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

The Innova Banshee is a 7-speed overstable fairway driver. With published flight numbers of 7 / 3 / 0 / 3, it is most often described as suited for headwind drives that need to hold their line, spike hyzers that land steep and stay put.

Overview

The Innova Banshee is a 7-speed overstable fairway driver rated 7/3/0/3.[2] Innova calls it "versatile and dependable" with a high degree of predictability throw after throw, and notes it performs into the wind and works for sidearm, backhand and overhead throws.[2] Disc Golf Puttheads describes the same flight as a flat, torque-resistant start with a reliable late fade.[4] PDGA specifications: 21.2 cm diameter, 1.5 cm height, 1.8 cm rim width, 176.0 g maximum weight.[3]

Flight characteristics

Flight numbers: manufacturer vs. community
SourceSpeedGlide TurnFade
Innova (mfg) 7 3 0 3 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 Banshee's best uses as a wind-fighting fairway driver, spike hyzers, and sidearm shots.[2] Innova team player Carlton Howard calls it his go-to disc when it gets windy, his first choice for longer forehands, and "THE disc for low ceiling back hand shots."[2] IsaacSam positions it historically as a control driver for advanced players and a Firebird-substitute for newer ones in the years before the Firebird existed.[1] The glide of 3 keeps it from floating, so expect placement rather than carry.

Best for:

  • Headwind drives that need to hold their line
  • Spike hyzers that land steep and stay put
  • Long forehand control drives
  • Low-ceiling backhand shots under branches

Plastics & variants

The Banshee is available in the following plastic blends from Innova:[2]

Champion, 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

The Banshee was PDGA-approved on January 14, 1998 (certification number 98-01) and was Innova's first 7-speed disc.[1][3] IsaacSam notes it was popular immediately but never especially glidey — the Cheetah still flew farther — and that Ken Climo heavily utilized the mold, to the point that the disc is associated with him; Climo also gave it the KC Pro treatment, though premium Banshee runs are scarce and collectors pay accordingly.[1] The Banshee has been in and out of production since release, and IsaacSam records that the Eagle eventually won out with most players, leaving a small but loyal Banshee following.[1] Innova still catalogs it in Champion and DX plastics.[2]

Notable throwers

Ken Climo

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 #4 (Python – Rhyno) [1994–1998] — u/IsaacSam98
  2. Banshee — Innova Disc Golf official product page
  3. Banshee — PDGA Equipment Certification (approved 1998-01-14, cert 98-01)
  4. Innova Banshee Flight Chart — Disc Golf Puttheads

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