with changing characteristics on my discs (maybe someday I'll be that good...). If it works out, this will be my primary short-tunnel disc and I'll need the durability.
Putt & Approach
Aviar P&A (2 x 175g) - the aged one for putting, the newer one for longer approaches (anything within 150'), especially into the wind. I'm learning a decent forehand annhyzer on this one, too.
Distance Drivers
Star Destroyer (175g) - great general driver; for straight long shots to minor fades & hyzers. I really like how this feels.
Pro Wraith (174g) - Don't use it much, opting for the Destroyer instead, but still comparing it and don't want to give up on it yet. I might find I like it better than the Destroyer as I get better and longer with my drives.
Star Monster (175g) - I'm only keeping this until I figure out if the Firebird can replace it. If not, I'll probably pick up a Teerex and see if the Teerex can replace it. I need to play a few afternoons with a decent breeze to really know. I'm dying to find something as I don't really like the grip on the Monster.
Champion Beast (172g) - The Destroyer and the Roadrunner are beginning to see more playing time but I'm not cutting the Beast yet. I'm finding that Champion plastic isn't for me, though. I'm not 100% sure about that, because this is my only Champion disc. Might be the narrow rim. Either way, you might be reading about this one on the waiver wire soon.
Star Roadrunner (175g). I really like this disc. I bought it for two holes with sweeping lefts that I have trouble with and it works great. It also works great as a tailwind driver and for tunnel shots. It's very versatile and I could see the day where I might have something like a Firebird/Teerex, Destroyer and a Roadrunner and that's it... all strong Star plastic so I wouldn't have to deal with changing characteristics but would have essentially an overstable, stable and understable in grips I like.
Pro Firebird (175g) Not yet used, just bought it today.
Fairway Drivers
DX Banshee (175g) - Until I can figure out a short-range hyzer, this one isn't leaving my bag. I don't like it for it's "real" use, but when I need a dead low speed sweeping hyzer (just think of how you threw when you first started), this is a perfect disc. Hole #6 at Live Oak Park is about 200' straight, then a hard right turn. I always overthrow the Wraith & Destroyer even if I put nothing on them, but the Banshee goes about 200 and dies right hard to the right (I throw RHFH).
DX Teebird (170g): Just bought it but haven't used it. Will buy a Star copy if I like it.
Mid-range
DX Cobra (177g) - I love this disc. For a RHFH thrower and my grip, it's a great. I can toss it 250 easily but it's quickly beating in and I keep ending up way left. I am trying to locate a Pro version of it for durability, but still... it's starts understable and any beat-in makes it moreso, so I still need a stable to overstable mid-range.
DX Skeeter (174g): This is the stable mid-range. I haven't used it yet, but I have high hopes for it. I'm finally good enough that I can throw a mid-range farther than I could a driver 8 months ago and my drives are hard to control if I try to finesse them with 50% power. I don't like the deeper rims of the Shark & Roc, but the Cobra and Skeeter have shallow rims and are really comfortable. Crossing my fingers. If I end up liking it, I'll buy it in Star for durability because at this point I don't want to deal with changing characteristics on my discs (maybe someday I'll be that good...). If it works out, this will be my primary short-tunnel disc and I'll need the durability.
Putt & Approach
Aviar P&A (2 x 175g) - the aged one for putting, the newer one for longer approaches (anything within 150'), especially into the wind. I'm learning a decent forehand annhyzer on this one, too.
What's in my Bag #1
I love reading about what people, pros or joes, have in their bag. I'm going to make this a series give the current status and update with a copied post every time it changes. For this first post, I'm going to list everything I've ever used, even if I don't use it now.
(Note: I'm not crushing everything, but I'm 6'/210 and throw almost exclusively sidearm/forehand, even on huge left doglegs and tunnels. We're all different, it's just better for me. I can't throw a driver well at all backhand, though mid-range discs under 250' I'm okay.
Distance Drivers
Star Destroyer (175g) - oh, but this one feels right. The bevelled rim is wide, and it feels odd sometimes, but I really like it. I have plenty of power (I'm not great at utilizing it... matching power/arm speed to the snap) so this one is great. I can throw it arrow straight or put it a little higher and just bank it up a little for a left-to-right forehand hyzer that hits with a spike.
