Bring Back Old Molds: Putters and Mids

Discraft has released over 100 unique disc golf molds over its 4-decade history.

Certain molds caught on immediately and still have a cult following today. Some molds were popular for a short time before something newer came along. And some molds never really caught on with players.

Ledgestone began producing limited runs of specialty Discraft molds in 2015 to raise money for the Ledgestone Open. The special-edition runs feature unique plastic types, rare discs, and the return of numerous old, out-of-production molds. Most of these OOP molds haven’t been seen in years and Ledgestone has brought them back to reinspire the masses.

We’ve taken the time to put together a comprehensive list of all of the OOP molds Ledgestone has produced over the years. Learn about their history, what they fly like, and what molds from Discraft’s current lineup can serve as a replacement. We’ll start with putters and midranges:

_________________________________________________________________________________________

APX - The APX is an understable putter with slight turn and minimal fade. Its slightly beaded rim adds comfortability in the hand and consistency on the green. The Ledgestone Edition APX was run in both 2020 and 2021.

Released in 1999, the APX quickly overtook the Magnet as Discraft’s most popular putting option. The APX’s microbeaded rim was Discraft’s answer to the popularity of the small bead feel being produced by competing manufacturers. The popularity only lasted for a few years though until the release of the Challenger and Focus which caused the APX to slowly phase out of the production line. Though it out-performed the Magnet in the early 2000s, the Magnet still remains the closest modern mold in flight characteristics to the APX, though the larger bead on the Magnet gives a slightly different feel in the hand.

Rattler - This neutral-flying putter has a thin rim and a tall, boxy profile. The Rattler feels like a small version of a traditional catch Frisbee and is a great choice for low-speed approaches to the green. The Ledgestone Edition Rattler was run in 2021.

With disc golf gaining popularity in the mid-90s, the emergence of the Rattler in 1994 gave traditional lid throwers a PDGA approved version to toss on the course. Old-school professionals like Mark Ellis trusted the Rattler for short-range approaches on the green. When the similar Putt’r was released several years later, the Rattler still lasted longer because of its loyal fans. There is nothing left in Discraft’s current lineup with the unique feel of the Rattler, so grabbing a Ledgestone Edition Rattler is the only way to experience the feel and flight.

Zeppelin - This tall-rimmed putter has a wide, oversized flight plate and a lot of similar qualities to a stereotypical catch Frisbee. The Ledgestone Edition Zeppelin has been run since 2021.

The 2011 Discraft Ace Race featured the Zeppelin, a callback to traditional lids and catch-style discs that could be thrown with minimal effort and could impact players of all skill levels. The mold was not a success and was discontinued shortly thereafter without a full stock run ever being produced. However, the mold was later sold to Plastic Addicts and, in 2016, approved and released as the “Habit”. Discraft does not currently make anything comparable in size and feel to the Zeppelin, so the Ledgestone Edition is the only way for players to get one in their hands.

Putt’r - This tall-rimmed, unbeveled putter brings in all the feels of a traditional lid in disc golf form. It is neutral-to-understable and perfect for anhyzer releases and soft, floaty bids at the basket. The Ledgestone Edition Putt’r was run in 2021.

In 2002, Discraft created the Putt’r as a more versatile replacement for the defunct Deuce. Because of its similar feel to a traditional lid, old-school players who had picked up disc golf over the previous two decades quickly fell in love. But the Putt’r also shared that beloved catch Frisbee feel with the Rattler, and in 2008 the Rattler officially pushed it out of production. Unlike the Putt’r, the Magnet is beveled, beaded, and certainly not as deep, but flight-wise it is very similar.

Nebula - This overstable midrange consistently fights headwinds and delivers predictable flights. The beadless rim feels very similar to a Buzzz. The Ledgestone Edition Nebula has been run since 2021.

The Nebula was released in 2008 as Discraft’s Ace Race prototype, but it never truly made it to stock production. It was run once in Elite Z plastic in 2010 and then wasn’t seen for over a decade until the first Ledgestone Edition Nebula was released in 2021. Discraft pivoted from the original Nebula mold to extend the Buzzz family and create the Buzzz OS, which, naturally, is the closest in-production disc players can find that compares to a Nebula in feel and flight, though the Buzzz OS is a bit more overstable.

Buzzz GT - This is your classic Buzzz, but with a groove top. The natural thumb track increases grip and maximizes spin upon release. This straight-flying midrange has a predictable flight with a consistent finish. It was first run by Ledgestone in 2016 as a special release of 500 in CryZtal plastic.

The Buzzz GT was approved for production in 2008, but was never designed to be released as a stock disc. Instead, the Buzzz GT appeared every few years in limited commemorative runs to promote special moments and events. Because of the rarity, this mold has gained value among collectors. The groove top really only adds a different feel. Flight-wise, it flies almost identical to a standard Buzzz.

Hawk - The Hawk is a perfect straight-flying, beaded midrange choice for new players. Known for its glide and controllable speed, the Hawk can thread tight fairways and carve through the woods. The Ledgestone Edition Hawk debuted in 2021.

This old-school mold debuted in 1993 and helped Discraft players dominate the course for over two decades before it was removed from production. The initial prototype release of the Hawk had its weight distributed differently than the eventual stock runs with the majority of weight set in the rim for added durability. These prototypes are known as “HD Hawks”. Big names like Paul Ulibarri and Nate Doss have bagged a Hawk and trusted it for low-speed straight shots or turnover lines. The Buzzz SS is slightly faster and has more glide along with a touch more understability, but it is the closest midrange in Discraft’s modern lineup to the Hawk.

Impact - The Impact is a neutral-to-stable midrange with strong glide and minimal fade. The mold’s shallow rim depth makes it controllable for all skill levels, while its consistent flight pushes forward as long as it’s in the air. The Ledgestone Edition Impact has been run since 2021.

The fifth edition of Discraft’s annual Ace Race in 2007 gave the world the Impact. The majority of early runs weighed between 150 and 160 grams which made them lighter than many competing midranges. Though classified as a midrange, the sharp edge of the Impact makes it more aerodynamic and allows it to push for distance closer to that of a fairway driver. It found a niche following upon release and hung around for a while before being discontinued in 2018. Of Discraft’s current midranges, the Buzzz SS is the closest thing to the Impact, though the blunted rim gives it a very different feel in the hand. Moving up to low-speed fairway drivers, the Sting is probably the most similar disc on the market to an Impact.

Hornet - This microbeaded midrange feels like a Buzzz in the hand and provides a consistently overstable flight with strong glide. The Hornet resists high-speed turn and fits into Discraft’s lineup between the Wasp and Drone. The Ledgestone Edition Hornet was released in 2021.

The 2010 Discraft Ace Race gave the world its first look at the Hornet. It was yet another addition to the “Bee Family” of Discraft’s midrange lineup. With heavy competition in the overstable midrange department at the company with the Wasp, Drone, and soon the Buzzz OS, the Hornet never truly caught on, though its lack of a large bead compared to the Wasp and Drone helped it gain some fans because of its similar feel to the Buzzz. The Buzzz OS is really the mold that put the Hornet in its coffin, and though it lacks the glide of the Hornet, it is easily the closest comparison in Discraft’s modern-day lineup with a similar flight and Buzzz-like feel. 

Blog by Jacob Arvidson