Discraft
Encyclopedia
Discraft is a company founded by Jim Kenner and located in Wixom, Michigan
. They are a manufacturer of flying discs for the sports of Ultimate
, Disc Golf
and Freestyle frisbee
. The company does not have any retail
stores, but rather sells large quantities of discs to resalers and wholesalers around the world.
Discraft's 175-gram Ultra-Star disc is the only official disc that is USA Ultimate Championship Series Approved by the Ultimate Players Association
. Discs manufactured by Wham-O
, Innova, and Daredevil Discs are approved for other uses. It is worth noting that the differences between the discs are very minute, but most seasoned Ultimate players can tell the difference by touch alone when they pick up or catch something other than a Discraft 175-gram Ultra-Star.
Every Discraft disc mold has a unique flight pattern and is given a rating based on its flight characteristics. Ratings range from -1 (most understable) to +3.0 (most overstable). These ratings provide a player with a general idea of how a disc will fly relative to other discraft discs.
Cryztal FLX Z: Z FLX is a new plastic that discraft has released only being offered on a few molds. It is speculated that this will replace the ESP FLX material.
ESP FLX Plastic: FLX is used on a limited number of discs. It is as durable as ESP Plastic, but much more flexible, this is achieved by adding a lightening agent to the ESP mixture. This type of plastic is extremely useful in cold weather conditions.
Cryztal Elite Z: Crystal plastic ranges from being more translucent than Elite Z to sometimes transparent. It often has glimmering effect when held in the light. Crystal is sought after by collectors for its beauty.
ESP Plastic: ESP plastic is a highly durable line that was launched in 2006. This type of plastic is made to be very grippy while also being very durable. ESP plastic is non-translucent.
Elite-Z Plastic: Elite-Z plastic is known for its durability. The plastic is semi-translucent, very stiff, and very resistant to wear. This line of plastic is produced in a variety of bright colors.
Elite-X Plastic: Elite-X is very grippy plastic, but is more prone to wear.
Pro-D Plastic is the cheapest type of plastic, and is also the least durable. However, Pro-D plastic provides extremely great grip.
Soft Pro-D plastic is a variation on regular Pro-D plastic. It is only used for putters, and provides a more flexible, grippy feel.
team called Team Discraft.http://www.discraft.com/team.html Nate Doss
, a member of the team, was the 2005, 2007, and 2011 disc golf world champion. Eric McCabe, also a Team Discraft Member, was the 2010 disc golf world champion.
Paige Pierce, Elaine King, Cameron Todd, Michael Johansen and Gregg Barsby are also Team Discraft members.
Wixom, Michigan
Wixom is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 13,498 at the 2010 census. The city was home to the former Wixom Assembly Plant, which produced the Lincoln LS, the Ford Thunderbird, the Ford GT, and the Lincoln Town Car...
. They are a manufacturer of flying discs for the sports of Ultimate
Ultimate (sport)
Ultimate is a sport played with a 175 gram flying disc. The object of the game is to score points by passing the disc to a player in the opposing end zone, similar to an end zone in American football or rugby...
, Disc Golf
Disc golf
Disc golf is a disc game in which individual players throw a flying disc into a basket or at a target. According to the Professional Disc Golf Association, "The object of the game is to traverse a course from beginning to end in the fewest number of throws of the disc." Of the more than 3000...
and Freestyle frisbee
Freestyle frisbee
Flying disc freestyle is a sport and performing art in which athletes perform deft maneuvers with a flying disc. Usually slightly lighter than a disc for the game of ultimate, freestyle discs are about 160 grams...
. The company does not have any retail
Retail
Retail consists of the sale of physical goods or merchandise from a fixed location, such as a department store, boutique or kiosk, or by mail, in small or individual lots for direct consumption by the purchaser. Retailing may include subordinated services, such as delivery. Purchasers may be...
stores, but rather sells large quantities of discs to resalers and wholesalers around the world.
