Ask Steve Dodge about Vibram Disc Golf

[pg043]

I finally got a chance to test these putters out this weekend (Thanks Steve!) and wow are they nice!

I have a 168 fire engine red X-link summit, a 173 minty-teal X-link firm VP, and a 170 x-link granite ridge.


My initial impressions of the VP were that it's too stable to be very useful. I thought it would be the best driving putter of the bunch, but it's such a pig that I can't throw it nearly as far as the others (I also live at 8000 feet, so they are all more stable to me than you lowland dwellers). Despite not being able to throw it very far, I think there is definitely a spot in my bag for it. I am a big fan of slow, freakishly overstable discs. I throw my Drone whenever possible for short chip shots, skip approaches, spikes, etc. I think the VP can play a role as an even slower disc of this kind, as well as a putter that is finally reliable in a 20+mph headwind.

The Ridge I'm finding very similar to my Wizards, and thus instantly workable. Just slightly overstable, they are very easy to putt with and throw. The marble X-link is nice, but I honestly think the other two solid colored Vibrams I have look sharper.

The Summit is the one that I'm REALLY started to like. It is strange because I normally prefer stable putters to understable ones. I took an instant liking to the summit because it looks and feels great and the low-profile mold feels super nice in my hand. But when I took it out throwing, I was amazed at how easy to throw this disc is. I found that I could very easily power up or down and still predict the amount of turn I was going to get. I was also throwing some ridiculous shots that I KNOW my Wizards aren't capable of. For example, playing a putter only round, I found myself jammed up behind a wall of 50ft pine trees. It was a situation where a thumber is almost your only option. Well I pulled out my Summit and jacked a nearly straight vertical shot on a stiff hyzer above the tree line...it stood up flat 50 feet high, panned right just slightly, glided about 80 feet and fell right next to the basket. I have NEVER seen a putter do anything like that. I was also able to absolutely crush this Summit. I threw it easily 375'. Way up in the air. I am still not comfortable enough with it to pull it out during a sanctioned round probably, but I am extremely excited about learning this disc a little better!


Vibram Chunk discs and granite Ridges available at wrightlife.com

[StevenDodge]

We've got some pretty cool colors coming down the pipe these days: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...d=350413461592

Enjoy!

[rizbee]

Hi Steve - I have a chunk Summit that I have been trying out. I generally like less-stable or understable discs compared to other players, so the Summit is the natural choice for me from the three models. As a short range driver I'm really liking it - I can get it to fly very straight and the rim is a perfect fit for my power grip. As a putter, I would like a bit softer feel. I'm like Ray a bit, in that I prefer gummier drivers and putters, although the "Rubber Vomit" may be carrying things a bit too far.

How can I tell which plastic it was made from, and is there a softer blend that will be regularly available?

Oh...and the chunk colors get lots of oohs and aaaahs out here in San Diego.

[Dana]

I think softs will be ran in a month or so.

[StevenDodge]

We are dropping a batch of X-Link Soft material today. Tomorrow we will extrude it into preforms. and then next week we will begin molding them into golf discs.

I am hoping to make a YouTube video of the process for the X-Link Soft discs so we can all see how the softs are made and just how soft they really are (relative to X-Link and X-Link Firm).

[sandalbagger]

Still looking forward to trying out those tweener soft/x-link hybrids Will they be done anytime soon?

And thanks for the sweet box of discs Steve.

[StevenDodge]

Originally Posted by sandalbagger

Still looking forward to trying out those tweener soft/x-link hybrids Will they be done anytime soon?

And thanks for the sweet box of discs Steve.

It is a bit of a production challenge. Our first batch was not a success (ask the folks in Minneapolis that saw some of them), but we are still working on it and I believe we will eventually succeed.

[StevenDodge]

I started a little blog. I'm not sure if I'll be able to keep it going, but it is so easy I should be able to. I posted something cool pics over there and hope to continue.

Enjoy. http://vibramdiscgolf.posterous.com/

[StevenDodge]

We will be at Am Worlds in force! Stop by any of these locations and give us a shout out.

Monday at 6:00 PM, an hour before the player’s meeting, we will hold a Vibram Putting Clinic and Durability Demo. Basically, we go over the Vibram discs and materials, giving folks a chance to see and grip each of them. We also go over some putting tips that have worked for us. And lastly, we attempt to destroy some discs. Yes, we will be bashing them into rocks and roads, and we need your help! :-D

Tuesday at 7:00 PM, we will be at the Flymart showing off the discs and running putting games with prizes.

All women and Jr competitors can stop by the booth and pick-up a free Vibram mini.

Try your hand at putting with the Vibram discs in each of the X-Link materials. Prizes, raffles and fun are sure to be had.

