Leopard

The Leopard is Innova's classic understable fairway driver (it turns to the right for a right-handed backhand and resists fading left), an easy-turning, glidey mold rated 6/5/-2/1 that has long been one of the most-recommended first drivers. Its appeal is glide and forgiveness: it turns over willingly and fades very little, so newer players see more distance and straighter flights from it than from faster, more stable drivers. At lower arm speeds it flies nearly straight with a gentle turn and almost no fade, which is what makes it a teaching disc; players use it to learn a clean release and to practice the hyzer-flip (released on a hyzer angle so the disc stands up to flat for a long, straight line). Stronger throwers will turn it over, so many use it deliberately for turnover shots and long rollers rather than dead-straight power lines. It is a shallow, beadless disc that suits smaller hands. Approved in 1999, the Leopard is one of Innova's longest-serving fairway molds. Innova later added the Leopard3, a faster and more stable modern take, but the original Leopard stays in the lineup for its beginner-friendly glide. DX is the traditional choice and beats in toward more turn, which is why the long-standing advice to buy a stack of cheap DX Leopards for field practice still holds; Champion and Star keep their stability far longer for a bag disc. Metal Flake Champion runs are collectible.