Looking at the Best Zone Alternatives in Disc Golf!! | Best For Beginners Ep. 5

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The Zone is considered by many to be the GOLD standard of Approach discs. Created by Discraft Disc Golf, this disc has been bagged by so many folks and I have to be honest. I'm not a biggg fan of the Zone, which makes me reviewing it especially against the pig tough for me to remove my bias from it. Because of this today we're looking at Three Alternatives to the Zone that have a similar hand feel and flight. Looking at the Axiom Tempo, Discmania Tactic, and the Innova Toro. Which one gets the stamp of approval?? You’ll have to watch to find out!!
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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:30 Setting the Table
4:28 Seeing them Fly in a Field
6:15 Hole 1 (Hyzer)
8:34 Hole 2 (AnHyzer)
10:29 Hole 3 (Forehand Hyzer)
13:54 Hole 4 (Short Hyzer)
15:48 Hole 5 (Short Forehand Hyzer)
17:42 Hole 6 (Ace Runs)
19:00 Final Thoughts
9:59 Final Thoughts

[@stbw33]

Jarn for me. It's just a touch more overstable, my Cryztal Flex zone got quite straight quite quickly and I don't have a big arm at all

[@ErikGDiscGolf]

Kastaplast jarn in k1 soft is my new favorite, and that’s coming from someone who thought they’d never throw another approach disc that wasn’t a zone

[@bigdiscenergy]

But the Harp!!!! Harp would have been the best to compare here. "Hands down, Harp!" ...is my current disc golf motto. Lol

[@drewh7457]

The Harp is so slept on

[@CoffeeonKorriban]

Agree. Harp is fantastic.

[@burtslide89]

Everyone had to have one when they came out

[@NJT1013]

I could never throw the harp BH, when I first started it was thee go to FH disc for me, just never could BH throw with it.

[@1andonlyMiro]

@NJT1013 kind of odd as I'm way better with the Harp on a backhand, however for forehands the Zone feels better for me 🤔

[@nolancampbell2527]

Prodigy distortion and A2 are my zone alternatives and they are so good!

[@sc3639]

I got my distortion and went out to the course. I proceeded to park a few holes with it. I am looking forward to getting out this year and throwing it again. I have been using an A1 with it. A1 is a different beast and wants to get to the ground ASAP.

[@alexwitt9311]

Love my A2 too

[@rogerurbanek1564]

A2 is pure Gold but the distortion feels much deeper to me. Maybe that’s just in my head but I couldn’t get behind it.

[@Scalemailmailmail]

a2 all day!

[@nathanmoore7118]

Came just to see if anyone said A2. Such a great option

[@RunFanatic]

I see the 'shallowness' of the Zone as an advantage for cleaner releases on forehand, not a disadvantage - but that's the great thing about having so many options out there! My favorite is the CryZtal Flx plastic - best grip and least chance of unpredictable ground-play

[@JaredTG.]

Yea I agree, the zone feels like it was made for a forehand grip to me. It's just perfect, the rim is like the exact thickness of my finger. So it actually just comes out of my hand without scraping against my finger/knuckle.

[@jkdubya85]

Agreed. I've never thrown my zone more than 150 feet or so and I throw it 90% of the time on a standstill forehand when I need to get around an obstacle or three to get to the basket. It's perfect for that and along with my Envys, the most indispensable disc in my bag.

[@NJT1013]

I dont really think the Pig and Zone fit the same slot. The Pig, in my experience, has been straighter and much shorter than the Zone for me. I'm a Zone guy, have been for a long time now, just works for me.

[@DK-ds2rx]

Clash Mint is no joke, great feeling plastic, super smooth edges for great hand feel, true, consistent flight

[@RockCh4lk]

The Zone is 🔥. Perfect hand feel. Can throw it forehand and backhand. Comes in many plastics.

[@UmbraSTI]

Out of all the great videos you've made, I think this is one of your best. I love the educational "ride along" and your subjective/objective descriptions provide the kind of insight I find most valuable. Even tough I've been playing for years, you do a better job at verbalizing my thoughts than I do. lol Thank you and...I hope you're having a great day.

[@HuterDerSchwelle]

Harp/Anvil is a pretty great overstable approach combo.

