The Sidewinder is one of Innova’s notable distance drivers. The manufacturer claims it does not require much hand speed and strength, so it is very suitable for beginners. It also provides the necessary controls to perform perfect shots.
In actual testing, can Sidewinder give the same impression as above or not? If you’re curious about its downforce, weight, and more, check out the Innova Sidewinder review below for details.
Quick Review Of The Innova Sidewinder
Before going into my experiences with the Innova Sidewinder, let’s take a look at some critical information about this particular driver:
Speed Rating
The Innova Sidewinder’s speed rating is 9. On a scale of 1 to 14, it’s not too hard to throw but won’t go too far. For surf ratings, the Sidewinder scored a five on most tests, which was pretty impressive with my ramping maneuvers.
During the throw, I noticed it glided slightly overhead as it flew down the fairway. This level gives me power savings but still gets the desired distance.
Sidewinder’s turn flight rating is -3. This rating has shown this driver does not have much drag when turning. Meanwhile, its Fade flight score is 1, which is good enough for the driver to work consistently.
Weight
Its weight ranges from 130-175 grams, which varies according to different plastic textures. The vast weight range makes it possible to choose the most suitable driver models for my use.
Stability
Innova Sidewinder is a pretty stable driver model. It allows easy control and works well in different conditions.
Skill Level
Innova Oriented Sidewinder is a beginner driver. It will be ideal for you to work effectively with the most basic techniques.
Who Is The Innova Sidewinder For?
The Innova Sidewinder has sharp and flat rims. These spots are great for those learning throwing and control techniques. In addition to serving beginners, Sidewinder also meets some requirements below:
- Let the player control the number of turns and the number of fades.
- Available with various throws at high speed, gliding, and flexibility.
- Help professional players improve their precision throwing skills.
When Should You Throw the Sidewinder?
I took the time to make throws with the Sidewinder. Here are some of the best throws this distance driver performed.
- Roller: Sidewinder does not perform too well flying in the air. It only reached the distance I expected if it rolled on the ground.
- Distance: Sidewinder’s speed and surf count is quite suitable for beginners. With distance throws, it will finish relatively well, creating maximum space.
- Precise straight throw: Sidewinder is great for players with slower arm speeds. As a result, it often produces straight shots with great distance and high accuracy.
Sidewinder Plastics
Sidewinder is a distance driver that has been around for a long time. So now it has quite a lot of plastic available for you, such as DX, Star, GStar, Starlite, and Champion. Each has unique characteristics, and below are my reviews.
- DX: Sidewinder is quite budget-friendly. It also provides a pretty good grip, even with heavy wear. I also tested the Innova Sidewinder in different weather conditions and was pleased with its experience.
- Star: Overall, the Innova Sidewinder Star has good grip and durability. Its throw recovery is also relatively high. In particular, its flying characteristics are pretty similar to more advanced plastic options.
- GStar: It’s less stable than the options above. However, it has the grip and flexibility I seek. I often use the Sidewinder GStar in cold weather, which meets my expectations.
- StarLite: This resin makes the Innova Sidewinder the lightest weight. It is also relatively fast and durable, beyond my expectations. And unlike GStar, StarLite plastic makes for consistent and reliable flights.
- Champion: Durability and solid construction are the advantages I am most impressed with in the Innova champion Sidewinder models. I accidentally hit the driver against a rock; however, it retains the flight properties.
Sidewinder Weights
Sidewinder weight varies with the plastic-type it uses. The minimum figure available is 130 grams, corresponding to the Gstar or Champion case.
Meanwhile, if you need more leverage for your throw, the DX models with a maximum weight of 175 grams may be the optimal choice.
In short, whether a beginner or an experienced athlete, you can find a suitable weight pattern to handle your most challenging moves.
Pros Of The Innova Sidewinder
There are many reasons why you should choose Innova Sidewinder:
- Suitable for beginners.
- Many plastic options.
- Durable and consistent.
- Accurate straight-throw support.
- It doesn’t require too much throwing power and hand speed.
Where Can You Find the Innova Sidewinder?
I bought the Innova Sidewinder at the disc golf store. However, if you don’t find this store locally, you can order it online through some websites such as:
- InfiniteDiscs: It has many disc options and detailed images for your reference.
- Amazon: This platform has driver models in various plastic styles, designs, and weights.
Related
The 9 Best Disc Golf Discs For Beginners
Conclusion
The Innova Sidewinder reviews in this post come from my research and practical experience. Hopefully, this post will help you in the selection process.
If you have any related questions, don’t hesitate to contact me via email to get a timely response. Thank you for taking the time to read the post!
Further Reading
