Questions for those of you that actually see snow in the winter:

How does cold effect the stablilty of different plastics?

What plastics can you throw into a tree in cold weather with the possiblity of the least damage?

I've played in a few snow bowls less than 15 degrees, and from what I've noticed, it makes the plastic more [over]stable, slower and shorter. I'm fortunate enough to not nail a tree when it's that cold, though I have hit trees with dx plastic and I'm still using those discs.

The discs are stiffer and generally more overstable. I think the lack of grip in cold weather has a lot to do with not being able to throw as far. Champ. plastic is generally ok, but I have cracked DX discs in half hitting trees when it was only 35 degrees or so. From what I understand, Gateway H plastic is the most durable at low temps.... But I havent really thrown it before. I want to pick up a Chief just to see the grip difference.

Thats funny that you say more overstable. Or some reason I find all my disc to be more understable in the cold weather we have here in Michigan. DX is the easiest to grip when its cold but its also the easiest to SHATTER. I usually try and throw Discrafts X plastic in the winter because it doesnt get quite as hard as the Z and doesnt get as messed up at the D.

Just my 2 cents

I was hesitant in saying that it's more overstable, because everytime I've played when it's cold, it's quite windy. And about the dx comment I made, I have never seen it done, but I have heard many say they've done it.

When the snow is deep enough to loose a disc, i like to throw DX cause its cheaper. I think the cold makes it stiffer so its not as dammaged as easilly as in warm and the grip is mucho better. Ive heard older DX and especially older Discraft D was brittle.

... I find all my disc to be more understable in the cold weather we have here in Michigan.



I've found in the 3 winters (with extensive research) that I've been throwing, the disc will fly slower, this is true. However, the cold weather effects the stablility dramatically. I've found that throwing more stable discs like buzz (there you go, steve), teebirds, panthers, magnets...the discs that have more of a zero stability rating fly the best and longest. More of a true flight than extremely over/understable discs.
Candy is a little slippery, dx is best for grip issues, but try this: carry two putters and discs that you'll repeatily use during your round...that way if you miss a putt (there you go, steve) you've got a dry one in the bag!

I've never played in snow, but the one time that I cracked a disc in half it was actually kind of cold. I wanna say around 40 or so; it was my original plastic xd that I never did replace.

Did you just say 40 was kinda cold???

2 years ago when we started our Ice Bowl it was 15 below ZERO!!! :eek: :eek: :eek:

I would kill for 40 degrees to be kind of cold :D

The air is denser and drier when its cold so discs will be more affected by the air -- they'll flip more at high speed, hyzer more at low speed, glide more and fly slower.

Re: grip issues -- I finally got a birdie bag and can't wait to try it out; I also try to keep my driver under my jacket until right before teeing.

Where I'm from, people dont go outside if it's below 70; that's why I said kinda.

I don't know much about density, but I had some interesting results while playing in San Antonio. The holes there are much longer, many over 300-400 feet (as opposed to my local course where most are at 200); I was expecting to have a terrible score. I found that I was throwing further though. Of course, I come back to my course and expect a great game. But, I'm not reaching the 450 and 550 ft holes. I was told it had to do with humidity. It is more humid south of San Antonio. I don't know how much fact there is behind this observation. It could be that on long holes, you can really let it go, but on short holes you have to be careful not to overthrow or end up 50 ft right of the basket.

Well here in La la land, humidity is practically nonexistant. In the winter everything is more stable, and doesn't go nearly as far. Every spring you feel like you are awesome, because it gets above 70 and you start throwing 40 feet farther. I also find as it gets really hot 100 and above, it is really easy to flip things over.

so you are saying the induced drag and parasite drag are offsetting the increased lift produced by higher air density, yup makes sense to me.

everything you wanted to know about frisbee flight (exept for this question)
http://www-mae.engr.ucdavis.edu/~biosport/frisbee/HummelThesis.pdf

Reading that took all afternoon. Now maybe someone can write a thesis about the effects of heat and altitude... but back to the thread topic.....

I think the best plastic for cold weather is a toss up between Innova DX and Discraft X. Discraft will be a little more durable of the 2. DX is good a grippy for cold and wet conditions but I have made my share of "Crack Rocs" :Dwhen it is 40 and below.

I think the best plastic for cold weather is a toss up between Innova DX and Discraft X. Discraft will be a little more durable of the 2. DX is good a grippy for cold and wet conditions but I have made my share of "Crack Rocs" :Dwhen it is 40 and below.



The new Discraft Pro D plastic is awesome in the cold. To me it seems grippier that Innova DX. IMHO

PT Woods
# 20431

Gateway "H" plastic can stay flexible all the way below 0. Pretty grippy too.

Gateway "H" plastic can stay flexible all the way below 0. Pretty grippy too.



I got an H-Illusion that was greasier than a bucket of chicken. I couldn't release it the same way 2 times in a row to save my life. Maybe I got a weird one.

I have an e wizard that is slicker than Pat Riley's hair.

I got an H-Illusion that was greasier than a bucket of chicken. I couldn't release it the same way 2 times in a row to save my life. Maybe I got a weird one.





I have an e wizard that is slicker than Pat Riley's hair.





Those are GREAT lines.......i might have to recycle them one day! :D

Thats funny that you say more overstable. Or some reason I find all my disc to be more understable in the cold weather we have here in Michigan. DX is the easiest to grip when its cold but its also the easiest to SHATTER. I usually try and throw Discrafts X plastic in the winter because it doesnt get quite as hard as the Z and doesnt get as messed up at the D.

Just my 2 cents



I have found that in the winter, when you keep your discs indoors and warm before going out to play a round they shatter much less. But if you leave DX discs in the car overnight in the middle of winter and play a wooded course, you're just aking for a broken disc.

That makes sense. Has anyone tried or considered using some kind of heating device in their bag? I keep thinking of electric socks... Nothing that would melt plastic, but some kind of heat elemental wrapped in cloth.

That makes sense. Has anyone tried or considered using some kind of heating device in their bag? I keep thinking of electric socks... Nothing that would melt plastic, but some kind of heat elemental wrapped in cloth.



The problem with introducing warm plastics to cold elements is that snow will stick to the plastic, under the rim, on the top...everywhere. My trick is to actually bury the discs in the snow for 20 minutes and get them as cold as possible. that way the white stuff falls right off. Another trick is to keep a handwarmer on the part of the disc that you're about to grip right before you throw. That way, it's warmer and grippier than the rest of the plastic but wont take half of the avalanche with you down the fairway.

Not much snow in South Texas......not much snow in Northern Mexico(North Texas) either. :)

No snow at all, but I've been thinking of travelling to play in the snow, just to experience something difference. Hell, there isn't even much rain here.

No snow at all, but I've been thinking of travelling to play in the snow, just to experience something difference. Hell, there isn't even much rain here.



Jerks.... :p ;)

playin in the snow is fun, i live in minnesota. We have a wed nite league at North Valley Park (sun sets so **** early all we can have ia a nite league) it helps to put your nite-flight lights on when your discs are warm, then leave them out to freeze 10 min before the round. when your driver gets buried beneath the snow, the light makes the snow around it glow. also the snow absorbs so much sound its so nice and tranquil out there.

No snow at all, but I've been thinking of travelling to play in the snow, just to experience something difference. Hell, there isn't even much rain here.




Winter league at Oshtemo Township Park. $35 for all winter and get this...not only do you get to play in sub-zero temps, but you get to hang-out with about 35-40 complete whackos. What better reason? :D