What was thrown back in the day...

[John Rock]

Don't forget Discraft's Cruiser. It was a big wing disc and if I remember correctly, it floats in water. And the Phantom and Phantom Plus, Eclipse, Tracer, Duece (midrange type), and probably some others that are deeper in the collection box.

DGA had the Superdrive, Powerdrive, and a couple of others in that series.

Destiny Discs had the Puppies, and I think they made the Dimple disc also (man that disc was rigid).

Voigt also has some discs on the retail market.


The Phoenix from Innova was a classic. Hard to throw, but would go a long ways when done right, and they would float in water also.

And as always, Wham-O. Lots of good discs from the Night
Flyers of old to the 91 mold drivers. Plus all of the others in the numbered series, such as the 86 mold Softie putter (which I still use everyday!).

Maybe if I get time this weekend I'll dig through some boxes and see what else I can find.

 

[erpDiscDawg]

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.

 

[erpDiscDawg]

above info found at Tom Monroes web site

 

[billnchristy]

Any info on what those distance records were?

Oh and awesome find...a good read.

 

[ERicJ]

above info found at Tom Monroes web site

Also here:
http://www.discgolfwarehouse.com/Disc Evolution/evolution_of_disc_golf_discs.htm

 

[Three Putt]

Any info on what those distance records were?

Oh and awesome find...a good read.

Geez, it took a while to dig this up. Don't ever ask for this info again! Anyway, here are the distance records with the disc used:

1970 Victor Malafronte USA - 84.10m - Wham-O Professional Model
1970 Bob May USA - 85.04m Wham-O - Professional Model
1974 Kirkland, John USA - 83.23m - Wham-O Professional Model
1974 Dave Johnson USA - 88.67m - Wham-O Professional Model
1974 Victor Malafronte USA - 114.30m - CPI All Star
1975 Dave Johnson USA - 115.20m - CPI All Star
1976 Dave Johnson USA - 125.57m - Wham-O 119g
1978 John Kirkland USA - 135.30m - Wham-O/DGA Night Flyer 40
1980 Dave Dunipace USA - 139.63m - Wham-O/DGA Midnight Flyer 41, 141g
1980 Van Miller USA - 142.90m - Brand X (41X), 172g
1982 Pål Broström SWE - 152.45m - Wham-O/DGA Midnight Flyer 70c
1983 Marten Sandorf DEN - 166.42m - Wham-O/Farusa Midnight Sun 70c
1984 Frank Aquilera USA - 167.88m - Innova-Champion Aero
1987 Michael Canci AUS - 186.83m - Lightning P38
1988 Sam Ferrans USA - 190.07m - Innova Phenix, 176g
1993 Peter Albers USA - 193.58m - Innova Viper
1993 Niclas Bergehamm SWE - 197.38m - Innova Viper, 179g
1995 Scott Stokley USA - 200.01m - Discraft X-Clone, 169g
1998 Scott Stokley USA - 211.32m - Discraft XL, 169g
2001 Chris Voigt GER - 217.05m - Discraft XS, 170g
2002 Ken Jarvis USA - 247.00m - Innova DX Teebird
2002 Christian Sandström SWE - 250.00m - Innova DX Valkyrie, 168g

 

[Three Putt]

I should mention...those last two on the list were on the same day, just minutes apart.

 

[ERicJ]

DG Records

Three Putt beat me to it... but here are a couple other interesting sites found while I was digging:

http://www.frivolist.com/records.htm

http://www.wfdf.org/index.php?page=records/index.htm

 

[billnchristy]

Can you convert that to standard?

j/k

 

[Three Putt]

Can you convert that to standard?

Here is my conversion: 250.00m = A looonnnggg way down there. I'd have to get the prescription changed on my glasses if I was going to throw that far.

 

[billnchristy]

I converted it via excel but cant repost because the format gets jacked.

Freaking amazing that these guys were throwing what amounts to either a real weak fairway driver or high midrange over 600' !!

