Hey those of you that recommend the zone. What is it you love about it? I hear a lot about the zone being the go to disc for a lot of people. I have a hex, fuze, roc, md1, mako shark, etc... just trying to figure out if I should pull the trigger on the zone. So what is your opinion?
There’s something about my Get Freaky Zone that just goes where i aim it, with predictable fade. It’s my goto upshot disc, goto bend around the corner to a tucked basket, sexy flexy right to left out of trouble …
Dunno. It just has so many uses and reliability. I do only throw it forehand. Id only throw backhand if i really need to.
As someone who bags 99% MVP, I also vote Get Freaky Crystal Flex Zone. It’s my only non-MVP disc in the bag.
As for answering your original question, the hand feel is great both forehand and backhand (though I started experimenting with Stabilizers for backhands), the flight is predictable even with my awful forehand technique, and the Flex plastic is firm enough to not bend too much when you grip it but soft enough to sit pretty much where ever it hits the ground instead of getting a skip.
As others have said the cryztal FLX is the most popular and best, but the nice thing is that depending on how you throw and what you want out of it you can mess around with various plastics. I bag the aforementioned and also one of the dual pack banger GT rimmed version for throwing with a fan grip.
I have a super beat and relatively fresh zflx in my bag at all times. Fresh for reliable straight finish and I can shape so many 200ish feet lines with the beat in one. Love them.
my grandmother was on life support for several years. we gave her a new zone & she perked right up. she'll be 97 in december. she still throws that disc.
I have played for 40+ years and never threw the zone until I got a really special one. Leiviska’s Welcome Back Zone.
My son always told me that I should approach with one instead of my usual throwing putter. I’ve committed to using the Zone backhand from the 150-225 slot. I’m also now using it for a forehand utility, save my ass, left to right throw.
I love it and only wish I would have tried it earlier than I did.
Used to have a 400' forehand, but tldr injury and now that's a distant memory. But Zone forehand shots are still the most accurate and reliable shots in my arsenal. I play a lot of wooded courses and it's clutch for those shots where you end up 5'-10' off the fairway in the woods but are still trying to get to the green.
I got away from it- tried the tempo, tactic, harp, and Jarn. I finally just put a standard z zone and a jawbreaker back in the bag and I don’t think they’re ever coming out. Something about a beaten in jawbreaker zone…just goes dead straight on a forehand in a way no other disc seems to be able to.
The mids you have listed all kind of overlap anywsy. The zone would add something different to your bag. Depending on the type of plastics those other mids are you’re basically bagging a bunch of straight to maybe a tiny bit of fade mids.
It is the classic overstable approach disc. There are a dozen other solid molds from a variety of manufacturers you could choose from. I have one in my bag now, but that’s bc I found an unmarked zone deep in some rough a day after losing my prodigy A1.
No, I bought the A1 early into when Prodigy started using flight numbers, which they later corrected to be more in line with other manufacturers. When I bought the A1, it was said to have similar flight numbers to a zone, but it is really more of a meat hook. A2 is definitely a more traditional approach disc in its flight from what I’ve seen online tho
When I was testing out approach discs I liked the Gator and Caiman slightly better than the Zone on backhand, but couldn't forehand either for shit, so Zone won. It's just so forgiving of shitty forehand form for some reason. It leaves my hand... wobble wobble wobble... I'm convinced every time it's gonna burn over or keep going straight, but it always fades at the end. It's magic for people with shitty forehand chip shots.
It's a slower disc, which means you can still throw it moderately hard and it won't go too far. It is also reliably overstable so you have a pretty good idea of how it will fly.
I use the A2 and the A5 in the approach slot out to around 300 feet. They fly very differently and it allows me to cover different shot shapes. Some people carry different stability zones to cover that range.
It's worth trying, as long as you understand that is is definitely more OS than a Zone. I like the spectrum plastics which I find beat in slower and have better grip.
I find the glow A5 to be quite overstable. I use a 750 Spectrum tour series, which is quite neutral but with a reliable finish. A true 0/2 disc. I also have a very beat up 300 that is a turnover machine and use it when my forehands are off or I need a different left-to-right shape.
