Shortly after I promoted myself from beginner to intermediate level disc golfer, I took an attitude against base plastic. I don’t know why this happened really, but I have many excuses. It breaks in too fast, it isn’t “premium” enough, it is cheaper, it doesn’t smell as good, etc. I’m happy to say that I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes. Now I want to tell you all of the reasons why base plastic might just be the plastic you seek. Here is my case for base.
What is base plastic?
First, we need to discuss what base disc golf plastic really means. All disc golf manufacturers have a base level plastic that is cheaper to purchase and mold, and this savings gets passed along to us as consumers. Base plastic discs are often more overstable at first but wear in faster as they hit the ground, trees, and hopefully chains. These discs are more susceptible to dents, scratches, and dings – especially if you play in the woods or around a lot of rough terrain. While premium plastic costs nearly double on average, the life-span of the disc is much longer.
Base Plastic Breaks In Faster
Yes, discs made with base plastic break in faster. That sounds like a bad thing but I truly believe a well seasoned disc is a hidden key to consistency. As an amateur, I don’t get to play often enough to break in every premium plastic mold I own. So this entry level plastic allows me to have a nicely worn disc with far fewer throws. Interestingly, the mold cooling process often leads to base plastic discs beginning their life as more overstable than their premium plastic brethren. This means that the disc will break in to a sweet spot for some time and then eventually can become an understable version of the same mold. Pros play enough to cycle premium plastic discs but I don’t, so base plastic allows me to carry the same disc in different stages of wear.
Base Plastic Damages Easily
This statement is very true. Hit too many trees or rocks at high speed and you’ll have a misshapen, dinged, or dented artifact formerly known as a driver. This is one huge disadvantage of base plastic which is often considered low grade disc golf plastic compared to premium plastic. Think about which discs you’ll use in the trees and maybe you can choose a few discs to be upgraded. Or, at the cheap replacement prices, just carry a few base plastic discs for each mold.
Base Plastic is Cheap to Replace
If you play difficult courses loaded with water hazards like many of the courses we like to play, the potential to lose a partially worn, premium plastic disc is high. That way you always have a throw-away version. If you value a well seasoned midrange like I do, you’ll find yourself throwing that brand new Pro D Buzzz near water instead of the one you’ve been working with for a while.
Base Plastic Has Great Grip
One of my favorite features of base plastic is the grip. Premium plastics like Lucid, Star, and Titanium are often a little slick compared to Prime, DX, and Pro D. This is especially valuable in the winter or rain when precipitation tends to impact your throw. Chris routinely fills his winter disc golf bag with base plastic in the winter because of the increased grip as well as the increased overstability of disc in the cold.
Base Plastic Lets Me Try New Molds
I love newer discs. The problem I have is, I often wonder what a specific mold will throw like after it breaks in. Base plastic affords me this opportunity to try a new mold with minimal up front cost. If I like it, I can choose to purchase a premium plastic version later. The base plastic version will always be useful as a water disc or even an understable version after the seasoning process continues.
Base Plastic is Our Favorite for Putting
We love using base plastic for putters – mostly due to the grip and the firm but not too firm flight plate. But also because we can buy a set of 10-20 putters for practice purposes. Plus, who doesn’t love the new burst plastic that Dynamic Discs is running?
What About You?
Do you use base plastic for anything? Did we miss a good reason to carry base plastic? Do you despise the cheaper plastic for some reason? Let us know.
Don’t forget to follow the DG Puttheads on socials so you never miss a post and for other great content!
Disclaimer:
We are affiliated with Infinitediscs.com but we will still provide our honest opinion and will never recommend an item unless we have tested it and believe in its quality. We also fully support Infinite Discs and the customer service that they provide and would do so even without any affiliation.
