The Gateway Karma is a 7-speed overstable midrange. With published flight numbers of 7 / 5 / -1 / 2, it is most often described as suited for sidearm forehand midrange shots in windy conditions, hyzer approach shots that hold their line near the basket.
Overview
The Gateway Karma is a slightly overstable midrange with a notably wide 21.9 cm diameter, sitting between the more understable Element and the more overstable Warrior in Gateway's midrange lineup.[2][3] PDGA-approved on March 18, 2012,[1] it carries manufacturer flight numbers of 7/5/-1/2, giving it enough push against turnover to hold up in windy conditions and on sidearm throws.[2][3] It's sold in Diamond, Evolution, Platinum, and Sure Grip plastics, and 2026 Gateway tour player Jon Borzick throws an NXT-plastic signature version.[3][4] The wide rim is a defining feel for players who prefer a larger midrange in hand.[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
With a beaded, wide-diameter rim and 7/5/-1/2 flight numbers, the Karma is built for sidearm forehand midrange shots that hold their line in the wind.[2][3] Its slightly overstable finish also makes it useful for hyzer approach shots that need to stay put near the target and for utility upshots when a straight, wind-resistant flight matters more than distance.[2][3] It suits intermediate players comfortable with a wider grip.[3]
Best for:
- Sidearm forehand midrange shots in windy conditions
- Hyzer approach shots that hold their line near the basket
- Utility upshots needing a stable, wind-resistant flight
- Players who prefer a wider-diameter midrange grip
Community notes — how players actually use this disc
Plastics & variants
The Karma is available in the following plastic blends from Gateway:[2]
Diamond, Evolution, Platinum, Sure Grip, NXT-G
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
Gateway Disc Sports was founded in 1994 by David McCormack and grew out of the company's early putter successes, the Sabre (1999) and the Wizard (2002), into a full disc lineup produced from its Maryland Heights, Missouri headquarters.[5] The Karma was PDGA-approved on March 18, 2012, joining Gateway's midrange category as a wide-diameter, slightly overstable option positioned between the stabler Warrior and the more neutral Element.[1][2] More than a decade later, the mold remains active in Gateway's catalog and has picked up tour-level use — 2026 Gateway team member Jon Borzick has a Karma NXT signature disc after a season with four wins.[4]
Notable throwers
Jon Borzick
How it compares
How the Karma 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gateway Karma | 7 / 5 / -1 / 2 | Overstable | 1.4 cm |
| Innova Teebird | 7 / 5 / 0 / 2 | Stable to Overstable | 1.9 cm |
| Latitude 64 Explorer | 7 / 5 / 0 / 2 | Stable | 1.8 cm |
| Discraft Athena | 7 / 5 / 0 / 2 | Stable | 1.8 cm |
References & further reading
- How to read disc golf flight numbers — Discpedia primer
- PDGA Approved Disc List — search for "Karma" to find the Gateway Karma entry (PDGA-approved 2012)
- Gateway 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.
- Karma — PDGA Equipment Certification (approved Mar 18, 2012)
- Karma — Gateway Disc Sports (official product collection)
- Gateway Karma — Infinite Discs (flight numbers, plastics, dimensions)
- Jon Borzick's Karma NXT — Gateway Disc Sports
- About GDS — Gateway Disc Sports (company history)
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