Meet the Bradley Williams Tour Series Halo Star Baby Destroyer

This year, Innova released a very special Tour Series disc for Bradley Williams – the Baby Destroyer. While the Baby Destroyer uses the same mold as the standard Destroyer, it has notably different material traits and flight characteristics. For one, the Baby Destroyer is only available in the 156 to 160 gram weight class. Also, it’s produced in Innova’s ultra-popular Halo Star plastic blend. For these reasons, among others, the Baby Destroyer has quickly gained a large following of fans. In a very short time, it’s become one of the most popular Tour Series discs of 2024. In this guide, we’ll deep dive into what really sets the Baby Destroyer apart. Let’s see how it might help you elevate your game!

1 Destroyer, 2 Destroyer, Red Destroyer, Blue Destroyer

Run to run, the flight traits of a Destroyer can vary drastically. Sometimes, you may even find that two Destroyers made in the same run can differ. Inconsistency seems like a bad term to describe any kind of manufacturing, but when it comes to golf discs that isn’t always the case. Innova’s ability to produce different flights out of a single mold is something that actually gets them praise. Instead of having to bag 5 different distance driver molds to get a decent range of stability, Innova throwers can more easily bag 5 versions of just the 1 mold for the same effect. Elite-level disc golfers commonly use this kind of bag structure, called cycling.

Design and Flight Characteristics of the Baby Destroyer

The Baby Destroyer is much easier to throw than most runs of Destroyer, but it isn’t it’s own mold. The things that set it apart are mainly its plastic, weight, dome, and wing shape. Innova makes the Baby Destroyer in a lighter weight class, ranging from around 155g to 160g. Players who are used to throwing heavier discs can still enjoy the Baby Destroyer though, as it’s Halo Star plastic keeps it from being too flippy. You see, discs made in Halo Star plastic tend to be more overstable than their standard Star counterparts. The underside of the rim, being an area that we can see large diversity in Destroyers, isn’t quite flat like some of the flippier runs, but has a slight concave arc to it. They also tend to have a fair amount of dome without being too much of a pop-top.

All of these traits combined allow the Baby Destroyer very easy to get a hold of for big difference, without being too understable or overstable for the majority of players.

Why Choose Halo Star Plastic?

Emerging for the first time just a few years ago, Halo Star is one of Innova’s newest plastic endeavors. While Halo Star is nearly identical to Star when it comes to feel and durability, there are a couple distinct differences. The first difference is simply appearance. Discs made in Halo Star have a different color rim and flight plate, giving it a ring or “halo” effect. Hence the name. The other difference is in it’s flight path. Discs in Halo Star are typically more overstable than their Star brethren. If you’re looking to get a more overstable version of any disc, give Halo Star a shot!

Ideal Players for the Bradley Williams Destroyer

If you can hold a disc in your hand, than the Baby Destroyer is for you! While it may not be the best choice to throw into a direct headwind due to its weight class, the Baby Destroyer maintains a decent level of overstability. This overstability allows for the disc to not flip over too much, even for power throwers. Such power throwers will find the Baby Destroyer to be the ultimate tailwind bomber, and may get more distance out of it than their standard distance drivers due simply to the difference in weight!

Why the Halo Star Baby Destroyer is a Must-Have in 2024

The Halo Star Baby Destroyer has solidified its place as a must-have disc in 2024. This is due to its unique combination of lightweight design, premium plastic, and versatile performance. Its light weight range makes it an excellent choice for players seeking effortless distance. You’ll find a straighter, easier, and more controllable flight, without losing the key overstable finish that Destroyers are known for. Crafted in the eye-catching and durable Halo Star plastic, this disc offers exceptional grip and reliability, even in varying conditions. Whether you’re a seasoned player looking for a reliable distance driver or a newer player seeking a manageable yet high-performing disc, Innova’s Baby Destroyer checks all the boxes. With its distinct flight characteristics and widespread appeal, it’s no surprise that this disc is making waves in the disc golf community this year.

In the world of disc golf, mastering the art of distance driving is a badge of honor. Whether you’re looking to crush distance drives out in the open, or aiming to maximize your distance down a tight fairway, choosing the right distance driver can significantly enhance your game. With the myriad of options available, selecting the ideal driver can be overwhelming. This guide dives into the top 10 distance drivers, showcasing the advanced technologies and unique characteristics that set them apart. Let’s embark on a journey to discover the perfect blend of speed, stability, and glide to maximize your distance!

Understanding Distance Driver Characteristics

Distance drivers are the quintessential discs for achieving maximum range. Key features include a wider rim for faster speeds, and materials designed for durability and performance. The interaction of these characteristics with a player’s technique defines the flight and ultimately the distance achieved.