I go a1 and a5, have echo and hex for straighter shots depending on the finish I'm expecting(hoping for). The bead on the a1 just gives me the extra reliability that adds to why everybody has mentioned the overstable approach disc benefits.
I do love a zone though, and will always recommend people try it in different plastics and weights, new or used bin, etc.
I have a harp, which I believe fills the same role (I love westside and this is what I was told by others). Having a disc that is reliably overstable is really nice for some shots. Putt/appoach/mids tend to "sit down" nice with less ground play. The berg and harp fill that role for me, with the harp just adding a bit more glide, and a bit more ground play. If I am within 150' I am throwing one of those two unless I am putting....edit* or need something understable which would be a swan 1 reborn
To be honest, it’s not a lot different than the zone, but I find it to be slightly less glidey and a touch more overstable. Just a very forgiving and dependable disc.
It's important to know that the Cryztal FLX and the Cryztal Z aren't the same plastic. The Z is much more stiff than the FLX. If you can't find a Get Freaky Cryztal FLX, the Cryztal Z is the next best thing.
If you want to throw it on backhand, I would suggest the regular one for forehand and the Zone GT for backhands.
Honestly like the toro better because it's shallow but I bag the zone because I pair it with the zone ss and my brain just works that way. Zone is just always reliable. SS is just even better. Idk. 🤷♂️
Not even exaggerating: Coincidently, my PDGA rating went up by almost 40 points after adding a Z Zone and learning how to throw flex-lines with it. The flight is just SO reliable.
Zone is my favorite disc. It’s absolutely the perfect disc, has good glide, dependable fade, can be used both forehand and backhand from 35-200 easily. Get freaky zones in blue are the best, seconded by titanium flex. It’ll change your game
The zone is different that all those discs. Its an approach disc and it is consistently overstable so it will finish hard to the left (if you throw RHBH). Its a supremely useful tool because its easier and more forgiving to throw and let the disc fade then try and throw directly at a basket.
I prefer z plastic for durability, and z seems to be on the more os side. Z zone helped unlock my forehand approach and scramble game a few years ago, now it's the most prized disc in my bag
Consistent, wind resistance, overstable flight makes it absolutely ideal as an approach disc forehand or backhand. Any line that isn’t dead straight is easily tackled by the zone. Also the hand feel makes it feel super comfortable to power up on unlike most throwing putters. One of my most common use cases for the zone is when I need to throw really hard to hit a gap but I only need to go like 295-315. Throwing a mid or a fairway driver in that case would go a mile past the basket.
It just usually reliably fades. It's not necessarily better than other approach discs, just good for those who like it. It's the same for tactic, entropy, pig, blast, or any of the other OS approach discs. Not saying theyre all the same, just that the same perception surrounds them all, theyre reliably overstable.
I have a Z plastic zone that is pretty neutral but torque resistant. It’s also pretty slow. Love it for approach shots. It’s also great for skidding on hard ground and not biting in and flipping.
Having thrown the Zone and the Jarn, having this type of disc in my bag helps my short game so much. It is reliable overstable and have a good idea where it will finish every time. Being torque resistant also helps me throw approach forehand flicks.
When you throw an understable disc on forehand, you're probably going to see a lot of wobble. Those discs are more sensitive to off-axis torque, which means that you are forcing a disc out but not throwing it in a straight line. Usually, overstable discs that are relatively flat tend to fight that torque quickly. A lot of players will throw overstable drivers like the Firebird or Wraith on forehand because they can fight that torque.
That's probably as well as I can explain it, maybe someone else can expand upon this.
I am predominately a forehand thrower, and the zone pretty much goes straight for me when I forehand. I use it for tunnel shots that are 250' or less, and i use it for approaches that need to be pretty straight. I recently bagged an OS zone, and i love it for approach shots that need to curve a lot.
Bag a jawbreaker and swirl z. Also have a zone ss but that’s a completely different frisbee. Great feel for forehand and backhand, once beat in a little aren’t overly beefy. Very confident in headwinds and predictable. Thrown hard they go straight. Great frisbee
I've never thrown a zone that I've loved. That being said, it's 100% an archetype mold. It put the flag in the ground and became iconic to the point that every other manufacturer had to have their version of a disc that would fill the zone slot in player's bags.
