What was thrown back in the day...

[sweeper]

I have a couple of barracudas my mom got me. I really haven't figured out how to throw them yet though. Suggestions? If I figure it out will they go a long way?

 

[DiscChucker]

I have a couple of barracudas my mom got me. I really haven't figured out how to throw them yet though. Suggestions? If I figure it out will they go a long way?

Where and when did she get them for you?

 

[maynes32]

Where and when did she get them for you?

No kidding, can I get some from the same place?

 

[sweeper]

A couple of years ago online. I had just started playing and one has a rainbow stamp she thought was very pretty. Prime discs maybe?

 

[CwAlbino]

Wow I didn't realize the Marauder was such an old disc... That was one of the first discs I played with, was my favorite driver, until I left it on a hole... Bought it new, and now it's probably worth a bit more than I paid for it

 

[valkyrie]

I have a couple of barracudas my mom got me. I really haven't figured out how to throw them yet though. Suggestions? If I figure it out will they go a long way?

that has always been called the worst disc ever made! LOL!

 

[Technohic]

1982 The Puppy man came out with the infamous Whizback. It looked like a Fastback and came in weights over 200 gm's.

I heard those were like pissing into the wind...

 

[billnchristy]

I picked up a used champ aero today....noooot a fan.

 

[Ryan P.]

Aero?

I picked up a used champ aero today....noooot a fan.

Why not? those sucks have some awesome glide. Is it the plastic?

 

[Grover]

Back in the day...

Back in the day...

I'm hoping some of the oldtimers on here can help me out. I played on an Ultimate team in the early 80's and we hosted a golf tourney at Redbrush Park in Seymour, Indiana. There was a lot of discussion on what was legal to throw and I swear that one of the arguments back in the day had to do with the discs being "buoyant".

I'm sure that sounds ridiculous to the kids today with all their "heavy plastic", but does anyone else recall such a thing? I was only about 15 or 16 at the time and my blood was usually polluted so this may have all been imagined...

Was this a suggestion by Wham-O to keep their share of the newly born DG market from the above mentioned "heavy plastics"?

Growing up in southern Indiana back then, we just didn't have a lot available to us. Midnight Flyers were the most amazingly exotic discs EVAH!!! I think we were all jealous of the dudes who came back from California or Florida with such plastic gold!!!

Our club worked a "Frisbee Festival" in Louisville, KY and an AMF Voit rep let us each keep a "demo disc" from his stash that they were going to introduce that year. I see on the above listed histories that those discs actually did happen, but I swear I never once saw one outside of the ones we got (being an Ultimate team, those discs went first, the freestyle discs went next and I was stuck with a "distance" disc that I could never pull as far as a 165g so I wont argue the derisive quality comments).

...BTW, I love these "oldtimers" threads...

 

[billnchristy]

Why not? those sucks have some awesome glide. Is it the plastic?

Well the wind was probably 20+ MPH today so that didn't help the opinion. I just could not throw the thing with enough finesse to get anything out of it. The plastic rocks out...gummy as a swedish fish.

 

[G Bud]

Wow, this one fits me. It's only been the past 6 months I've been throwing 21st century plastic. Love the 50 - 75 ft it put on my drive.I think the newest stamp in the bag before that was 1995. I was out of things for 10 or 12 years.
Boy, I have a bunch of all that old plastic you guys & gals have been mentioning. Always tried to buy one to throw and one to stow. The Wham-O 86 mold used to be great for interesting stamps, I was stock piling the old aviar putters and I have had guys on the course keep making me offers on the kitty hawk flyers.
I tried to read carefully but I don't think anyone mentioned the rubber putter and I remember swiping a prototype Birdie from my doubles partner at one tourney. I played with that cat this Summer in Colorado and watched him almost come to tears when we couldn't find his sweet 20+ yr Thunderbolt at Phantom Falls. It was like losing an old friend. I still need to score a midnight flyer. Love That Old Plastic!!

 

[Mason65]

After reading this thread I really think clubs should promote a "retro" class. Like, every disc must be approved prior to 1995 or something. Throwing slower discs could make shorter courses much more playable without resorting to superclass.

The target audience could be newer players and older player, and the older players could provide some insight to their younger counterparts during rounds. It could help the sales of some of the disc golf companies older, near obsolete molds still in production.

 

[wolito]

Thanks to all whom have contributed to this discussion. Fascinating to read about the history of the discs and especially how far those were thrown for. Who knows what the future will hold for discs int the future. How would they change I wonder? Will we all be able to drive 500 feet without any problems due to improvements in the discs? Who knows?

