Last updated on January 30th, 2024 at 02:46 pm
Last updated by Simon
When I first got interested in disc golf, I was overwhelmed by the many details of the game. And one factor of the sport that has tons of aspects is the disc. There are four main types of discs, and each disc has four spec ratings (speed, glide, turn, and fade). Plus, any disc is possibly made from tons of different types of plastic. In this article, I will discuss two types of plastic – Lucid vs Fuzion plastic.
I will discuss their differences as well as their similarities. I will also touch on how they affect the flight of a disc, their make, and what situations they are better suited to.
Lucid Plastic Qualities
Lucid plastic is very durable. It is made from a combination of varying polymers that produce a beautiful translucent look. While looking very elegant, Lucid plastic can take a beating. It will last and can maintain the initially intended flight characteristics of the disc.
Fuzion Plastic Qualities
If Lucid plastic is considered highly durable, then the Fuzion plastic is durable. It is just as, or not quite as durable as Lucid. It takes all the polymers of Lucid plus one special polymer that provides more grip. Unlike Lucid, Fuzion plastic is non-translucent – it’s opaque. Plus, discs made of Fuzion plastic tend to have a shine.
How They Fly
In terms of how they fly, discs made from Lucid plastic are more overstable than Fuzion plastic. What does this mean?
Discs made of Lucid plastic tend to last longer and handle more damage. Keeping their original form longer than Fuzion plastic does. Because of this, Lucid discs tend to act more overstable than a Fuzion disc does. This difference is small and hard to tell, unless you’re throwing them one after the other.
When a left-handed player throws a disc made of Lucid plastic, it will fly a little to the left or straight, depending on the wind. Then it will fade to the right when it loses speed. If the player throws the disc forehand, the disc flies in the opposite direction with a backhand throw.
On the other hand, discs made of Fuzion plastic tend to be more understable. They tend to slowly fly to the right after a right hand backhand throw then fade to the left at the end of their flight.
This doesn’t mean, however, that all discs made from Lucid plastic are overstable, and all Fuzion discs are understable. But if I were to buy two discs of the same mold but different plastics, they will fly slightly
differently. The Lucid disc will tend to be more overstable than the Fuzion disc.
For example, imagine throwing two discs of the same mold with the following ratings: speed 11, glide 5, turn -1, fade 3. The throw is a right hand backhand. The two discs are made with Lucid plastic and Fuzion plastic. The Lucid disc will probably fly straight before fading left. On the other hand, the disc made of Fuzion plastic will fly to the right slightly before fading left.
This is why a Lucid disc is suitable for a hyzer spike; it will not turn over easily, making the throw easier.
When to Throw Them
Because discs made of Lucid plastics tend to be more overstable, they fly better than Fuzion discs in windy situations. They are more accurate constant. However, discs made of Lucid tend to be harder to throw. They require players with higher arm speed and more force. When thrown at higher speeds, overstable discs are less likely to turn over.
Discs made of Fuzion plastic, on the other hand, are handy when navigating tight fairways. Understable discs are better for throws where finesse is required. They require less power and are more suitable for weaker players. In fact, beginners favor understable discs because these discs can stay in the air longer.
Which Players Suit Lucid vs Fuzion Plastic
Generally, discs made of Lucid plastic suit more skilled players better. It requires more arm speed and power to throw overstable discs. Highly-skilled players can get more distance and accuracy from a disc made of Lucid than their less capable counterparts.
Beginner to intermediate players favor understable discs better than overstable discs. As such, a disc made of Fuzion plastic is better for them. They can get more distance out of an understable disc even though they have limited skill and power.
Conclusion
Lucid vs Fuzion plastic – this comparison is in relation to each other. This doesn’t mean that all discs made of Lucid plastic require a highly skilled player or has a low grip. It just means that Lucid discs tend to have a lower grip compared to discs made of Fuzion plastic. This comparison only accounts for discs of the same mold.