[@williamhubert6299]

I love my anvil and I pair it with an eclipse envy that I'm guessing is close to a harp in stability

[@ellisj98]

The tempo is great, very shallow so fits my hand well. It’s not as stable as an A2, but has enough torque resistance and stability for approaches

[@thehungriesthipo]

I love the dynamic culprit! It does the same things as a zone but it feels better for me

[@hpe340]

agree but i found it to be slightly less beefy and less reliable fade

[@rhino22186]

@@hpe340depends on plastic. I have prime and a Chris Clemons Lucid (maybe lucid-x). The Clemons is VERY beefy and likes to get down fast.

[@jasonpenley27]

I have bagged a pig, I enjoyed it. Once I went to Lone Star, I was missing that slot until they released the Horny Toad last year. I would say it’s a touch more stable than a zone but I love it in Alpha plastic for the ground play. Nice thing with lone star is they make all their discs in multiple plastics so you can get it in Bravo, Delta, Founders as well.

[@hey_tony]

As someone that was only 15 rounds into disc golf and just played my first two rounds with a Toro, I do think the overstable approach disc can be very beneficial to beginners. It might have become my favorite disc by the end of those 36 holes!

[@serenityinsilence]

My go to zone replacement is the Prodigy A3, or A2 depending on how overstable I want. I prefer the A3 because I love the shape and how well it sits around the basket for me. Also, if you want a zone that is already beat in, the prodigy A5 delivers. It is shaped just like a zone, and flies like it’s perfectly seasoned.

[@nanadolphin]

When you jumped that creek I thought we were about to witness a double ACL tear. Glad you’re too much of an athlete for that!

[@blakeyoung3883]

My go to approach disc is my Mega-soft Harp. Literally hits the ground and stops!

[@christianseeley6805]

Z flx and cryztal flx are my go tos. Once they beat in it’s a flip up to flat and reliable finish every time

[@timberedridge7224]

Just started throwing a tactic. I do love the pig in r-pro plastic (really rubber).

[@Screeeling]

My favorite OS approach disc is the Entropy. However, it can be too skippy for shots where I just want it to sit. That's when I bring out the soft Zone. If MVP ever makes a soft proton Entropy, the soft Zone might be in trouble.

[@Arafax]

Hi, Paul here, doing great. Never thrown a Zone but I love the Anvil and Toro

[@MrMike98765]

Anvil is my go to!

[@catchthecarp]

I bag a Gateway Devil Hawk for this slot. No fear of turning it over as it's very over stable. I use it for forehand flicks and short backhand approaches. Holds a line when you put some pop on it but it will reliably fade back. Sure grip plastic sticks to the ground and feels good in the hand.

[@joshboyda2632]

I mainly go between my shark3 and torro for midrange short depending on how much stability I need.

[@deadewok02]

i got a razer claw 3 in a discmania mystery box this past year, and i've gotta say, i've LOVED throwing it. it definitely found an immediate slot in my bag for when i want something a little beefier than my now moderately beat in pig. my forehand is pretty bad still, but for some reason, it's a disc i actually feel fairly confident throwing on forehand scrambles.

[@diamundgal]

Has the 5 speed version of this been released? Someone (me) is behind in their KZbin but wanted to say that the Mint Mustang deserves some 5 speed love and IMHO is a solid beginner disc. ❤ Keep up the dynamic work Robbie!

[@bryansans2564]

I have become a big fan of the Zoneos myself. Soft swirl mold is Fuego Caliente

[@jimmyg9183]

Why???? Why, people does the Harp not get more love? How does it continue to not even make the list of Zone comparisons? What am I missing, seriously?(SockiBomb Moonshine is my preference.)

[@johnlarson1891]

I've got it in the VIP plastic love the disc.

[@antonmoss1306]

Harp, slammer, sockislammer, sinus, suspect, stabilizer, entropy, mint, peppermint etc, those are just a few

[@sc3639]

I use a distortion ATM. Other discs in this slot that are great are the razor claw, A2, A3, harp, jarn, entropy, mint and peppermint. I liked the mint and peppermint as the mint was slightly more understable then a zone and the peppermint was more overstable. If you like changing your angle and speed then you can get away with just one disc in this slot but having the ability to adjust the flight while not changing how you throw has been good for me anyway. So many great discs out there in this slot. You really can't go wrong. You could get the job done with any of these discs.

[@DavidCornelius]

I've been using my Pyro for overstable approaches. The Zone is arguably a mid, so the Pyro can be whatever I want it to be. I use a Gummy Champ pig for closer range and when I want the disc to stick.

[@Tacocheesecake]

i was an entropy guy, but i just took it out of the bag for the bang zone now that its approved

[@palletwizard]

Tactic is my go to approach disc. My favorite is the NEO special edition.

