Finding the Best Disc Golf Approach Disc - A Series by Prodigy Disc
A Series approach discs from Prodigy were created to bridge the gap between putters and midranges. These are torque-resistant discs that are more overstable by design than the PA Series, and provide a consistent fade at the end of the flight for trusty upshots. The A Series provides players with more options for short-range shots where a putter may not provide enough distance, but a midrange disc may be too powerful.
The A Series is going to have an angled rim and be flatter than a PA Series disc, and is also going to have a smaller diameter than M Series midranges.
Currently, there are five discs in the A Series: A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5. Because A Series approach discs are designed to be more overstable as a category of disc, an A4 and A5 are straight to slightly overstable in comparison to an M4 midrange, which is straight to understable.
A1
Extremely Overstable Approach Disc
The A1 is perfect for power throwers who want to avoid the possibility of their shot turning over. The disc is consistent and reliable in all wind conditions and perfect for short, trick shots as well as high wind approach shots. It is the most overstable approach disc in the Prodigy lineup and has a bead.
“My favorite shot to throw with the A1 is a flex line, because it's so overstable you can rip it on anhyzer and it's always going to come back." - Alden Harris
A2
Extremely Overstable Approach Disc
The A2 is an overstable utility disc perfect for power throwers who want to avoid the possibility of their shot turning over. It is a beadless cousin to the A1 and will fly just slightly less stable than the A1. You can expect and extra 30 to 40 feet of glide than the A1. The A2 is one of the most popular discs in the Prodigy lineup.
“A2 is probably the best feeling disc in my hand. It’s low profile like an approach disc but at the same time it feels like a fast disc. That's why people can throw this over 300 feet easily.” - Väinö Mäkelä
A3
Overstable Approach Disc
The A3 is perfect for strong to above average throwers who want to avoid the possibility of their shot turning over. The disc is consistent and reliable in all wind conditions and perfect for short, trick shots as well as high wind.
“It's overstable but still has the glide so you can still get distance. I love the A3 for both sidearms and backhand shots." - Lykke Lorentzen
A4
Slightly Overstable Approach Disc
The A4 is a slightly overstable disc designed for all skill levels. It works equally as well for backhand or sidearm throwers, and like the A3 has a bead on the rim and a distinct rim shape. You can expect it to fly slightly less stable than the A3 with an extra 40-50 feet in distance.
“The A4 is a very unique mold. It's kind of blunt, which works really well for a forehand grip as it kind of fits in the groove of your hand naturally.” - Lance Brown
A5
Slightly Overstable Approach Disc
The A5 is a slightly overstable approach disc when brand new, that will work-in to be a straight flyer. It has a nice, smooth feel with a shallow profile and flat top, which makes it ideal for sidearm approaches. It can handle torque well and has a mild finish on the end, so it won't skip too far from where it lands.
“The A5 is the straightest flying disc in the A Series and I'm pulling it out from anywhere inside 300 feet.” - Parker Welck
Prodigy Disc Flight Numbers
Model |
2023 Update |
Original |
|---|---|---|
| D1 Max | 13 | 5 | -1 | 3 | 12 | 5 | 0 | 3 |
| D2 Max | 13 | 5 | -1 | 2 | 12 | 6 | -1 | 2.5 |
| D3 Max | 13 | 5 | -2 | 2 | 12 | 6 | -3 | 2 |
| D4 Max | 13 | 5 | -3 | 2 | 12 | 6 | -4 | 1 |
| D2 Pro | 13 | 5 | -1 | 3 | UNCHANGED |
| X2 | 12 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 4.5 | 0 | 4 |
| X3 | 12 | 6 | -1 | 2 | 12 | 5 | -1 | 2 |
| X4 | 12 | 6 | -2 | 2 | 13 | 5 | -2.5 | 2 |
| X5 | 12 | 6 | -3 | 2 | 13 | 5 | -4 | 1 |
| D1 | 12 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 13 | 5 | 0 | 4 |
| D2 | 12 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 13 | 6 | -0.5 | 3 |
| D3 | 12 | 5 | -1 | 3 | 13 | 6 | -2 | 2 |
| D4 | 12 | 5 | -2 | 2 | 12 | 6 | -3 | 2 |
| D6 | 12 | 6 | -3 | 2 | UNCHANGED |
| H1 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| H2 | 10 | 4 | -1 | 3 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 2.5 |
| H3 | 10 | 5 | -1 | 1 | 11 | 5 | -1 | 2 |
| H4 | 10 | 5 | -2 | 1 | 10 | 5 | -2 | 1.5 |
| H5 | 10 | 5 | -3 | 1 | 9 | 5 | -3 | 1 |
| H7 | 10 | 5 | -4 | 1 | 9 | 5 | -4 | 1 |
| FX-2 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 4 | -0.5 | 3 |
| FX-3 | 9 | 5 | -1 | 2 | 9 | 4 | -1.5 | 2 |
| FX-4 | 9 | 5 | -2 | 2 | 9 | 5 | -2 | 1 |
| F1 | 8 | 4 | -1 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| F2 | 8 | 4 | -1 | 2 | 7 | 5 | -1 | 3 |
| F3 | 8 | 5 | -2 | 2 | 7 | 5 | -1 | 2 |
| F5 | 8 | 6 | -2 | 1 | 7 | 5 | -2 | 1 |
| F7 | 8 | 6 | -3 | 1 | 7 | 5 | -3 | 1 |
| F9 | 8 | 6 | -4 | 0.5 | UNCHANGED |
| MX-1 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| MX-3 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| M1 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 3 | UNCHANGED |
| M2 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 2 | UNCHANGED |
| M3 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 5 | -1 | 2 |
| M4 | 5 | 5 | -1 | 1 | UNCHANGED |
| A1 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| A2 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| A3 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| A4 | 4 | 3 | -1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | -1 | 2 |
| A5 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 1 |
| PX-3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 2.5 |
| PA-1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2.5 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| PA-2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| PA-3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| PA-4 | 3 | 3 | -1 | 1 | UNCHANGED |
| PA-5 | 3 | 4 | -2 | 0.5 | UNCHANGED |
What Prodigy Disc should I try?
The great thing about throwing Prodigy is when you choose a disc from Series, such as the F Series, the majority of the discs in that Series are going to feel almost exactly the same in your hand but have different flight characteristics. The F2 in comparison to the F7 are two completely different flying discs, but the rim width and depth are nearly identical. You know that when you pick up one of those fairway drivers it's going to be very similar in feel to all of the others.
Having an easy-to-understand naming system means building a complete bag or filling out a missing slot is extremely convenient. Looking for a straight-flying distance driver to pair with an overstable D1? Pick up a D3.
The best way to Find Your Flight is to get out and try these discs yourself, but using the naming system to your advantage will limit buyer’s remorse when a new disc isn’t flying how you’d expect it.
