Why Innova Is a Smart Choice for New Players
Innova makes a wide lineup of discs, and many of their molds come in beginner‑friendly plastics. Their brand category is well represented on Altitude Disc Golf: check out the Innova Discs category page to see what’s currently in stock. Because of their variety and availability, Innova is a great place for new players to start building a dependable bag.
My Top Picks for Beginner-Friendly Innova Discs
Distance Driver: Innova Valkyrie
If you’re itching to throw a driver early on, the Innova Valkyrie is a safe bet. With ratings around Speed 9 / Glide 4 / Turn −2 / Fade 2, it’s more forgiving than most distance drivers.
- Understable—great for slower arm speeds that would struggle with rigid discs.
- Provides glide and distance, especially in tailwinds or turnover shape lines.
- As your arm speed improves, Valkyrie can still be useful for finesse drives and long turnovers.
Fairway Driver: Innova Leopard
The Innova Leopard is a staple in many beginner sets. With ratings ~ Speed 6 / Glide 5 / Turn −2 / Fade 1, it’s well suited for new players seeking reliable control with extra distance potential.
- High glide and understability make it easier to get distance without overpowering.
- Advanced players also use it for turnover lines or rollers.
It’s frequently included in beginner sets and is often easy to find.
Midrange: Innova Stingray
The Innova Stingray is one of my favorites for a beginner mid. With specs near Speed 4 / Glide 5 / Turn −3 / Fade 1, it leans understable and offers lots of glide.
The - Shallow rim helps with a consistent, comfortable release.
- Works nicely for turnover lines, approach shots, or even rollers for newer players.
Putter / Approach: Innova Aviar
The Innova Aviar is arguably Innova’s most iconic mold—and for good reason. Its flight (~ Speed 2 / Glide 3 / Turn 0 / Fade 1) is dependable, straight, and user-friendly.
The - Excellent for putting, upshots, and short drives.
- All skill levels use it, so it’s a disc you’ll likely keep in your bag long term.
How I Chose These Discs
When picking beginner discs, these traits mattered most to me:
- Understable or neutral stability: Easier to control and less likely to fight your throw.
- Good glide: Helps maximize distance even with less arm speed.
- Comfortable rim and feel: Shallow rims help with grip and consistency early on.
Weight, Plastic & Tips for New Players
Start Lighter
For drivers and midranges, I often recommend going lighter—especially for beginners, juniors, or lighter players. A 160–170g disc is easier to throw and control than a max‑weight version. Over time, as your arm develops, you can transition upward.
Plastic Choices That Help
Here’s how I guide new players on Innova plastics:
- DX plastic — Great grip, breaks in quickly, and cost‑effective for putters or practice discs.
- Star / GStar — Balanced grip and durability. Good “workhorse” plastics for most throws.
- Avoid overly stiff or overstable plastics early on — Champion or deluxe blends tend to resist your form and may “fight back” when you don’t have perfect technique yet.
Expectations & Progress
As you improve, you’ll want to mix in more stable discs. But starting with discs you can control helps build confidence. The Valkyrie, Leopard, Stingray, and Aviar give you a smooth learning curve without frustrating behavior.
Final Thoughts
Innova’s lineup is robust, and starting with beginner‑friendly molds gives you space to grow. Pick one disc from each role (driver, fairway, midrange, putter) with these traits in mind, and you’ll already have a strong core. Over time, explore more molds as your distance and consistency improve.
Stay curious, test new lines, and let your bag evolve naturally. Throw well out there!
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The Epic is unlike anything else in disc golf. It was built with an uneven rim shape specifically to extend overhand distance. You actually bend the disc slightly before throwing it, which makes the flight ratings a little misleading. It’s a quirky mold and not for everyone, but if you want to experiment with a disc made for tomahawks, the Epic is worth testing.
The XXX has long been a favorite for overhand shots and even held the distance record for a tomahawk throw. It’s a super overstable fairway driver that feels like it was designed for overhand lines. If you need raw distance and predictability, this is one of the most trusted options out there.
The Felon feels like it was made for utility shots. It’s overstable enough to trust in the wind, but workable enough for different angles. Overhands, flex lines, spike hyzers—it handles them all. For overhand players, this disc is a must-try.
The Krait is an incredibly straight flyer with tons of glide and just enough fade to stay predictable. It’s great for intermediate and advanced players alike, especially on tight tunnel shots where you want a disc that flies exactly how you release it.
The Felon is known for its reliable fade and wind-fighting stability. It shines on sidearms, flex lines, and overhand throws like tomahawks or thumbers. If you need a disc that will always finish left (for right-handed backhands), this is the one.
The Buzzz OS is the beefed-up version of the legendary Buzzz. It’s perfect when you want the same dependable feel but with added overstability. It fights wind, always fades, and works great for both backhand and forehand approaches.
The Discmania P2 is a straight-flying, stable throwing putter that can handle more power. It’s excellent for short drives and clean approach shots, and it holds up well in the wind. This disc is used by pros but feels just as good for intermediate arms.
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