Prodigy P Model S vs. Innova Polecat–World Series of Putters Round 1

Jace Smellie
Prodigy P Model S Base Grip putter on disc golf putting green during World Series of Putters match

Prodigy P Model S

Today, the Disc Golf Reviewer World Series of Putters continues its mission to find the best putter in the world. This is a project where every day I test two putter molds against each other on the putting green in a head-to-head competition and then post about my experience and the results. We are currently in the first round of the Envy region where the 7 seed Prodigy P Model S is taking on the 10 seed Innova Polecat.

Prodigy P Model S

IMG 8383 Prodigy P Model S vs. Innova Polecat--World Series of Putters Round 1The P Model S is one of the putters in Prodigy’s new Ace Line of discs. The Ace Line is made in China by Yikun Discs and aims to be a more affordable and beginner friendly line of discs.

The “S” in the disc’s name stands for “stable” since the disc is a straight flying or “stable” putter. The P Model S has a pretty average height for a putting putter, and it has a small rim along the bottom of the rim that helps it maintain its stable flight before giving way to a soft fade. It also features a flat top across most of the surface area of the disc.

I used a Base Grip P Model S for today’s match. The Base Grip plastic blend is stiff and not quite as chalky feeling as other putter plastic blends.

Innova Polecat

IMG 8384 Prodigy P Model S vs. Innova Polecat--World Series of Putters Round 1The Innova Polecat is one of the oldest discs we will be testing in the World Series of Putters as it was first PDGA approved almost 30 years ago. The Polecat has what is now a very unique design for a putter. This design makes it a super low speed but also super straight flying disc. The Polecat has seen a bit of a resurgence due to it being used by some Innova sponsored professionals on tour for straight flying upshots.

The Polecat is a tall, flat disc with a tall thin rim that is blunt around the edge of the disc. It has a similar profile as the Innova Rhyno or the newly released Dynamic Discs Sockibomb Slammer but with a thinner rim and without the thumbtrack on top.

For today’s testing and match I used a DX Polecat. Another thing to note is these Polecats have a weight in the mid 160g range. Most of the time, people choose to use heavier 170g+ weighted putters, so that is what I’ve used for all the World Series of Putter tests until this one.

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.

P Model S

Polecat
Flight Numbers: 3/5/0/2

P Model S Flight Path Prodigy P Model S vs. Innova Polecat--World Series of Putters Round 1
Flight Numbers: 1/3/0/0
Polecat Flight Path Prodigy P Model S vs. Innova Polecat--World Series of Putters Round 1
Max Weight: 176.0gr
Diameter: 21.2cm
Height: 2.0cm
Rim Depth: 1.5cm
Rim Thickness: 1.0cm
Inside Rim Diameter: 19.2cm
Rim Depth / Diameter Ratio: 7.1%
Rim Configuration: 56.25
Flexibility: 7.05kg
Max Weight: 176.8gr
Diameter: 21.3cm
Height: 2.3cm
Rim Depth: 1.6cm
Rim Thickness: 0.7cm
Inside Rim Diameter: 19.9cm
Rim Depth / Diameter Ratio: 7.5%
Rim Configuration: 83.25
Flexibility: 4.20kg
Max Weight Vint: 142.7gr
IMG 8393 Prodigy P Model S vs. Innova Polecat--World Series of Putters Round 1
It is hard to find similarities between two discs when one of those discs is the Innova Polecat. It is interesting to note that though the Polecat is very tall at 2.3cm, the disc doesn’t glide very well at all because of the blunt edge design of the rim. It is not aerodynamic and slows the disc down and keeps air from getting sucked under it that would help keep it up in the air for longer. Instead, the 2.0cm tall P Model S flew with much more glide.
The thin rim is interesting on the Polecat, but similar to other blunt edged putters, the rim’s height still makes the hand have to cover a lot of ground when gripping the disc, so the thin rim still accommodates a somewhat natural fan grip. Obviously that grip needs to be adjusted a bit for the shape of the Polecat, but I didn’t think that part of the adjustment was too difficult to navigate.

The Match

IMG 8382 Prodigy P Model S vs. Innova Polecat--World Series of Putters Round 1For 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 a beautiful morning before it got too hot outside. After warming up with both discs, a coin flip determined that the Prodigy P Model S would go first on the first set of putts. Here is how it all played out:

(7) P Model S Scorecard

(10) Polecat Scorecard
20ft: N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y (9/10 putts made)=27 points
20ft: Y Y N Y Y N Y Y Y N (8/10)=24 points
30ft: N Y N N N N Y N Y Y (4/10)=16 points
30ft: Y Y N Y N N N Y Y N (5/10)=20 points
40ft: N N Y N N N N N N Y (2/10)=10 points
40ft: N N Y N N N N N N N (1/10)=5 points
Total: 53 points
Total: 49 points

The Winner

The streak of lower seeds winning in the Envy region ends today as the 7 seed P Model S holds off the 10 seed Polecat in another close one with a score of 53 to 49.

Notes from the Match

IMG 8385 Prodigy P Model S vs. Innova Polecat--World Series of Putters Round 1Before I actually started throwing the Polecat, I figured this one wouldn’t be close. But while warming up I decided to give up on my usual “spush” putt form and commit to a true spin putt with the Polecat. Once I made that change, I got a lot more accurate with the Polecat, and I knew the match was going to be a close one.
The Polecat flew dead straight, and it really was so satisfying to get a nice putt on line with it as it is a fun disc to watch fly. Once I got the spin putt down, it was usually just a question of getting the height and power right. The blunt edge definitely slows the disc down, so there were several putts left short.
The P Model S worked well with my standard putting form, and it didn’t take too long for me to feel comfortable and confident with it. I really like the feel and performance of the Base Grip plastic blend. It is nice and stiff, and it isn’t quite as tacky as other putter plastics. For that reason, some people might find it a bit too slick feeling in the hand. But I think it is a quality option for a putter plastic, especially when you consider its lower price point.
I mentioned above that the Polecats I used are a touch lighter than the max weight putters usually used for putting. I can’t say I noticed the lighter weight impacting the flight or performance of the disc, but also I’m not very experienced with the Polecat, so maybe it helped the disc stay straighter for longer. But also maybe not. One of the usual concerns with using a lighter weight putter is that it might be more prone to bouncing out of the chains and spitting out. I didn’t experience this at all with the Polecat, though I would agree that going with a heavier putter is usually preferable.

My Recommendation

If you have a solid spin putt and you want to try something different, the Innova Polecat could be a nice option for you. I would also recommend it for a straight upshot disc. But if you are looking to choose the best all around putting putter between these two discs, I’d definitely recommend the Prodigy P Model S.
Tomorrow is the last first round match in the Envy Region. The P Model S will take on the winner of that match between the 2 seed Dynamic Discs Judge and the 15 seed Doomsday Bleak. Should be an intriguing matchup, and I hope to see you there!

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