[@GabboDk]

Razor claw 3 and exo ekstra soft are banger as well

[@sc3639]

​@@GabboDk how does the claw compare to the tactic for stability? My og approach disc was a tactic and I really enjoyed it but it beat in really quick. Now my tactic flies like 4. 3. 0. 1. Now I am using a distortion

[@GabboDk]

@@sc3639 claw 3 is true to its numbers

[@gfunktuba1]

Love the pig BUT wish it didn’t go from overstable to straight stable in a few rounds.

[@ChildishDyce]

The pig is my favorite approach disc, without a doubt (possibly greatly influence by a certain KZbinr) but I just can’t justify needing to buy new ones to maintain stability thus I use a Z Zone for that reliable over stability. If I ever get a premium pig, it’ll be the one.

[@ChadSolberg]

Harp was my go to disc for approach for a long long time

[@ChadSolberg]

Now I’m all about the Baobab

[@shroder1]

For 5 speeds - Buzzz, Compass (my favorite, and what I always wanted my Buzzz to be), Hex, Origin, MD3,

[@DiscPayne]

I've bagged a tempo since last July. And it has yet to leave the bag. It keeps replacing discs for me and pushes further the more mu form improves. Love that disc

[@randyhix634]

Sockibomb Slammer is my most favorite. Thumb track✅ harp rim✅

[@stedibear]

I want to see the Caiman on the 5 speeds episode! Underappreciated, small diameter (like a Pig), very overstable (at least in Champion plastic). Perhaps it's not a beginner friendly disc if you expect a 5 speed to be more of a straighter shot, but I want to hear a pig farmer's thoughts on the Caiman! Apart from that, perhaps the L64 Compass could be a good 5 speed best-for-beginners workhorse disc.

[@Mikeysoonefan1]

I use an A2 for forehand and harp for backhand myself

[@JustusLyons]

The Clash Discs Peppermint is almost the exact same mold as the Zone as well, and I love it

[@danielpenrodii2389]

Ohhh the Peppermint is WAY beefier than a Zone. That 4 fade has more bite.

[@rainmakes]

I love my 2022 Ledgestone crystal z flx zones. They're my money disc. I've tried many "zone alternatives" but still haven't found one that truly has the same flights and feel. I bag the zones and zone os. I also bag a star calvin toro, but it isn't as overstable as my zones, and will push a little further than my zones.

[@brettmyers1710]

Im learning my Tempos. Like them more then the Entropy because of the rim depth. The shallowness allows easier forehands for me. I find the deeper rims stick to my fingers more often then not. I do notice they have less stability then most approach options but, they are very workable and adding a bit more hyzer to a throw isnt enough of an issue to make me step away. Just hoping they drop the Tempo sooner rather then later.

[@anderschristianhaldpederse8472]

I bagged a Razor Claw 2 Tactic, just a tad more overstable than the Neo/Exo ones... im about to try put the Razor Claw 3 this spring to see what that os all about, as i really do lile that plastic 😍

[@tristandaley6358]

What, no love for Trilogy? Westside's Anvil is my go-to

[@kauisurfer13]

Culprit is a great one also!

[@benharrison5816]

I'm definitely gonna hit up a local shop soon to feel some of these discs including the Zone. The only "approach" disc I have right now is a Lone Star Harpoon in V1 plastic. It's very shallow and board flat, I could maybe go a little deeper. The V1 plastic is awesome for approaches though because the disc will hold a nice line, then dump at the basket and stick there due to the eraser-like rubber. Really good when I don't want to skip away.

[@eoghana315]

The Horny Toad is their Zone clone. It's great.

[@patrickflanigan951]

Really like the anvil for shorter and verdict for longer

[@EddyMetal60]

The Toro is essentially identical to the Zone. I carry both, and are basically the same disc.

[@ViJt-oq5nq]

I've pretty much retired my Zone and replaced it with a Loki someone gave me. Not a lot of opportunity for hyzer approaches, plenty for opportunity for hyzer utility.

[@brianlmoon]

I like the Zone and while it is available in lots of plastics, there were times in recent years that you couldn’t find them. So I am a Culprit guy. It’s very similar to the Tactic and Zone.

[@kauisurfer13]

Hey yo Robbie C, just picked up a SS wizard and halo pig can't wait to give it a try

[@redmortensen4066]

You know Robbie, I would really love to hear your full opinion of the ringer GT versus the ringer zone because I'm not a big fan of the zone either. But I love the ringer GT and the ringer zone I feel would be a amalgamation of the pig and a zone in a way that would actually feel good in our hands and I would like to see what your opinion of that is😊

[@bakerby]

Okay, so the Harp is a bit deeper than the Zone. I get it. However, give me my Järn or BergX any day. Looking forward to trying out the Løft Neon.

