Discraft's NEW ESP FLX Plastic Is Nice... But What Are The Benefits?

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⏱ Timestamps
0:00 Discraft ESP FLX Plastic
0:47 First Throws
1:08 Benefit #1 Of FLX Plastic
2:31 More Throws: FLX vs Non-FLX
5:49 Benefit #2 Of FLX Plastic
7:46 Benefit #3 Of FLX Plastic
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[@1andonlyMiro]

Bendier plastics are awesome in the cold and they make forehanding with lower power way easier. I live in Finland and I'm astonished how Gstar isn't more popular.

[@1andonlyMiro]

I'm actually surprised you didn't try to forehand them at all in the video. I think the Raptor could work beautifully. I don't have the best forehand but ever since I found myself an old Frost Line XXX by Lat64 I've relied on it more and more. I get such a clean release with the bendier plastic. Same thing with even Zones that I've tried, the Flex ones and Putter Line ones come way cleaner out of my hand. 🤷🏻

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

Yeah, there just weren't many good holes for a forehand out of the ones I filmed! I am also terrible at forehand so 🤷‍♂️😂

[@JesseJ588]

GStar is very popular here in Minnesota!

[@1andonlyMiro]

@@ApolloDiscGolf this plastic might help you with that, might not. For me the bendier plastics make a huge difference for forehanding, especially with lower power but with some distance shots as well.

[@eliwirth1938]

I bag as much gummy plastic as I can since I have hyperhidrosis in my hands, so the grip helps with the sweaty hands. Also love how they don’t really beat in, since they absorb the impact so well. I have a 6+ year old GStar Teebird3 that still flies like it did new! My favorite gummy plastics are K1 Soft, GStar, and any Discraft FLX

[@hiddenleaf414]

I wish Discraft would make their ESP grippy again. Their ESP for the last few years has been really slick, any sort of cold or rainy weather and they are so hard to grip.

[@addforme]

Super agree. Bought multiple ESP Zones that are almost unthrowable outside July and August. The swirlier stuff is slightly better but still hard to grip.

[@JoshJackson13]

Their z plastic is too but the big z is okay. MVP proton and neutron is really good in the cold.

[@wlgrogan]

I feel this so much...

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

I guess I have never really thought of that! But you are definitely right.. they got rid of their more glossy finish on their old ESP stuff that gave it good grip! And it was a touch softer than the ESP now

[@JoshJackson13]

@@ApolloDiscGolf I played with a guy that had a old esp buzz and it was pretty flexible and waffled he loved it though. Thanks for showing us love in the comments and making very informative videos. I Know it's hard in that wind you have. Move over here to East NC

[@Dave-tl7ol]

I just got one of these a couple of days ago. The buzzz feels so much better in esp flx than esp. Mine also has a slight puddle top which is interesting. Definitely recommend this plastic, especially playing in these cold Canadian winters.

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

Yeah when you are further north, these gummy plastics make a TON of sense! And I have found every once in a while you can get a puddle topped Buzzz and they are a little flippy out of the box, so they can be pretty nice!

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

When someone says the Buzzz is a great beginners disc... That's they only Buzzz that is beginner friendly imo.. the puddle-topped ones 😂

[@Dave-tl7ol]

@@ApolloDiscGolf Mine is pretty stable actually. Almost no turn, but it's still new so I'll see how it beats in throughout the year.

[@tonylooper4932]

Great video. I like gummy/rubbery plastics because they make it much easier to fan-grip. Granted, I don't really fan-grip for drives, even fairway drives. But for backhand approach shots, I often get much more control with a fan grip. And when I go to that grip, a gummy/rubbery plastic is by far the best.

[@MegaLaban12345]

Some of my GStar fairways seem more stable than my reg star versions. The fact that flexible plastics tend to be a bit less stable fits my winter game perfectly, though. I can't get as much power behind my throws when I'm cold and stiff.

