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Innova Vulcan Review

January 30, 2011 By 3 Comments

Another year, another high-powered driver for those with lesser arms.  This story is growing old in the world of disc golf, but it does give us something to talk about.  The Vulcan is described as a fast, long, under-stable disc that has less fade than the much-heralded Katana.  Is it worth the hype? Will this disc finally add distance to your game?

I'm a little embarrassed to say it, but after throwing this disc I must say the experience was great.  It flies exactly as described.  I was not super-impressed with the Katana, but the Vulcan comes much closer to meeting the promise of a max-distance driver for lesser arms.  It hyzer flips much more effectively than most discs in its class, turning over and finishing with very little fade.   Those with stronger arms will actually get this one to finish to the right (for righties).  If you're really good, the Innova Vulcan could make a nice turnover disc for looong anhyzer shots.

Overall, the Vulcan comes as close as possible to delivering on the promise of a "game changer".  I really do think that beginners will benefit from learning to hyzer-flip this disc for max distance.  Like I always say, a new disc won't turn you into a better golfer, but this one just might buy you some more distance.

- Available in Star plastic ONLY

- Lighter weights available

STATS:  Speed 13, Turn -4, Glide 5, Fade 2

 

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Innova Monarch Review

July 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Description - A super understable driver with almost no fade

Pros - Flies straight as an arrow when given a hyzer

Cons - Will be too flippy unless thrown correctly

Compares to - Faster Roadrunner, same glide as a Wraith

I got the opportunity to visit some family in Tampa, which has some of my favorite disc golf courses in the country. I stopped by the famous Clearwater Disc Golf store to take a look and ended up with a 163 g Innova Monarch. I took it with me to near-by Cliff Stephens Disc Golf Course to throw a round.

I used the Monarch as my primary driver on several holes (until it went straight into a pond...but that's another post).  I was astounded with how understable the disc was right "out of the box". I hyzered it pretty hard and it never faded back. The Monarch flew as straight as an arrow and landed gently about 20 ft. from the first hole. I was sold.

Obviously, the Monarch is also a great turn-0ver disc. Pros will find it to be a very useful roller disc as well.  However, I have never come across a more beginner friendly driver. I would have a hard time imagining anyone who couldn't throw a straight drive with the Monarch.  In fact, as soon as I got home I texted a newbie friend and told him, "Dude, you need to pick up an Innova Monarch!". Let's hope he does.


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Innova Katana Review

December 15, 2009 By 2 Comments

Description - A super-fast, ultra-long distance driver

Pros - Unreal distance for intermediate or pro-level arms

Cons - Not for new players

Compares to- More controllable Boss

There was a time when a "13 speed" driver from Innova was groundbreaking...now with the advent of the Boss and Groove most disc golfers are a little more skeptical of what these flashy new drivers have to offer. Another high speed disc for power-challenged disc golfers? Before we give into the hype, let's see what this one has to offer.

Innova says the Katana is designed for the "finesse thrower". (I think we all know what they mean)   The disc is designed to fly nice and straight right out of the box. I've seen others describe it as a sidewinder on steroids. In other words, it flies like a controllable fairway driver with much more speed. It will start out understable enough to forgive release errors, then glide for a long while until it's natural finish to the left (for RHBH players).

In my opinion, the Katana might be able to give lesser arms a slight boost in distance. However, considering the massively wide rim, there will be a big learning curve in throwing this disc ( but isn't that always the case with a new mold?) Either way, you won't be adding 100ft to your drives.

The bottom line is, if you have good technique you might find the new super-fast, super-straight driver to your liking. However, the Katana will not turn a newbie into a pro overnight...no matter how big the hype.  While disc junkies will probably go out and pick one up right away, there is no need to camp out overnight at your local disc shop. This disc is a nice addition to Innova's lineup, but not a game changer.

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Innova Teebird Review

December 14, 2009 By Leave a Comment

The Innova Teebird is a slightly overstable fairway driver that delivers big-time glide. While it will not be the furthest flier in your bag, it will definitely deliver a straight flight when accuracy is at a premium.

Think "fairway driver" is just a fancy term for a beginner disc?  You would be wrong. The Innova Tee Bird can deliver crucial accuracy on holes that don't require tons of distance.  I use mine on holes that have long narrow fairways. When I can't bomb a distance driver for a sweet "S" curve (like my Wraith), I reach for my Teebird because I know it will get me straight through would-be obstacles.

As is the case with most high-glide discs, the Teebird will get pushed around a little in the wind. However, on a calm day the Teebird will glide and glide, then glide some more. Did I mention it gets tons of glide?

Are you a fan of the Discraft XL or similar "fairway driver"? If so, the Teebird might be a disc to look into.  It may not break any distance records, but you'll probably be able to put it wherever you need or sneak it down a narrow fairway or two.

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Innova Sidewinder Review

December 11, 2009 By Leave a Comment

In Disc Golf, as in many sports, getting great distance on your throws is all about technique - not power. You don't need to spend hours at the gym, or throw your back out on the course to throw long, accurate drives.Well...having the right disc helps too. If you don't have the world's biggest arm, the Innova Sidewinder Driver might be worth a shot.  I have found that it can give just about anyone great distance with minimal effort.

The Sidewinder has been called the "King" of the Flex-Hyzer shot. In case you are not familiar with this term, the shot is made by throwing an understable disc at a hyzer angle, then letting the disc naturally flip to anhyzer and finish it's flight. The result can be an ultra-long glide. As the Sidewinder's name may suggest, it is great at these "S" shaped flight patterns. Furthermore, because the hyzer is the most natural/easy shot for beginners to throw, it is a great driver for those newer to the game.

