Help sorting discs into three ability levels

[brdshootr]

I just started playing disc golf about 3 months ago and have acquired some used discs and bags. I would like to divide my discs into three bags, one for beginner, one for intermediate and one for expert.

Vitals:
Years playing/experience: 3 mos.
Right/left-handed/ambidextrous: right-handed
Throwing Style: RHBH 75% RHFH 20% OH 5%



Optional:
Age: 53
Sex: m
Injuries/handicaps?: 53 year old back
Specific areas of desired feedback: Sort my discs into three bags, beginner, intermediate,expert.

Bag:
Lightning starter bag - Beginner
Innova Standard bag - Intermediate
Fade Crunch box - Expert

Drivers (weight/plastic/model/(condition)/use):
174g Discraft Elite X Avenger
172g Discraft ESP Avenger SS
171g Discraft Elite Z Buzzzz
173g Discraft ESP Crush
176g Discraft Rogue
174g Innova DX Archangel
167g Innova DX Cheetah
174g Innova Star Destroyer
177g Innova Star Destroyer
168g Innova Star Firebird
176g Innova Pro-Line Monster
170g Innova Champ Orc
172g Innova Champ Orc
159g Innova DX Orc
171g Innova Star Teerex
164g Innova DX Valkyrie
174g MVP Neutron Volt


Mids:
180g Innova DX Wolf
174g Innova DX Eagle
178g Innova DX Stingray
170g Innova DX TeeBird

Putters:
176g Discraft Elite APX
177g Discraft Banger GT
175g Innova DX Aviar
176g Innova R-Pro Aviar
175g Innova Champ Rhyno

Help needed dividing theses disk among the 3 bags mentioned earlier. Just change the font color to the color for the bag you a suggesting.

All input is appreciated.

Carl

[bradharris]

First of all, the Eagle and Teebird are not mids, they are fairway drivers. I wouldn't recommend the Wolf for anyone, and I know very little about the Stingray. You have Z Buzzz listed as a driver, but that is definitely a mid.

Beginner Bag

DX Valkyrie
Z Buzzz
DX Aviar

This is all a beginner really needs. Maybe throw in the Teebird as well for a more overstable driver.

Intermediate Bag

Beginner bag +
Elite X Avenger for added distance
Star Firebird for utility
Champ Rhyno for a hard fading putter

Expert Bag

Intermediate Bag +
Destroyer and Avenger SS

[bcr123psu]

How far can you throw each of these discs? That will help determine how they should be stratified based on your skill level.

[brdshootr]

As I stated I am just learning. If I get a good throw off I can usually send the Cheetah about 250-300 ft. RHFH.

[brdshootr]

Originally Posted by bradharris

First of all, the Eagle and Teebird are not mids, they are fairway drivers. I wouldn't recommend the Wolf for anyone, and I know very little about the Stingray. You have Z Buzzz listed as a driver, but that is definitely a mid.

I thought a fairway driver was a kind of mid range. What is the difference between the 2 types?

I can throw the wolf pretty good. Why do you not recommend it? The guy at the disc shop picked it out knowing I was a beginner.

[Grungedude42]

Originally Posted by brdshootr

Bag:
Lightning starter bag - 1
Innova Standard bag - 2
Fade Crunch box -3

Drivers (weight/plastic/model/(condition)/use):
174g Discraft Elite X Avenger-?
172g Discraft ESP Avenger SS-?
171g Discraft Elite Z Buzzzz -1
173g Discraft ESP Crush-?
176g Discraft Rogue-?
174g Innova DX Archangel-1
167g Innova DX Cheetah -1
174g Innova Star Destroyer-3
177g Innova Star Destroyer-3
168g Innova Star Firebird-1
176g Innova Pro-Line Monster-3
170g Innova Champ Orc-2
172g Innova Champ Orc-2
159g Innova DX Orc-2
171g Innova Star Teerex-3
164g Innova DX Valkyrie-1
174g MVP Neutron Volt-2


Mids:
180g Innova DX Wolf-0
174g Innova DX Eagle-1
178g Innova DX Stingray-1
170g Innova DX TeeBird-2

Putters:
176g Discraft Elite APX -?
177g Discraft Banger GT-?
175g Innova DX Aviar-1
176g Innova R-Pro Aviar-1
175g Innova Champ Rhyno-1.5

I'd start with the Valkyrie and Cheetah as you two main drivers. Valkyrie might be a little too much for you right now, but it should be more overstable then your Cheetah at your range. The Firebird is a meathook, and probably too much disc for you at the moment, but it's amazing into a headwind, overhands, and for low skip shots, which are all useful.

The Buzzz and Stingray as mids. Buzzz for straight to right (RHFH), and the Stingray will surely go Left (RHFH), as the Buzzz is more overstable than the Stingray. The wolf gets a lot of hate around here for being a glideless understable mid. In my opinion, there's nothing the wolf can do that the stingray can't do better.

Aviar should be your putter inside 30', and the Rhyno is great in the wind, or when you need to punch out of the thicket. Don't know much about discraft putters, maybe the APX is a good approach disc?

Work on your backhand and overhand, too. As you start getting out to a consistent 300-325' with the backhand, start working an Orc, the Teebird, and the Volt into the mix. I don't know much about discraft drivers, I'm afraid. I stick with their mids and fairways.

If I were you, I'd forget about the teerex and destroyers until you're making well over 350, maybe 400'.

That's just my recommendation, but I'm just some guy on the web.

[smarkquart]

One more thing we need to know before we proceed.

