Looking Back at 2015 From the Shop Counter

Looking back a decade, 2015 felt like the end of an era, and the beginning of something new. Since 2015, the PDGA has approved hundreds of new disc molds across many brands as the sport’s growth accelerated.

Why So Many New Molds Since Then

One big catalyst for that explosion is the pandemic. When travel slowed, more people picked up, or returned to, disc golf as a socially distant outdoor activity. Meanwhile, manufacturing and supply chains shifted, and several smaller brands used the pause in bigger releases to crank out new molds and enter the PDGA approval pipeline. The growth of boutique manufacturers, fresh plastics, and niche flight profiles all surged.

The Top 10 Molds We Couldn’t Keep In Stock

That said, when we look back a decade, a few molds dominated our shelves. Here are the top 10 molds from that era, and they are still strong today. Here’s a bit of the story and flight flavor behind each of those molds, with the kind of commentary we’d have offered from behind our counter.

1 – Innova Destroyer

This beast was a workhorse in 2015 and beyond. High speed, dependable fade, and room for power make it a go-to distance driver for strong arms. It’s not forgiving on bad lines, but in the hands of players with some arm speed it can serve as a “do everything” driver in many bags.

2 – Discraft Buzzz

The midrange that nearly every player has thrown. It’s versatile, controllable, and consistent. It holds lines on hyzer, straight, and gentle turnovers without surprising you. In the decade since, it’s maintained serious staying power as one of the best midranges for beginners and veterans alike. And one of the best selling molds of all time.

3 – Gateway Wizard

A putt and approach disc with surprising workability. It has enough stability to handle headwinds yet enough straightness that players trust it off the tee in tight woods. This was our go-to when someone asked for a reliable putt or approach that can also be thrown from 200 feet confidently.

4 – Dynamic Discs Judge

One of the modern putter legends. The Judge feels good in the hand, is predictable, and resilient. In many bags it’s the safe bet putter, especially on tricky lines where you don’t want surprises. It also shows up in a lot of tournament bags for that reason.

5 – Innova Teebird

Classic fairway driver. Straight with a dependable fade. The Teebird is a workhorse for fairway precision shots. If you needed to thread a line down the gap and get controlled distance, this was often your disc. Many players still bag the Teebird for its reliability.

6 – Innova Boss

This super stable driver was built for power. It resists turning over, holds up in wind, and often finds a home in the bags of players who throw fast and want reliability. In 2015 it was a premium overstable pick for big arms.

7 – Innova Valkyrie

A favorite among forehand throwers, but also a reliable backhand driver. It leans overstable, but not brutal. It delivers good speed with dependable fade, making it a versatile pick for players wanting both distance and control.

8 – Innova Tern

A fast driver with a smooth flight. It tends to have a bit of turn under power but finishes solid. It offers a balance of speed and stability that many players appreciate as a go-to distance driver when they don’t want to rely on the Destroyer every time.

9 – Latitude 64 River

Latitude’s take on a control driver or fast fairway. It has more glide than many overstable drivers and tends to be more workable. Great for players who want a driver that can thread lines and not just slam fade.

10 – Latitude 64 Saint

A beefy overstable driver. This disc was for players who wanted to attack wind or hyzer lines with confidence. It doesn’t give up easily. It was, and is, a trusted anchor in many pro bags for punchy, controlled shots in challenging conditions.

Final Thoughts From the Old Shop Guys

Looking back, what’s striking is how many of those molds still dominate lists a decade later. New molds get released every year, but the core favorites stick. The pandemic era boom gave us many fresh designs and plastics, but the molds that stand the test of time tend to be those reliable, versatile performers that players lean on.