Star Teerex (175g) - great into the wind disc that I like as much as the Destroyer. I had & lost two of these, and miss them. I'm in a stage of trying out a lot of discs and have used a Banshee, Monster and (just bought but haven't yet used) a Firebird as my headwind distance drivers. Don't really like the Banshee, really don't like the Monster -- weird grip feel on the forehand, ugh. If the Firebird doesn't do it, then I'm buying another Star TeeRex for my headwind shots. You have to have a good headwind driver where I live (South Texas) as we get lots of wind year round (I moved here in 2001 for the windsurfing...).
Star Wraith (172, 174, 175g) - Good disc, but the Destroyer is pretty much doing the same thing. I've had several after finding one in a tree, using it for a week & loving it (pre-Destroyer days), then finding it's owner and returning it. I might go back if I ever decide it's better than the Destroyer but it's not looking good.
Pro Wraith (174, 175g) - I only have one left, one somebody gave my son (who has given up the sport for now). I don't use it much but have it for practice and for when I wonder if I really like the Destroyer better.
Star Monster (175g) - I don't like this disc at all. I've crushed it a couple of times on windward drives and it's done well, but don't like the feel of the grip. I don't know what to do with it. It's not for beginners (very unfriendly rim & dome and cranks hard hyzers with little glide potential) so maybe I'll just keep it for reference or find someone who loves Monsters and work out a trade.
Champion Beast (172g) - I bought this because I wanted something I could easily turn over, for high, over-the-trees shots that I needed to come left a lot. I end up flipping it too far 8-of-10 tries though, so that didn't work out. I have used it with great results as a tailwind distance driver. It's pretty sweet for that, but the Roadrunner is more fun. Part of it is the Champion plastic. This is my only Champion disc and me-no-likey. Star & Pro and better for me and how slippery it can be here, where it's either hot & humid, hot & raining, cool & humid or cool & raining, so anything that's slippery is out. Having said that, I haven't given this disc up yet, but I have a friend who I'm going to loan it to, to see if they like it.
Star Roadrunner (175g). I really like this disc. I bought it for two holes with sweeping lefts that I have trouble with and it works great. It also works great as a tailwind driver and for tunnel shots. It's very versatile and I could see the day where I might have something like a Firebird/Teerex, Destroyer and a Roadrunner and that's it... all strong Star plastic so I wouldn't have to deal with changing characteristics but would have essentially an overstable, stable and understable in grips I like.
Fairway Drivers
DX Eagle - First disc I ever lost, put it in a pond, couldn't find it. I've used a few of these, at the beginning of my playing days and never could throw it worth-a-darn. Probably could now, but there are other discs that are similar to it.
DX Banshee - Seem to be the most common "found" disc in the courses I play. Must be easy to lose or maybe just really popular because it's so windy here. I don't really like this disc very much as a fairway driver, but it's still in my bag because if I need a huge hyzer shot from about 150-200' feet, I can just flick this thing out there flat without the speed and snap it needs and that's that, hyzer city.
I can throw a great forehand annhyzer with a variety of discs, mid, fairway or distance. Close in I can float in an anny just right. Close in hyzers? Not at all. A finesse forehand hyzer eludes me, but the Banshee eliminates the need.
DX Gazelle - I've had a few of these, never figured them out. My current DX version is very beat up and somewhat light so I have it in my loaner bag. Since it's so beat, it plays pretty good for someone who's just getting the hang of drivers.
Mid-range
Pro Roc - I play mid-range discs mostly forehand, too. I can throw this a lot farther backhand (maybe 250') and it throws straight. Having said that, I'm not comfortable backhand, and the rim on the Roc is too deep for my forehand/sidearm grip, so I usually just loan this to people who are starting out and want something pretty easy to throw straightish. I was given my Roc by a guy who got it at a tourney but already had a dozen of them. I feel kind of stupid that I don't love this disc, because apparently everyone does.
Star Shark - I bought this before I was given the Roc. I can't really tell the difference between the two. Everyone loves the Roc and hardly mention the Shark, though, so there must be something there. This one has a similar interior rim (to the Roc), so it doesn't work that well for me. I can throw this one backhand pretty far, but see above about that. It's also in my loaner bag because it seems to be easy to throw flat for 150' if you are learning and haven't really figured out the power part. You can also putt with it, so it makes for a good one disc round.
