The Innova Champion Metal Flake Thunderbird pairs Innova's workhorse control driver with a Champion blend that has a metallic sparkle mixed through it. Thunderbird is the disc golfers reach for when they want Teebird accuracy with a bit more speed and a slightly stronger fade.

Flight Numbers: 9 / 5 / 0 / 2

Champion Metal Flake is stiff and glassy right out of the wrapper, closer to standard Champion than to Star or Pro in how it flies. That means a fresh one needs real arm speed to fly out to full distance and stay flat instead of fading early. It holds that overstable flight for a long time before the plastic starts to give, so this is the plastic to grab if you want the disc to fly the same way in a year as it does today.

Release it flat and it goes long and straight before finishing with a soft, predictable fade, which is exactly what a tunnel shot needs. On a hyzer it holds the line without turning, and in wind it stays put better than lighter fairway drivers. Forehand and backhand throwers both get a clean release off the beadless rim.

Best for an intermediate or advanced player who already has some arm speed. New players will find this run more overstable than they need until their throw develops; a Star or GStar Thunderbird breaks in faster and gets there sooner.

Want that faster break in? The Star Thunderbird softens up quicker. Prefer the flashier Halo look with a similar flight? Try the Halo Star Thunderbird. See the rest of our overstable distance drivers.

Speed 9, glide 5, turn 0, fade 2. Diameter 21.2 cm, rim width 1.9 cm, max weight 175 g.