Innova Valkyrie Review: Understable Distance Driver with a World Record
The Innova Valkyrie (9/4/-2/2) has a unique place in disc golf history - it once held the World Distance Record. That record has since been broken by faster discs, but the Valkyrie's flight characteristics remain relevant: it is an understable distance driver that turns right aggressively at high speeds and finishes with a moderate left fade. For players who need a distance driver that turns - for big turnover lines, roller shots, or tailwind bombs - the Valkyrie is a proven choice.
Innova Valkyrie - Quick Specs
- Flight Numbers 9 / 4 / -2 / 2 (Speed / Glide / Turn / Fade)
- Disc Type Distance Driver (Understable)
- Stability Understable; turns right at high speed, moderate fade
- Weight Range 145g-175g (most players throw 160-172g)
- Plastics DX, Champion, Star, GStar
- Approx. Price $13-21 depending on plastic
- Best For Intermediate to advanced; turnover shots, big right-curving lines, tailwinds
Who Should Throw the Valkyrie?
- Beginners: The Valkyrie is too fast and too understable for new players. The -2 Turn combined with Speed 9 will turn it over and roll for players who haven't developed arm speed. Start with the Leopard3 first.
- Intermediate players (280-380 feet): The Valkyrie works well here for right-curving shots. Thrown flat, it turns right and finishes with the Fade 2 bringing it back left - a classic understable S-curve. Thrown anhyzer, it turns right and stays right. On a hyzer, it will hyzer-flip to a long straight flight.
- Advanced players: Often carried as a dedicated turnover/right-curving disc. At high arm speeds, the Valkyrie turns more aggressively and stays right longer before fading, making it useful for shots around right-side obstacles or big anhyzer lines.
How the Innova Valkyrie Flies
The -2 Turn is the Valkyrie's signature. Thrown flat at proper arm speed, it arcs right noticeably during the high-speed phase, then the Fade 2 brings it back left for a wide S-curve. The landing zone is to the right of where most neutral discs would land, making it a useful "right-side driver" for holes that favor a right arc.
Compared to the Leopard3 (7/5/-2/1): the Valkyrie is faster (Speed 9 vs 7), has less glide, and fades harder (Fade 2 vs 1). The Valkyrie is more of a distance/driver tool; the Leopard3 is more of a beginner-friendly fairway driver. They share similar understability but fill different roles in a bag.
For rollers: the Valkyrie's understability makes it an effective roller disc. Thrown at a sharp angle with enough speed, it will turn onto its edge and roll along the ground for additional distance through wooded corridors.
Innova Valkyrie Plastics Compared
- Champion: Hard, clear, durable. Maintains the -2 Turn flight profile consistently. Flies most overstably of the Valkyrie lineup (due to stiffness) but still very understable relative to neutral drivers.
- Star: Grippy, durable, the most-recommended choice. Slightly more understable than Champion. Around $18-20.
- DX: Affordable base plastic. Beats in to become even more understable over time. Good entry point.
- GStar: Flexible, excellent cold-weather grip. Similar flight to Star.
Pros
- Reliable -2 Turn for intentional right-curving shots
- More accessible than extreme understable discs like the Hades (-3 Turn)
- World Distance Record history - proven maximum distance potential
- Excellent roller disc
- Available in all Innova plastics at multiple price points
Cons
- Too understable for beginners - turns over at low arm speeds
- Not for headwind conditions (understability gets amplified)
- Will flip completely for very high arm speed players
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the Valkyrie really hold the World Distance Record?
Yes. The Valkyrie was used to set multiple World Distance Records in the late 1990s, including Christian Sandstrom's throw of 220.11 meters (720.1 feet) in 1998. The records have since been broken by faster, higher-speed discs, but the Valkyrie's combination of understability and moderate speed made it optimal for distance throws before Speed 13-14 discs became common.
What weight Valkyrie should I throw?
Most intermediate players do best with 160-165g. The lighter weight increases understability (turns more and fades less) which helps intermediate players who haven't yet built high arm speed get the full benefit of the disc's flight. Advanced players can go heavier (168-172g) for a more controlled turn that comes back to the left more reliably.
What is the difference between the Valkyrie and the Leopard3?
The Valkyrie (9/4/-2/2) is faster (Speed 9 vs 7) and fades harder at the end (Fade 2 vs 1), with less glide (4 vs 5). The Leopard3 is more of a forgiving beginner driver that stays in the air longer due to high glide. The Valkyrie is more of a controlled turnover driver for intermediate players who want a right-arc shape with more speed and a cleaner return fade.