Pick your poison

So I have a couple questions to pose to the community for discussion--but first, a bit of preface;

On my recent vacation to Florida (sea level) from New Mexico (7,000 ft) I played plenty of disc golf--here are a my obvious observations:

1) The lower the altitude, distance is comprised but discs fly more true to thier flight rating;
2) The higher the altitude, distance is increased but discs become more overstable and hyzer out faster

At sea level, I found myself turning over my Flick, Drone, Spirit, Gator--discs I could never turn over at altitude.

So my questions:
1) If you had your choice (and you only get one) would you prefer more distance with more overstable flights or shorter distance and truer flights?

2) How many of you Lowlanders have come to altitude (over 5,000 ft) and seen your stability suffer? How about for my fellow highlanders?

Needless to say, the physics of this seemingly simple game continue to amaze me...

[Steve Belliveau]

Truer flight ,if it doesn't go where I aim what good is that. 2, yes that when I started to use 150g stuff(still do)

[Ken]

Who said it was a simple game? LMAO! I have played in the Rockies in Missoula, Montana. Keep in mind that at the time I had played sporadically and my game had not become the finely tuned work of art it is today (note the sarcasm). BUT, I did notice that going from Kansas altitude to Missoula altitude played with my discs a lot more. To me, it didn't matter because I, well, suck. IF I were forced to choose, (the old adage goes, "drive for show, put for dough") I would rather have truer flights and shorter drives. Big arms will only get so far if you have no control.

[Bill Burns]

Oh yeah, when I played the course at Colo Mtn College at Leadville @10K ft, I noticed both of those phenomena - my beat up discs were not fiipping, and all my discs were going farther.

At altitude, even though you lose ilft, it seems that loss in drag is greater, hence the discs travel farther.

[Sam Smith]

You know I have never truly thought about the elevation effecting stability. I do quite obviously get more distance in New Mexico than I do in Georgia or South Carolina. I just always thought it had to do with the fact that I play wide open spaces here in New Mexico. However, now that you mention it, I do agree with your observations and would have to say that I prefer the way my disc reacts in New Mexico. I suppose I am just used to it.

[josh wieschowski]

I would have to say I want a truer flight with less distance. Distance isnt always the key, it helps sometimes but I want accuracy ahead of distance.

I play within 500 feet of sea level and its easy to turn any disc over for the most part. This actually helps me due to the fact that I am a LHBH thrower and many holes in my area favor a RHBH.

[Rescue]

You missed one thing. Drop your weight and you don't have to worry about altitude changes. Now since I'm distance challenged. I'll go for the "D"!
I've had the chance to play Lake Tahoe several times over the years and once I started throwing lighter stuff (150 to 165). The altitude change was minimal at best.

[idfx]

A true flight is a predictable flight, right? You are saying that altitude affects stability, but as long is this happens in a predictable way, there's no reason to choose IMHO. If your discs become more overstable AND fly farther, then this should give you the ability to throw looooong flex shots. Or simply use less stable stuff and take advantage of the distance.

Funny that I should be saying that, since in fact I always prefer accuracy over distance.

[Jim Coonradt]

Just go to Sipapu, New Mexico and let one rip down #18. Nothing in the flat land will ever compare. 800 feet straight downhill. Beautiful!

[Jamie Mosier]

The flight is only truer to what the manufacturer says, a disc will be true to how U know where u know it. Another factor is temperature, discs fly more overstable when cold and less stable when hot

[Peter Bonnel]

I agree that altitude make a difference. I live in Kansas (Hi Ken) at an altitude of just under 1000 ft and vacation in Colorado. I have played the Leadville course and several of the course around Breckenridge. Most disc become more over stable, But not all. My Ontario Roc seen to fly pretty much the same.

[Trae-Bear]

i have to say i have both, my distance has more accuracy than my short up-shots, and since i dont really get to travel much i dont really know, but id rather have accuracy than anything

[Jim Coonradt]

Accuracy really isn't related to the disc or where you are at. Accuracy is throwing the disc properly so that it ends up by the basket. You are the one who has to understand conditions and make the proper adjustments. Your brain is where accuracy begins and ends.