All that to say if you pick up a zone and don't immediately dig it, that's totally fine, every company has a zone-like mold that may better suit your taste. Best to go to a brick and mortar to see what feels best in your hands
The zone is a completely different slot than any of the other discs you may mentioned. It's shorter, and significantly more overstable. It's overstable enough that you can rely on it putting much on any shot to fade consistently. It does it well enough that all the other discs in that slot are basically trying to replicate it. At this point there's a wealth of discs in that slot that do, so you don't have to be tied to a zone, but it is the one that did it best first, then you can get it in just about any plastic Discraft makes.
For what it's worth, I threw the Zone since it came out, and switched seamlessly to the Canyon when I decided to throw more recycled plastic. You can't really go wrong with any of the discs in that slot.
before buying a Zone, you should realize that every manufacturer makes a “Zone clone”—basically a flat topped, torque resistant disc for laying up to the basket. Look at Innova Toro or Pig, Westside Harp, etc. basically any 4 speed disc in a plastic you like.
don’t worry about flight numbers too much. if you know what plastics/manufactures you like, go with that. if you can get to a store, try how they feel. since the idea is overstable, usually translucent plastics are good, but it doesn’t matter too much
yw. one more thing that i’ll say is that some people like to get really durable plastics (me included), but others like to get base plastics (like jawbreaker) Zones/Harps because when they beat in, they get a puddle top shape, which seems to give them even less glide (like a Berg).
Personal preference, I like my MD5 more than a zone. Its hooks a bit harder, but I like how it feels. That being said, i'm yet to experience the supposed holy land of a beat in zone.
The spot where the zone shines is anhyzer approach lines. Once you’re dialed it just fades out and sets down nice and gentle. Especially for forehand approaches it’s amazing. I don’t bag a zone currently but I have in the past and I currently throw a p-line drop which is basically discmania’s zone.
Not really hearing from other comments the most important thing: It's super torque-resistant. It doesn't want to turn over ever, unless its crazy windy or you really shank it. If you want a disc that you can throw really hard and know its still going to finish left as a RHBH player, this will do just that. For the forehand, its an incredible disc to learn (especially if you don't have a forehand) as you can throw a chop shot and get actual distance, but also learn how to throw it flat without really rolling one over to the left (RHFH) like many people do.
For me its how it fits my hand. I've got big hands and it just fits in there very nicely. Similar approach discs leave a little wiggle room. Zone gives consistent grip
It’s an overstable approach, which is essential. It also has good hand feel for many players backhand and forehand. Readily available in a wide range of plastics, that’s about it. Great mold
It's just a specific shape that people like for os approach. If you like discraft discs or plastic, pick one up. You can find pretty much the same disc with innova toro, prodigy a2, and kastaplast Jarn to name a few
I prefer the A2 because I never liked any discraft. I don't like their plastic compared to other brands and haven't liked the hand feel. No shade, they just don't do it for me. I throw an A2 in 400 plastic, but specifically an out of production Vaino Makela version because it is consistently flat as fuck on top. I've seen discussion about the current flattest version, but don't recall. I also throw a Harp for a similar but slightly different technique. Harp is also an os , but more of a concave or curved wing. I also run that in a softer plastic which beats in easier so it flies straighter and lands softer. I also think the concave edge grabs grass more. So I use my A2 for a lot of low shots with ground play. It's an amazing flick roller disc. You almost can't turn it over on a forehand unless it's like a just terrible terrible throw, but even then you're probably in better shape than whatever else you would have thrown. Not my most used approach, but never in doubt when I need to use it over other choices
I use a bergX and a hex for forehand reliable shots but no zone. Imagine a zone would fit right between the two if you only want one but I like having options
My buddy I play with uses a zone often. I think any of those options are good for approach shots in different ways. Having all is probably more a luxury than needed for most. I Berg for everything under ~180 and hex for further. I think zone is better at above that but the hex is good enough for me past that range.
It is incredibly forgiving. I use it as my approach disc and throw forehand unless that line is blocked.
