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Discs
  • I am new to disc golf. What are the best discs for a beginner to throw?
    Resist the temptation to try lots of different discs. Concentrate on learning to throw only one disc until you develop a feel for throwing golf discs. Some excellent disc choices for new players are: Aero, Leopard, Polecat, Cobra, Stingray, Archangel and Sidewinder.
  • What are the best golf discs for a young child: ages 6 to 12?
    The best golf discs for a younger child would be from our EDGE line of discs.  EDGE discs weigh 135 grams or less. These discs are specifically designed for children ages 6-12 that are participating in the EDGE (Educational Disc Golf Experience) program. Try the EDGE Polecat, EDGE Shark or EDGE Ace. For older children, 150-class discs would be a good choice as well.  The Archangel, Aviar, Leopard, Sidewinder, Spider and Valkyrie are some of the many discs available in 150-gram weights that are ideal for younger players and newcomers to the sport.  Look for these discs at a local retailer or from an online vendor like discgolfvalues.com. 


  • Should I have a driver, mid-range disc and a putter? How do I choose the correct disc?
    Established disc golfers tend to use of a variety of discs. Once you become more comfortable throwing golf discs, you may consider using different discs for different types of shots. Use a Driver for tee shots and long fairway drives. Use a Multi-purpose disc for shorter shots and approaching the basket. Use a Putter for short approaches and putts. See: About our Disc Types

    Beginners can choose one of the following Drivers as these discs are the easiest discs to throw far. Choose lighter weights for better results: Archangel, Valkyrie, Sidewinder, Cheetah or Leopard. For a Multi-purpose disc with a predictable flight, choose one of these discs: Shark, Panther or Spider. For Putters, consider choosing the Polecat and Birdie as they are predictably straight flyers. The Aviar is also an excellent choice.
  • What are the letters and numbers that appear on the bottom of the discs?
    The numbers that appear on the bottom of the discs refer to the weight of the disc in grams. The letters denote the disc model. Go to Disc Abbreviations to translate the letters that appear on the bottom of our discs.
  • What weight discs should I throw?
    Weight is more a matter of preference than ability. In general light discs are easier to throw faster and will fly farther except into a headwind. Heavy discs are harder to throw fast, but are easier to control in the wind. Recommended weights for younger and/or newer players: Putter-165gm to 175gm, Multi-Purpose -155gm to 165gm, Driver-150gm to 165gm.
  • Should I throw Champion, Pro or DX discs? Champion, Pro and DX are three different types of plastics we use to manufacture our discs. Each of these plastic types offers advantages in particular situations. Go to About our Plastics for a complete explanation of these different types of plastic and the advantages of each.
  • Where can I buy discs?
    You can go to our Dealer Locator to find INNOVA dealers in your area.
  • What do the flight rating numbers mean?
    The numbers for Speed, Glide, Turn, and Fade can be used to rate various aspects of our disc's flight characteristics. Once you have thrown one of our disc models, you can use the flight rating numbers to compare the performance to any of our other discs. Go to Disc Rating System for a complete explanation of these terms.
  • What do the terms stable, understable and overstable indicate?
    Stability is a description of the disc’s flight path. Stable is the tendency of a disc to remain straight through most of the flight. Understable describes a disc that turns right (RHBH thrower) during the high speed portion of the flight. Overstable refers to a flight that turns left (RHBH thrower) at high or low speeds. Understable discs are much more speed sensitive than stable or overstable discs. An understable disc will often fly stable to overstable at low speed.
    For more disc golf definitions visit our Glossary of Terms.
  • What do hyzer and anhyzer mean?
    Hyzer and Anhyzer refer to the bank angle of the disc at release. Hyzer is the angle of release where the outside edge or left edge of the disc is tilted downward for a right hand back hand (RHBH) thrower. Anhyzer is the angle of release where the outside edge or left edge of the disc is tilted upward for a RHBH thrower. These angles are reversed for left hand back hand throwers or right hand side arm throwers.
  • What is the difference between Champion plastic, Pro Line, and CE Plastic?