I have also seen the sidewinder be used as a roller disc,  so even those with big arms might just have a use for it in their bags.  Either way, the Sidewinder is an understable flier capable of elevating just about anyone's game.

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Innova Beast Review

December 11, 2009 By

I remember my first round of disc golf like it was yesterday. I strolled up to my local disc guru who sells just about every disc you can think of. I asked him to hook me up with a set of beginner discs. The three discs that he handed me were the Innova Aviar putter, Discraft Buzzz Mid-Range, and the Innova Beast. He told me the Beast was a perfect driver for beginners. Little did I know I would be throwing one of these bad-boys for years to come.

The Beast was one of the first wide-rimmed drivers to hit disc golf courses. It feels great in your hand and will give you a consistent feeling release. The Beast also provides great speed without sacrificing control. Just a couple notches down from the Katana speed-wise, but with similar attributes. The secret to the Beast is that it is relatively understable at high speeds. Beginners can let it rip and not worry about turning the disc over, while pros can throw it below the shoulder and let it travel forever.

I've seen several disc golfers start out learning on the beast and never give it up. Go ahead and read up on some pro's who have done the same thing.

The Beast is just one of those timeless discs that will never go out of style.

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Innova SL Review (Star Plastic)

November 25, 2009 By Leave a Comment

The Innova SL, while certainly not the most talked about disc golf driver on the market, definitely deserves some consideration for a place in your bag. It won't fly quite as long as a full speed Wraith, but for those of us without a huge arm the extra glide makes the SL a worth while disc.

I am a really big fan of Innova drivers. The Wraith is my go-to driver for most shots. I find that I can throw it for more distance and consistency than most other discs I have tried. However, I was still lacking a consistent understable driver in my arsenal...that's why I picked up the SL.
The SL is one of the more understable long-range drivers from Innova. When given a slight anhyzer it will hold a nice line then slowly fade to a hyzer. The result is a really sweet "S" curve that doesn't finish too harshly...and gets tons of distance.

For those with a bigger arm, the SL could make a great long anhyzer driver. For those who max out at 300-350 ft. this driver could give you some extra glide and distance.
While the SL certainly doesn't have the name recognition of a Valkyrie, Beast, or Wraith, it could be well on its way to achieving status as a driver with tons of glide and a straight, easy flight pattern.

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Innova Destroyer Review

October 11, 2009 By Leave a Comment

When I started throwing an Innova Wraith some time ago I immediately became hooked on its winning combination of distance, stability, and fade.  The Innova Destroyer is similar, but with slightly more speed and a little more stability. If you are a player with a big arm this could be a great driver for you, especially in windy conditions.

Innova describes the Destroyer as a "Stable to Overstable" distance driver. This natural inclination to turn makes it an ideal disc to cut through headwinds. Those of you who play on open courses that tend to be windy courses will appreciate this flight pattern.

The Innova Destroyer isn't only for windy days. Advanced players will find that it gives great distance for any thrower with a big arm. While the Destroyer is harder to control than a Wraith, disc golfers will find the extra distance worth the trouble.

For beginners, I would definitely recommend picking up a Wraith, Valkyrie, or even a Leopard before graduating to the Destroyer. Such discs will give you superior control, especially if you consistently throw less than 300ft.

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Innova Boss Review

October 11, 2009 By 1 Comment

When Innova first started promoting the "Boss 13 Speed Distance Driver" there was a great deal of hype surrounding the disc. It was touted as the ultimate distance driver...super fast, great in the wind, and very long. Now that it has been on the market for a while reviews are starting to pour in. So is this disc a real game changer?

The Innova Boss is certainly a disc for advanced players. In fact, on the Innova website it even declares that the Boss is not for players who throw less than 300ft.  Such players will likely get way too much low speed fade (finishing to the far left for righties) to control this disc.

However, for advanced players the Boss does offer a really long and consistent flight path. It has just a touch of high speed turn to help maximize distance for those with big arms. It will fade dependably at low speeds, especially if you have the arm to maximize this disc's potential.

Overall, is this a revolutionary disc? Probably not, but it will provide advanced disc golfers with a nice option for a primary long distance driver. Amateurs beware: wait until you can throw your Valkyrie or Orc for maximum distance before giving this one a shot.

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Innova Leopard Review

October 2, 2009 By Leave a Comment

The Innova Leopard Fairway Driver holds a special place in my heart because it is the first golf disc that I ever purchased. At the time, all I had was an Innova disc golf flight chart and a stack of discs to pick from. I chose the Leopard because it seemed to be a straight flier. At the time I was not concerned at all with distance on my drives, I just wanted my golf discs to end up on the fairway. Long story short, I was not disappointed with the results.

The Innova Leopard is a great disc for any golfer to learn on. It resists turning over when you put a lot of arm into it, so newbies will feel comfortable letting one fly every now and then.  Obviously, you won't get the distance you would normally see out of an Innova Wraith or Discraft Surge, but for accuracy you'd have to look far and wide for a disc that outperforms the Leopard. It definitely flies as straight and true as any fairway driver on the market.

So what about more advanced players? Well...you'll still have plenty of use for the Leopard after you graduate to a longer driver.  I use mine as a driver down narrow wooded holes. The Leopard also makes a great anhyzer driver or roller. I've seen several pro-level disc golfers who always carry a Leopard in their bag.

Overall, If you're just getting into the sport you can't go wrong with the true-flying Leopard. It will provide the accuracy and dependability you need to get started in Disc Golf.


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