I was in the local Fleet Farm today when I noticed individual disc golf discs on standard pegboard type displays for $3.99 each. I forget the manufacturer name (started with an H, definitely wasn't Wham-O), but there was a driver, midrange and putter available. On the bottom of the disc was a very visible 'Made in China' stamp. The label showed them distributed by an East Coast company, and they also selling the same brand boomerangs, Frisbee type discs and other items.

Anyone have any ideas on these? At $3.99 each, predominately displayed at a common store, is this the start of a changing market? Can you sell a new player a $12 disc out of your trunk if the local Fleet Farm is going to offer starter discs for $3.99?

No problem for non-sanctioned events. We see players using Aerobies on courses all the time and having a blast. If the Chinese wanted to, they could blow right past our PDGA membership numbers in no time at all with their own association: Chinese Hucking Exceptional Aerial Plastic Disc Golf Association otherwise know as: CHEAP DGA :o

I'd be worries about the lead they use to dye the plastic giving me cancer or something.

I did not find a 'PDGA approved' stamp on the discs. But on the other hand, I wonder where the 'models' for the molds came from.

Anyone know the name on these? If not, I'll go back to the store on the way home and get it for posting later. They looked better than the original Wham-O effort in this area, and weren't all that far from DX plastic.

HALEX

they make a bunch of outdoor games. $3.99 but the 'newcomer' uneducated player does not realize that the plastic will last less than 1/10th as long as the $12 disc. Let the uneductaed stay that way. I'll never buy the $4 chinese discs, even if they are pdga approved, largely for the same reason I don't buy dx or D junk.

Yep, that was it, Halex.

Are they in partnership in any way with an established dg disc company so they can get molds or the like? Anyone know if they design their own, copy someone else's design or work with a partner?

largely for the same reason I don't buy dx or D junk.



wow...been playing this game a long time (not very well I might add), but I never considered DX as junk. Shelf life might not be what the newer plastic is, but nothing feels better to me in cold or wet playing conditions than the DX plastic.

But to each is own...

Looking for a scandal, eh?

I'm in! :D

No, more curious as to where these are coming from and if this is going to be an issue for anyone thinking about selling club discs or starting a business (storefront or Internet based). Not scandal, more curiosity and concern over whether a market shift is underway that could affect a business model (no, not mine).

Let's face it, if a major disc manufacturer is behind a push for cheap starter plastic (material and labor wise) sold at low margins through retail stores, the business climate for disc sales could be altered in a big way. Or if a toy business (sounds more like this company) feels that it can be in the game by knocking off molds from other manufacturers and mass producing them overseas, resulting in a product produced at a fraction of the cost, then things change.

You're worries could be manifested in much easier ways than that. I live 40 miles from Wal-Mart headquarters. That's the kind of thing you should worry about. When someone can go buy the same disc cheaper than you can sell it, you're in trouble. Really though, I don't think the little man will be run out of the DG industry anytime soon. I'll buy a disc for a little more anyday if it is from someone I know and like. Or if it supports a cause I wish to support.

If Walmart is selling a buck or two cheaper, that can be overcome with selection, location, convenience, service and the like. But if Walmart and all the other retail outfits start selling $3.99 discs instead of $8 - $12 discs, then your market gets reduced to just those who know the differences in the quality of plastics and particular molds and are willing to pay 2x to 4x the price of the cheaper disc. The new thrower, or potential new thrower, who doesn't appreciate the added value to that level will be lost.

largely for the same reason I don't buy dx or D junk.



wow...been playing this game a long time (not very well I might add), but I never considered DX as junk. Shelf life might not be what the newer plastic is, but nothing feels better to me in cold or wet playing conditions than the DX plastic.

But to each is own...



Junk in terms of not lasting AT ALL when hitting trees on the types of courses I like to play, compared to Z or Champion plastic that I like to throw. I would not waste ANY money on d or dx based on what I prefer, since it's not even 50% cheaper! To me durability and price should be linear. Seeing as how Z lasts 100x longer than D, the D should be 1/100th the price.

It's just brand new garbage. I saw someone playing with some of those and asked if I could throw it. Pure hyser and it stilled rolled over. Brand new garbage, no worries mate.

Yep, that was it, Halex.

Are they in partnership in any way with an established dg disc company so they can get molds or the like? Anyone know if they design their own, copy someone else's design or work with a partner?



I reckon� they are made by the same company which are making the Instep discs (Pluto, Saturn and Mercury) for Pacific cycle. I think they are the same discs.

No, more curious as to where these are coming from and if this is going to be an issue for anyone thinking about selling club discs or starting a business (storefront or Internet based). Not scandal, more curiosity and concern over whether a market shift is underway that could affect a business model (no, not mine).

Let's face it, if a major disc manufacturer is behind a push for cheap starter plastic (material and labor wise) sold at low margins through retail stores, the business climate for disc sales could be altered in a big way. Or if a toy business (sounds more like this company) feels that it can be in the game by knocking off molds from other manufacturers and mass producing them overseas, resulting in a product produced at a fraction of the cost, then things change.



