This is my second look at Gateway Discs.
As in the first review back in September, this week I take a look at a set of pre-packaged discs, a driver, mid range and putter sold as a collection which is an excellent way for the beginner to get out on the course to see how they like the sport of disc golf.
This time I'm going to start at the basket with Gateway's Magic, a putt and approach disc.
The company website declares "The Magic is one of our most popular putters, and one of the best all-around discs for both new players and those with more experience. It is a straight-flying putter/approach disc that can be easily used by beginners because of its great glide and small amount of low speed fade."
Well I will agree the disc has a nice feel to in terms of gripping the Magic. It feels very natural in the hand and that is especially important in close to the basket where the simplest shots have a tendency to go awry, likely because we over think the situation.
The Magic disc in this particular set is a 157-gram model. Personal preference has me generally throwing a heavier putter. I tend to 'feel' heavier putters are less influenced by the wind when close in to the basket where I want ever advantage I can get. For that reason the Magic hasn't become one of my favoured putters.
There is however, also consideration that a heavier putter overthrown will go 'through the chains' more easily, while a lighter putter will hold and drop down.
Again disc selection comes down to a personal 'taste' and in the realm of lighter putters, the Magic from Gateway is a fine choice.
The Element is the mid range disc in the collection, and in this case the disc is a 156-gram model. Note the weight is a match for the putter, a nice touch in a collection since you get the 'feel' for throwing that weight at different locations on the course.
Again the Element has a natural grip, which beginners will appreciate.
"The Gateway Element is a fantastic all-around midrange disc. This disc will hold any angle you throw with unbelievable glide. If you throw it flat it will go extremely straight will very little fade at the end of its flight. Anhyzers will keep turning, and hard-thrown hyzers will flip up to flat," details the company website.
I'd agree the Element has a nice glide, but there are mid ranges which achieve better distances, at least for me. For some shorter approach efforts though the Element is a useful disc in the bag.
The driver is the Apache, the same as in the previously reviewed set from Gateway. This particular model is 154-grams, again basically a weight match to the Magic and Element in the set.
As stated last time the Apache needs some practice to throw with the accuracy of most drivers out of the store, but the distance it will fly makes it one worth experimenting with to get the hang of.
Gateway calls the Apache "a very controllable long-range straight driver", crediting the disc's wing length at 2.0 cm, and its overall height is 1.3 cm, "making it a fast disc with an amazing amount of glide. It has a larger radius where the rim depth meets the flight plate than most drivers of its class, which helps grip comfort for all grip styles."
There is distance in the Apache, but the trick can be getting a consistent response from the disc, at least that was the case for me.
Still overall the trio of Gateway Discs are an ideal entry level set for newcomers to disc golf, with enough performance in the discs to make them useful as your game develops.
Check the out these discs in more detail at www.gdstour.com
NEXT WEEK: A look at some mid range offerings from Daredevil Discs.
