Understanding the Midrange Disc Golf Disc
A midrange disc, often described as the bridge between putters and fairway drivers in the realm of disc golf, plays an essential role in a player’s arsenal. These discs exhibit a beautiful balance of control, distance, and versatility, making them a favorite amongst players of all levels.
Typically, a midrange disc golf disc exhibits a wide body paired with a narrow rim, accommodating throws up to 300 feet (91.5 meters) for most players. However, with expert handling, professionals can send these discs flying up to distances of 350 feet (107 meters) or beyond (just watch Drew Gibson throw his Buzzz 👇👇).
Midrange discs, being the widest in the market, are designed to glide for extended periods, pushing their max distance potential higher. Furthermore, their narrow rims make them easy to grip, ensuring a quality throw for players of varying skill levels and hand sizes.
Anatomy of a Midrange Disc
Shape and Dimensions
Midranges distinguish themselves with their large diameter, facilitating better glide than putters, and amplifying their maximum distance potential. Their rim designs also contribute to their popularity. Unlike other disc types, midrange discs sport narrow rims that can be comfortably gripped by players of all ages and abilities.
The rims of midrange discs tend to have a rounded profile, which enhances the comfort and usability of these discs for a majority of players. This ergonomic design ensures even children can securely wrap their fingers around the rim of a midrange disc, promising a quality grip and a good throw.
Flight Numbers and Trajectories
The flight numbers of midranges usually fall between speeds 2 and 6, with the majority clustering between speeds 4 and 6. Even with minor discrepancies in flight speed, midranges exhibit vastly different flight patterns.
Some midrange discs offer dead-straight flights, others fade immediately left upon release, and some tend to turn over to the right. Regardless of these flight characteristics, midrange discs invariably offer superior glide compared to other disc classifications.
This combination of low-speed rating and high glide ensures that a slow, smooth throw with most midranges travels a significant distance. This is one reason why it’s often recommended for beginners to start their disc golf journey with midranges and putters.
Optimizing Midrange Throws
The grip is critical to an effective throw. Like putters, a fan grip is recommended for backhand midrange shots. Your pinky, ring, and middle fingers should spread out like a fan on the bottom side of the flight plate, while your thumb secures the disc on the top side. However, the grip on midranges varies slightly with the index finger, which should tuck slightly into and underneath the rim.
After securing a proper grip, a throw at about 60-70% power with a focus on a flat release will yield the best results. Training and regular practice are essential for mastering midrange throws, with field work being a recommended approach to developing your skills and precision.
Although midrange discs are versatile, they are not always the best choice for all shots. For instance, they may not perform optimally in stiff headwinds, steep uphill shots, or when a significant skip is required.
Deciding When to Use a Midrange Disc
The versatility of midrange discs allows them to serve various purposes in the game of disc golf. Their controlled flights make them suitable for straight shots, anhyzers, rollers, hyzer-flips, soft hyzers, and hard fades.
The ideal distance to use a midrange disc is within 300 feet (91.5 meters). Their excellent glide and shot-shaping capabilities make them ideal for shorter tee shots and longer upshots. In some cases, elite players can throw midranges for shots up to 450 feet (137 meters) or more, thanks to their high glide and slow speed ratings.
Popular Midrange Discs
Midrange discs like the Discraft Buzzz and the Innova Roc3 have gained popularity among disc golf players. These discs have proven to be consistent, reliable, and versatile, earning a permanent spot in many players’ bags.
Other top contenders include the Axiom Hex, and the Kastaplast Svea. These discs have earned their reputation for their dependability and adaptability for various throws and skill levels.
In conclusion, mastering the midrange disc is a journey of precision, practice, and understanding. While they might not fly as far as a distance driver, their versatility makes them an invaluable tool in the arsenal of any disc golfer.