 

[craigg]

Gotta give it up to the 1983 record. Approx 540' with a whamo 70C......WOW

 

[billnchristy]

Po' mans format fix:

 

[craigg]

Gotta give it up to the 1983 record. Approx 540' with a whamo 70C......WOW

For those of you that don't know what a 70C is - the 70 mold was the mold they used for the World Class 97g disc - pumped up to golf weight. Must have been a sweet tail wind

 

[DWill]

Here you go:

1970 Victor Malafronte USA - 275.92 feet - Wham-O Professional Model
1970 Bob May USA - 279.00 feet - Wham-O Professional Model
1974 Kirkland John USA - 273.06 feet - Wham-O Professional Model
1974 Dave Johnson USA - 290.91 feet - Wham-O Professional Model
1974 Victor Malafronte USA - 375.00 feet - CPI All Star
1975 Dave Johnson USA - 377.95 feet - CPI All Star
1976 Dave Johnson USA - 411.98 feet - Wham-O 119g
1978 John Kirkland USA - 443.90 feet - Wham-O/DGA Night Flyer 40
1980 Dave Dunipace USA - 458.10 feet - Wham-O/DGA Midnight Flyer 41 141g
1980 Van Miller USA - 468.83 feet - Brand X (41X) 172g
1982 Pål Broström SWE - 500.16 feet - Wham-O/DGA Midnight Flyer 70c
1983 Marten Sandorf DEN - 546.00 feet - Wham-O/Farusa Midnight Sun 70c
1984 Frank Aquilera USA - 550.79 feet - Innova Champion Aero
1987 Michael Canci AUS - 612.96 feet - Lightning P38
1988 Sam Ferrans USA - 623.59 feet - Innova Phenix 176g
1993 Peter Albers USA - 635.10 feet - Innova Viper
1993 Niclas Bergehamm SWE - 647.57 feet - Innova Viper 179g
1995 Scott Stokley USA - 656.20 feet - Discraft X-Clone 169g
1998 Scott Stokley USA - 693.31 feet - Discraft XL 169g
2001 Chris Voigt GER - 712.11 feet - Discraft XS 170g
2002 Ken Jarvis USA - 810.37 feet - Innova DX Teebird
2002 Christian Sandström SW - 820.21 feet - Innova DX Valkyrie 168g

Is the 1974 John Kirkland distance correct? It is actually shorter than the previous record.

Back in the late 70's I was throwing the Wham-O 119g. No way in hell could I get it 411 feet, that is insane.

Looks like the greatest percentage increase in distance from the previous record was from 1974 Victor Malafronte USA (29% increase), then 2002 Ken Jarvis USA (14% increase) and finally 1987 Michael Canci AUS (11% increase).

 

[t i m]

It really is hard to imagine some of those shots... 550' with an Aero! 612 with a P38 (or any lightning disc)?!? 623 with a Phenix! almost 650' with a Viper!

Past that, the distances seem a little more understandable -- XClone, XL, DX, Teebird, Valk, all are at least "distance drivers" (fairway drivers by today's standards)... I think it would worthwhile to have a few oldschool record holding discs at each distance competition as benchmarks. At every Big D, have all the competitors launch out an Aero, a Midnight Flyer, a Viper, a P-38 and a Professional Model and see what the benchmarks are year-to-year.

This would help be a balance to see how conditions vary from year to year. If one year, no one can throw a Viper 400', and the next year everyone is launching Vipers 550', then that tells you a lot about the conditions...

 

[Three Putt]

Is the 1974 John Kirkland distance correct? It is actually shorter than the previous record.

It's probably wrong. I copied it off the Internet, after all.

For a while the CPI All Star throws were on the list, but the Wham-O throws that broke the Wham-O record but were shorter than the CPI All Star throws were on the list as well. It was weird, kind of like the CPI All Star records counted by not really. I guess that's what happens when you have a sport run by an equipment manufacturer.

 

[sidewinder22]

Wow all those distances are ridiculous! Isn't it time for a new record? Only need to throw my Teebird another 500'!

 

[Patrick Smith]

Some of these numbers are nearly impossible for me to comprehend. I throw the current aeros and feel like i throw them very well but nearly 551 feet makes my head hurt. I'm not even with in 100 ft of that with a well thrown wraith or surge.

 

[billnchristy]

They really need an "official" field or location for these...I would imagine some places would lend themselves better.

PS...could I chuck one into a tornado and get a record?