The Discraft Hawk is a 4-speed stable midrange. With published flight numbers of 4 / 3 / -2 / 2, it is most often described as suited for threading tight, wooded fairways, straight approach shots.
Overview
The Discraft Hawk is a beadless midrange rated 4/3/-2/2.[3][4] Discraft describes it as an excellent all-purpose midrange driver, especially handy on tight fairways, and a straight flier out of the box.[2] The PDGA lists a 21.5 cm diameter, 1.8 cm height and 1.2 cm rim width.[1] It is sold in Pro-D, ESP and Big Z plastics.[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
Discraft calls the Hawk a perfect first choice for new players.[2] DiscMetrics lists threading tight fairways, technical wooded shots and approach shots, and says it suits backhand and forehand throws.[4] Infinite Discs rates it for beginners.[3] DiscMetrics notes that experienced players often prefer more modern molds.[4]
Best for:
- Threading tight, wooded fairways
- Straight approach shots
- Beginner backhand and forehand midrange throws
- Controlled lines with a gentle fade
Community notes — how players actually use this disc
Plastics & variants
The Hawk is available in the following plastic blends from Discraft:[2]
Pro-D, ESP, Big Z
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 PDGA approved the Hawk (listed as "The Hawk") on September 30, 1993 (certification 93-09), with a maximum weight of 178.5 g.[1] Retail sources list a lower 177 g maximum.[3][4] Discraft's legacy product page says the disc is endorsed by Nathan Doss, a three-time World Champion (2005, 2007, 2011), and quotes Kim Scott-Wood calling it a reliable midrange with slower flight and more control than comparable discs.[2] DiscMetrics describes it as a possible relic from a bygone era that remains popular with beginners.[4]
Notable throwers
Nathan Doss
How it compares
How the Hawk lines up against the discs players most often weigh it against, using each manufacturer's published flight numbers.
| Disc | Speed / Glide / Turn / Fade | Stability | Rim width |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discraft Hawk | 4 / 3 / -2 / 2 | Stable | 1.2 cm |
| Discraft Buzzz | 5 / 4 / -1 / 1 | Stable | 1.3 cm |
| Discraft Comet | 4 / 5 / -2 / 1 | Understable | 1.3 cm |
| Discraft Zone | 4 / 3 / 0 / 3 | Very Overstable | 1.2 cm |
References & further reading
- How to read disc golf flight numbers — Discpedia primer
- PDGA Approved Disc List — search for "Hawk" to find the Discraft Hawk entry (PDGA-approved 1993)
- Discraft 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.
- The Hawk — PDGA Equipment Certification (approved Sep 30, 1993)
- Hawk Pro D Midrange Driver — Discraft (official product page)
- Discraft Hawk — Infinite Discs (flight numbers, plastics, dimensions)
- Discraft Hawk — DiscMetrics
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