[@rainmakes]

For 5 speeds: discmania origin, streamline echo, mako3, emac truth, lone star walker, innova caiman

[@leopard3131]

Big fan of the zone. As an alternative I really like the Tactic and as perhaps under rated disc the tomb

[@guykessler9042]

I am a huge tempo fan, love the reliability on the flick, and I’m a shallow rim guy (don’t have those giant Robbie C mitts apparently). The Doomsday Area 51 is a very close stand in for a Tempo if you didn’t do the circuit challenge.

[@JaredTG.]

Im not a fan of the Zone for an approach disc as much as others are. I bag it but i view it as an overstable mid. It doesnt just dump and fall out of the air like i want my approach discs to do. Sokibomb slammer is my current approach disc of choice. The zone is probably a top 3 most comfortable discs ive ever held, but i found myself flying past the basket on approaches too often. Little too much speed and glide. I know i can fix it by throwing better, thats just not really the point of an approsch disc to me. I want to just throw it normally and have it dive bomb around 80-100ft, thats the only shot im using it for. Holding the zone in a forehand grip is probably one of the most comfortable things ive ever felt in disc golf so i wished i liked it more, the slammer hurts my hand on forehand grip but it just works so well.

[@somarleor911]

You forgot the culprit,that disc will knock the pig right out of your bag. Fun video to watch. Continue to enjoy your content.

[@klintonpippert-discgolf]

And again, the DD Suspect is slept on.

[@brandonrendleman291]

I second this I have a suspect and love it so much especially in a headwind

[@blkdrgn1132]

no slammer? Jan 28, 2017? no harp Oct 28, 2013? no suspect Mar 10, 2013?

[@Travis_NB]

People really need to try the A5. I think it is what a lot of beginners are looking for. What you would think a Zone SS would be.

[@OkieTradez]

if you want an over stable mid from Innova that wont beat up too much and is deeper try out the Champion Jay

[@joshuasmith9528]

Pro tip. If you’re a one finger on the rim forehand thrower, you need a Lonestar Walker or a Mint Taco/Bobcat.

[@CatchMeOutside361]

Naaaah I love my zones and I’m one finger all day!

[@C187G]

5 speeds - Warship, Tursas, Mako3, Roc3 and Rollo for funsies

[@kylechristenberry9061]

yeah i'm not looking for a zone alternative. thanks

[@wisherb1]

I switch from the Harp to the Toro. The Toro is a Zone that is a little deeper.

[@paulwetzel3.14]

@0:14 Doing great. Thanks for asking. How are you Robbie?

[@dalereinhold640]

Robbie never asks Dale how they’re doing. 😢 We never get any love! 😕😂

[@paulkroeker497]

Love when us Paul's get called out.

[@bilboswaggings]

​@@dalereinhold640for some weird reason Timo doesn't get any love either

[@dalereinhold640]

@@bilboswaggings 😂😂

[@lolM1CrO]

The fact that we say "zone alternative" is all the confirmation i need to buy another zone

[@danielpenrodii2389]

That’s just how he worded it, but there’s multiple approach discs that are better than the zone.

[@lolM1CrO]

@danielpenrodii2389 it's okay to be wrong. Jkjk, zone is my favorite but I've thrown entropies, culprits, pigs and toro. A jawbreaker zone/z zone combo just works for me

[@capandcheese]

Recently discovered the A2. I’m annoyed I didn’t discover it earlier. I also really want to try out an Anvil but their pretty hard to find and are pretty expensive in glitter VIP

[@MrMike98765]

The anvil has been in my bag for years. Found it on accident and now I buy every one I see. I’ve managed to collect 7 over the last 3 years and 4 of those are used but in really good shape.

[@MrMike98765]

The anvil has been in my bag for years. Found it on accident and now I buy every one I see. I’ve managed to collect 7 over the last 3 years and 4 of those are used but in really good shape.

[@sc3639]

I really like the A2 but I found it had just a bit too much glide on it and as it beat in it got even straighter and flew further. If you ever need an approach disc that is more overstable then I would suggest an A1. It is a crazy beast.

