Discraft Comet Review: The Most Understable Midrange in Disc Golf
The Discraft Comet (4/5/-2/1) is the understable midrange that disc golf players keep coming back to. Called by some "the best golf disc ever made," the Comet is an approach and midrange specialist that holds whatever line you throw it on - but leans toward the right during high-speed flight, making it ideal for straight shots, turnover lines, and precise placement on anhyzer angles. Ron Russell used it to win a Pro Worlds title. Recreational players use it for controlled straight shots that the Buzzz can't execute as cleanly.
Discraft Comet - Quick Specs
- Flight Numbers 4 / 5 / -2 / 1 (Speed / Glide / Turn / Fade)
- Disc Type Midrange (Understable)
- Stability Understable (flights straight-to-right for RHBH)
- Weight Range 160g-178g (most players throw 170-177g)
- Plastics ESP, Z Line, Big Z, Titanium, CryZtal
- Approx. Price $15-23 depending on plastic
- Best For All skill levels; straight midrange shots, right-curving turnover lines
Who Should Throw the Comet?
- Beginners: The Comet is beginner-accessible. Its high Glide (5) keeps it in the air at lower arm speeds, and the slight understability (-2 Turn) means it won't fade hard left the way overstable midranges do. A straight throw produces a straight flight with a gentle right arc. Very forgiving.
- Intermediate players: The Comet becomes a precision tool. Its understability allows intentional right-curving shots (hyzer releases flip to flat and turnover, anhyzer releases hold right). Players who carry a Buzzz for stable shots often add a Comet for understable shots.
- Advanced players: Carries the Comet for turnover midrange shots, long gentle curves around obstacles to the right, and finesse approaches where maximum understability in a midrange is needed.
How the Discraft Comet Flies
The Comet's -2 Turn is pronounced for a midrange. Thrown flat at intermediate arm speeds, it turns right during flight and finishes nearly flat or with a very subtle left drift. At higher arm speeds, it turns more aggressively to the right and may not come back at all - behaving like a turnover disc.
On a hyzer release (disc tilted left): the Comet will "hyzer flip" - starting left, then flipping to flat and gliding out straight. This is one of the most useful shots in disc golf for controlled straight-line distance, and the Comet executes it beautifully at midrange distances (100-250 feet).
Compared to the Buzzz (5/4/-1/1): the Comet is slower (Speed 4 vs 5), has more glide (5 vs 4), turns more (-2 vs -1), and fades less. If the Buzzz goes straight, the Comet curves right. They are the neutral/understable pair for midrange discs the same way the Buzzz and Roc3 are the neutral/overstable pair.
Discraft Comet Plastics Compared
- ESP: Grippy, durable, most popular Comet. Around $18-20. Best starting choice.
- Z Line: Stiffer, more durable, slightly more understable feeling. Lower grip in wet conditions.
- Big Z: Flexible, grippy, most understable Comet. Best for cold weather.
- Titanium: Very durable, distinct feel. Tour-level disc that holds its flight characteristics extremely well over time.
- CryZtal: Translucent specialty plastic. Similar to Z but with different aesthetics.
Pros
- High glide (5) maximizes distance for its speed class
- Ideal for straight shots and gentle right-curving lines
- Excellent hyzer-flip midrange for controlled straight drives
- Beginner-accessible due to understability and high glide
- Long disc golf history - one of Discraft's most iconic midranges
Cons
- Will turn over completely at high arm speeds
- Not ideal for left-finishing shots (use Buzzz or Roc3 instead)
- Less stable in headwinds than neutral midranges
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Comet better than the Buzzz for beginners?
The Comet's higher glide and understability make it very forgiving for beginners, but the Buzzz is generally recommended as the first midrange because its neutral flight teaches new players what a "straight" midrange feels like. The Comet turns too much to serve as a neutral baseline. That said, beginners playing very short courses may prefer the Comet for its ease of throwing straight.
What does "hyzer flip" mean and how does it apply to the Comet?
A hyzer flip is when you release a disc on a hyzer angle (edge tilted toward the ground on the fade side) and the disc's understability fights the angle, flipping it up to flat before gliding straight. The Comet executes this well because its -2 Turn is strong enough to reliably flip from hyzer to flat, producing long straight lines from a disc that's technically thrown on a curve. See the disc golf glossary for more.
Can I use the Comet as a driver?
Yes, for short drives under 200 feet or for controlled placement shots where accuracy matters more than distance. Many players use the Comet as a "driving putter" for tight wooded holes. Its controllable flight and lack of punishing fade make it very useful for short precise drives.