Contents
  1. Overview
  2. Flight characteristics
  3. Recommended uses
  4. Plastics & variants
  5. History
  6. Notable throwers
  7. Similar discs

The Innova Panther is a 5-speed understable midrange. With published flight numbers of 5 / 4 / -2 / 1, it is most often described as suited for slow, controlled turnover shots, short and medium range approaches in the woods.

Overview

The Innova Panther is a slightly understable midrange rated 5/4/-2/1 with a shallow rim.[2] Innova describes it as a disc players of all abilities can use for medium and short range shots, and calls it a perfect choice for learning a slow controlled turnover.[2] IsaacSam's Innova history notes the Panther has carried three different labels over the years — it was originally marketed as a Long Range Driver, was later called a Multi-Purpose Disc, and only eventually settled into the midrange category.[1] PDGA specifications: 21.2 cm diameter, 1.9 cm height, 1.2 cm rim depth, 1.3 cm rim, 176.0 g maximum weight.[3][4]

Flight characteristics

Flight numbers: manufacturer vs. community
SourceSpeedGlide TurnFade
Innova (mfg) 5 4 -2 1 Published spec
Discpedia community Loading ratings…

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.

Innova lists the Panther's best uses as wooded courses, high altitude and turnover shots.[2] The narrow 1.3 cm rim and low speed make it a placement tool rather than a distance disc: it holds an anhyzer line at moderate arm speed and finishes with only a single fade. Innova also markets it as a great small-diameter roller for mid to long range shots.[2] Team Innova's Juliana Korver notes it can hold a slow fading shot and works well on sidearm throws.[2]

Best for:

  • Slow, controlled turnover shots
  • Short and medium range approaches in the woods
  • Mid to long range rollers off a small-diameter rim
  • High-altitude rounds where discs fly more overstable

Plastics & variants

The Panther 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 Panther was PDGA-approved on July 26, 1993 under certification number 93-07.[3] IsaacSam places it at the end of what he calls Innova's "In Production Drought" — the Panther was the first mold since the 1989 Shark to stay in stable production, following four years of experimental designs.[1] Alongside the Whippet it was one of Innova's early sub-21.3 cm discs, the diameter range that was becoming the standard for drivers.[1] Its understable, glidey flight made it popular with newer players, and Innova responded by including the Champion Panther in its premium starter pack for years alongside the Aviar and Valkyrie.[1] Innova currently catalogs the Panther in Champion plastic only, at 165–175 g.[2]

Notable throwers

Juliana Korver

Similar discs

References & further reading

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.

  1. A Quick Guide to Every Single Innova Disc, Part #3 (Jaguar – Pole Cat) [1991–1994] — u/IsaacSam98
  2. Panther — Innova Disc Golf official product page
  3. Panther — PDGA Equipment Certification (approved 1993-07-26, cert 93-07)
  4. Innova Panther Flight Chart — Disc Golf Puttheads

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