The Innova Sidewinder is a 9-speed very understable distance driver. With published flight numbers of 9 / 5 / -3 / 1, it is most often described as suited for beginner distance drives, big anhyzer turnovers.
Overview
The Innova Sidewinder is one of the most popular understable distance drivers ever made. With a -3 turn rating and only 1 fade, it gives developing players access to distance that overstable drivers punish them for attempting. For experienced throwers, it's a dedicated turnover and roller tool.
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
For beginners and intermediates, the Sidewinder is best thrown flat to slight hyzer — it will flip up and ride a long, gentle right-to-left S-curve (for a RHBH player) with minimal fade. Advanced players use it for big anhyzer flex shots, tailwind drives, and as a reliable forehand roller in Star plastic.
Best for:
- Beginner distance drives
- Big anhyzer turnovers
- Tailwind shots
- Rollers
Plastics & variants
The Sidewinder is available in the following plastic blends from Innova:
Star, Champion, GStar, DX
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
Released in 2007 alongside several other 9-speed drivers, the Sidewinder has remained a fixture in starter sets and beginner-recommended bags. Its consistent flight across plastic types (DX beats in fastest, Champion holds its turn longest) makes it a known quantity at every skill level.
Notable throwers
Many beginners and intermediate players
Similar discs
- Innova Leopard3 · 7/5/-2/1
- Innova Wraith · 11/5/-1/3
References & further reading
- How to read disc golf flight numbers — Discpedia primer
- PDGA Approved Disc List entry: Innova Sidewinder (2007)
- Manufacturer product page: Innova official site
This is a community page — flight numbers, plastic notes, and throwers can all be improved by registered users.