Touch Discs???

[craigd]

My wife is shopping online for some discs. Some discs are defined as "touch". They seem to be related to what is considered putters. What is a touch disc? Or I could also ask, what qualifications does a disc need to be considered a touch and why? I say that because some putt and approach discs are also classified as touch discs. :confused:

[TalbotTrojan]

Basically a tough disc is going to be anything you would use for extreme accuracy. A tough disc should allow you to best land it right where you want it, and is not necessarily something you will use for distance. Just about anything in the mid range and putter category could qualify as a touch disc.

[atl scott]

Not exactly sure as I haven't heard of a "touch" classification but it sounds like a category of discs that can be thrown softly or firmly yet still hold their angle of release. Putters and some midranges can be quite good for this. Basically a control disc not a distance disc.

[craigd]

Sounds good. For those that are wondering. Disc Golf Center has tabs for different types of discs. Distance drivers, fairway drivers, midrange, "TOUCH", and putters. Some of the discs that are listed for touch are also listed for putters. I haven't many people talk about it.

[TalbotTrojan]

For my touch shots I will use either my Champion Aviar putter or Star Skeeter Mid-Range, depending on the length. I am always expecting a drop putt after throwing one of these though that does not always happen.

[_.-Dut-._]

Never heard of it til this thread.

[atl scott]

I think that is because it is an arbitrary term made up by discgolfcenter.

[Rameka]

A "touch shot" is actually defined in Innova's glossary. It is indeed, as Talbot said, used for control.

"Touch/Finesse Shot – These are floating shots used for accuracy in tricky situations."

http://www.innovadiscs.com/faq/glossary.html

[t i m]

Most people have at least played catch with an Ultimate Frisbee. That's more the idea behind a touch disc. They are generally low speed, neutral (to slightly understable) in stability, and require a gentle throw that an experienced player can use to shape all kinds of lines through the air. Touch discs will seldom be thrown at more than half-power.

Old-school and very experienced players usually throw a bunch of touch shots because they are very accurate -- touch throws gently come to rest where you aimed them, not skipping or rolling.

Take a putter and play catch with a friend 80' away amidst trees. Try to hit them in the chest with the disc but take a different route through trees every time to do it. Shape hyzer and anhyzer lines; high routes and low routes; gentle and steep curves; etc... try this at different distances. In trees and in field.

Playing catch will give you a much better feel for what "touch" means and how it can help your golf game. The idea behind throwing touch shots is from probably 150', to never have more than a 10' putt, no matter what kind of obstacles you are throwing through.

[garublador]

I find that most of the time, the term "touch" is a euphamism for "squirrley." If you have the skills, these discs can be used for some gentle turnover and straight shots with no fade which may otherwise be impossible with a stable putter, which is why the guys with lots of skills and experience use them, but IMO they introduce the possibility of a potentially score altering disc selection error. Generally, the margin of error is low with them and they don't perform well in any sort of wind. Most catch and ultimate discs would be what I consider "touch" discs for disc golf.

[sidewinding]

A plain old aviar Putt and approach is one of the best discs for this type of shot inside 150'.

[Three Putt]

I find that most of the time, the term "touch" is a euphamism for "squirrley." Kinda, I guess. I use the term to refer to low-speed discs that have a high input/output ratio. If you power down on them they go long and straight. If you overpower them or throw with OAT, they flip uncontrollably, and "flip uncontrollably" and "squirrley" are usually interchangeable terms.

However, to me there is a difference. A Comet is a "touch" disc. When you power down on one and use a smooth release, it is probably the longest, straightest mid on the market. A Wolf is "squirrley." No matter what you do to a Wolf, it's a flippy POS good only for rollers.

So for me, "touch" and "squirrley" are not exactly the same thing, but the line between them is blurry. It is one of those "I can't tell you what it is but I know it when I see it" kinda things.

[garublador]

So for me, "touch" and "squirrley" are not exactly the same thing, but the line between them is blurry. It is one of those "I can't tell you what it is but I know it when I see it" kinda things.Which it's only true most of the time and not all of the time. ;) There are touch discs that are controlable, but anytime I see a disc described as a "touch" disc by anyone selling discs I immediately think it's a buzz word rather than an accurate description.

[sidewinding]

There are touch discs that are controlable, but anytime I see a disc described as a "touch" disc by anyone selling discs I immediately think it's a buzz word rather than an accurate description.

Was that pun intended? :)

[JR Stengele]

I use a JLS sometimes for a controlled hyzer shot about 150-200 and it works well most of the time.

[Three Putt]

anytime I see a disc described as a "touch" disc by anyone selling discs I immediately think it's a buzz word rather than an accurate description.What? Are you implying that a disc seller or manufacturer would feed me a line of S#@! instead of accurately describing the disc? ;) So...you mean an understable speed 10 driver is not a good disc for a beginner? :D

[_.-Dut-._]

I have a beat to death Champion Classic Roc that would fit this bill.

[colombo117]

Aero baby. It is a touch disc according to innovas site. I have had one in my bag since I started playing. Like Garublador said they are wind sensitive and require a smooth release. I love my aero for certain shots (tight tree lined fairways or right turning approaches), but there are times I never use it, really it's a specialty disc. You don't need one, I just like to have one.