MVP Nomad vs. Divergent Discs Nuno-World Series of Putters Round 1

The Disc Golf Reviewer World Series of Putters continues its mission to find the best putter in the world today. This is a project where every day I test two putter molds against one another on the putting green in a head-to-head competition and then post about my experience and the results. Today we are in the first round of the Envy Region of the tournament bracket, and we have the 3 seed MVP Nomad facing off with the 14 seed Divergent Discs Nuno. First, let’s get to know these discs a bit better.

MVP Nomad

The Nomad is the latest addition to the MVP Disc Sports lineup of putters, and it is the first disc in their new James Conrad line (named after the 2021 Disc Golf World Champion).

The Nomad is moderately tall for a putter and features a small bead along the bottom of the rim that helps it maintain a stable to overstable flight pattern. Like all MVP/Axiom disc molds, the Nomad features the GYRO technology overmold that wraps around the edge of the disc.

In today’s match I used an Electron Firm MVP Nomad. Electron is the name of MVP’s grippy baseline putter plastic blends, and Electron Firm is the stiffest version of it.

Divergent Nuno

This is the second Divergent Discs putter to make an appearance in the World Series of Putters. Divergent is a newer disc golf brand that is focused on making discs exclusively for more casual and beginner disc golfers. However, for putting putters, there really isn’t a design difference between beginner and expert level discs, so their lineup of putters could be great for disc golfers of all skill levels.

The Nuno is no exception. It is a tall, rounded putter, and though it is technically beadless, it features a tall lip along the bottom of the rim that adds height and gives it a similar shape and feel to the Infinite Discs Alpaca or the Discmania P2. The Nuno has plenty of glide and flies very straight with a soft stable fade at the end of flight.

Today I tested the Nuno in the Divergent Max Grip plastic blend. Unlike most putter plastics that are dull and chalky feeling, the Max Grip plastic is shiny like a premium plastic and feels kind of tacky and sticky. It is a pretty unique putter plastic blend.

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.

Nomad

Nuno

Flight Numbers: 2/4/0/1

Nomad Flight Path MVP Nomad vs. Divergent Discs Nuno--World Series of Putters Round 1

Flight Numbers: 3/4/-1/1

Nuno Flight Path MVP Nomad vs. Divergent Discs Nuno--World Series of Putters Round 1

Max Weight: 176.0gr

Diameter: 21.2cm

Height: 2.0cm

Rim Depth: 1.4cm

Rim Thickness: 1.1cm

Inside Rim Diameter: 19.0cm

Rim Depth / Diameter Ratio: 6.6%

Rim Configuration: 51.00

Flexibility: 8.86kg

Max Weight: 175.1gr

Diameter: 21.1cm

Height: 2.3cm

Rim Depth: 1.5cm

Rim Thickness: 1.2cm

Inside Rim Diameter: 18.8cm

Rim Depth / Diameter Ratio: 7.1%

Rim Configuration: 55.50

Flexibility: 10.57kg

IMG 8269 MVP Nomad vs. Divergent Discs Nuno--World Series of Putters Round 1

Though the Nomad is beaded and the Nuno is beadless, these discs fly with very similar stability on the putting green. They both hold a straight gliding flight before giving way to a soft predictable fade. It wasn’t long before I felt like I could really trust and predict the consistent flight they both offered.

The Nuno ties as one of the tallest discs in the competition, and with that height you’d expect plenty of glide and float on the putting green. The Nuno proves that expectation right, and while the Nomad isn’t quite as tall, it also provides a nice floaty flight that makes both of these discs solid options for those who putt with more of a “push” putting style.

As I mentioned above as well the plastic blends that both these putters come in are very different from each other as well. And though they are quite different, I liked both of them a lot. The Electron Firm Nomad feels more like the type of traditional putter plastic that I like. It is stiff and grippy with some of that kind of chalky texture. The Max Grip Nuno has more of a glossy/sticky texture that is really unique for a putter plastic. At first glance, you might think it looks like a cheaper premium plastic blend. It has a bit more flexibility, but it is still stiff enough and thick enough feeling to give me confidence in my grip on the putting green.

The Match

IMG 8379 MVP Nomad vs. Divergent Discs Nuno--World Series of Putters Round 1

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 today’s match on an early morning just after the sun came up on a beautiful day. After warming up with both discs, a coin flip determined that the MVP Nomad would go first on the first set of putts. Here is how it all played out:

(3) Nomad Scorecard	(11) Nuno Scorecard
20ft: N N Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y (7/10 putts made)=21 points	20ft: Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N (9/10)=27 points
30ft: N N N N N N N N N Y (1/10)=4 points	30ft: Y N Y N Y Y Y Y N Y (7/10)=28 points
40ft: N N Y N N N Y N N N (2/10)=10 points	40ft: N Y N N N Y N N N N (2/10)=10 points
Total: 35 points	Total: 65 points

The Winner

The Envy region continues to be a region of upsets as the lower seed has defeated the higher seed in all but one of the first round matches so far. That trend continues here today with the 14 seed Divergent Discs Nuno eliminating the 3 seed MVP Nomad with a score of 65 to 35.

Notes from the Match

IMG 8374 MVP Nomad vs. Divergent Discs Nuno--World Series of Putters Round 1

65 is one of if not the highest scores so far, and while the margin of victory for the Nuno was wide, it didn’t feel that wide to me. The Nomad is a great putter that I liked a lot the moment I started throwing it. I was shocked at how cold I was with it from 30ft during the match.

But I also liked the Nuno as soon as I started throwing it. Both of these discs felt comfortable through the entire putting process. I think the primary reason the Nuno came out the victor was its increased height and glide.

The Nomad is tall enough for me, and I think I could get pretty good with it with enough practice. But the Nuno’s height and glide made the putting feel a touch more effortless. I didn’t have to give it as much power to get the same straight flight, which I think is a crucial feature for a good putter because if we can minimize the movement/effort required when putting, we should then get a more consistent performance.

There were a few putts with the Nomad that were on line and felt nice out of my hand but just came up short and crashed into the front end of the basket. Maybe it could have put up a better score if I wasn’t putting with the floatier Nuno at the same time, but the Nuno’s victory still felt well-earned (7/10 from 30ft I think is the best so far), and I think more people need to start taking the Divergent Discs putters seriously.

My Recommendation

I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend either of these discs to anyone. If you like the look and feel of the Nomad, don’t hesitate to give it a shot. But if you are choosing between these two discs, don’t overlook the Divergent Nuno because it doesn’t have the big brand name recognition. The Nuno is a well-designed and well-made putter that has a lot of potential in this competition.

For tomorrow’s match in the Envy region we have the 7 seed Prodigy P Model S and the 10 seed Innova Polecat. I hope you’ll come back tomorrow to get the results of that interesting matchup!