How do the different weights affect the flight paths of the same model disc?

Here`s another question straight from the showroom floor:

     - Do the different weights change the flight path (other than distance) if two discs are the same type(model) and plastic, but weigh different amounts?

The lighter weight will be more likely to turn over and will turn more quickly, especially into the wind.  Downwind, the lighter discs will not hyzer out as quick as the heavier ones, so they will give you more distance if thrown properly.  In general, the flight path may be similar but it will not be exactly the same.  Your armspeed will be slightly faster with lighter discs, giving you potentially more distance.  You can crank on heavier discs a lot more and trust them not to fail(turnover too far) as quickly as a light disc.

Rule of Thumb - Lighter discs work best when throwing downwind.  Heavier discs perform much better into a headwind.

2nd Rule of Thumb - 90% of the time, the heavier a disc is, the more overstable it will fly.

Also it is good to keep in mind that at some point,when you are throwing lighter weights, it is likely that the amount of maximum snap that you put on a drive will exceed the capacity of that disc to fly properly.  When this happens you have several choices with which to counter it.  One, you could consider that you have too much snap for that weight range and get a heavier disc.  Or you could consider stepping up to a more stable model while keeping the weight the same.  Or you could consider releasing your disc with more hyzer, or modifying your snap to slow it down slightly.  You could start throwing the disc on a slightly higher trajectory or reserve yourself to stop forcing the disc as much and throw with more finesse.  Any of these adjustments, or a combination of them, will help you get your drive back on track.

The fact is, the more you throw, the harder you will throw.  And you will have to do something to adjust to this.  A lot of people make the mistake of constantly getting discs that are heavier and more stable.  Before long they are throwing the heaviest, most overstable discs they can find.  They have to give it everything they got with an anhyzer angle to get any distance, and since those discs don`t have much glide, not getting any great distance anyway.  The only thing they are guaranteed is that they will have back problems eventually.

Max weight discs with maximum stability are for players who are throwing with maximum torque, snap and armspeed, and have the power to actually DRIVE those discs.  Everyone else`s optimum disc choice will be somewhere else further down the spectrum of weight and/or stability.

Any questions?

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