 

[maynes32]

Played HMO last night with a friend, both of us with 1993 or earlier bags (opened in 1992). It was HUGE fun. My bag was:

Jaguar (borrowed from my friend)
Cyclone
#2 Driver (formerly F-15 Eagle)
Eclipse
Stingray
F-8-F Bearcat
Roc
Aero
Magnet
Aviar

Only had that many putters as I wasn't sure which I would like. The thing I was most amazed by was how few of the holes actually played differently at all. Admittedly, we were playing from the shorts, but there were only 2-3 holes where the change in distance was particularly meaningful. The biggest difference, actually, was the lack of "specialtly"-type discs - Drone, Zone, Flick, Predator, etc. Really, though, I'd assume that was just because I didn't spring for a Viper/Whippet/Hookshot. I typically throw about a 58 for 18 holes or 76 for 24, and threw a 57/74 with the older discs. I expected to be well into the 60's!

 

[Three Putt]

Thanks to all whom have contributed to this discussion. Fascinating to read about the history of the discs and especially how far those were thrown for. Who knows what the future will hold for discs int the future. How would they change I wonder? Will we all be able to drive 500 feet without any problems due to improvements in the discs? Who knows?

Other than a wide open shot where I can flick a super-fast driver and let it go wherever, I'm not throwing any farther than I was 15 years ago. The guys who were already whopping my behind 15 years ago can take a Wraith and bomb it so that they can whop my behind even worse than before, but in most circumstances that Wraith adds distance to my drive AND strokes to my score because it's a touchy disc that I don't have the skills to control.

I beat a lot of guys that should score a lot better than me by throwing "Comet in the fairway/Comet in the fairway/putt" and taking my three while they go "Boss 20' in front of my shot/blind shot out of the shule/low percentage putt-putt" and take a four. That extra 20' is a tantalizing thing, but it doesn't always work out for the best.

Really, the super-fast drivers do allow people to throw farther. They only allow the very talented to score better. They have really widened the performance gap between the average player and the top pro. As more and more courses pop up trying to create a challenge for those few players that really can throw the super-fast discs, I see my scores going up-up-up. That's not necessarily a bad thing in my view as a lot of the courses back in the day were too easy IMO. The bar needed to be raised.

Anyway, most new players think that if the drivers came out of their bags their scores would go to Hades in an hand basket. The reality is their scores probably would actually go down if they spent some time practicing with slower discs. However you would lose that extra 20' off the tee, and in reality most players would not give up distance off the tee for a lower score.

 

[maynes32]

Anyway, most new players think that if the drivers came out of their bags their scores would go to Hades in an hand basket. The reality is their scores probably would actually go down if they spent some time practicing with slower discs. However you would lose that extra 20' off the tee, and in reality most players would not give up distance off the tee for a lower score.

As I said in my post, this was exactly what I thought would happen. As you indicate, however, ThreePutt, my score was actually below my average. While I did have a couple of lousy drives from simple lack of knowledge of the discs at first, I also had plenty of shorter drives right in the middle of the fairway/controlled midrange shots to the same place. Sort of amazing how one long bomb, one short approach and one putt makes three on a long hole the same way two medium length, controlled drives and one putt does.

BLM

 

[Jay Dub]

I came across this old thread while Googling for a disc. This is on page 3 and I think it's good and interesting. There's more good info in this thread.

When disc golf began in the early 70s, everyone used Wham-O Frisbees. The Pro and the All American were the top Wham-O flyers. But by 1974, almost all the players used the CPI All Star Saucer Tosser Disc. In fact, a player named Dave Johnson set a distance record with the CPI that year. He borrowed his friend Victor Malafronte's CPI to do it. Victor was mad because he planned on setting the distance record with his CPI first. The initials CPI stood for Continental Promotions Inc. Wham-O's answer to this disc was to buy the company and then cease production.

Sometime after this, a disc golf course wanted to order some Glow In the Dark Frisbees. Ed Headrick, the inventor of the disc golf pole hole, came up with some glow material and when he added it to a 40 mold Frisbee, it not only made the disc glow in the dark, but it also made it heavier. Players soon realized they could throw these heavier discs farther and with more power than before. From this point on, discs were steadily made heavier and heavier with companies trying to better the competition.

Ed first called his glow disc a " Night Flyer ". This name was later changed to a " Midnite Flyer " due to a copyright issue. Different molds came out in the effort to compete with the heavier discs.

In 1981 Jan Sobel came in with the Puppy. Jan basically took a 40 Mold Midnite Flyer, downsized it to 21 cm and pumped it up to 200 grams. This disc could really be chucked. One of the heaviest discs he came out with topped out at over 250 grams. Jan was also ahead of his time when he created the Bullet, a 20 centimeter sharp edged driver that inspired the 21 centimeter rule.

There were some Puppy Want-A-Bee's, like the AMF 21 and 23 Cm golf discs. The bowling ball company thought they could just jump right into the golfers' bags with these two new heavyweights. They could be found in very heavy weights, some upwards of 200 gm. They were only produced from 81-83. The 21cm was like a Puppy and the 23 was like a bigger flatter Puppy.

