Every company has their staple lineup of discs, and every player has their preferred arsenal. Whether you’ve lost your favorite in a creek, or are just curious about a new brand, sometimes it becomes necessary to replace a disc in your bag. Approach shots are a part of disc golf, and more times than not, most players will have an overstable approach disc slot to fill in their bag.
Let's talk overstable approach discs.
Discraft - Zone
Flight Numbers: 4, 3, 0, 3
Thrown by nearly every Discraft professional player, it is hard to deny the appeal of this one. Comfortable and predictable, the Discraft Zone is good off the tee for short to midrange drives. It's also suitable for wooded upshots, forehands, and any moment where there’s a need for a bit more stability and less guide to land as close to the basket as possible.
Discraft makes the Zone in a variety of plastics, inlcluding ESP, Z Line, and Rubber Blend.
Innova - Toro
Flight Numbers: 4, 2, 1, 3
A member of the Calvin Heimburg Signature Series, the Innova Toro is an overstable approach disc that Innova needed. This disc has a low profile, flat top, and is super torque resistant. It’s great for sidearms, headwinds, and big power, if you throw Innova, you should put it in your bag. The Toro is made in both Star and Champion plastics. Note the +1 turn rating. This one is overstable.
Westside Discs - Harp
Flight Numbers: 4, 3, 0, 3
The Westside Discs Harp was made famous worldwide thanks to another all-time great, Ricky Wysocki. Whether you look at the famous ace on hole 18 of the 2017 Utah Open clinching his victory, or countless amazing upshots and throw-ins, Ricky makes this disc look appealing. A touch deeper than a Zone, the Harp is a fantastic disc for upshots and short backhand drives.
Dynamic Discs - Culprit
Flight Numbers: 4, 2, 0, 3.5
A newer disc from Dynamic, we think very highly of the Dynamic Discs Lucid Ice Culprit Prototype. Sporting a lower profile, this disc is also incredibly comfortable in the hand. Like a blend between the Justice and a Suspect, the Culprit is beefy enough to handle powerful sidearms or backhands. If you haven’t tried it yet, this is one to pick up.
Discmania - Tactic
Flight Numbers: 4, 2, 0, 3
Fitting perfectly between Harp depth and Zone torque resistance, the Evolution Hard Exo Tactic can do it all. Considering there can be flight differences between base runs and signature releases like the Eagle MacMahon Signature Razor Claw 3, everyone can always grab a different plastic to find what's missing.
Prodigy - A5
Flight Numbers: 3, 4, -1, 1
Of all the ‘A’ series, the Prodigy A5 feels the most similar to Discraft’s Zone. While flight numbers would suggest a slightly straighter, less overstable flight, we still find it works wonderfully for all the shots you’ll need. Also available in 300 and 750 plastic.
Clash Discs - Mint
Flight Numbers: 4, 3, 0, 3
With fun food names and bright colors, Clash Discs is a newcomer to the disc golf arena, but their discs are no joke. The Clash Steady Mint is easy to throw and incredibly reliable. On forehand shots, the Mint resists turning and maintains a subtle fade. Backhand, this disc is a workhorse that could do pretty much anything.
Kastaplast - Järn
Flight Numbers: 4.5, 3, 0, 3
The Kastaplast Järn might be the most overstable disc on this list. When thrown flat or on hyzer we saw a significant spike. Thrown on anhyzer, Järn would manage to flex out and work back. This disc not only can handle power, it requires it. For a shot that sticks nicely by the basket, try out K3 plastic. Want a little more skip? If other approach discs have been too flippy, it is time to try Kastaplast. Also available in K1 Glow and K1 Soft plastics.
Yikun - Crossbow
Flight Numbers: 4, 1.5, 0.5, 4
Similar to the Järn, this disc is very overstable in both Phoenix plastic and the base line Tiger plastic. If you are looking to give newer brand a try at a less expensive price, the Yikun Crossbow could easily find a spot in your bag.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to overstable approach discs, there's plenty of options out there. At times it's not always easy to know where to start. Try a few discs, see what's comfortable, and what is not. Whether you're throwing a short drive off the tee pad, or forehanding a short approach, it never hurts to try different options.