The Top 10 Distance Drivers

The 10 discs in this list were the top-10 bestselling distance drivers of 2023. The data for this list came from Marshall Street Disc Golf sales reports. Some of these molds appeared on the list more than once, just in different plastics. We’ve removed those duplicates and only included the top selling plastic of each mold.

Innova Star Destroyer – One of the first 12-speed distance drivers to hit the market, the Destroyer has been a staple in many golfers bags for nearly two decades.
Discraft ESP Hades – The Hades is from Paul McBeth’s personal line of discs, meaning he helped design it himself. The Hades features high levels of turn and fade, making it idea for S-curve type shots.
Discmania S-Line DD3 – Discmania’s answer to the Destroyer is super popular, but hasn’t quite usurped the Destroyer.
Innova Star Tern – The Tern offers something that many distance drivers are short on, and that’s turn. The Tern is more of an understable distance driver, making it easier to throw far for players with lower arm-speed.
MVP Fission Wave – The Wave is the first distance driver in the top 10 that’s not a 12-speed driver, it’s an 11-speed. 12-speed discs are extremely popular, but 11-speed discs take a little less effort to shape into lines.
Innova Star Shryke – The Shryke represents a newer age in distance technology. It features more turn, and superior glide compared to most distance drivers, making it easy to throw for almost any skill level.
Discraft ESP Zeus – Another Paul McBeth disc, and another Destroyer “clone”. The Destroyer revolutionized the game, it’s no wonder that many discs replicate it’s shape and flight numbers.
Innova Blizzard Katana – This 13-speed is a bomb. Its high speed, copious glide, and light weight allow it to go very far, very fast. Be careful where you aim this thing.
Discmania Horizon Cloudbreaker – The Cloudbreaker is one of the most popular distance drivers available from Discmania. It’s extremely similar to their own DD3, slightly modified to Eagle McMahon’s requested specifications.
SimonLine Neutron Time-Lapse – The Time-Lapse is an Axiom/MVP disc that was designed with heavy input from elite pro Simon Lizotte. A Destroyer “clone” to be sure, but MVP’s overmold technology and an especially domey flight plate set the Time-Lapse apart.

Top 10 Distance Driver - Neutron Time-Lapse

Popularity of the Destroyer

The Destroyer, released in 2007, boasted a very wide rim and a combination of glide and overstability that set it apart from anything that had come before. The Destroyer is the best selling distance driver of all time, not just 2023. If our list included different plastic variations, the Destroyer in different plastics would take up 4 spots of the top 10. Even after removing those duplicates, many of the other molds on the top 10 list are Destroyer “clones”. We’re in no way saying that these other companies copied the Destroyer directly, but the Destroyer has set a standard for distance drivers that has yet to be beaten, so its style has been replicated many times over. Almost all professional players bag a Destroyer-like driver as their go-to disc for distance shots.

The most popular distance drivers from most companies share the same flight numbers as the Destroyer, 12 / 5 / -1 / 3. Such discs include the Discmania DD3 and Cloudbreaker, the Millennium Scorpius, Discraft’s Zeus, the Hooligan Yeet, and even newer molds such as the SimonLine Time-Lapse and Clash Disc’s Salt.

Disc Technology and Innovation

The evolution of disc golf technology has led to the creation of discs with specialized plastics and aerodynamic profiles. The plastics used not only affect the flight and durability of the discs but also offer different grips and feels. This allows players to tailor their selection to their comfort and style.

At this point, the most ground-breaking disc technology on the market is GYRO overmold technology, created by MVP discs. This technology allows for MVP to put the majority of a disc’s weight into the outer rim. As a result, MVP claims their discs maintain momentum better, and fade more forward than “monomold” discs.

Choosing the Right Disc

Selecting the right distance driver is highly personal and depends on your play style, arm speed, and experience. In any case, it’s essential to experiment with different discs to understand how each one complements your throwing technique. Consider starting with more understable discs if you’re a beginner, and gradually work your way towards more stable to overstable options as your skills develop. Flippy discs can get easy distance, but consistency is key in disc golf, and more overstable discs offer more opportunities for consistency.

Expert Insights and Trends

Gaining insights from professional players, disc golf veterans, or coaches can be invaluable. They can undeniably share many helpful tips on disc selection and techniques to maximize distance. Keeping an eye on the trends among top players can also guide you in making informed choices about the discs you add to your bag.

In conclusion, the journey to maximizing distance in disc golf is as much about selecting the right equipment as it is about skill and technique. The top 10 distance drivers listed here offer a range of options to suit various playing styles and skill levels, and overall, the Destroyer is king. Remember, the best disc is the one that feels right in your hand and complements your unique throwing style. Happy disc golfing, may your drives be long and your putts short!

Tag: Distance Drivers

Innova’s Baby Destroyer: What makes it so good?