The Innova Groove is a 13-speed stable distance driver. With published flight numbers of 13 / 6 / -2 / 2, it is most often described as suited for long, low-ceiling drives off the tee, distance in lighter weights than other speed-13 drivers.
Overview
The Innova Groove is a speed-13 distance driver rated 13 / 6 / -2 / 2, defined by the channel moulded into the underside of its rim.[1][2][4] Innova's own explanation of the design is practical rather than aerodynamic: "This channel allows this speed 13 driver to be molded in lighter weights than our other wide rim high speed drivers."[2] IsaacSam records the same rationale — groove technology was Innova's pre-Blizzard method of producing lightweight premium-plastic distance drivers, first tried on the Monarch.[1] At 2.4cm the rim is among the widest Innova has made, and the groove forces a power grip, which IsaacSam notes many throwers found uncomfortable.[1][3]
Flight characteristics
Flight numbers describe the published behavior of the disc when thrown at its design speed. Real-world flight varies with plastic, weight, age, and thrower power. The community-averaged numbers above reflect crowd-sourced observations from real throws — typically slightly more understable than the manufacturer's published values, which is the most consistent pattern across nearly every commercial mold.
Recommended uses
Innova recommends the Groove for "fast, long, straight distance off the tee" and for players who want a speed-13 driver in light weights; it can be thrown low or high, sidearm or backhand, and the company suggests it for anyone who found the Boss to be too much disc.[2] Team Innova's Ken Rollins uses it specifically for low-ceiling shots, relying on the mid-flight turn for extra distance before the fade brings it back.[2] Innova lists the Groove only in Champion plastic at 165–175g.[2] IsaacSam cautions that despite the beginner marketing it demands real arm speed — underpowered, it simply fades out.[1]
Best for:
- Long, low-ceiling drives off the tee
- Distance in lighter weights than other speed-13 drivers
- Gentle S-curve lines for high-power arms
- Sidearm drives that need mid-flight turn
Community notes — how players actually use this disc
Plastics & variants
The Groove is available in the following plastic blends from Innova:[2]
Champion
Plastic blend significantly affects flight character. Premium plastics like Champion, Z, or C-Line generally fly more overstable when fresh and hold their stability over time. Base plastics like DX, Pro, or Active beat in faster and become more understable workhorses with use.
History
The Groove was PDGA-approved on December 5, 2008 under certification number 08-37, with a 175.1g maximum weight, 21.1cm diameter, 1.7cm height, 1.2cm rim depth and 2.4cm rim thickness.[3] It was the second Innova disc built with groove technology after the Monarch, and IsaacSam's Innova guide is blunt about its reception: it "is often regarded as the worst disc ever made by Innova," a reputation earned by marketing an overstable-for-its-audience speed-13 driver at beginners and by a rim that was uncomfortable to grip before a player developed throwing callouses.[1] The channel also caused frequent production errors, which is why large numbers of factory-second Grooves have circulated through Innova's pro shop.[1] Sources disagree on its character: IsaacSam found it too overstable for low-power players, while Disc Golf Puttheads describes it as a high-speed understable driver — a split that reflects how differently a -2 turn behaves at different arm speeds.[1][4] IsaacSam does not believe a professional ever bagged one, though Innova's own product page carries a positive review from team player Ken Rollins.[1][2] The mold retains a small but vocal following and remains listed on innovadiscs.com.[1][2]
Notable throwers
Ken Rollins
Similar discs
- Innova Boss · 13/5/-1/3
- Innova Shryke · 13/6/-2/2
- Innova Katana · 13/5/-3/3
- Innova Vulcan · 13/5/-4/2
- Innova Daedalus · 13/6/-3/2
References & further reading
- How to read disc golf flight numbers — Discpedia primer
- PDGA Approved Disc List — search for "Groove" to find the Innova Groove entry (PDGA-approved 2008)
- Innova official site — manufacturer product page
Sources
Content on this page has been cross-checked against the following sources. Numbered citations in the prose above link to the matching entry here.
- "A Quick Guide to Every Single Innova Disc, Part 8 (Destroyer – Groove) [2007–2008]" — u/IsaacSam98 on r/discgolf (dedicated Groove chapter: groove technology, reception, factory seconds, 13 6 -2 2)
- Groove — Innova Disc Golf (official product page: 13 / 6 / -2 / 2, 21.1 cm diameter, 2.4 cm rim width, Champion 165–175 g, approval date 12/05/08, Ken Rollins review)
- Groove — PDGA Equipment Certification (approved 2008-12-05, cert 08-37, 175.1 g maximum, full dimensions)
- Innova Groove Flight Chart — Disc Golf Puttheads (13 | 6 | -2 | 2, groove-rim profile, S-flight notes)
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