[Help] Help me find my approach Shot disc!

[bfowler]

Ok, I'm pretty set on my MVP Vector (OS mid) and my Comet (Stable-US mid). What I'm looking for is something in between that will really excel at approach shots. Here's what I'm trying out and also what I'm looking to try.

When I approach I like to play the fade. I'd like easy straightness of the Comet but with a small predictable fade. An very overstable Comet with less glide would be perfect.

Roc3 - Everyone is always talking about how great Rocs are and I threw my friends 170 McBeth Roc3. It seems to really fit the bill but I worry about it being too light for when the wind picks up. Will a Roc3 beat in to have less fade even at high or max weights? Once it beats into that sweet spot with a little fade how long will it stay there. I like the idea of the Vector, Roc, and Comet all having a similar feel. I also tried a McBeth Roc3 in the McPro plastic. It was 180 and too OS for what I'm looking for.

Buzzz - I've been using a heavy buzzz and it's in the lead so far but I'm not clicking with it. If it gets too much height it's got a lot more fade than I would thought it would but it's also relatively new.

Tangent - Almost too similar to my Comet but it ranges better and is pretty decent in the wind.

Ion - I probably use it the most for approach shots but it's getting pretty beat in and does want to fade at the end like it used to. If I'm running the chains though it's "aces".

Anode - Like a slower, shorter version of the tangent but doesn't really fade.

Axis - I like this one a lot too. Feels great in my hand. Can be too fast though.

 

[jcassidy1990]

KC Roc would be my vote. Start out close to the vector in stability but will season in to a long term $ approach disc. I personally carry 3 KC Rocs as my bread & butter and bookend it with an Opto mace (beef) and a mystic (super flippy). A max weight KC roc would fit the bill for you. It is also much closer in feel to the comet than a roc3.

 

[jcassidy1990]

Or.... The new Alias from Axiom. I've never thrown it but it is often considered a slightly more OS Tangent. If you want a touch more hook from the tangent this could be the answer.

 

[scotnt73]

Second on the alias

 

[PMantle]

Sounds like you need a tensor

 

[GirdleRoc]

KC Roc! The Roc3 has more fade at lower speeds. I have found my Rocs handle the wind better than my Buzz.

 

[pmorgan1214]

might look at a star mako 3. it has limited fade and at low speeds will go where you want

 

[JFibeZZZ]

A judge or a truth.

 

[threevok]

Envy.

 

[what'shisname]

I have a ProD Zone that is dead nuts straight w/ very predictable fade that I couldn't live without for approach shots like you describe. I have a Z that I carry as well that's straight with a stronger fade that comes in very handy as well. They're great off the tee as well.

 

[Johnny Depth]

Clozer or Ghost. You will win every single game you play in.

 

[ncgamedog]

Here is something that has me a little confused on this...You're asking for an "Approach" disc.

What distance would you consider to be in the "Approach" shot range?

The list you compiled, are true midrange discs, which I consider most useful outside of what I think of as "Approach" shot range. That is a good list of several great mids, which all have similar uses.
For me a disc from that list would be used in the 250-320 range. Second shots on mid-level par 4's and Teeshots on shorter par 3's. Various stabilitys for various shots/conditions.

I think of an approach shot/disc, falling in that 100-225ft range, and really in a smaller range like right around the 225 mark. Approach discs overlap quite a bit w putters, thus why many putters and so named "P&A" or "Putt-&-Approach". I typically use a Champ Rhyno as an approach disc and also carry a dedicated putter for inside the circle. I will allow my true putter to serve time as an approach disc for those "tweener" shots where I want to take a glidey run at the chains, or need something more stable/US than the Rhyno.

All that being said, I do carry two discs that would fall in that true "Approach" catagory.
1) Champion Classic Roc, very versital and fairly neutral stability. Its a very accurate disc in that power range, and shapes shots well. There are many other molds out there that are current production which would compare.

2) The Cryztal FLX Zone. This is really a fantastic all-around utility disc, that I use for short flex shot approaches, Forehand OS appraches, and OS BH duties. The gumminess of the FLX is great for "splat" stop shots that dont skip or roll away from the landing spot. The Zone has many other uses for me, but it def sees approach duty very often. And within 15ft I'm very comfortable just picking it up and firing it into the chains.

My general suggestion for choosing a true approach disc, is look for faster putters that have reasonable glide, but not too much. You want to get it down on the ground in your comfortable putting circle. I would say maybe the Envy from Axiom, Opto Pure, and other similar molds seem to be current production discs that would fall well into that range. However, I must say, I have no experience with those particular discs. But from what I've heard and seen of the discs in the pro shop, I could see them fitting that role well.

I find that the Rocs and other similar molds, are too fast to use as approach discs and will tend to skip or slide too far from the target. Or they will have too much LSS at approach distance power.

Just my two cents, and offering an alternative angle on the original question.

 

[Toro71]

Envy.

/thread

 

[mmblink86]

Envy.

/thread

^^all day long

 

[bfowler]

The Envy is on my want list. I'm an MVP junkie. If it wasn't for all the overlap I'd carry every disc they make.

I've got a 178 Alias but I honestly forgot about it. Have to add that to the mix.

I'm going to try a KC Roc as I haven't gone through a Roc phase yet. I also played with a guy last week who was rocking the ghost and having a lot of success but that was mostly off the tee.

An approach shot for me is 100-225 or so. Mcbeth in this video at 3:00 minutes in is what I'm looking for. That exact type of shot and fade. Of course I'm not Paul so result may vary but you get the point.

 

[Stardoggy]

all my approaches are either Zone, Wizard or beat Wizard, with the occasional FH Star Firebird for skip shots or odd angles...

 

[whentherainscome]

Not really the bandwagon I'm used to riding here... but: I [mostly] use 3 discs in this range: Nova, Wizard and Envy. If you like to play the fade, Envy all the way. It's only bad when it's wet.

 

[ncgamedog]

That vid is the right idea for sure. Keep in mind that Paul is the best largely bc of his amazing control over a disc's flight. He is able to seamlessly change power levels while maintaining the same fluid throwing motion. I still prefer something slower that I can put more power into for that range. Paul does it w lots of practice and ability. I simply use a different mechanism to get similar results. It's easier and more consistent for me, bc I don't have the same control over my power.

Paul is kinda like a great MLB pitcher who can throw a 95 mph fastball and a 75 mph change up with identical throwing motions. Guys who can do that are Cy Young winners and HOFers. As a batter, you have no idea what's coming until it leaves the pitcher's hand.

Greg Maddux was a good example of this. I read an interview of his years ago, where he described being able to throw a pitch within about 3mph of exactly the speed he wanted. So if he wanted to throw an 82 mph pitch he could. That's why he's "the professor". Paul and Feldy remind me of this type of athlete.

 

[rallyguy]

If we've narrowed down the approach range, a suspect might work for you as well. It just depends how much fade you want to factor in. Or get a fresh ion and save it for approaching duties only.

 

[punch]

From 225ft and in Champion Rhyno all day and all night long. Wind or no wind you can't go wrong with it. When you toss it you know exactly where it is going. Put a little anny on it and it will go dead straight. Champion Rhyno or go home!