1982 The Puppy man came out with the infamous Whizback. It looked like a Fastback and came in weights over 200 gm's
1983
Innova :
Around 1983, Dave Dunipace brought a Puppy to San Diego's Morley field that was modified with a plastic ring around the edge to form a wedge shape. The result was the groundbreaking Eagle, the first disc made specifically for 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 run quite identical to Dunipace's 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 the Worlds but may not have much 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.
Discraft :
Founded in 1978 in London Ontario, Jim Kenner later moved the company to Michigan. Most golfers don't know that Jim Kenner is the inventor of Frisbee Freestyle. He and his partner Ken Westerfield were sponsored by Molson's Beer and toured Canada performing. They held a Frisbee tournament in Toronto in 74' and introduced the exciting new event of Freestyle. This event basically has a two person team performing tricks with a disc, usually set to music. The event is judged much like gymnastics.
Discraft was known as the maker of the official Ultimate disc, the Ultra-Star, which came out in 1981. They had also produced the Sky-Styler for Freestyle competition in 1980. Disc golfers had been known to use the Sky Star (1981) and the Sky Streak (1983), but the first Discraft disc made specifically for disc golf was the Phantom, released in 1983. It came in what was called the first candy or durable plastic. Their first disc, in 78, was the Sky Pro, a 125gm. utility disc.
1984
Innova :
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 years it has been debated to be the best overall and most popular disc golf disc ever.
The next disc that Innova came out with was 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.
LightningP-38

In 1984, Frank Aquilera had used an Aero to break the distance record. It was not until 1987 that Michael Canci broke it throwing a Lightning P-38 disc. Steve Howle had formed Lightning Discs in the emerging days of golf discs and scored a hit with the P-38. It had an extremely low profile and was very fast. His father helped in the initial designs and Steve named all his discs after great American fighter planes.

1985
Innova :
Apple – the initial mold on this one did not turn out the way Innova wanted. It was basically a play catch Frisbee. It even had
"flight rings" or "Rings of Headrick"
Coupe - this disc was great for beginners. I was easy to throw and turned over with enough thrust.
85 was the year of two Disc Golf World Championship. The PDGA event was in Tulsa and the World Flying disc Federation's was in Sweden. Those who went to both really like the one in Sweden.
1986
Innova :
Ace - was a low profile XD with a rounded edge. This was a longer turnover driver.
1987
Innova :
The original Roc came out in 1987 and it was unique because it was the 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 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. It's 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 ain't 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 wedge design and sharpness. Strong arms could throw a very long turnover. It was the new distance champ.

Discraft :
Cruiser - the first low profile, overstable disc with a wide rim. Years ahead of it's time See today's wide rimmed discs.
1988
Innova :
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 had a unique hollow sound when it 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
Innova :
Innova released the Shark this year. It was a good overstable approach disc, similar to the Roc but faster. It broke in quickly and becam a great disc for straight layup's and turnover's in the woods.
Discraft :
This was also the year that Discraft became a big time player in the disc golf world. This was the year Discraft introduced the Eclipse. This disc became the most important to the average player. It was understable with a very sharp edge. The low and sharp profile of the disc caused a rule that restricted how sharp the discs could be. Eclipse set the limit with its' Rim configuration ratio. People loved them but they would tend to get beat up pretty quickly and turn over. Then it became a good roller disc.
Other discs by Discraft this year include :
Windstar - this was a retooled Cruiser with a small bead for more stability.
The Phantom was retooled to become the Phantom Plus and then later the Deuce still in the first of the super durable plastic.
1990
Innova :
The Scorpion was a driver with a very good glide. It had a bigger diameter than most modern golf discs.
The Barracuda was a more understable version of a Scorpion. It beat up real fast.
The Lynx was also a large diameter approach disc that many players used for Self Caught Flight in
the lighter weights.
Discraft :
Tracer - fast straight driver, good glide.
Vortex - smaller version of the Tracer. Excellent midrange disc. Later retooled for more glide.
Shadow - more domed version of the Tracer. Long distance flyer.
1991
Innova :
The 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.
The Hammerhead was a bad version of the original Hammer. It had a larger diameter than the
original.
The Condor was very similar to the Lynx.
Jaguar - large diameter disc.
Birdie - putter with a Thumbtrac (very high rim) which makes it easy to grip.
1992
Innova :
Zephyr - is a Lynx sized disc with a flat edge. Its one of the favorite discs for the Discathon and
Accuracy events.
The Whippet was even more overstable and smaller than the Viper. The Whippet was the most
overstable disc since the short lived Bullet.
Discraft :
Marauder - a sharp edged domed driver. It was very controllable.

 

[thrembo]

Before these I used catch discs. The World Class Whamo's, Black masters, and Super Pros were the most popular in my area.

Shown below is: A Midnight Flyer #6, A Kitty Hawk Soft Touch, and a Phantom+.

 

[Craton]

So even though the first disc out was called the "Eagle," the Eagle we know today is different from that one?