[@capandcheese]

@@sc3639 I’ll definitely have to look into it. I have an A3 as well and really it. Plus I also throw gators so I don’t mind beads. Actually hours after posting this I aced with my A2. Basically what I wanted was a 4 or 5 speed Firebird. And I think it’s it now 🤣

[@capandcheese]

@@MrMike98765 if I ever see one at good price I’ll definitely snag it up. My local store had the base plastic ones and I really like the shallowness of it and how it felt. But I ain’t about that base plastic life, and for now or forever I’ll probably stick with the A2s since I aced with mine today 🤣 most likely will stick with it

[@samueledwards2460]

Check out the RPM Kea, it's my go to. I can't bag anything else now.

[@andreww.9326]

slammer guy here, recently forked out some money for one of the old fusion ones, nothing feels better

[@heyerlaw]

Paul got a shout out! Way to go PAUL!!!! Also I am liking the Innova Star Toro right now for this slot.

[@Jarvis_Moonbeam]

The Razor Claw 3 has been in my bag since it dropped. I also do not like the Zone and it just sits forever on my shelf.

[@austindyed65]

Wear is the Lone Star Disc horney toad

[@postmaster7064]

LOVE THE CARDINAL DISC GOLF LOVE

[@1963ajackson]

Aviar X3, Entrophy, A5, A2, Harp, Anvil..

[@artem_mma]

I think the latitude 64 savior is brilliant

[@JustinHardyisbesthardy]

9:30 so THAT'S why my tempo started getting straighter 😅

[@mirage5566]

I throw a Pig and a Toro for my OS approach slots.

[@clintsawyer7702]

You missed a GREAT disc! The Goliath Discs Pillar. The Zone has never left my bag... until a couple weeks ago, when I picked up a Pillar, and literally within 3 throws, I knew the Zone was gone.

[@jeremygooch5220]

Robbie, love your content brother! Just ordered 3 of your RC stamp pigs from foundation! Been loving those meteors!

[@kenfouch1684]

Honestly I do like the zone but also like the tempo. Zone for me is best in jawbreaker or a good ole get freaky crystal flx

[@ADamItalian1173]

Thought space temple is a wonderful comparison

[@alanlundberg4534]

How about a Bravo Horny Toad? You like the rim depth of the Pig, and you said you like the Bravo Plastic. You also are kind of leaning Zone. The Horny Toad has the same flight ratings as a Zone. Looks like you get all three things you like in one disc.

[@thegrizzly52]

I tried to love the pig but it always felt weird in my hand. Zone fits my hand like a glove

[@jasonclark9059]

For 5 speeds lat64 compass and claymore

[@Holycow723]

Nothing is better than the zone

[@bobfeldhake8248]

Great vid! Loving that Stacie Cardinal jersey!

[@jrenyer2362]

5-Speed idea, Ursus from Terminal velocity discs

[@RykerKeath]

Harp is love, Harp is life.

[@Mojos058]

I never see Gateways Chief (PDGA approved in 2003) or Chief OS in the Zone Clone discussions. Would love to hear thoughts.

[@ogdiscgolfer]

Well, that got the comment section going! :D Great job Robbie! Would have like to see the Harp in there myself, but I know it is always a compromise of what to choose to throw/battle. You had me scratching my head trying to keep the holes straight... going from hole 6 to hole 3 put me on notice that things were going to be jumping around. I was kinda pulling for you to bust it on the creek jump on 6... does that make me a bac person? :D Keep it up buddy!

[@rileylopez7113]

I love the zone, zone is life… lol but I also freaking love pigs, but the Tempo, is so nice, definitely has more glide than all of these discs, and probably less stable but I’ll usually use it for more backhand approach shots, zone is my forehand approach just because it can handle the torque a little better 💪

[@digitalanalogmachine1720]

Need to get a Lucid Slammer into Robbie's hands, tbh.

[@NerdDad1]

I saw Robbie at a tournament over the weekend I didn't get a chance to chat with him maybe next time.

[@JustFlickIt]

Need to give the RPM Kea a try.

[@bigolbrass]

Original OS approach-- Rhyno. Pig is nerely a Rhyno3

[@danielpenrodii2389]

The Harp, Tactic, and Mint are all better than the Zone. If you want even more fade, the Peppermint is for you!

[@user-ek8kr3yc9c]

Sooo, are you going to update your pig tattoo to put a Robbie tattoo on its arm?

[@jaredrobinson7488]

Axiom Tempo is not available. Is it coming out soon for regular release?

[@guykessler9042]

Everything points to a spring 2024 release on the tempo

[@guykessler9042]

The Doomsday Area 51 is very close to the Tempo, and is available now.