This could actually be one of the best things for our sport... wicked cheap discs getting in people's hands and hopefully helping grow the sport... getting them into it and they then learn about 'premium plastic' down the road and purchase from some of 'our' dg companies.

Think of it like these $3.99 discs are the knock off golf club / starter set makers... once people want to get better or play more often they go to Callaways, Nike, Taylor (ok... so i dont play ball golf so I can't continue the comparison but you get the idea).

Innova/discraft/gateway/etc would or could then turn all attention to making only the premium plastic and advancing technology

The problem is still a newcomer's lack of knowledge. The $4 disc is pure junk, so regardless of price, it's a waste. They don't last long, and fly like garbage - further turning newcomers off to the sport!



Dave at Gateway has an amazing deal for students it works out to $5 per disc in a 2,3, or 4 pack depending on what package you buy. Last time I heard, he was offering the packages FREE TO JUNIORS and WOMEN! That was so amazing that I tried like crazy to organize an event with all the local high school gym classes, but people are lazy around here, and hardly anyone even responded!



Almost as good is buying the tournament packages from Discraft. You get custom stamped Z or ESP discs for $5 each! Hold an "Introduction to Disc Golf Day" and sell these for $6 a piece to cover your shipping and maybe make a buck or two. Get a bunch of Xpress, Meteor, Buzzz, Impact, etc and give the newcomers a fighting chance to enjoy the game with a disc that will work for them. Only problem is investing the money up front to purchase a minimum 100 piece order.

Here's a random thought/question... does the PDGA have any stance on where the discs are manufactured when it comes to being pdga approved? I know even though they're located here in the U.S. they are the world-wide sport governing body so to not approve something from China based on where its from could be sketchy at best... but what about having a standard of not allowing for approved discs to be manufactured in countries w/ human rights issues (or in this case a country that may block access to the PDGA via the 'great firewall of china')?

How do you know currently approved products aren't manufactured in countries with human rights issues? There's nothing in the Tech Specs regarding place of manufacture. However, since our Board has to sign off on approvals, in theory they could decide that approving a disc made in a location was detrimental to the sport and not approve it. Unless someone on the Board did the research, they wouldn't know where a disc was made and there's no requirement that a disc or basket continue to be made in the place where the item submitted for approval was made.

gotcha... then that'd be something that the membership would have to decide (or BoD) if we wanted to take a stand on or not and then we'd have to somehow figure out where the stuff is being made.

Someone earlier mentioned Instep and I believe their baskets may be made in China. And since Wham-O is now Chinese owned, my guess is at least some of their production is done there or will be at some point.

this just in... instep baskets recalled due to lead content in paint!!! :O

So, Chinese players want to enter Worlds but discs made in their own country were not approved. Do we also not allow the players either?

you wouldn't punish the player for the country they come from... i'm from NC and if someone is making homemade discs here that aren't approved then you wouldn't say no NC players. And of course the Chinese player would have to be a PDGA member which might not be allowed by the 'Chinese Hucking Exceptional Aerial Plastic Disc Golf Association - CHEAP DGA' ;)

faulty logic... besides... i dont really care that much... just seeing what people thought and if there might've been anything previously mentioned about this.

i've already stated that I think cheap discs from China could potentially help this sport.

The more those discs and baskets penetrate the U.S. market, the more our manufacturers will be forced to produce overseas also. Pretty sure the DB-5 basket comes from across the Pacific in container loads.

Isn't a large portion of a Discatcher made in China? I know at least the chains are.

Cent called me yesterday with some interesting news. He had just been to the local 99-cent store and found some of the Wham-O golf discs on sale for 99 cents each! He bought all 15 they had on hand and is going to give them to the kids who hang out at the park where we just installed a course. I'm now scouring other local 99-cent stores...

Good for you risbee. Although I believe poor discs ruin the experience for newcomers and ultimately turn them off to the sport, these 99 cent discs would be great for 12 and under kids! I may have to do the same, great PR.

Sometimes a bad turnover disc is just the thing for new kids. The 150 Slice is a great beginner disc. It can make a bad throw look good!

Pretty sure the DB-5 basket comes from across the Pacific in container loads.



The DGA & Innova get baskets in "Containers" from overseas as well........ /msgboard/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

The most important thing in the game today is growing the sport. Period.

The more people playing, if they have a clue or not, the better. Then when they are on the course and one of the more dedicated players helps them out with some technique or instruction they are hooked. That is how the sport is going to grow. $4 discs will only help the sport grow in the long run. The people are the important aspect.

Soooooooo . . . next time you are at your course, be on the lookout for someone you can play with and help out. It is the best thing you can do for disc golf.

Jordan

PS: PLEASE don't misrepresent the sport by yelling profanities, littering, throwing into rec players, or other dumba$$ stuff. I don't think most here would, so ask others to have the same respect. J