Hold on a second! Don't be crazy... How could the color of a disc change the way that it flies? It can't be true.
I used to think this way myself a few years back, when I had just started playing. My skepticism dried up once the "mystery" was explained to me.
As most know, producing plastic products with molds is extremely finicky. The smallest changes in the shape of a disc can have a big effect on the flight.
For this reason, the small effect that the coloring of the plastic has on the disc can sometimes be noticed in the flight.
The Science of Why Disc Color Affects Stability
I was skeptical until I read a breakdown by Gateway Discs. It's actually quite interesting.
Discs shrink after they come out of their molds. Most of this shrinkage happens in the first 6 minutes. After this, they continue to shrink and set for the next 24 hours.
Here's where the color comes in. Darker discs will hold their heat for longer than lighter colored discs. As a result of this, the darker discs shrink at a slower rate.
Do Manufacturers Take Steps to Prevent This?
There are so many factors that affect how discs turn out, and manufacturers are constantly working to limit them to improve the consistency of their discs from run to run.
So surely if manufacturers know that color makes a difference, wouldn't they make adjustments for consistency?
According to Gateway this is generally the done thing. One way manufacturers can maintain consistency is by leaving the lighter discs in the mold for a little longer.
You can learn what stability is in disc golf here.
Which Colors are The Most Overstable?
As stated earlier, darker discs hold onto heat for longer. This causes a flatter flight plate, resulting in a higher parting line. A higher parting line will make a disc more overstable. While there are obviously other factors at play from run to run, darker colors would make a disc more overstable.
Which Colors are The Most Understable?
Because discs made with plastic in a lighter coloring dissipate heat faster, they also shrink faster. When a disc shrinks faster, it results in a more domed shape. This dome in turn makes the parting line lower, so the disc will be more understable.
Does Dyeing Your Disc Golf Discs Affect Stability?
In most cases dyeing a disc will not have an effect on stability.
But doesn't changing the color affect the stability?
No, because remember it's actually how color affects cooling that makes the difference.
If you use a dyeing method that involves heat, you could potentially flatten the disc ever so slightly. This in turn could change the flight path.
Does Color Really Affect Disc Stability These Days?
What do you think? Let us know in the comments below. đ
I think if color has any effect, it's unnoticeable these days.
I'm quite sure most manufacturers have developed ways to overcome the color problem years ago, in an effort to be consistent.
Remember, there are so many other factors that affect stability, it's unlikely that color is making a difference.
Thanks for reading. đ
Consider reading one of our other articles, instead of the long boring conclusion we just saved you from.
