After getting some extensive field time with this exciting new approach disc, it’s finally time for me to offer my thoughts on the
Like many I‘m sure, when I first heard that Discraft was releasing an overstable version of their ever popular Zone, I was a tad skeptical about the practicality of such a disc.
These thoughts were slightly reinforced when seeing the likes of Paul Ullibarri and Brodie Smith giving the First Runs a toss out on the field.
It’s not that I didn‘t think the disc would be good or bad, but more so I wasn’t sure if it was necessarily something missing from players’ bags, myself included.
The Zone OS offers unique lines that I have never been able to throw with any other disc!
Some initial thoughts from others online and on social media were similar to mine, and some were much more harsh.
With things such as, “Because every player says they wish their Zone was just a little more overstable”, *cue eye roll emoji* being seen in various groups regularly.
It was being called a “gimmick” and a trick shot disc, implying that it offered players no practical application out on the course.
But the more I thought about the beefy new disc, the more intrigued I became.
Sure, I never thought that I wanted my Zones to be more overstable, but at the same time, I thought that the extra overstability could be helpful in many situations and even open up some potential shots that I would otherwise never try.
So, I caved and pre-ordered one.
And I’m glad I did!
In recent years, I‘m not sure that a disc has been immediately more useful to me than what the Zone OS is, other than maybe the first time I added the original Zone to my bag.
Probably the first feature that excited me about this overstable approach disc was how comfortable it felt in the hand. Traditionally, I’m not a fan of deeper discs, but the Zone OS retains it’s comfort despite feeling deep.
It does not feel like the original Zone, but it is comfortable in it’s own right.
I’m a fan of the Z line plastic as well, so I loved the combination of grip and comfort, but by now several plastics are offered by Discraft so you have plenty of options!
Before I give you the nitty gritty of how this disc performs in the field,
Let's check out the full specs and expected flight path of the Discraft Zone OS!
Discraft Zone OS Flight Numbers
Speed: 4
Glide: 2
Turn: 1
Fade: 5
Primary use: Very overstable putt & approach disc for intermediate and advanced players
Pros
-Reliably overstable, very overstable
-Flex lines not capable with other discs
-Rather comfortable in the hand despite being deep
-Suitable for forehands and backhands
Cons
-Very overstable, especially with slow arms
-May be difficult for new players to throw due to overstability and low glide
-Will not be able to throw long distances due to low glide, unless you are throwing aggressive flex lines
Shop the Zone OS and other Discraft discs on Amazon using the picture above!
Wrap-Up
As mentioned several times already, this disc is very overstable. This should be implied as it is in the actual name of the disc, but this disc is going to be extremely overstable even if you have the ability to throw max distance. In other words:
You will not turn this disc over.
This overstability may not be that of the Discmania Tilt, but this is a good thing as it truly does allow you some unique shots that I never had available to me with any other approach disc.
While the overstability of this disc will work excellent in traditional situations where you need a reliable fade, such as power forehand/backhand, and stout headwinds.
Where I believe this disc truly shines is in it’s shot shaping, flex line capabilities.
Shot shaping is a vital skill in the disc golf world, especially on wooded/technical courses where you need disc and shot options that allow you to weave in and out of strategic obstacles.
I bag several discs that offer me these flex lines, but few do it as effectively as what I have experienced with the Zone OS.
For example, say you find yourself on the left side of the rough, and need to not only pitch back out to the fairway, but also have to approach the basket that is located deep on the right side of the fairway.
My usual play would be a forehand, anhyzer shot with an overstable disc.
Prior to bagging the Zone OS, this is a shot that would be thrown with something like my Discraft Zone, Discraft Buzzz OS, or even my Innova Firebird. And they all certainly would get the job done.
But depending on the angle they were thrown on, they would often just fight out of the anhyzer angle and get to flat before finding the ground.
What I have found with the Zone OS however is that not only will it fight the anhyzer angle and get to flat, but it will also almost always still manage to fade as it slows down and lands.
Why is this important?
Well that extra fade has often been giving me an extra 15-30+ feet closer to the basket. In effect, it is giving me circle 1 putts over the circle 2 or deeper putts I was so used to being faced with before.
So this disc has saved me so many strokes by taking those circle edge testers and making them tap ins instead, it has been insane!
Now that being said, you do need to be very aware of angle control, as you do with any disc and shot.
If you release this disc on too flat of an angle like in the previous situation, you will get way too much fade than desired because of how beefy this disc is.
If you don’t need such an aggressive angle or approach, you will still be much better off choosing a disc with a more traditional fade rating as seen in discs like the Zone, Harp, Entropy, etc.
Another surprise I’ve seen with the Zone OS is not necessarily good or bad, but is the amount of ground play I sometimes get with it. In my experience, discs that are as deep or deep feeling as the Zone OS often don’t give you much in terms of ground play.
They simply sit and stick when they hit the ground.
However, when I rip on the Zone OS for nearly full power, it’s not uncommon for me to get a small skip and a few extra feet in the direction of my throw.
Luckily, the overstability causes to force the disc to not roll or skip away uncontrollably, but it is worth mentioning the unexpected ground play.
As for distance,
On a max power, flat release throw, I’m getting about 180-200’ with the Zone OS, which is all I really need for the shots I’m using it for.
Anhyzer lines both forehand and back hand are yielding longer distances due to the S-shaped flight pattern if I give it full power, up to around 240 feet or so.
Hyzer shots at max power drop in at about 160-180 feet depending on how aggressive of an angle I put it on.
I have used it off the tee, but typically I’m pulling if from the bag for approach shots to the pin so I’m definitely good with these distances.
Additionally, thumbers and tomahawk style overhand throws get very little left or right pan with the Zone OS, which is very useful in scramble situations where you need to get straight over a bush or obstruction.
But beware of elevation change as you may get some post landing roll if it lands on a downhill slope.
Slower arms may find the Zone OS to be completely useless, unless managing angle control well, but I do believe that any player can find some utility in this reliable approach disc.
I know I have hammered home how overstable this disc truly is, but don’t let that scare you away from giving it a shot. It’s not so overstable that it is unusable and it is certainly not a “gimmick” as many have initially stated.
That being said, I cannot recommend this disc enough, it has added so much value to my bag and game since I decided to give it a whirl.
So do yourself a favor and give it a try today, you may just be surprised at how much value it adds to your bag too!
That’s all for this review, so until next time,
Stay Inside the Circle!
You can shop and choose your very own Discraft Zone OS now at
Infinite Discs by clicking on the picture below!
Or on Amazon by...
---> Clicking HERE <---
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