    Our current top of the line plastic is called Champion plastic. Since the original introduction of the Champion (Candy) plastic, it has gone through three name changes. All three are basically the same family of semi-clear or pearlescent plastic. When the Champion plastic was first introduced, it was called Champion Edition (CE). Then it was briefly called Pro-Line. (Pro now refers to our current line of grippy, opaque discs made with a unique blend of plastics.) Go to About our Plastics for a complete explanation about our current plastics.
  • What is the difference between Pro and Special Edition (SE) plastic?
    Pro plastic is our current line of discs that use an opaque blend of plastics. Special Edition or SE plastic was available in limited runs until 2003, and is most like our current Pro Line of discs. Go to About our Plastics for a complete explanation about our current plastics.
  • What are X-Outs and Double Stamps?
    INNOVA X-Outs are discs with minor imperfections that do not meet our quality standards. These discs may be discolored, have specks, bubbles, hot stamp defects or other cosmetic flaws. They still have the same flight characteristics and are legal for use in PDGA tournament play.
    Double Stamps are normal discs that carry two or more hot stamp images due to errors in the hot stamping process.
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Disc Golf
  • Where can I find disc golf courses in my area or another city?
    On the top of our home page: http://www.innovadiscs.com/ click on "Find a Course near You". You can find information, including directions, for disc golf courses throughout the US and around the world.
  • Where can I find more information about disc golf?
    PDGA - The Professional Disc Golf Association is the governing body for disc golf. The PDGA website includes general information about disc golf, PDGA events, rules and regulations and an interactive message board.
    E.D.G.E. is the Educational Disc Golf Experience. EDGE is a non profit organization dedicated to teaching disc golf to children of all ages through schools and youth organizations. For more information on how to bring a disc golf curriculum to a school near you visit: E.D.G.E.
    Disc Golf United - DGU - Is a complete disc golf handicap service. DGU provides individual handicaps and scoring records as well as complete handicap services for leagues and events. For more information visit: Disc Golf United
  • How can I get a disc golf course installed in my area?
    INNOVA can provide all the equipment needed to install a disc golf course. We offer targets and tee signs as well as professional design services and installation instruction. Click here for information about course installation or send an email info@innovadiscs.com with your questions.
  • Where can I find information about organized disc golf competitions?
    The PDGA website maintains a calendar of PDGA sanctioned disc golf events at: PDGA Tour Schedule
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Throwing Technique
  • Where can I get information of the different types of grips people use?
    You can find photos and brief descriptions of basic disc golf grips here.
  • What is the proper way to throw a backhand shot?
    The Backhand Driver Chart gives basic instruction from Dave Dunipace on a how to throw a backhand shot. This is presented as a PDF that you can download and print out as a poster. You will need Adobe Acrobat to view.
  • Where can I find information on how to throw a forehand or sidearm shot?
    The Forehand Drive Chart shows the basic forehand grips and a step by step explanation from Dave Dunipace on how to throw this basic disc golf shot. This will link you to a PDF that you can download and print. You will need Adobe Acrobat to view.
  • How can I improve my putting?
    Visit Dave's Putting Tips for helpful putting advice from INNOVA disc designer Dave Dunipace.
  • How can I increase my distance?
    Dave Dunipace, former World Distance Champion and disc designer offers some basic instruction on how to gain distance through proper form at Dave's Driving Tips.
  • How do I throw a roller shot?
    The Backhand Roller Chart illustrates the technique for throwing a backhand roller. This will link you to a PDF that you can save and print. You will need Adobe Acrobat to view.
  • What is the X-Step?
    The X-step is an approach technique that can help provide you with smooth footwork to get your body in position to drive off the tee. The X-Step Chart shows step by step instruction on this important skill. This will link you to a PDF that you can download and print. You will need Adobe Acrobat to view.
  • Why do my discs hook to the left when I throw?
    For newer players that throw discs right handed with a backhand throw (the traditional throwing position referred to RHBH), discs will tend to fade hard or hook (to the left) at the end of the flight. Most golf discs fade left for RHBH throwers during the low speed portion of the flight. Many beginners do not generate enough arm speed to make many discs fly straight. This tendency of a disc to fade to the left is even more exaggerated when discs are thrown slowly or with the nose up at release.
    To help discs go straighter and fly farther before fading to the left, try the following:
    1. Throw lighter weight discs. These discs require less effort to throw.
    2. Throw less stable discs: Choose less stable discs like the Archangel, Valkyrie, Sidewinder, Cheetah or Leopard. These discs should fly straighter longer, and once you have improved power and technique, these discs will turn to the right during flight.