Possible prizes? Vibram Tester Team spots, Way Cool Custom discs (see http://vibramdiscgolf.posterous.com/...est-discs-ever), X-Link Soft discs, and more. You’ll have to stop by and see.

[StevenDodge]

Come by the Vibram booth. Maybe you'll get to fondle one of these puppies:

http://vibramdiscgolf.posterous.com/

[veganray]

[StevenDodge]

Vibram Am Worlds Bonus!

We will be giving out group CTPs at the Delaware course (I think on hole 15) on Tuesday and Wednesday. Each AM1 and MM1 will have a chance to win their choice of Vibram disc! Really. And the hits keep coming...

[gdstour]

Good to see you finally have a driver coming out, the shape looks really close to a Sabre.

Is there any functional reason for the label on the leading edge?

[StevenDodge]

We determined that the label in the wing was better than the label in the center. The label in the center helps slow the approach / putters down at the end of their flight, we didn't want to encourage this disc to slow down. Will I see you at Am Worlds? It'll be fun to compare it to a Sabre.

[gdstour]

I'll probably only be there for the fly mart on Tuesday night.
I have a property to look at a few hours East for a new course design and installation bid.

I agree that the label would interrupt the aerodynamics of the flight, most likely causing the discs to drop more than if it were not there.
There is a lot of lift coming from the top center, discs seems to work best when it is flat and smooth here, even better with a continuous dome ( even if its slight).

[sandalbagger]

Is that course the one at Great Seal State Park?

[Lowelife]

Steve,

Does Vibram offer a rubber tee pad for courses? If so, what are the costs and where can I find more info?

Thanks

[veganray]

Originally Posted by Lowelife

Steve,

Does Vibram offer a rubber tee pad for courses? If so, what are the costs and where can I find more info?

Thanks

http://www.quaboing.com/

[StevenDodge]

X-Link Soft will be released on Monday, August 30th!

[cgkdisc]

Vibram Ascent is now PDGA Approved: http://www.pdga.com/tech-standards

[CGPRush]

Start selling those Ascents!!!!!!!!!!

[StevenDodge]

They've got to finish their field testing first. Tested where it matters is not just a slogan with these Vibram folks. Patience, patience, patience ...

[dgdave]

Here's my testers. They have a little swirl, but nothing close to the ones that were sent out to the retailers.

[20460chase]

Ive got 4 altogether, all are pretty sweet, swirls and all. I was sent 2 packages for some reason. I have been throwing them for 2 weeks, mainly in place of the Teebird, but I dont get quite the same distance. They take a pretty serious beating. Mine are to the point they will hold anhyser for the whole flight if I force it. They will also still drop back pretty fast thrown underspeed with hyser, despite the abuse Ive put on it.

The negative:

I had alot of trouble drying it off? I also personally am not a huge fan of flexible drivers.

Not sure it will stay in the bag, but I applaud the effort.

[CGPRush]

Originally Posted by StevenDodge

They've got to finish their field testing first. Tested where it matters is not just a slogan with these Vibram folks. Patience, patience, patience ...

I'm trying to ascend my patience but the general trend is on the descent.

It's not helping that I'll soon be in Cambridge for a week and the chances I'll get to make a day trip out to Maple Hill are extremely slim and none.
Still, I'm bringing my bag, just in case.

[20460chase]

Thanks Steve and Vibram!

Got my box of "hero discs" and am planning on using them for CTP prizes this weekend at the Honor Flight tourney! Thanks Again for your support!

Also, thanks for the stiff Ascents! I plan on trying them out tomorrow night, and am looking forward to it. I will report...

[20460chase]

I really like the stiffer version better than the soft x link. The soft is getting broke in though, and the accuracy has picked up quite a bit. Still iffy on it finding a home in the bag.

The stiffs I used in place of my usual drivers and was impressed. It seems to have a little better stability, and it was holding flex shots. I got off one that was a bomb, but it caught a branch 3/4 of the way through its flight line and never got to use the glide. Wouldve been a big shot though. Message Board Distance, around 510ft. In reality, closer to low 400's, which I am happy to get out of my Teebird. I dont have a cannon, but have decent distance. Am looking forward to throwing it more. These could surely make the bag.

Oh, and the soft x version bombed on thumbers as well. I was pretty suprised at the speed of the flip, I usually use KC Banshees, and it was much quicker and slightly longer with less power.

[dgdave]

Id kill for some firm ascents

[StevenDodge]

It's not equipment related, but it is Vibram related. Scroll down to NPR's Pro Disc Golf coverage and enjoy:

http://www.onlyagame.org/2010/09/sat...ber-11-2010/#7

[StevenDodge]

The new Vibram Disc Golf website launched today. Peruse and enjoy. Let me know what we can add to make it better:

http://www.vibramdiscgolf.com/