Is it your intention to stay away from the "expert" bag until you feel your are ready, or are you going to tackle that bag at the same time you are also using the other bags? Basically, are you going to be going through a progession, "retiring" the beginner bag when you feel you are ready for the other discs?

Also, I have always hated the term "beginner" discs. There are discs that due to their stability and high tolerance to nose angle issues are inherently easier to throw by newer players. However, there are really no discs that are inherently bad for advanced players because they are beginner discs. A decent player will recognize that all discs have the potential to accomplish something useful for their game. The only reason people are selective about their discs is because they want discs that suit their grip and technique. By minimizing the need to alter their technique to conform to what a disc can do can help improve accuracy and build muscle memory.

So, in reality, what we should be doing for you to help is not necessarily sorting discs into skill level, but into groupings that will start you on the path of discovering what your technique is going to be. Some discs will fade out but same will follow you throughout your playing career. For better or worse, this may require the purchase of some additional discs if you intend to have three fully stocked bags at the same time. You will find a good portion of the fun in this sport is buying and trying out new discs anyway.

Finally, commit to a putter early. The worst thing you can do is have a "beginner" putter, become good at it, develop muscle memory, and then feel you need to graduate to another putter. You will start the learning process all over again. Preferably I like to carry two putters for putting (Judge and Rhyno); one for longer straigh putts and one for close power putts or handling the wind. I actually carry a third putter (Neutron Ion), but it is used almost exclusively for driving and long approaches.

This should be your core bag, it will cover most shots and stability range. The star could be your smaller bag.

Putters:
-Aviar*
-Rhyno

Mids:
-Buzzz*
-Stingray-

Fairway drivers:
-Cheetah*
-Eagle
-TeeBird*
-Orc

Distance drivers:
-Avenger SS*
-Valkyrie
-Crush
-Destroyer (forehand)*



Eventually you will see some overlap from the Avenger SS and Valkyrie and will likely drop one in favor of brand loyalty. The same is true of the TeeBird and Eagle; while they will fly differently, often the end result is the same. You will end up pick one that suits your technique better. Eventually you will need to pick up a more stable mid like a Wasp, Gator, Hornet, Vector, or Cro. In some cases, depending on how you use it, the Orc and Crush may compete for shots and at the end of the day you will likely drop one of the two.

At some point you may want to try the Volt because it falls between the Eagle and TeeBird, but the shallower grip has caused issue with some people. It may fit perfect for you and it may not.

The X Avenger is a good disc but fits between your Orc and Crush. In the end you might actually use it in place of carrying those two discs.

Finally, buy, trade, or borrow the following discs:

Roc- You will become a part of the age old debate of what is the best mid, a Buzzz or Roc. The difference really comes down to how they fit into your grip. The flights will be slightly different, but they fill essentially the same role in your bag. Once you figure out whether you like the Buzzz or Roc, more, buy multiples.

Leopard - It is a step below the Eagle and TeeBird in stability but is definitely a workhorse fairway driver. They play well with whatever you choose between the Eagle and TeeBird.

[smarkquart]

Originally Posted by brdshootr

I thought a fairway driver was a kind of mid range. What is the difference between the 2 types?

I can throw the wolf pretty good. Why do you not recommend it? The guy at the disc shop picked it out knowing I was a beginner.

While some will drive with putters and mids, a mid is supposed to bridge the gap between putters and fairway drivers. Essentially, mids are suppose to be for getting out of trouble, long approaches, and placement for second or third shots.

Fairway drivers are more for you tee shots where you do not need maximum distance. This is when placement and precision are more crucial because of wooded courses or obstacles. Traditionally you do not mind coming up short of the basket as long as you are within reach of the basket because of accuracy. Eventually, as you throw further, fairways are still awesome because it will allow you to make precise ace runs.


The more popular mids are:

Rocs
Buzzzes

Second Tier would be:
Stingrays
Axis
Vectors
Pains
Sharks
Warships
Ibex
Ghosts
Hornets
Drones
Meteors

[bradharris]

Originally Posted by brdshootr

I thought a fairway driver was a kind of mid range. What is the difference between the 2 types?

The rim is the big difference. The Eagle and Teebird have the typical beveled edge of a driver while the Buzzz has a more blunt wing shape.

As for flight, don't let the name "Fairway Driver" fool you. You can get really good distance out of these discs.

Originally Posted by brdshootr

I can throw the wolf pretty good. Why do you not recommend it? The guy at the disc shop picked it out knowing I was a beginner.

I actually got a Wolf for my wife's starter set way back in the day when she said she would actually play with me from time-to-time if she had her own discs.

It just seems to fly like a brick. You really have to force it to go where you want. A Shark or Buzzz is a lot easier to control.

[Eemeli137]

Originally Posted by smarkquart

While some will drive with putters and mids, a mid is supposed to bridge the gap between putters and fairway drivers. Essentially, mids are suppose to be for getting out of trouble, long approaches, and placement for second or third shots.

Fairway drivers are more for you tee shots where you do not need maximum distance. This is when placement and precision are more crucial because of wooded courses or obstacles. Traditionally you do not mind coming up short of the basket as long as you are within reach of the basket because of accuracy. Eventually, as you throw further, fairways are still awesome because it will allow you to make precise ace runs.


The more popular mids are:

Rocs
Buzzzes

Second Tier would be:
Stingrays
Axis
Vectors
Pains
Sharks
Warships
Ibex
Ghosts
Hornets
Drones
Meteors
Md2

Dont forget Md2