    3. Keep your throwing hand up and release the disc flat. This will help prevent throwing discs with a nose up angle.
    4. Open your wrist up as the disc leaves your hand. This gives the disc more acceleration and helps bring the nose down.
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Retailer/Promoter Questions
  • How do I become an INNOVA retailer?
    Innova does not sell direct to individuals or groups of individuals for personal use. If you are interested in becoming an INNOVA distributor visit Become a Dealer for more information.
  • How can I order custom discs for my business, club or tournament?
    INNOVA offers traditional one or two color customized hot stamping on many of our DX discs and select Champion and Pro line models. Custom stamps are also available on mini marker discs. There is a minimum order of 100 discs with at least 25 discs per individual model. INNOVA also offers custom full color hot stamping. We can provide colorful stock designs or assist you in creating your own graphics. Please call for complete information, pricing and ordering guidelines. View information about artwork requirements for custom hot stamps.
  • What type of tournament sponsorship does INNOVA offer?
    INNOVA can help sponsor your next event by offering special tournament pricing on custom stamped discs and DISCatcher® targets. Please call or email sponsorship@innovadiscs.com to get complete details about all the sponsorship opportunities available for your next event. INNOVA also offers our Candy Fund Raising (CFR) Program for clubs and promoters interested in raising cash for course projects, charity events and tournaments.
  • Will INNOVA provide cash sponsorship for my event?
    INNOVA cannot provide cash sponsorship for every tournament, charity event or course project, but we can provide a way for tournaments and organizations to raise cash funds through the sale of Candy Fund Raising discs. Our Candy Fund Raising (CFR) Program offers organizers CFR discs at a special discount price. These special CFR discs are available only to tournament directors and organizers participating in our CFR program.
    Organizers may choose to have CFR discs custom hot stamped or imprinted with our new INNColor™ process. INNColor™ discs give the ability to present high resolution full color art from edge to edge to make CFR discs even more unique and desirable. You can view examples of INNColor disc artwork here.
    To take advantage of the Candy Fund Raising Program, organizers simply need to call or submit a sponsorship request to cfrprogram@innovadiscs.com. Our sponsorship department will provide you with the complete details of the program.
  • Does INNOVA offer trophies for tournaments?
    INNOVA offers several trophy options for tournaments.
    Our full color hot stamping process can produce custom full color trophy discs with tournament artwork along with individual labeled text. Discs can include the name of the event and show each division and place of finish. We can even include the winner’s name. Please call for complete information and ordering details.
    Our DISCatcher® Mini target makes an excellent trophy/prize. This is a scaled down version of our DISCatcher® Sport target. It is available with a traditional INNOVA yellow enamel coated chain assembly or a special chrome top version. The full size version of the DISCatcher® Sport Portable target also makes an excellent prize and/or trophy for larger events. We can offer special discounts on targets to sponsored events. Please call for details.
  • How can I get an INNOVA catalog?
    Our catalog is currently available on line. This is a PDF file that requires Adobe Acrobat to view. INNOVA distributors may also call to request a print version on the catalog.
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Website Questions
  • How can I find information about all the different discs INNOVA offers?
    Visit our Disc Index Page.  Here you will find links to all of our different disc products.  Simply click on a disc name to go to a page that has detailed information. Each individual disc page includes specifications, flight characteristics, ratings, and more. 
  • Where can I get information about Disc Golf bags?
    Visit Disc Golf Bags to get the basic information. We have disc golf bags to fill the needs of all types of players. The Standard Bag is our most popular model, and our Tour Bag holds the most discs and equipment.  
  • Where can I get information about Disc Golf targets?
    Visit DISCatcher® targets for information on all targets we offer.  We manufacture DISCatcher® Pro targets for permanent installation or portable use. We also offer the DISCatcher® Sport, a portable, full-sized target. There is even a DISCatcher® Mini for playing with mini marker discs or for trophy use.
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West Coast Sales
11077 Arrow Route
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
P: 800-408-8449
F: 909-481-6263
East Coast Sales
2850 Commerce Drive
Rock Hill, SC 29730
P: 800-476-3968
F: 803-329-3472
 
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