DX Cobra - one of the first discs I owned. I LOVE this disc. Definitely my go-to mid-range. The rim is shallow and fits my forehand grip perfectly. I have a DX right now and can't find a Pro version to buy. The problem is... DX beats up so quickly and the Cobra is pretty understable to start, so now I have a very understable Cobra that's useless into the wind. When I finally decide to use a roller, I'll probably use this disc, though. In the meantime, I bought a DX Skeeter, which feels good. Hopefully I'll like it, as it starts out stable and might last longer. If I like the DX, I'll buy it in Star, too. I'm hoping the Skeeter replaces the Cobra, but if it doesn't, I'll probably use a Pro Cobra and a Star Skeeter as my only two mid-range discs to cover the types of shots I need from that distance.
Stingray - I bought this and put it in the jungle on it's 1st shot ever. Finally got it down 90 minutes later but that was the peak love for this disc. In it's defense, I didn't know how to finesse it. I bought it for the reason I now have a Roadrunner, and was putting way, way too much power-per-snap on it, so it never flew flat, just flipped wildly and started rolling off in whichever-ole-direction. I loaned it to a new player and he promptly moved (the next day, but I didn't find out for weeks). Haven't seen it since.
Putt & Approach
Aviar P&A (172, 174, 175g) - for a month I played all my rounds at Lamar Park with the 175g "Peach" (it's color). I learned so much then, and my scores were about the same as when I used a bunch of drivers I didn't know how to throw well and would scatter all over the place. Within a round, I could put this putter almost exactly where I wanted it up to about 200' (and then would start getting wild... if started with enough hyzer, it will flip flat and go 300', but what's the use of that when there are 1,000,000,000,000,000 different mid-range discs to choose from?).
As practice I highly recommend using your putter for EVERY shot for a month at your course. It forces you to learn that puppy, even if it takes you several shots to go where one used to take you. Thing is, short parks reward accuracy. I was throwing my driver all over the place and soon was able to go pretty much where I wanted with my putter. I could sometime park a drive right at the hole, but if I was more than 20 feet out then I was still two shots away. With the putter I'd go 200 then 80 then 20 instead of 270 then 30 (miss) and 20. Not much diff, especially if I was wild with the driver (common at the time, still happens sometimes). I might hit for 270 but still be 80 feet away, maybe risk OB... being able to drive the hole makes little difference if you have to two putt. Having said that, I'm no Ken Climo, but I'm better than I would have been. I also spend way too much time practicing drives because I'm a man, I have an ego and parking a drive at the basket is a great feeling.
I now use the P&A for anything within 150', nearly all backhand. I don't like to throw it forehand unless I'm ~75' away and can bring it in with a sweeping annhyzer flick. I can do that shot pretty well.
Other
The coolest disc I ever had I got for my birthday in the early 90's. I don't know what model it was or who made it, but it had dimples all over it just like a golf ball. I lost it in a pond and though it had my name on it and someone even called me about it, I never could connect. :-(
I know it's currently popular to have multiple versions of the exact same disc, and I understand why (if you don't, the reason is that once you get comfortable with a disc, having several "ages" allows you to use a disc you know well for various shots. The more nicks, scrapes and dents a disc gets, the more it tends to fly straight or start bending the opposite way (if you throw right-handed backhand, that would be right, for me (right hand forehand) it's left. This is good because with a familiar grip and disc you can have an array of shots without having to change your motion.). Perhaps one day I'll do that, but for now I'm hoping for a bag like this:
Distance:
Pro Teerex - headwind driver, right turning (RHFH) driver
Pro Destroyer - general distance
Pro Roadrunner - tailwinds and left-turning shots
Fairway:
Star Teebird - tons of people use this one and I bought a DX. We'll see if I end up liking it.
Mid-range:
Star Skeeter - Straight mid-range
Pro Cobra - if I need something to fade left once-in-awhile
Putt & Approach:
DX Aviar P&A (though I may upgrade to Star... I usually replace when I lose, but I've never lost a putter).
Seven discs that will cover me perfectly, if it works out. Initially, I wanted to get to know a putter, a mid-range and a driver and not get into a huge bag. For almost two years I did it, but then I started realizing how much wind affects the discs and how much the right disc and weight can change things. After I get familiar with these discs, if I find I have a hole in the quiver of discs, I'll test out trying to fill it with different disc weights.
Hans
(Note: I'm not crushing everything, but I'm 6'/210 and throw almost exclusively sidearm/forehand, even on huge left doglegs and tunnels. We're all different, it's just better for me. I can't throw a driver well at all backhand, though mid-range discs under 250' I'm okay.