Discraft's 175-gram Ultra-Star disc is the only official disc that is USA Ultimate Championship Series Approved by the Ultimate Players Association
Ultimate Players Association
USA Ultimate is a not-for-profit organization that serves as the governing body of the sport of Ultimate in the United States....
. Discs manufactured by Wham-O
Wham-O
Wham-O Inc. is a toy company currently located in California, USA. They are known for marketing many popular toys in the past 50 years, including the Hula Hoop, the Frisbee, Slip 'N Slide, Super Ball, Trac-Ball, Silly String, Hacky Sack and the Boogie board....
, Innova, and Daredevil Discs are approved for other uses. It is worth noting that the differences between the discs are very minute, but most seasoned Ultimate players can tell the difference by touch alone when they pick up or catch something other than a Discraft 175-gram Ultra-Star.
Types of Discs
Currently, Discraft produces 41 different molds of discs used for disc golf. Their production discs are divided into five categories. They produce 9 types of putters, 8 types of midrange drivers, 4 types of long range drivers, 8 types of extra long distance drivers, and 12 types of max distance drivers. The discs are grouped by relative distance rating, and more information about specific molds can be found on the Discraft website, www.discraft.com.Every Discraft disc mold has a unique flight pattern and is given a rating based on its flight characteristics. Ratings range from -1 (most understable) to +3.0 (most overstable). These ratings provide a player with a general idea of how a disc will fly relative to other discraft discs.
Types of Plastic
Discraft discs are produced in 8 different lines of material: (In order of retail cost)Cryztal FLX Z: Z FLX is a new plastic that discraft has released only being offered on a few molds. It is speculated that this will replace the ESP FLX material.
ESP FLX Plastic: FLX is used on a limited number of discs. It is as durable as ESP Plastic, but much more flexible, this is achieved by adding a lightening agent to the ESP mixture. This type of plastic is extremely useful in cold weather conditions.
Cryztal Elite Z: Crystal plastic ranges from being more translucent than Elite Z to sometimes transparent. It often has glimmering effect when held in the light. Crystal is sought after by collectors for its beauty.
ESP Plastic: ESP plastic is a highly durable line that was launched in 2006. This type of plastic is made to be very grippy while also being very durable. ESP plastic is non-translucent.
Elite-Z Plastic: Elite-Z plastic is known for its durability. The plastic is semi-translucent, very stiff, and very resistant to wear. This line of plastic is produced in a variety of bright colors.
Elite-X Plastic: Elite-X is very grippy plastic, but is more prone to wear.
Pro-D Plastic is the cheapest type of plastic, and is also the least durable. However, Pro-D plastic provides extremely great grip.
Soft Pro-D plastic is a variation on regular Pro-D plastic. It is only used for putters, and provides a more flexible, grippy feel.
Other Products
Discrafts also sells a variety of disc golf accessories. The major accessories Discraft sells are disc golf bags, baskets, towels, and apparel. Discraft also sells products pertinent to Ultimate Frisbee and Freestyle FrisbeeTeam Discraft
Discraft sponsors a disc golfDisc golf
Disc golf is a disc game in which individual players throw a flying disc into a basket or at a target. According to the Professional Disc Golf Association, "The object of the game is to traverse a course from beginning to end in the fewest number of throws of the disc." Of the more than 3000...
team called Team Discraft.http://www.discraft.com/team.html Nate Doss
Nate Doss
Nate Doss is currently the number one ranked disc golfer in the world. Doss has won three world championships . With his win in 2011, Nate became only the second person with three world championships, after Ken Climo's 12...
, a member of the team, was the 2005, 2007, and 2011 disc golf world champion. Eric McCabe, also a Team Discraft Member, was the 2010 disc golf world champion.
Paige Pierce, Elaine King, Cameron Todd, Michael Johansen and Gregg Barsby are also Team Discraft members.