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

Yeah, for sure! I always have to swallow my pride and throw slower, less stable stuff... otherwise I just get frustrated 😂

[@SamuelB-]

Love my Gstar discs, they are a staple in my bag all year around! Main drivers are Gstar Wraith and Destroyer, also have a Teebird3 which has turned out to be great for my game!

[@JoshJackson13]

I have a g Star KRAIT. I won't a Tb3. My Ricky Tb3 is super stable even at 162g good for flexing though

[@JoshJackson13]

I can hyzer flip a vulture and thunderbird but not my tb3

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

The Ricky TB3's were great! I lost mine in the water a few months back... 😔

[@ChaosKLC]

Also you are more likely to get puddle tops! A Puddle top FLX zone is the beefiest thing ever created. I love it.

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

I haven't found many non-puddle top Zones 😂

[@01ai01]

I use gstar and medium base plastics in the winter because of the tackier grip more than anything else. My premium and durable plastics are way to slippery for me when it gets below 45°F.

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

Yeah I can definitely see that! I usually don't play when it's cold, so I don't normally need them... It's only because I have a channel now do I force myself outside when it's below 40 😂

[@MaxLBogue]

If you watch the hi-rez, super slo-mo footage from the Paige Pierce doc, you can see what he's talking about with the flexing discs. Soft plastics should stable up in the cold since they get stiff and flex less, so they'll be reliable and still feel good to throw unlike some stiffer plastics

[@bobbyauvil9885]

I've been really enjoying my Extra Soft Evo Tactic that I got in my Discmania mystery box. It's like a Zone, effectively. I also have this old, cheap Lightning Discs rubber putter that feels like a frisbee, flies far and accurate, and, makes for a pretty decent cut-roller (even when I don't mean to have it roll sometimes! Haha). Oh, and it floats! #Winning

[@shanebentley5630]

I was a huge fan of the original FLX plastic, had a challenger as a thrower for a long time, and still have my heavily used, flat-as-a-board buzzz; which has somehow kept it's stability. I hope the new FLX is the same or very similar blend! Gummy plastic is so nice for late-fall rounds in Wisconsin.

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

Yeah, since the FLX absorbs a lot of the impact, it does take a little longer to beat in which is always nice!

[@nateandrew9953]

Wisconsin frolfer here too. I just grabbed an esp flx heat and it’s now my go to over my beast which I threw religiously for years. Kastaplast does a funny plastic but it’s nothing compared to the esp flx

[@npweeazel]

"not talking to you siri" best part Thanks for the video sir! love the old ESP FLX plastics and just ordered a few thanks to this video ! happy throwing sir

[@WarlordOfArttr99yhi99y4rt]

Great video. Keep up the good work. I love what you are doing. Keep being an amazing person. Can't wait to see what you do next.

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

Thank you so much! 🙌

[@WhoThaCazer]

I'm not big fan myself of extra soft plastics on faster than 4 speeds because, i just feel that faster ones wobbly and more angle than I want

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

For sure, much easier to have wobble on the gummy discs!

[@jackhyatt3537]

i gotta flx esp buzzz and its the straightest disc ever, 100000% everybody needs one

[@jvtc]

If I could change every disc in my bag into ESP FLX, I would.

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

It definitely feels really nice if you like the gummy plastics!

[@jacobpechan]

Doesn’t sound like a bad idea until you need to throw a skip shot to get around a corner.

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

@@jacobpechan very true!

[@nohasslediscgolf]

I definitely have to try out a disc of two of ESP FLX, looks awesome and I'm sure feels great as well.

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

Yeah they feel great!

[@jcjcjones33]

I love the flexible plastic. At least for the shorter shots. I putt with an Exo Soft Link. I'm excited to use my Extra Soft Tactic once the snow melts.

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

Yeah a soft harp is also super popular! All those approach discs that are soft just sit and stick wherever they land!

[@jcjcjones33]

@@ApolloDiscGolf can you picture yourself bagging a soft driver though?

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

@@jcjcjones33 I personally don't bag any softer discs whether it's approach or driver 😂 But I know a lot of people who shred with softer discs!

