Meridian is another new disc golf brand headquartered in Texas, currently offering six PDGA-approved disc golf molds. The company was co-founded by Peyton Mansell and Josh Hofstra, who was previously one of the key marketing figures for Lone Star Disc.
Meridian has a different take on disc golf, and instead of trying to be the dominant, only disc golf brand, are a brand focused on working with other disc golf compannies to help grow the sport. They want every player to be “open bag” to throw what they love and help make the world better as a community.
I’m not sure who manufactures Meridian Discs, we know that they are manufactured overseas. Based on the look and feel of the plastic, I’m fairly confident they’re produced by X-Com. Some of the newer X-Com discs feature identical effects that give them their eye-catching appearance.
Speaking of eye-catching—that’s exactly why I’m so big on this brand. These discs, especially in their “Marbled” plastic, look amazing. Bright colors with a touch of a faraway galaxy in the background. Meridian offers several different plastic varieties, including a glow blend known as Hyalite.
I got my hands on five of the different Meridian discs:
Tundra – Putter
My favorite look, because of how it flies through the air, is the Tundra putter in “Marbled Graphite” plastic. It’s a base plastic, but it’s really fun to watch the pinwheel effect as it spins into the chains. Speaking of the Tundra, the plastic feel is ideal for a putting blend, in my opinion. It has just the right mix of stiffness and grip for a smooth, consistent release. The Tundra feels a lot like a slightly deeper Alpaca, which is the putter I use—and one of the best-selling molds.
Ravine – Stable Midrange
In terms of flight, my favorite Meridian disc is the Ravine. This is a stable-flying midrange with a flat flight plate and a great feel. I love throwing it both backhand and forehand. Truly a great disc.
Strait – Straight-Flying Midrange
The other Meridian midrange, the Strait, is exactly that—a straight flyer. With a level release, it has a nice, straight flight. The Strait I tested has quite a bit of dome to it, which gives it a different feel compared to the flat Ravine.
Current – Fairway Drivers
Lastly, I tested the Current fairway drivers. There are two versions: the “Current” and the “RIP Current.” Only the Current is PDGA approved, and I’m pretty sure they share the same mold. One run came out flat and the other with a large dome, which gives these two discs different flights and feels.
The RIP Current is supposed to be more understable than the regular Current, but in my experience, it’s actually more overstable. I really enjoy using this disc for both backhand and forehand throws. The substantial dome of the Current makes it feel stiffer and less flexible than the RIP. They both have the same rim size and are solid speed 7 control drivers. You probably don’t need both—it just comes down to whether you prefer domey or flat discs.
Chasm – Distance Driver
Meridian also offers a distance driver, the Chasm, but I haven’t yet had a chance to throw it.
While many disc golf brands have entered the market in recent years—some of which are already fading—I see real potential in Meridian. Their discs not only look unique, but they’re also backing the brand with real marketing efforts, including Pro Tour advertising and a disc golf team featuring notable pros like Emerson Keith and Mason Ford. Josh Hofstra played a huge role in Lone Star’s rapid rise, and if he can replicate that success with Meridian, this brand could become a serious player in the disc golf world.
Use this link to try out Meridian Discs today.