Distance Drivers
Star Destroyer (175g) - oh, but this one feels right. The bevelled rim is wide, and it feels odd sometimes, but I really like it. I have plenty of power (I'm not great at utilizing it... matching power/arm speed to the snap) so this one is great. I can throw it arrow straight or put it a little higher and just bank it up a little for a left-to-right forehand hyzer that hits with a spike.
Star Teerex (175g) - great into the wind disc that I like as much as the Destroyer. I had & lost two of these, and miss them. I'm in a stage of trying out a lot of discs and have used a Banshee, Monster and (just bought but haven't yet used) a Firebird as my headwind distance drivers. Don't really like the Banshee, really don't like the Monster -- weird grip feel on the forehand, ugh. If the Firebird doesn't do it, then I'm buying another Star TeeRex for my headwind shots. You have to have a good headwind driver where I live (South Texas) as we get lots of wind year round (I moved here in 2001 for the windsurfing...).
Star Wraith (172, 174, 175g) - Good disc, but the Destroyer is pretty much doing the same thing. I've had several after finding one in a tree, using it for a week & loving it (pre-Destroyer days), then finding it's owner and returning it. I might go back if I ever decide it's better than the Destroyer but it's not looking good.
Pro Wraith (174, 175g) - I only have one left, one somebody gave my son (who has given up the sport for now). I don't use it much but have it for practice and for when I wonder if I really like the Destroyer better.
Star Monster (175g) - I don't like this disc at all. I've crushed it a couple of times on windward drives and it's done well, but don't like the feel of the grip. I don't know what to do with it. It's not for beginners (very unfriendly rim & dome and cranks hard hyzers with little glide potential) so maybe I'll just keep it for reference or find someone who loves Monsters and work out a trade.
Champion Beast (172g) - I bought this because I wanted something I could easily turn over, for high, over-the-trees shots that I needed to come left a lot. I end up flipping it too far 8-of-10 tries though, so that didn't work out. I have used it with great results as a tailwind distance driver. It's pretty sweet for that, but the Roadrunner is more fun. Part of it is the Champion plastic. This is my only Champion disc and me-no-likey. Star & Pro and better for me and how slippery it can be here, where it's either hot & humid, hot & raining, cool & humid or cool & raining, so anything that's slippery is out. Having said that, I haven't given this disc up yet, but I have a friend who I'm going to loan it to, to see if they like it.
Star Roadrunner (175g). I really like this disc. I bought it for two holes with sweeping lefts that I have trouble with and it works great. It also works great as a tailwind driver and for tunnel shots. It's very versatile and I could see the day where I might have something like a Firebird/Teerex, Destroyer and a Roadrunner and that's it... all strong Star plastic so I wouldn't have to deal with changing characteristics but would have essentially an overstable, stable and understable in grips I like.
Fairway Drivers
DX Eagle - First disc I ever lost, put it in a pond, couldn't find it. I've used a few of these, at the beginning of my playing days and never could throw it worth-a-darn. Probably could now, but there are other discs that are similar to it.
DX Banshee - Seem to be the most common "found" disc in the courses I play. Must be easy to lose or maybe just really popular because it's so windy here. I don't really like this disc very much as a fairway driver, but it's still in my bag because if I need a huge hyzer shot from about 150-200' feet, I can just flick this thing out there flat without the speed and snap it needs and that's that, hyzer city.
I can throw a great forehand annhyzer with a variety of discs, mid, fairway or distance. Close in I can float in an anny just right. Close in hyzers? Not at all. A finesse forehand hyzer eludes me, but the Banshee eliminates the need.
DX Gazelle - I've had a few of these, never figured them out. My current DX version is very beat up and somewhat light so I have it in my loaner bag. Since it's so beat, it plays pretty good for someone who's just getting the hang of drivers.
Mid-range
Pro Roc - I play mid-range discs mostly forehand, too. I can throw this a lot farther backhand (maybe 250') and it throws straight. Having said that, I'm not comfortable backhand, and the rim on the Roc is too deep for my forehand/sidearm grip, so I usually just loan this to people who are starting out and want something pretty easy to throw straightish. I was given my Roc by a guy who got it at a tourney but already had a dozen of them. I feel kind of stupid that I don't love this disc, because apparently everyone does.
Star Shark - I bought this before I was given the Roc. I can't really tell the difference between the two. Everyone loves the Roc and hardly mention the Shark, though, so there must be something there. This one has a similar interior rim (to the Roc), so it doesn't work that well for me. I can throw this one backhand pretty far, but see above about that. It's also in my loaner bag because it seems to be easy to throw flat for 150' if you are learning and haven't really figured out the power part. You can also putt with it, so it makes for a good one disc round.
