The Beauty and Flight of Jade Disc Golf Discs

The Rising Popularity of Jade Disc Golf Discs

Disc golf has exploded in popularity over the last decade. Once seen as a niche sport for hardcore frisbee enthusiasts, disc golf courses can now be found in hundreds of parks across the world. With this growth, manufacturers have responded by creating discs in a rainbow of plastics and brands. One of the most coveted among disc golfers is the translucent, jewel-toned plastic known as "jade".

What Makes Jade Discs Unique?

Jade discs stand out on the course with their bright green hue. They get the name "jade" from their visual similarity to the semi-precious stone. Most discs have a opacity that makes them appear solid in color. Jade plastic, in contrast, allows light to pass through it. When held up to the sun, the clear rippling effect looks like ice or stained glass.

Manufacturers dye the discs by suspending color pigments rather than saturating the plastic. This allows the underlying transparency to show through. On the course, the discs have a glowing neon appearance that grabs the attention of players and spectators alike.

Popular Jade Disc Models

Latitude 64 is one of the leading manufacturers producing discs in vibrant jade plastic. Their popular models include:

• Compass - An understable mid-range disc suitable for a variety of shots.
• Fuse - One of their beginner friendly understable fairway drivers.
• Saint - A long distance driver capable of massive anhyzer lines.
• River - A workhorse fairway driver that combines speed, glide, and accuracy.

Trilogy, the parent company of Latitude 64, uses jade plastic across their Dynamic Discs and Westside Discs brands as well. The Westside Swan and Dynamic Discs Witness are two more toss-and-throw styles frequently produced in translucent jade.

Why Do Disc Golfers Love Jade?

Vibrant discs just look cool, especially when they seem to glow against lush greenery. But more than aesthetics, many disc golfers find value in jade's unique flight characteristics:

High Visibility

Losing a disc can be frustrating and costly for players. Standard colors like red, yellow, or blue are easy to lose in foliage. Jade discs are much brighter and stand out in grass. The light shining through them gives an eye-catching glimmer. Spotting a lost jade disc saves time and headaches.

Utility Flight Patterns

Transparent plastics like jade beat into straight fliers. As the disc ages, tiny scratches and dings disrupt air flow less radically than in opaque plastic. Seasoned players note jade discs hold a line for longer before eventually turning into rollers.

Durability

Despite their scratches becoming visible quickly, jade discs withstand abuse. Their springy flexible plastic can take huge snap-back hits against trees and cheat obstructions. While opaque discs dent and warp more easily, jade tends to flex and spring back.

Criticisms of Jade Discs

For all their beauty and utility, jade discs do have some drawbacks:

Expense

Supply struggles to keep up with the demand for these glowing discs. Manufacturers prioritize higher volume plastics for retailers. As a result, jade discs often have marked up prices at resellers to take advantage of low stock levels.

Fragility

The flexible property of jade that allows is to resist dents also makes it vulnerable to cracking. Discs left in hot vehicles or exposed to extreme temperature shifts can develop small fractures. Once compromised, these worsen under continued play.

Grip Issues

Some players dislike the slick surface texture of jade discs. Without defined ridges or patterns for fingers to hold, these discs can slip out early during a throw. This annoyed professionals and high power throwers the most. For newer recreational players, grip is less of a concern.

The Future Looks Bright for Jade

A few grip and durability concerns aside, fan excitement for glowing jade discs remains stronger than ever. Manufacturers continue to utilize this plastic across brands for iconic driver and mid-range models. With disc golf's meteoric growth, jade is sure to spread to other plastics and manufacturers soon. These bright green discs have carved out an enduring niche in the sport that collectors and enthusiasts will enjoy for years to come.

FAQs

What brands make jade discs?

Latitude 64 is the leading creator of discs in vibrant jade plastic. Other brands under the Trilogy umbrella such as Dynamic Discs and Westside Discs also produce select models in jade.

Why is jade plastic transparent?

Manufacturers dye jade discs using suspended color pigments that allow light to pass through rather than saturating the plastic. This gives the discs their signature translucent glowing appearance.

Do jade discs fly differently?

Yes, the flexible plastic beats into highly workable straight flight patterns. Experienced players utilize jade plastic specifically for this tendency to resist turning over from wear and tear.

Are jade discs more expensive?

Due to high demand and low supply, retailers often markup the price of jade discs significantly higher than standard plastics. New releases in jade plastic routinely sell out in hours or minutes.