[@brosa1212]

I got a esp flx heat for fun and its way beefier than expected. I dont normally throw discraft. A brand new gstsr valkyrie flew way more like expected

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

Interesting, I actually haven't tried a Heat! I will have to give those a go!

[@calvinroorda5642]

Hey @Apollo Disc Golf, appreciate the Canadian conversions! Helps relate, I will say that normally wind speeds are recorded as km / h and not m/s although m/s is better than nothing! Thanks

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

Interesting, I use to use Km/h! But then a lot of viewers over in Norway/Finland/Sweden said they use m/s instead... I have done that ever since! Weird

[@Iliyena87]

Well... My friend gave/sold me a FLX Buzzz as one of my first discs. Need to throw it some soon again... Darn root canals hindering me! xD I love that the softer plastic don't redirect with 90% speed left but instead let the object hit deform the disc absorbing the energy and leaving it close instead of OB.

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

Root Canals are the worst! I have had way too many of those in my short life 😂

[@Meta-Drew]

I got an ESP FLX buzzz from ledgestone last year after hearing people rave about it but I'm not totally in love with it. It's fine, but I realized I don't really need a bendy buzzz. It's definitely less stable than normal ESP and the feel of the flight plate bending in my hand as I get a grip is not totally reassuring. Plus it's not like I get a ton of ground play on shots I am usually throwing my buzzz anyway. Sometimes with mids you actually want that little extra scoot, on a low ceiling hole or something like that where it's tough to get there with a mid but a fairway will blast by. IDK, I get the hype over a plastic that has been limited for so long, but it's mostly just that, hype. I am keeping mine as a backup to my seasoned esp buzzz.

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

It's definitely a preference thing! Some people like the stiffer plastics, and some people would be perfectly content with a bag full of gummy plastic... It's all just personal preference!

[@JoshJackson13]

Yep my new esp scorch is weird. It would have skipped. It has a big glidey finish but give it any Annie and it turns over. Nor will it stand up on hyzer. Only good for flat 4hands.

[@JesseJ588]

I'm thinking of getting a full line of this. Love the old FLX plastic, hope it's the same.

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

I don’t remember the old FLX plastic, but this definitely feels nice!

[@jacobpechan]

Z FLX tends to be much more overstable compared to regular Z which I don’t understand. I have a Z FLX Crank and a Z FLX Buzzz and they’re pretty OS

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

Yeah that’s why I said generally, because there are always exceptions! Like the Fluid Justices were the beefiest Justices ever released!

[@wlgrogan]

If the feel and grip is there, I really hope these catch on and Discraft gets the message to make more! Current ESP is really hard for me to get behind, I just can't get a decent grip on it. Plus, it seems less durable to me.. The ones I've thrown seem to lose small 'chips' easier than my other discs. I can understand why people like the older stuff (like the 4 claw buzzz).

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

Yeah, I am definitely on the side of preferring stiffer plastics. And the old school disc-cycler in me enjoys a good plastic that can beat up quick 😂

[@subspaceanomaly]

I recently got a new buzzz OS and it's definitely a lot softer and less durable than my esp buzzz which is years old. The new one is losing chunks and getting deep scratches, old one still seems like new.

[@captainbornfree]

Where have I been that I am just learning about this now... Divergent has those super gummy disc and I see the benefits in certain situations but I never bought one because it was too gummy. This on the other hand I the perfect balance of flex/gummy. I really think that these will be used for those specialty shots that certain holes require. Also I like the idea of not getting a 100 ft bounce off a tree kick. Thanks for the video and nice website.

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

Yeah they definitely have their benefits! Thanks for watching!

[@daniellarrabee9741]

That flex buzz looks like s beautiful flight, always appreciate the great content dude!

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

Thank you! And yeah, the ESP FLX Buzzz definitely flew really nice! Not too stable.. not too flippy! Nice and straight!

