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The Evolution Of The Disc Golf Disc - Innova Only
By: Tom Monroe
Edited : Doug Carder.
1983
INNOVA
Around 1983, DAVE DUNIPACE brought a Puppy to San Diego's MORLEY Field that was modified with a plastic around the edge to form a wedge shape. The result was the ground breaking EAGLE, The first disc made specifically for disc golf Not throw and catch This disc significantly reduced the weight necessary to get distance and high performance from a disc.
The first mold for the EAGLE was not quite identical to Dunipaces specifications. So the mold was changed and the new one was called the AERO. The AERO was more stable than the EAGLE and replaced the puppy as the Golf Disc to throw for distance. It also caused some controversy at the 1983 Worlds in Huntsville. The disc had just come out and was more available in some parts of the country than others. You could purchase the disc at Worlds but may not have the time to practice with it. It was decided to let players use the new AERO but the next year a new rule was in place that required new discs to be out for over 30 days to be used.
1984
The AVIAR was INNOVA'S third disc It was special in its accuracy and overstability. It allowed you to make a faster run at your target. Over the it has been debated to be the best overall and most popular disc golf disc ever.
The next disc Innova came out with was the the XD. It was a low profile version of the AVIAR. It is less stable and flies longer than the AVIAR. It has a very thin rim. It was the distance champ right out of the box.
1985
APPLE - The initial mold on this one did not turn out the way INNOVA wanted. It was basically a play and catch frisbee. It even has "Flight rings" or "Rings Of Hendrick"
COUPE- this disc was great for beginners. It was easy to throw and turned over with enough thrust.
85 was the year of two Disc Golf World Championships. The PDGA event was in Tulsa and the World Flying Disc Federation was in Sweden. Those who went to both really enjoyed the one in Sweden.
1986- ACE- was a low profile XD with a rounded edge This was a longer turnover driver.
1987 ROC- The original ROC came out in 1987 and it was unique because it was first attempt to put a bead on the rim in an attempt to stabilize the disc. All the pros loved it because it was stable for them into the wind. They didn't like it when it was changed the first time. The ROC went through many revisions through the years bringing it to what it is today. The ROC along with the AVIAR are still today two of the most prized discs in the sport.
1987 also saw the release of the HAMMER and STINGRAY from INNOVA . The HAMMER flies like an understable ROC. Its a got a rounded edge and a very low inner rim. the original "flat top" Hammer was by far the best ever. A good example of the old adage , if it a'int broke, don't fix it.
The original STINGRAYs were stable for players with fairly good power. They would go straight and far. They had a lower edge design and sharpness. Strong arms could throw a very long turnover. It was the new distance champ.
1988 A year after the lightning P-38 broke the distance record. INNOVA came out with the PHENIX and Sam Ferrans used it to set a new record. The PHENIX was considered the top distance disc of its day and would reign until the VIPER came out a few years later. The PHENIX has a unique hollow sound when it was smashed into a tree. Also in 1988 INNOVA came out with the COBRA a very good straight shooter and approach disc. It was basically a STINGRAY with a lip on the rim.
1989 SHARK was released this year. It was a good overstable approach disc, similar to the ROC but faster. It broke in quickly and became a great disc for straight layup's and turnover's in the woods.
1990 -SCORPION was a driver with a very good glide . It had bigger diameter than most modern golf discs.
BARRACUDA was a more understable version of a SCORPION. It beat up real fast.
LYNX was also a large diameter approach disc that many players used for self caught flight in the lighter weights.
1991 VIPER was a very overstable disc that beat the distance record set by the PHENIX. It was the distance disc for a few years in the 90s.
HAMMERHEAD- was a bad version of the original HAMMER. It had a larger diameter than the original.
CONDOR- was a very similar to the LYNX.
JAGUAR-also a large diameter disc
BIRDIE- putter (very high rim)which makes it easy to grip.
1992-ZEPHYR- Is a LYNX sized disc with a flat edge. Its the one the favorites discs for discathon and accuracy events
WHIPPET-was a even more overstable and smaller than the VIPER. The WHIPPET was the most overstable disc since the short lived bullet.
1993- PIRANHA-looks like a ZEPHYR with a smaller diameter. Its a very overstable approach and putt disc.
GRIFFIN-is a WHIPPET with a round edge. It does not fly as far as a WHIPPET but is more overstable
PANTHER-this disc was a sleeper from INNOVA. It had a thick rim and was great for turnovers in the woods.
1994 GAZELLE- same size as a WHIPPET but flies straight.
RAM-when it came out, was the most overstable disc in the sport.
PYTHON-in its initial release, was very understable and fast. Could be used as a roller brand new. later releases were not as understable.
POLECAT-similar to the BIRDIE with a lower rim. Straight flying putt and approach disc.
GOPHER-a round edge approach putter.
