Discmania Sensei vs. Clash Butter-World Series of Putters Round 2

We are back for another second round match in the Envy region of the bracket for the Disc Golf Reviewer World Series of Putters! We are searching for the best putter in the world and hoping to provide the disc golf community with a plethora of information along the way to help everyone decide what putter is right for them. This is an NCAA basketball style tournament and project where every day I test two putter molds against each other on the putting green in a head-to-head competition before posting here about my experience and the results.

In today’s match, we have the 12 seed Discmania Sensei taking on the 13 seed Clash Butter. Both discs are fresh off of upset wins in the first round. The Sensei took down the Lone Star Armadillo 43 to 35, while the Butter narrowly defeated the Streamline Pilot 49 to 48.

In the first round matchups I gave an overview of each disc (you can find links to every first round match at our main World Series of Putters post). For the second round, I’m sharing what surprised me the most about each disc the first time I threw it.

Discmania Sensei

The Sensei is part of Discmania’s Active Line, which are a series of discs made in China by Yikun Discs. This line is meant to target beginner and more casual disc golfers by offering a lower cost option for discs. Knowing that these discs were made by Yikun made my surprise even more surprising–I was surprised by the excess plastic along the bottom of the rim that made the disc feel a little bit sharp in my hand while gripping the disc. I’ve found this on certain runs of other discs as well, and usually after some wear and tear that excess plastic rubs off and it becomes unnoticeable. But none of the other Yikun made putters I’ve tested during the World Series of Putters have had no sign of this issue.

For our testing we used the Active Base Line Sensei, which is a relatively soft base putter plastic blend.

Clash Butter

I used the Clash Butter after already using the Clash Popcorn, so I already knew to expect the unique look and grip that the Hardy plastic blend Butter would offer. Hardy might be my favorite plastic blend I’ve found in the entire tournament.

So my biggest surprise then would have to be the feel of the Butter’s thick and rounded rim shape. The bottom of the rim wraps in toward itself, and the thickness of the rim makes that shape feel more prominent in the hand. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it could be an adjustment if you aren’t used to it.

Another thing I noticed about both the Popcorn and the Butter is that they are a little bit larger in diameter than most putters. Again, this isn’t really a bad thing, but something you may notice and feel a need to account for if you are considering using this putter.

Specifications and Flight Numbers

Let’s take a look at some of the specs courtesy of the PDGA and break down the major differences between these two putter molds.

Sensei

Butter

Flight Numbers: 3/3/0/1

Sensei Flight Path Discmania Sensei vs. Clash Butter--World Series of Putters Round 2

Flight Numbers: 3/3/0/1

Butter Flight Path 1 Discmania Sensei vs. Clash Butter--World Series of Putters Round 2

Max Weight: 176.8gr

Diameter: 21.3cm

Height: 2.3cm

Rim Depth: 1.4cm

Rim Thickness: 1.0cm

Inside Rim Diameter: 19.2cm

Rim Depth / Diameter Ratio: 6.6%

Rim Configuration: 71.00

Flexibility: 10.68kg

Max Weight: 178.5gr

Diameter: 21.5cm

Height: 2.1cm

Rim Depth: 1.5cm

Rim Thickness: 1.2cm

Inside Rim Diameter: 19.1cm

Rim Depth / Diameter Ratio: 7.0%

Rim Configuration: 67.25

Flexibility: 7.95kg

IMG 8557 Discmania Sensei vs. Clash Butter--World Series of Putters Round 2

In terms of flight and stability, these discs are nearly identical. They have been assigned the same flight numbers by their respective manufacturers, which isn’t an exact science but still a decent indication of how the discs should fly.

A common spec we look at in these articles because it can have a big impact on how the discs fly is the height. Both of these putters are tall, but the Sensei is one of the tallest in this series at 2.3cm. A difference of .2cm may not sound like a lot, but it is pretty significant both in how the discs feel in the hand but also how well they glide. Again, the flight numbers aren’t an exact science, but I’m surprised that the Sensei doesn’t have a glide rating of at least 4. It is very tall, and I thought it glided very well on the putting green.

Another difference we can see in the specs that I mentioned above is the Butter’s larger diameter. Again, it is just a difference of .2cm. I noticed it right away with both of the Clash Putters, but maybe other disc golfers wouldn’t notice it as much because it really shouldn’t change too much in how you throw the disc.

The Match

IMG 8562 Discmania Sensei vs. Clash Butter--World Series of Putters Round 2

For more info on the format and scoring system I used to test these putters against each other, be sure to check out our main World Series of Putters post.

I conducted this match on a sunny afternoon at my local disc golf course on a permanent Innova Discatcher basket. There was a bit of a crosswind from right to left that picked up a little bit during the match. After warming up, I flipped a coin to see which putter would be thrown first for the first round of putts, and it was the Discmania Sensei. Here is how it all played out:

(12) Sensei Scorecard	(13) Butter Scorecard
20ft: Y Y N Y Y Y N Y Y Y (8/10 putts made)=24 points	20ft: Y Y Y N N Y N N Y Y (6/10)=18 points
30ft: N N N Y Y N N N N N (2/10)=8 points	30ft: N N N N Y Y Y Y N Y (5/10)=20 points
40ft: N N N N N N Y Y Y N (3/10)=15 points	40ft: N N N N N N N N N N (0/10)=0 points
Total: 47 points	Total: 38 points

The Winner

It was a close and low scoring match, but the goose egg from 40ft from the Butter was the difference maker as the 12 seed Discmania Sensei defeated the 13 seed Clash Butter 47 to 38.

Notes from the Match

IMG 8565 Discmania Sensei vs. Clash Butter--World Series of Putters Round 2

I want to blame the low scores on the wind, but I also just felt a little off on the putting green today. The scoring discrepancy from the different lengths maybe can’t be explained, but I’m going to try.

From 20ft–this distance is the one I feel like I have the least solid explanation for. In fact, I’ve got nothing. I’ve gotten pretty consistent from this range regardless of the putter. I also usually do better with the plastic blend I like best from this range, but I just had a really hard time dialing in the Hardy Butter.

From 30ft–Again, the wind was an issue. The cross wind was making the discs fade a bit harder than usual, so I didn’t feel a ton of confidence with either disc. But I think down the stretch I was really trusting the grip and release with the stiffer plastic blend Hardy Butter.

From 40ft–Similar to what we saw in yesterday’s match, the taller and floatier putter did better from 40ft despite it being in a softer plastic blend. I think this trend is one to pay attention to if you are a push putter and are concerned about longer range putts. I think in less windy conditions the Butter wouldn’t have put up a 0 from this range, but also I think the Sensei would have done better as well.

Overall, I think these discs were evenly matched, but the added height and glide from the Sensei was enough to earn the victory.

My Recommendation

Like I said, the Hardy plastic blend might be my favorite so far. If you haven’t tried out a Hardy Butter or Popcorn, I’d highly recommend giving them a try just so you can experience the Hardy plastic blend. But if I’m picking a putting putter between these two, I probably still would take the added height and more comfortable rim found on the Discmania Sensei.

Tomorrow, we continue the matches in the Envy region with the 11 seed Yikun Hammer taking on the 14 seed Divergent Nuno. Come back tomorrow to get those results!