Last week you may recall the Arrow from Aerobie had me side-tracked a little discussing the general lack of significant design diversity in disc golf.
Most discs look very much alike as well.
As stated then even among putters few designs push the envelope too far.
One factor cited was the likely impact the design specifications of the Professional Disc Golf Association had on design development. The PDGA is basically the governing body of the sport, and while many tournaments may not be sanctioned by the body, most opt to use the organization's rules.
In regular golf the greatest diversity comes with putters. There are golf putters with a myriad of head designs, not to mention some pretty wild concepts through the years with six-foot shafts and the like.
Disc golf has some greater diversity in putter design, although nowhere near the differences seen in real golf.
One company which has tried to push the envelope is Quest Advanced Technologies, and that is certainly the case with the Turbo Putt.
One look at the disc and you know it is different. Rather than a perfect circle, the edge looks a bit like the edge of a gear.
The idea is pretty ingenious. You are throwing a disc into a basket with a series of hanging chains. The idea is the 'geared' edge will grip and hold the chains better.
Maybe too well, at least in the eyes of the PDGA which initially approved the Turbo Putt in 2007, but subsequently pulled it with it no longer on the rather lengthy 'approved disc' list.
Now that doesn't mean you can't throw the Turbo Putt, but it will likely mean most organized tournaments will make you leave the disc in the car.
The Turbo Putt makes an interesting putter, although the edge might not give you as much of an advantage as you might expect.
But that is not the only innovation here.
Flip the Turbo over and you find a ridge spiraling out from the centre. You can toss the Turbo Putt with an overhand throw where you place the thumb under the disc with your fingers gripping the rim for spin.
That might sound strange, but think of its usefulness popping over a low push around a basket on a tight course. It might not be an everyday shot, but then few rounds don't offer one shot that you wouldn't love a specialty disc to accomplish.
Whether the edge is too radical, or not, is not up to me to answer. The PDGA has determined it is.
But that doesn't mean for the low cost of discs golfers can't grab one for fun.
Check it out at www.questat.com
