Recently we sent the Winnicrew out with a stack
of the new Ching
plastic and some simple instructions: throw 'em and tell us what you
think.
For a few years now, Ching has been known as the place to go
for the sweetest full color disc graphics. Really nice stuff. If
you're trying to impress a big sponsor, send your full color artwork to
the Ching artisans and they'll send you back a stack of plastic that will
make your sponsor say "Wow, why did I wait so long to sponsor disc
golf?"
The Ching team has also made a name for themselves with many pros
in the mystic disc golf subcultural search for stability: In some circles
the unique 'Full Color' Ching graphic process is rumored to yield discs
that are just a little more flat, a tad heavier, slightly more overstable,
and a little more durable. Lots of players are throwing Innova's Eagle,
but some insist on throwing Ching Eagles... try one for yourself and
see if you notice the difference.
Now Ching has released a modest lineup of their own golf discs
bearing the brand name, and we wanted to know how they flew.
Todd Branch reports:
The Bomb: Overstable driver. This disc is a really nice flyer.
The mold resembles the profile of the Wham-o Voyager or the
Polaris LS. The plastic is pliable, but relatively stiff compared to the
other discs in the Ching line. It isn't as firm as some hi-end plastics on
the market- but affordability is an acceptable tradeoff for longevity.
Pliable plastics may bend and warp faster, diminishing the life of the
disc's stability more quickly- although Ching calls this 'experience' and
promotes the trait as a benefit for managing long range 'turnover'
shots. We were told the philosophy is to carry fewer models, in
various weights or age, to address a full range of shot strategies. It
works. (MSRP: $7.00-$9.00)
The Sniper: Stable driver. Same 'standard' plastic blend as the
BOMB. Feels like a Panther but with more torque and glide
stability. Good idea. It's a fast and small middy driver, without the
typical sharp edge of distance models. We heard it flies like a
mini-Roc- but with more distance..a very promising comparison! It
has a comfortable grip and feels good in the hand, but seemed harder
to control as winds turned into gusts (our Sniper testing occurred on a
day of extreme weather). I'm looking forward to throwing it in normal
wind conditions to see how it really performs. (MSRP: $7.00-$9.00)
The Stinger: Understable midrange. This dog will hunt! The
'flex' plastic is a grade softer than the Bomb or Sniper, with
intentionally decreased rigidity for shots more likely to strike the target.
Thumbtrac designs are here to stay and understable midrange discs
are bread-and-butter... that's why 'experienced' Rocs and Comets are
a mainstay in most professional golfer's bags. The popularity of an
understable midrange disc has been proven over the years. Off the
shelf, the Stinger flys like a slow speed Stratus due to the large leading
edge. While our review is from a professional player's perspective, we
can see the benefit to novice players who are just beginning to
understand 'turnovers' and 'stability'. Everyone really liked it. (MSRP:
$7.00-$9.00)
The Tank: Stable putt and approach. Tank's 'fusion' plastic is the grippiest and
softest in the Ching line. This blend isn't available for full color printing
and may cost a little more, but is worth the upcharge for pro putting
action. The profile is virtually the same as Innova's Rhyno, but the
beadless bottom rim makes the release feel quicker. We were
impressed with the fact that this fat edged golf disc really flies. Equally
interesting was how it dropped out of the sky after the momentum
died on approach shots- it really is a tank! It's not as short range
sensitive as other putters like the Magnet or Aviar, but if you are a
power putter like myself then the brute perforamce is an asset.
(MSRP: $9.00-$11.00)
Summary: Each one of the Ching discs that we reviewed has
desireable traits, and can be appreciated as an individual stand alone
model. But the most notable overall aspect is how they relate to each
other in this compact line. There's just enough overlap in performance
features to make this a complete and
valuable set...in this case, less is more. A
useful stability guide is factory stamped on
each disc for flight reference. Spend a buck or two more for
full color designs and you've upgraded
the look and the stability. It's no surprise
to see these discs flying all over the place
in tournaments.
To learn more about the Ching line of products and services, or to
locate a retailer in your area, head over to Ching headquarters at
somewherecool.com.
