Review: Gateway Test Fly Series Sabre

Next up in our Gateway Test Fly Series is the control driver Sabre. We tested the Sabre in S-series 'Shur-grip' plastic and it weighed-in at 174g.

"The Sabre is a relatively straight flying fairway driver by Gateway. This disc offers a mild degree of high speed turn followed by a minimal end of flight fade. The Sabre makes a great golf disc for beginners, especially when purchased in light weights," describes Infinite Discs.

The disc we received for this test is rigid with almost no flex. Think of a new hard Wizard, and you'll understand the plastic. Although we haven't thrown the disc enough throughout the winter to provide seasoning, one can imagine the Sabre will fly better over time.

In our test, Sabre was used by one of longest throwing local players; usually preferring over-over stable discs. In retrospect, the Sabre wasn't as precisely matched with arm speed in this test as one would like to see. In response to the Sabre's flight, the feedback we received indicated Sabre's very deep rim was difficult to grip. This may be exacerbated by it's domey flight plate, making the fingers sense different pressure points than expected. "It flies okay," he said. "I just couldn't keep a good grip on it because of it's deep rim."

Other information indicates the disc flies exactly as intended. Straight with little finish at lower speeds. Into the wind or at higher arm speeds, the Sabre will turnover and finish slightly anhyzer. And it proved to honor it's numbers 8,5,-1,1.

For more information on these disc or other Gateway products, view gdstour.com.

Review: Legacy Bandit Icon Edition

The following details my first experiences throwing the Bandit fairway driver from Legacy Discs.

The temperature couldn't have been over 15 degrees, with a slight 10 mph breeze from left to right, mostly in my face. Snow covered the green with six inches of partially melted, then refrozen top ice. You know, the surface could either grab like disc like a winter tombstone, or let it skip-slide past the landing zone. So the best approach is to be on target and hope it sits down. The hole, #4 at the Links at Wheeler Park in Geneva, IL plays 270 with an anhyzer line into a low ceiling tree-protected pin. I decide the Bandit at 9,5,-2,1 can hold the line without crashing and provide a soft landing. I start my steps, avoiding the perpetual ice puddle that always occupies this partially sunken rubber tee, and plant my right foot in the front-left corner of the pad. As the disc crosses my torso for a flat release, I'm confident the turnover matches the anticipated line. With an unremarkable snap, the Bandit flies left to right into the wind, curls with 10 ft of final fade as it slows, finishing under the maple trees in front of the basket, just within the circle. I've done worse in better weather.

The disc, bright green like spring leaves, weighs-in at 175g and is molded with Legacy's Icon plastic. Feeling similar to Innova's Star line, I had no trouble with grip despite being relatively smooth and stiff. It's rim looks around 1 1/2 cm wide and has an almost bead-like sharp curvature. If Dynamic Discs makes a Witness in Bio Fuzion, it may feel like the Bandit after three months of play. But in true Legacy Discs style, the Bandit flies far and straight. I'll have no problem teeing many control shots with this disc. And I do expect they will finish left, without any risk of a cut roller turnover. It's staying in my bag.

Infinite Discs says about the Bandit, "an excellent straight flying driver that will provide more distance than the Rival, but doesn’t require as much arm speed as the Cannon or Rampage. Experienced disc golfers will get great distance out of the Bandit when thrown at a slight hyzer angle, while those with slower arm speeds will see great results from flat level throws."

Back on Links #4 I took my putting stance, twisting my feet securely into the snow, trying to get a level position, then flew the putter past the pin, picked up and took my three. No birdie for me.

For more information, view legacydiscs.com.

Review: Gateway Test Fly Series Samurai

Next up in our Gateway Test Fly Series is the high-speed distance driver Samurai. We tested the Samurai in S-series 'Shur-grip' plastic and weighed-in at 170g.

DiscGolfCenter.com says the Samurai is the, "Best choice for: Sidearms, Rollers and Tomahawk throws."  They go on to quote Gateway as saying, "'The Samurai is a really fast long range driver that is easy to control. Its sleek low profile and slight dome will produce extremely long flights; while its bead on the wing adds to the control needed when thrown very hard. This disc has just the right stability to be very useful for both new players and pros. The Samurai can be a good headwind disc for those with 300 distance and a long turnover driver or for those with more power.'"

After throwing the Samurai on a 20-30 mph windy day, I can confirm the above description is accurate. Out of the box, and even into the wind or with a cross-wind the Samurai didn't exhibit much of a high-speed turnover. I believe in time it would with proper attention. With a thin flight plate, medium rim, and dome shaped top the disc delivers on comfort and ease of use. Even with my moderate to slow arm speed, I was able to get the disc to perform generally as expected. I would struggle with weights above 171g, but 170g and below could go right into my bag and produce clean straight drives to hyzer lines into the wind. Downwind, I might choose to use the Samurai for backhand or placement shots.

For more information on this disc or other Gateway products, view gdstour.com.

