YORKTON - When you are a huge fan/supporter of disc golf, and a staunch supporter of things Canadian, news of a new disc golf manufacturer in this country is rather huge news.
When that company happens to be based right here in Saskatchewan, well that’s just a great big bonus.
Obviously it meant contacting the new company – Grassland Discs (grasslanddiscs.ca) – and being thrilled when they said they’d sent a review disc this way.
When the package arrived it was with eager anticipation it was opened, there to find the company’s inaugural offering, the Chickadee putter.
The first thing to notice was the artwork, quite nice in its realism of a chickadee rather than some of the graphic enhanced motifs one sees on many discs.
Taken in hand the first thing of note was the ‘mottled’ top of the disc that felt quite ‘grippy’ to the thumb. While rain is usually a sign to stay home from the course and read a book, or play some cribbage, one imagines the finish on the Chickadee will be a wet weather asset for those braving the elements.
The putter has a rather distinct, almost severe edge, which felt rather unusual for a usual forehand grip. On course it was an asset for longer approach shots, but for closer in – pure putt shots if you will – the grip takes some getting used too.
By contrast, the initial ‘feel’ of gripping the Chickadee for a forehand toss was enticing. It simply felt like it was built for such throws.
On course, that proved out. While short distance forehands are a near taboo in my arsenal, this one at least is a putter which offers to forehand option on mid-distance approach shots.
Overall, the Chickadee is a disc that if players see it on a shelf will draw eyes, and in-hand it feels like it can offer some on course options. Since most of us are always looking for a new putter to miraculously hit the chains on every throw, this one will go home with many, and likely earn some significant bag time as one figures out just what it can do.
But, there is more to the story than my impressions. I had to call Steve Matschke, one of the founders at Grasslands to learn more the Saskatchewan-based firm.
Matschke and Thilina Bandara are the two behind Grassland Discs.
Matschke told Yorkton This Week he and a couple of others really started to talk about the possibility of launching the company during the pandemic.
“Lots of times we were going several times a week at that time,” he said, adding that provided opportunity to start what was initially almost a daydream, and later evolved into reality.
“It was sort of a passion project to start with.”
So they started experimenting using a 3D printer to create what would become the Chickadee.
It was far from an immediate success.
“There was all kinds of different issues,” said Matschke, some plastics proving too soft, other’s too rigid in a tale reminiscent of ‘The Three Bears’ and their porridge woes.
The result a box full of 50 or 60 miscues in Matschke's basement, a reminder of the work that went into their first disc.
The work has been worth it, with a good response to the release of the Chickadee.
Matschke said they printed 200 for sales this year, and those were gone in August.
“There’s been a lot of local interest,” he said, adding that interest is spreading. “. . . We’re starting to get interest from all over the country. I think we’ve sold into every province . . .
“I think we’re pretty happy with how things have gone so far. . . We’re seeing really good demand.”
As for the first offering being a putter Matschke said they did that because it is the disc in a bag anyone can use, and have interest in.
That said Grasslands is looking beyond the Chickadee with a vision of a mid range and driver to hit the market at least by 2026 facilitating an easy to purchase starter package for players.
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