DOLPHIN-150 gram driver that floats in water.
RAVEN-INNOVA'S longest range large diameter driver. Easy to throw.
1995 CHEETAH- like a GAZELLE with a lower rim and more understable. Nice straight flyer. Easy to control
SUPER NOVA- this was INNOVA'S first attempt at an Ultimate disc.
1996 MORAY-a turnover driver that was based on the STINGRAY. It was a little more overstable than a STINGRAY, and flew like a cross between a ROC and a COBRA.
1997 PEGASUS-a less overstable WHIPPET. It has more glide than a WHIPPET.
1998 RHYNO-based on the AVIAR with a thumbtrac on the top. A lot more overstable than a AVIAR.
BANSHEE-very overstable driver that workswell into a head wind.
1999 TEEBIRD-overstable disc that is easy to control with very good glide. Straight and fast.
WOLF- is a turnover version of the ROC.
EAGLE-a very long fast flyer.
LEOPARD-understable with a nice glide.
PUMA-mid range turnover disc
2000 Valkyrie-has a sharp edge, low profile,and is a fast turnover driver with good glide.
GATOR-similar to a ROC with the thumb trac on the top.
FIREBIRD-Very overstable driver.
2001 ARCHANGEL-slightly undertstable driver with a good glide.
DRAGON-an archangel in the 150 class floats in water.
SPIDER-small diameter, straight line mid range.
2002 BEAST-very fast stable driver, low and flat profile.
2003 MONSTER-very overstable driver.
VIKING-when the Champion line TEEBIRDS came out so overstable, the champion VIKING was created to give less fade. It is a straight flyer with great glide.
STARFIRE-This one was held back from normal production for a few years as a fundraiser only, by the time it was released to the general public. it was old news, very fast with good glide.
2004 ORC-slightly overstable driver similar to the BEAST . very wide rim and extremely fast.
BULLDOG-a firm and over stable putt and approach disc with a very tall rim. good fit for players with big hands.
HYDRA-grippy disc that feels like the BULLFROG and floats in water. Originally released in 170 grams.
2005 SIDEWINDER-a long turnover disc Great roller.
COYOTE-a larger diameter approach disc with good glide.
2006 ROADRUNNER- quicker turning version of SIDEWINDER.
WRAITH-easy to throw far.
TEEREX- more overstable WRAITH.
MAX-even more overstable.
SKEETER-fast Mid Range.
The Evolution Of The Disc Golf Disc - Innova Only
By: Tom Monroe
Edited : Doug Carder.
1983
INNOVA
Around 1983, DAVE DUNIPACE brought a Puppy to San Diego's MORLEY Field that was modified with a plastic around the edge to form a wedge shape. The result was the ground breaking EAGLE, The first disc made specifically for disc golf Not throw and catch This disc significantly reduced the weight necessary to get distance and high performance from a disc.
The first mold for the EAGLE was not quite identical to Dunipaces specifications. So the mold was changed and the new one was called the AERO. The AERO was more stable than the EAGLE and replaced the puppy as the Golf Disc to throw for distance. It also caused some controversy at the 1983 Worlds in Huntsville. The disc had just come out and was more available in some parts of the country than others. You could purchase the disc at Worlds but may not have the time to practice with it. It was decided to let players use the new AERO but the next year a new rule was in place that required new discs to be out for over 30 days to be used.
1984
The AVIAR was INNOVA'S third disc It was special in its accuracy and overstability. It allowed you to make a faster run at your target. Over the it has been debated to be the best overall and most popular disc golf disc ever.
The next disc Innova came out with was the the XD. It was a low profile version of the AVIAR. It is less stable and flies longer than the AVIAR. It has a very thin rim. It was the distance champ right out of the box.
1985
APPLE - The initial mold on this one did not turn out the way INNOVA wanted. It was basically a play and catch frisbee. It even has "Flight rings" or "Rings Of Hendrick"
COUPE- this disc was great for beginners. It was easy to throw and turned over with enough thrust.
85 was the year of two Disc Golf World Championships. The PDGA event was in Tulsa and the World Flying Disc Federation was in Sweden. Those who went to both really enjoyed the one in Sweden.
1986- ACE- was a low profile XD with a rounded edge This was a longer turnover driver.
1987 ROC- The original ROC came out in 1987 and it was unique because it was first attempt to put a bead on the rim in an attempt to stabilize the disc. All the pros loved it because it was stable for them into the wind. They didn't like it when it was changed the first time. The ROC went through many revisions through the years bringing it to what it is today. The ROC along with the AVIAR are still today two of the most prized discs in the sport.
1987 also saw the release of the HAMMER and STINGRAY from INNOVA . The HAMMER flies like an understable ROC. Its a got a rounded edge and a very low inner rim. the original "flat top" Hammer was by far the best ever. A good example of the old adage , if it a'int broke, don't fix it.
