Long Distance Pairings

When I first started playing, I got the usual discs people get: a putter, a mid, and a couple long distance drivers. I quickly realized that I could not throw the long distance drivers good and either shelved them, traded them, sold them or gave them away. I have been playing for a couple of years now with fairway drivers being my longest distance discs and I feel it is finally time to step back up to some long distance drivers. my question is, what would be good long distance driver pairings? I would like to have a disc that is slightly overstable and a disc that is slightly understable in the same speed, like i have with my fairway drivers (Striker and River). I was looking at a Star Wraith-Star Archon combo, because they are practically the same disc but one being slightly overstable and the other being slightly understable. I do not like really wide rims, so I think speed 11 is as fast as I will go. any suggestions for different pairings or thoughts and on the two discs I am thinking about getting? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks in advance

[Pete Maher]

Would you guys recommend lighter weights in the long distance drivers? I ask because I usually lean towards heavier for my fairways and mids but I heard long distance drivers are better in lighter weights

[Jim Coonradt]

It is worth a try. I went to a 161 g. Vulcan because I wasn't turning my heavier weight one over.

x

[Ghost]

You might consider the Orc and the Sidewinder.  If the Sidewinder is too flippy, perhaps a Beast might do the job.

[mark ellis]

Sooner or later (at least if you are competing) you will switch to wide rimmed drivers.  The old saying about bringing a knife to a gun fight applies here.

So take the plunge and get a few Nukes (Z Nukes and Z Nuke SS's as well as ESP Nukes maybe in different weights).  It will be a learning experience.  It will not instantly give you rewards.  But it will be well worth it.  You have been driving a minivan.  You will be stepping up to a race car.  Nukes are amazing.

There is a theory that the way to learn is to start with putters and only throw them.  Then gradually work in midranges, etc.  The problem with this theory is there are no examples I am aware of of great (or even good) players who did this.  All the Pros you meet on the course or in tournaments threw a variety of discs as they learned.  If eventually you need the various skills of the game why delay the process? 

Throwing high speed drivers well does not harm your ability to control putters or mids or fairway drivers.  They are much more nose sensitive (the nose is the leading edge of a disc as it flies) so if you tip it too much up or down or off axis it will go more easily off course.  Trial and error will teach you this.  When you learn the lesson you will reach holes well beyond your current reach.

I don't care how good your skills are with your current set of discs.  There are competitors who have the same skill set and have also figured out how to bomb.  Over time if they have short putts and you have long putts they will beat you.  If not in your current division then in the next one up.

[Jim Coonradt]

I saw this guy killing a Nuke yesterday. He was my doubles partner in a casual round of doubles and he was bombing that disc. On hole #9 I mentioned that I would like to see it aced. He throws a great drive up towards the basket, someone remarks that it could go in and he turned away and didn't look while he got an ace. Awesome. He has three aces on that one disc.

 

I don't throw a Nuke but there are a lot of people who do. Similar discs are the Medusa and King. 

x

[Corndawg13]

I have a black Armageddon ESP Nuke and it's a bomber! IF you can find first run ESP Nuke's they are, IMO, the best!

[Pete Maher]

I have a pink ESP Nuke in 172g sitting in my room that I might throw back in my bag and give another chance. thanks Mark

[Christian Lamb]

So if I am throwing a 10 speed driver 350 ft then should I be able to throw a 13 speed driver farther?

[Corndawg13]

in theory yes

[Christian Lamb]

Can u explain that theory

[Corndawg13]

Well if you are pushing out a speed 10 to 350, that's not bad distance. I know some people can bomb those speed discs and I can as well, but that is not a bad distance for a speed 10 disc.

This Innova chart shows some distances on average. Some can push then out over 400 but the average could be 350.  http://www.augustadiscgolf.com/info/Driver_Selection_Chart.pdf.

Basically I am saying you are on par distance wise it seems with the average player, and thus a faster disc should achieve more distance for you in theory not taking into account your particular snap and form.

[Christian Lamb]

Yeah, I was just wondering why the 13 speed disc would fly farther if I threw it the same w good form. I previously didn't feel like I had enough arm for the 13 speed discs but I did find that I throw the groove pretty well w a nice flex. I'll have to see if I consistently throw it farther than my slower drivers. Thx for the info :)