[@matholthe]

well i live in Norway, gummy plastics is a requirement in the winter. ESP FLX, K1 soft etc. even in the summer the temperature rarely passes 75degrees (24Celsius). so they are usable all year really

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

Oh yeah... For those colder places the FLX plastic is for sure a necessity! In Kansas you would need them for like a month or two... then you would be fine with normal plastic... So I have always just sucked it up for a month or two rather than grabbing gummy discs, because in the summer in Kansas you can never have anything too stiff! The humidity is gross

[@addforme]

My ZFLX Punisher is my favorite disc in the colder months. Ill need to try ESP FLX if its at all similar

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

It's pretty similar! I would say the ESP version has a little more grip than the Z FLX... but that also depends on how old that Punisher is...

[@jii-ro7083]

Subtitle for metric conversion earned an instant like!

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

🙌

[@JoshJackson13]

Try extending your follow through on your putt. Really point at the basket. Helped me on those 40s. And 20s

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

Trust me, I have tried it all... 😂

[@JoshJackson13]

@@ApolloDiscGolf 😂 I do too like every night. I just got done putting for like a hour in the cold dark. I've finally figured out my 12fts. I lean back to get chain height and spin it on Annie. I was struggling with hitting the band

[@wilsonodk]

ESP FLX is my favorite Discrafft plastic.

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

Yeah it's definitely great if you like the gummier plastic! One of the best!

[@silverelk]

I got the undetaker in the FLX and its very over stable. I would say more than any other undertaker I've thrown. Very odd

[@trevorwischhusen2869]

Maybe the flex neutral izes the flights towards stable either way.

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

Yeah, I didn't get a good comparison of the Undertaker! I definitely expected it to turn over with the cross-tailwind in the video though!

[@stephanegarceau3378]

Lemme dye your discs, you won't be loosing 'em again! That scorch color is money for us dyers!!!

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

I have never had any of my discs dyed before 😂 I have just done one of them myself... just stencil dyed Buzz Lightyear on my Glo Buzzz in college, and it's still in my bag 😎

[@DiscJamNZ]

Love the vid! 😊 How does the esp flex compare to the discmania mystery box extra soft tactic plastic?

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

I have not tried Discmania's extra soft plastic! So I can't say... sorry! Is it a premium plastic though? Because this is a premium plastic!

[@DiscJamNZ]

@@ApolloDiscGolf the discmania one is a variant of exo, so I’d say no? Haven’t thrown it enough to find out how fast it beats in though. I’ll have to try out some esp flx. I normally find discraft plastic a bit slick. Thanks for the reply!

[@redmortensen4066]

I'm a big fan of the ex soft plastic that used to exist. I think it's pretty much gone now. If you find some you're lucky. I've got a couple but I've got one that's an avenger SS and that thing is so understable like I can turn that thing right over even if I freaking put it up into a grenade

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

Dang... Yeah that Avenger SS is probably crazy flippy now!

[@fredrikstenersen1253]

Much better grip!😮

[@biggsmikes1930]

Did they bring it back! Years ago I had an esp flx buzz and loved it.. (lost in water) 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@MarcoIsNotHere_Man]

I STILL rock my old esp flx buzzz.

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

Yep! This is the first release of the return of their ESP FLX!

[@discjunkiesDGT]

as always, good stuff!!!

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

Thank you! 🙌🏼

[@flipflat4814]

At -22°F that plastic is more like a KC-Pro plastic🤷but at a warm 28°F it not too stiff 👍. I know some of you know how KC-pro plastic acts at -22°F 😉 pretty much like a glass golf disc 😂.

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

My plastic would never get like that in -22 F because when it gets that cold… I’m not even thinking about playing disc golf 😂

[@flipflat4814]

@@ApolloDiscGolf Now that I'm getting older my cutoff point is more in the upper 20s with no wind and full sun 👍.

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

@@flipflat4814 Same, I usually don't like going out in anything around 30 or lower. But now with my channel I don't have a choice sometimes which sucks 😂 Since starting my channel I have played in much colder weather than I ever would have before just to get a video out 😂

[@flipflat4814]

@@ApolloDiscGolf Now that's what you call devotion 😁. You know us KZbin viewers love a steady flow of content from KZbin creators. If need be we'll provide a snowsuit and a warm hat😂.