The original STINGRAYs were stable for players with fairly good power. They would go straight and far. They had a lower edge design and sharpness. Strong arms could throw a very long turnover. It was the new distance champ.
1988 A year after the lightning P-38 broke the distance record. INNOVA came out with the PHENIX and Sam Ferrans used it to set a new record. The PHENIX was considered the top distance disc of its day and would reign until the VIPER came out a few years later. The PHENIX has a unique hollow sound when it was smashed into a tree. Also in 1988 INNOVA came out with the COBRA a very good straight shooter and approach disc. It was basically a STINGRAY with a lip on the rim.
1989 SHARK was released this year. It was a good overstable approach disc, similar to the ROC but faster. It broke in quickly and became a great disc for straight layup's and turnover's in the woods.
1990 -SCORPION was a driver with a very good glide . It had bigger diameter than most modern golf discs.
BARRACUDA was a more understable version of a SCORPION. It beat up real fast.
LYNX was also a large diameter approach disc that many players used for self caught flight in the lighter weights.
1991 VIPER was a very overstable disc that beat the distance record set by the PHENIX. It was the distance disc for a few years in the 90s.
HAMMERHEAD- was a bad version of the original HAMMER. It had a larger diameter than the original.
CONDOR- was a very similar to the LYNX.
JAGUAR-also a large diameter disc
BIRDIE- putter (very high rim)which makes it easy to grip.
1992-ZEPHYR- Is a LYNX sized disc with a flat edge. Its the one the favorites discs for discathon and accuracy events
WHIPPET-was a even more overstable and smaller than the VIPER. The WHIPPET was the most overstable disc since the short lived bullet.
1993- PIRANHA-looks like a ZEPHYR with a smaller diameter. Its a very overstable approach and putt disc.
GRIFFIN-is a WHIPPET with a round edge. It does not fly as far as a WHIPPET but is more overstable
PANTHER-this disc was a sleeper from INNOVA. It had a thick rim and was great for turnovers in the woods.
1994 GAZELLE- same size as a WHIPPET but flies straight.
RAM-when it came out, was the most overstable disc in the sport.
PYTHON-in its initial release, was very understable and fast. Could be used as a roller brand new. later releases were not as understable.
POLECAT-similar to the BIRDIE with a lower rim. Straight flying putt and approach disc.
GOPHER-a round edge approach putter.
DOLPHIN-150 gram driver that floats in water.
RAVEN-INNOVA'S longest range large diameter driver. Easy to throw.
1995 CHEETAH- like a GAZELLE with a lower rim and more understable. Nice straight flyer. Easy to control
SUPER NOVA- this was INNOVA'S first attempt at an Ultimate disc.
1996 MORAY-a turnover driver that was based on the STINGRAY. It was a little more overstable than a STINGRAY, and flew like a cross between a ROC and a COBRA.
1997 PEGASUS-a less overstable WHIPPET. It has more glide than a WHIPPET.
1998 RHYNO-based on the AVIAR with a thumbtrac on the top. A lot more overstable than a AVIAR.
BANSHEE-very overstable driver that workswell into a head wind.
1999 TEEBIRD-overstable disc that is easy to control with very good glide. Straight and fast.
WOLF- is a turnover version of the ROC.
EAGLE-a very long fast flyer.
LEOPARD-understable with a nice glide.
PUMA-mid range turnover disc
2000 Valkyrie-has a sharp edge, low profile,and is a fast turnover driver with good glide.
GATOR-similar to a ROC with the thumb trac on the top.
FIREBIRD-Very overstable driver.
2001 ARCHANGEL-slightly undertstable driver with a good glide.
DRAGON-an archangel in the 150 class floats in water.
SPIDER-small diameter, straight line mid range.
2002 BEAST-very fast stable driver, low and flat profile.
2003 MONSTER-very overstable driver.
VIKING-when the Champion line TEEBIRDS came out so overstable, the champion VIKING was created to give less fade. It is a straight flyer with great glide.
STARFIRE-This one was held back from normal production for a few years as a fundraiser only, by the time it was released to the general public. it was old news, very fast with good glide.
2004 ORC-slightly overstable driver similar to the BEAST . very wide rim and extremely fast.
BULLDOG-a firm and over stable putt and approach disc with a very tall rim. good fit for players with big hands.
HYDRA-grippy disc that feels like the BULLFROG and floats in water. Originally released in 170 grams.
2005 SIDEWINDER-a long turnover disc Great roller.
COYOTE-a larger diameter approach disc with good glide.
2006 ROADRUNNER- quicker turning version of SIDEWINDER.
WRAITH-easy to throw far.
TEEREX- more overstable WRAITH.
MAX-even more overstable.
SKEETER-fast Mid Range.