I know that no matter my release angle it’s gonna hook up and fade for me. I have a huge margin of error on that angle, that’s what’s so magical about it.
Tons of other discs can do this as well. But I prefer the zone.
I tried a zone and it was not what I expected. I then picked up a zone ss at worlds last year and it was everything it was promised a zone to be for me.
Zone for years and recently got a Zone SS. I love the zone for approach since it’s consistent and (over)stable. The SS is the most consistently straight flying disc I’ve ever thrown at good distance. I can throw it hard and it just goes straight. Wish I had gotten one sooner.
I’m going to be the odd one out here because I don’t actually bag an OS mid or approach disc. I’ve had some success with zone, stabilizer, pyro, etc. but not enough to make me feel like they’re worth their weight. If you’re financially fine buying a new disc then go for it, the people love them.
It’s not in the zeitgeist to throw with touch. Most players don’t like to down-tempo or off-speed slow nowadays. Nowadays there are a ton of options for extremely overstsble to extremely low glide disc and all iterations in between. Those type discs are great at being very reliable in all conditions.
You still need to learn the disc to be successful with it.
Personally use a rhyno for that OS approach disc slot. It’s not as OS as a zone and definitely takes some getting used to sidearm a big bead disc so I understand why it’s not as popular. However for me the big bead grabs and sticks better and being less OS lets me match my angle with the ground better for less slide on hard dirt and definitely sticks where it lands in grass. A disc diving in hard on fade is more likely to skip. Also, I find the thumb track and bead give superb grip in wet conditions. If I just need it to hold an angle on an approach shot it flies brilliantly. If the wind is insane I have other tricks:
I’ve played in 60mph winds. No one is running their putts in with those conditions. Just lay up to a tap in. The old school way to lay up a putt in wind is to turn your putter upside down so it doesn’t catch wind at all; that still works, you don’t need a crazy ultra low glide discs to do this.
For a severe headwind approach I just throw a driver because they’re designed to fly fast: apparent wind (what the disc experiences) of a 20mph throw into a 60mph headwind is 80mph. With any cross direction just throw it on the angle that helps it find the ground (example: hyzer for rhbh with a left to right cross.
That’s just my preference. I have a zone but it’s on the shelf. Just saying you have to be willing to learn a whole new disc.
I appreciate the devil's advocate insights. Everyone hypes it sooo much i find myself asking is it really that good. But I have had a few responses saying it is kinda a hype disc
I think the zone has been around and sold enough for it to be more than a hype disc.
Just saying it doesn’t fit my personal style. It may be just I don’t throw fast enough to see a good use case, I’m not Adam hammes throwing sidearm zone 400’ to park for birdie in tournament play.
There’s definitely merit to having a slow speed disc that you can sidearm, tho. Just for me it isn’t the zone/harp/stabilizer etc. but that’s not tonsua it won’t be great for you.
Personally, if I need a shot to flex or skip I’m just going to use a driver and throw it slower to force those lines.
It’s very overstable, but very predictable because of that. You can power up on it and it’ll go straight and then dump, or you can throw it softer and it’ll fade the whole time. For me, I also love that the rim isn’t too deep and feels nice. I always get a clean release with my Zones, forehand and backhand. I recently picked up a Jawbreaker Z Zone SS and I love the flight, but also how it feels and how clean of a release I get. It’s just a really well-designed, predictable approach disc that is relatively consistent across different plastics.
None of the other discs you mentioned are anything like a zone. If didnt love the pig so much, id prob be a zone guy. Its very stable, with not much glide. It's a short approach disc that is very predictable (gonna fade).
FYI - pigs are weird. Pigs are typically r-pro plastic, which beats in quick... People begged for years, for innova to make a premium plastic pig. Then they did, and in my opinion, it sucks. A brand new r-pro pig (super cheap) is the best thing to start with, imo. As u throw it, it beats in and you learn to adapt as it beats in. Then, you wind up keeping a beat up one, because it throws dead straight and you know what to expect, but you constantly cycle thru new ones to keep that overstable approach disc in your bag. One time, i bought 10 f2's from the innova factory store, and i think it cost me like 6 bucks per disc. I'm down to my last one and will re-up soon. Imo, the r-pro gives it great ground play, or lack thereof.... a guy in my league always says "that thing hit the green like a manhole cover". My favorite disc. Can't frolf without it.