[@AlexKalicinski]

Pretty course. Where is this?

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

It’s in Olathe, KS! Olathe Lake. It’s nice! Definitely exhausting being a longer course with good elevation changes

[@joebrannon8843]

FLX is always a solid option!

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

it's actually not solid... it's gummy 😂

[@joebrannon8843]

@@ApolloDiscGolf touché

[@Completelycory]

I threw the buzzz and raptor and immediately put them in the bag

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

They are definitely solid! And I have always enjoyed the feel of the Raptor in the hand!

[@Completelycory]

@@ApolloDiscGolf exactly! And a raptor with no skip, come onnnnn 🤘🏼

[@MonkeysFightingRobots]

How does the esp flex zone compare to the soft zone?

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

I personally haven't thrown a soft Zone... So I am not sure... I would guess that it's not quite as gummy and a touch more stable than the Soft Zone... But again, I don't have personally experience with soft Zones

[@MonkeysFightingRobots]

Thanks.

[@phonypeeps7020]

Esp flx zone was more overstable in side by side

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

I did throw the Cryztal harder to make up for throwing the first one short, and The Cryztal did hook up more when it did start fading. I will have to test it some more because I didn't get to throw them a ton in this video!

[@dustinbreakey4707]

Best reviews

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

Thank you! 🙌

[@discgolfvideoguy1866]

Its not "new" per say.. they only quit making it about 4 years ago. Its the best plastic they make for durability period. My challengers have sustained thousands of putts and still look great. Hoping that they will make 20 or 30 molds in this plastic in the coming years once again.

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

Yeah, I forgot that they use to make it! Definitely more of a re-release

[@derpderpin1568]

People massively overexaggerate the differences that stuff like this makes compared to just working hard to improve their own skill. Focusing on that vs. blaming plastic types and molds all the time will get you SO much further. Pretty much the disc market in a nutshell.

[@discgolf2479]

Im not comprehending, If my disc is going to shatter on a tree if I square it up in the cold (I should probably use a flx plastic) If I cant get a grip in the cold ( I should probably use a flx plastic), and these softer plastics do have less ground-play than their premium plastic versions

[@TokyoBoondoggle]

I think that what mr. derpin is saying is that sometimes people are quick to abandon a certain mold or plastic superstitiously because of their dishonesty in their own abilities. Obviously the different plastics have differences in ground play, for example, but we shouldn’t overlook simple practice in favor of just trying to find a “better” mold or plastic when that maybe wasn’t the problem to begin with.

[@alexxela754]

Still lot of fun to try different discs. But it’s expensive.

[@hiddenleaf414]

There’s a fine line. Yes there are some people over exaggerating but others that have a legitimate reason. There is a big difference in flight and ground play/response to tree kicks between my Z Zone and Cryztal Flx Zone.

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

I think going with Gummy discs is definitely more preference rather than trying to get something to make you better! You either love them or you can't stand the feel, and there are positives and negatives to both, so you just have to pick your poison

[@protroll697]

ESP FLX is from 2008

[@WhosJZN]

So first released in 08? When was it discontinued?

[@protroll697]

A coupe of runs of esp flx. Avengers, surges, flicks, and all of the 150class neon series were that plastic. My 1st run buzzz gt feels similar. Discraft was a head of their time. They keep bringing back old stuff and it’s selling. Spectra will probably come back.

[@henrymanahan2764]

I've seen a bunch of innova star soft and flexy lately as well. the China plastic is soft these days 💀

[@1992Bwhite]

put the good colors on the website....meanwhile folds a wonderbread stamp in half in the intro lol

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

That may have had a wonderbread stamp... But that disc was straight up forest green 😂

[@Dayseaker]

Is this Olathe Lake in Kansas?

[@ApolloDiscGolf]

It is indeed!