Review: Gateway Test Fly Series Devil Hawk & War Spear

First up in our Gateway Test Fly Series are two new molds: Devil Hawk and War Spear. Both were produced in Sure Grip plastic and weighed-in at 175g.

According to disccellar.ca, "Devil Hawk: uses the Chief flight wing (pronounced bead) and their newest design element: an integrated 'thumb track'. War Spear: uses the Shaman flight wing (beadless) and the 'thumb track'". While I agree with the above descriptions, the main feature of each disc causing specific flight characteristics are clearly the flight plates. Devil Hawk has a pronounced convex shape, making the thumb track have no inside edge, while War Spear has a concave (bubble top) with both an inside and outside edge to the thumb track. In comparison to many Gateway molds, both discs offer a low profile similar to that of a Shaman.

Inside the circle, both discs exhibit a stable, straight and virtually zero glide path. Putt into the wind, and one can expect a flat arc to the basket. With the wind, one should elevate the release dramatically to counteract the seemingly negative glide affect. War Spear has slightly more lift from short distance. Compared to other putters in my bag, I have to push these discs with significantly more power, and focus on a higher target. I was not successful using either disc for long-ish down wind putts.

On approach shots outside the circle, these discs couldn't be more different. Devil Hawk is extremely overstable. It starts turning within 25 feet of its release. Additionally, the low glide flight characteristic makes it ideal for low ceiling, tunnel or sharp turning lines. Staring it on an anhyzer angle does nothing to deter the strong fade. I don't expect it to reach beyond 200 ft with my modest arm speed. Although I haven't yet taken the Devil Hawk into the woods, I could see how it might add value for certain controlled throws.

War Spear has a more stable-overstable flight when compared to the Devil Hawk. With additional glide at high speed and higher release, it will turn hyzer or slightly anhyzer before finishing with a moderate fade. When compared to Aviar or flat-top Shield shaped putters, War Spear will not maintain altitude, resulting in lower and shorter flights. As with the Devil Hawk, I would use it for low ceiling or tunnel control approaches by aiming right at the obstacle. And then watch as it automatically drops-in below.

Both the Devil Hawk and War Spear are ideal for any throw where fly-away is a risk. Neither disc sailed unreasonably beyond its intended target. In each case, the Thumb tracks provided comfort and an element of release control.

For more information on these disc or other Gateway products, view gdstour.com.

Review: Gateway Test Fly Series

Over the winter, which sadly just began, I'm collecting feedback from some regular players on ten discs Gateway Disc Sports provided flicdisc as part of their Test Fly Promotion. Each short segment in the series will focus on one disc, how it feels and flies.

Following the test, I'm going to ask the players to return the discs, along with their reporting, and flicdisc will make them available for Recreational Division players at our spring tournament, 2015 Main St Mandatory April 19th at West Main Park in Batavia, IL.

How flicdisc got involved: After reading some about the program on their website, providing the company with the requisite information, and paying for shipping and handling, Gateway sent an interesting set of discs to throw. Many I have never seen in production or aren't readily available in our area.

Note: I'm guessing at some of these plastic blends. Gateway is very selective in the desired balance of characteristics, between firmness and grip, but didn't brand all of the discs. In a few cases, they look like a mix of E and HPP, making the blend hard to determine.

Out of the box: My first reaction is how firm and grippy all of the blends feel. Even after I put the disc in the chains, I can feel the slight tacky resin as I rub my thumb and index finger together. Given It's January, I'm certain we'll be able to report on wet and dry, as well as cold performance. From the start, I'm thinking grip will not be an issue.

For more information, view dgstour.com.

Putters:

Proto Devil Hawk 175g (Blue)

Proto War Spear 175g (Salmon)

Proto Shaman 175g (Salmon)

Fairway Drivers:

G1i Sabre 174g (White)

E-Series Assassin 175g (Orange)

E-Series Apache 171g (Green)

High-Speed Drivers:

E-Series Samurai 170g (Cream)

Evolution HPP Slayer 169g (Yellow)

Mid-Range Drivers:

Element 175g (Orange)

E-Series Mystic 180g (Yellow)

Review: Latitude 64 Pure 170g

I'll jump right to the punchline; the Pure changed my putting forever. No more will I try to slide the disc into the right side of the chains (RHBH). I'm going just above the pole, and straight in. Hard. Like JohnE McCray is thought to have said, I believe the chains will stop my disc.

This 170 gram pink rainbow stamped sweet thing came to me as part of mystery box from Dynamic Discs. Packaged along with a 2014 Trilogy Shield, I've been converted to the low-profile flight plate and soft plastic. In my hand those two features combine to produce a grippy and flat release with long and straight glide. I can get the disc parallel to the ground in my slow and steady take-back, pulling towards my navel, and push it straight to the target with an upward release. I feel confident, until that brief uncertainty takes over for the few milliseconds after it leaves my hand. For most throws inside 22 feet, my confidence returns as my eyes process the flight path and the chains catch a splash of pink plastic; really shows off my pizazz. 4 under 50 for this round didn't win me the top spot, but I do like the direction I'm heading.