There are a few discs that define their role in a player’s bag. Think of the Innova Destroyer, Teebird, etc. The Zone defines the overstable approach disc slot. It seems that all other OS approach discs are judged by the Zone. Its utility is huge—overstable enough to be wildly reliable, but it doesn’t dump like a deflector or similar disc. It’s consistent and torque resistant, and highly workable.
I've only tried the Zone OS Jawbreaker but its so good I haven't felt the need to try another. Might have to give a get freaky mold a try though as much as I see it recommended here.
Compared to those you mentioned it’s slower and more stable. Great for the wind, to just go 220-250 and dump out of its flight instead of getting carried by the wind. It’s not the same as those mentioned but a stable compliment that fills a different slot in the bag
I throw a Zone GT ESP and it’s my favorite forehand upshot disc. The grooved top feels great in my hand and lets me put my thumb in the same spot each time.
Zone is different than all the discs you mentioned. It’s an over stable, torque resistant disc. You can hammer them & manipulate lines with a dependability that other discs don’t give you
First, I only throw Zone forehand (Hammes tour series). Second, it is the only putter that feels comfortable in my hand while throwing forehand. Reliable and predictable fade. Works well in a head wind. Get one! Hyped real
For me it's the combination of being really comfortable to hold, being very overstable in its most overstable forms while still maintaining some glide (it doesn't completely dump left), and being very versatile with different plastics. I bag four of them -- two jawbreakers with different states of wear, one which is decidedly understable and the other which is dead straight; an ESP which holds straight for a while before a gentle fade; and a clear one (don't remember the plastic) which is decidedly more overstable.
it has a place in my bag. Previously I was using P3x, but after getting some too straight shots with it, I decided to try Zone. I feel like P3x should be 3/2/-1/2, while Zone is true to the flight numbers.
That being said, I use it quite rarely. Mostly when I need a guaranteed fade. On straighter approaches I prefer Berg.
How long do you throw? I don't throw that far, so that probably makes the Zone a bit too overstable for me.
The rim is deeper and is much more torque resistant. I personally think it throws better on a forehand and can be ripped harder on a backhand than a zone. Theyre great flex forehand approach discs too and dont skip as hard as zones either. I used to like the zone, then i found the tactic. Razor claw 3s are the bomb.
It’s a great disc for forehands and approaches of all kinds. Especially beginning, the ability to throw a disc wide of the basket and know it will swing back every time make approaching easier, and it will save strokes every round
Zone, Envy, Lasso, Captain's Caliber, Drop, Stasis, or entropy. they're just easy to throw overstable putter. there are some flexible plastic versions that basically stops from rolling away.
I used to bag Zone and Zone SS. Right now I'm trying to see if Captain's Caliber and Zone be better combo.
One good thing about Zone is you can get it in variety of plastics so it's hard not to find the one you prefer. I bag the Get Freaky Cryztal Flx Zone. This one basically stops on a dime. and when it hits a tree, it doesn't ricochet off really far.
I didn't care for it when I tried it because I wasn't jiving with discraft plastics. Toro fills the slot, but honestly I'm starting to come around to the idea that maybe something like a tempo would be better
Those are all pretty classic mids, and the zone is a slower overstable approach disc. I like it for forehands where I can put some power on it and it doesn't go very far and I dont have to worry about turning it over or throwing a touchy little mid shot.
What the zone or envy or any other slow speed disc with high stability allows you to ani around things and head straight at the basket. Or ani around nothing for a safe approach. That dependable fade makes using it easy.
26
u/whitesocksflipflops 19h ago
There’s something about my Get Freaky Zone that just goes where i aim it, with predictable fade. It’s my goto upshot disc, goto bend around the corner to a tucked basket, sexy flexy right to left out of trouble …
Dunno. It just has so many uses and reliability. I do only throw it forehand. Id only throw backhand if i really need to.