DX Cobra - one of the first discs I owned. I LOVE this disc. Definitely my go-to mid-range. The rim is shallow and fits my forehand grip perfectly. I have a DX right now and can't find a Pro version to buy. The problem is... DX beats up so quickly and the Cobra is pretty understable to start, so now I have a very understable Cobra that's useless into the wind. When I finally decide to use a roller, I'll probably use this disc, though. In the meantime, I bought a DX Skeeter, which feels good. Hopefully I'll like it, as it starts out stable and might last longer. If I like the DX, I'll buy it in Star, too. I'm hoping the Skeeter replaces the Cobra, but if it doesn't, I'll probably use a Pro Cobra and a Star Skeeter as my only two mid-range discs to cover the types of shots I need from that distance.
Stingray - I bought this and put it in the jungle on it's 1st shot ever. Finally got it down 90 minutes later but that was the peak love for this disc. In it's defense, I didn't know how to finesse it. I bought it for the reason I now have a Roadrunner, and was putting way, way too much power-per-snap on it, so it never flew flat, just flipped wildly and started rolling off in whichever-ole-direction. I loaned it to a new player and he promptly moved (the next day, but I didn't find out for weeks). Haven't seen it since.
Putt & Approach
Aviar P&A (172, 174, 175g) - for a month I played all my rounds at Lamar Park with the 175g "Peach" (it's color). I learned so much then, and my scores were about the same as when I used a bunch of drivers I didn't know how to throw well and would scatter all over the place. Within a round, I could put this putter almost exactly where I wanted it up to about 200' (and then would start getting wild... if started with enough hyzer, it will flip flat and go 300', but what's the use of that when there are 1,000,000,000,000,000 different mid-range discs to choose from?).
As practice I highly recommend using your putter for EVERY shot for a month at your course. It forces you to learn that puppy, even if it takes you several shots to go where one used to take you. Thing is, short parks reward accuracy. I was throwing my driver all over the place and soon was able to go pretty much where I wanted with my putter. I could sometime park a drive right at the hole, but if I was more than 20 feet out then I was still two shots away. With the putter I'd go 200 then 80 then 20 instead of 270 then 30 (miss) and 20. Not much diff, especially if I was wild with the driver (common at the time, still happens sometimes). I might hit for 270 but still be 80 feet away, maybe risk OB... being able to drive the hole makes little difference if you have to two putt. Having said that, I'm no Ken Climo, but I'm better than I would have been. I also spend way too much time practicing drives because I'm a man, I have an ego and parking a drive at the basket is a great feeling.
I now use the P&A for anything within 150', nearly all backhand. I don't like to throw it forehand unless I'm ~75' away and can bring it in with a sweeping annhyzer flick. I can do that shot pretty well.
Other
The coolest disc I ever had I got for my birthday in the early 90's. I don't know what model it was or who made it, but it had dimples all over it just like a golf ball. I lost it in a pond and though it had my name on it and someone even called me about it, I never could connect. :-(
I know it's currently popular to have multiple versions of the exact same disc, and I understand why (if you don't, the reason is that once you get comfortable with a disc, having several "ages" allows you to use a disc you know well for various shots. The more nicks, scrapes and dents a disc gets, the more it tends to fly straight or start bending the opposite way (if you throw right-handed backhand, that would be right, for me (right hand forehand) it's left. This is good because with a familiar grip and disc you can have an array of shots without having to change your motion.). Perhaps one day I'll do that, but for now I'm hoping for a bag like this:
Distance:
Pro Teerex - headwind driver, right turning (RHFH) driver
Pro Destroyer - general distance
Pro Roadrunner - tailwinds and left-turning shots
Fairway:
Star Teebird - tons of people use this one and I bought a DX. We'll see if I end up liking it.
Mid-range:
Star Skeeter - Straight mid-range
Pro Cobra - if I need something to fade left once-in-awhile
Putt & Approach:
DX Aviar P&A (though I may upgrade to Star... I usually replace when I lose, but I've never lost a putter).
Seven discs that will cover me perfectly, if it works out. Initially, I wanted to get to know a putter, a mid-range and a driver and not get into a huge bag. For almost two years I did it, but then I started realizing how much wind affects the discs and how much the right disc and weight can change things. After I get familiar with these discs, if I find I have a hole in the quiver of discs, I'll test out trying to fill it with different disc weights.
Hans
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