Welcome to my Discraft Mantis review! As anyone who’s dove inside a Disc golf bag can tell you, finding the right fairway driver often feels like a trek in search of the Holy Grail. Luckily, I’ve come across one that might end your search. But, as the saying goes, the proof is in the pudding—or, in this case, the flight.

For a little context, I’ve spent over 13 years diving deep into the world of disc golf. I’ve handled countless discs and played countless games in that time. This wealth of hands-on knowledge allows me to deliver unbiased, reliable reviews like this one.

So buckle up! If you’re searching for the perfect blend of speed, control, and understability in a fairway driver, you’ll want to stick around for my in-depth look at the Discraft Mantis.

Flight Info: Control Your Speed & Glide

• Speed: 8
• Glide: 4
• Turn: -2
• Fade: 2

Let me walk you through what these numbers mean. The Mantis has a speed of 8, which is relatively moderate, making it a versatile option for many.

The glide rating of 4 implies it hovers smoothly in the air for a decent distance without needing too much power. This is beneficial, especially for those newer to the sport or those with slower arms.

The turn is rated at -2, which means that when thrown hard, this disc will curve to the right (for a right-hand, back-hand throw). It introduces a comfortable degree of predictability in its path.

Lastly, the fade of 2. This shows that it has a gentle finish to the left at the end. It is an excellent choice for shaped shots requiring a late, controlled fade.

The Discraft Mantis is balanced, easily controlled, and favors straightness with a slight right curve and gentle end-fade. It’s perfect for those looking to move up from starter discs.

Disc Specification: Balance For Your Plastic

• Diameter: 21.20 cm
• Height: 1.90 cm
• Rim Depth: 1.10 cm
• Rim Width: 1.90 cm

Taking a closer look at the Discraft Mantis physical specs, the disc carries a diameter of 21.20 cm, which is a standard size for fairway drivers. I noticed that this grants the disc a pleasing balance in hand and a consistent pattern.

The height of the disc is 1.90 cm, and the rim depth is 1.10 cm. These specs translate into a shallow profile, which I have found to provide a comfortable grip and easy release.

Notably, it has a rim width of 1.90 cm. This wider rim design instills confidence when you grip the disc and helps generate the velocity you need during the throw.

Comparing this to other discs in its category, these specs give it a unique blend of control and distance. The design creates a disc that is comfortable to hold, easy to throw, and provides consistency- a combination that, in my experience, isn’t easy to come by.

Customer Reviews Analysis: A Distance Driver For Newer Players

The Discraft Mantis is described as a utility driver for experienced players and a distance driver for those newer to the game. This versatile disc can offer different benefits depending on your skill level. From the customer reviews, I see why.

Experienced users can rely on it for controlled throws and use its understability for various situations, such as hyzer flips or “S” distance shots. One of the customer reviews talked about how they love woods golf because it can hit tight lines and deliver a gorgeous hyzer or turnovers.

Newbies, or people with a more limited range, also have something to gain. This can be a perfect disc to introduce breadth to your skillset, as you can learn different styles.

There seems to be a consensus that this is an all-around trustworthy disc regardless of skill level – perfect for straight, controllable paths with a comfortable feel and brilliant glide. It’s particularly excellent for novices and intermediate players learning various throws and looking for a disc that can cover a variety of their fairway needs.

However, it might not be the best choice for those with a powerful arm or those relying heavily on forehand throws.

A Disc Golf Utility Driver

The Mantis is primarily used as a fairway driver. Its main attraction is its utility for different situations. I’ve found it to be my go-to choice for situations that require precision over power, such as threading that disc neatly through a series of trees or for moments when I want to shape my throw exactly.

Here are the situations the disc can be used for:

Hyzer Flips

With its understability, it can be exploited for a beautiful hyzer. Throwing it with a hyzer angle, the disc flips up and flies straight – a skill one of the customer reviewers learned using this.

Turnovers

It can be relied on for turnovers. If you crank this disc hard, it will turn over (curve right for right-hand back-hand throw) and hold that line. It’s like a magic trick in your bag when you need to throw around obstacles.

Straight, Controlled Shots

This is one of my favorites with this disc. Throw it straight, initially giving you a predictable, slight right curve and a gentle fade back to the left at the end.

Similar Discs

DGA Pipeline

This fairway driver shares similarities with the Mantis regarding quickness, glide, and control. However, its turn isn’t as strong as the latter, which may hinder hyzer flips.

Innova Teebird3

This is a classic in disc golf and a reliable fairway driver. It has greater stability than the Mantis but lacks its understability and success with shaped shots.

Latitude 64 Saint Pro

This disc offers increased quickness and stability compared to the Mantis. However, it may not be as beginner-friendly or offer as much flexibility.

Each disc has its strengths, but the Mantis shines with its blend of control, understability, and versatility. It’s ideal for those transitioning from novice to intermediate or pros wanting to master a wider array of styles.

Discraft Mantis Review: Final Thoughts

The Discraft Mantis is a fantastic option for those transitioning from beginner to intermediate play or seeking a versatile and forgiving fairway driver. With a unique blend of speed, glide, and understability, it provides a high level of control and predictability, making it an excellent choice for learning different throw styles and shaping your throws.

However, this might not be the go-to disc for more experienced users with powerful throws or those favoring forehand.

Pros:

• Versatile for varying skill levels
• High level of control and predictability
• Beneficial for learning different throw styles
• Reliable and consistent in various wind conditions

Cons:

• Not the best choice for players with powerful throws
• Might not be the best for forehand shots