Exciting news! MVP Disc Sports is launching a product line designed with Simon Lizotte. The first product is a 12-speed driver that Simon Lizotte is testing in his recent YouTube video. Simon also tells about what led to the Simon Line concept. Powergrip will have a great selection of Simon Line products when they’ll be out of the factory.
Introduction of the First Simon Line Disc: Axiom – Time-Lapse (Neutron plastic)
The Axiom Neutron Time-Lapse is MVP’s first 12-speed driver. Its flight numbers are 12, 5, -1, 3.
Manufacturer’s description:
“The first 12-speed featuring GYRO Overmold Technology is also the first Simon Line disc – designed by Simon to feature the best of what a 12-speed can offer. There’s enough glide and turn to generate some truly massive flights, but it also has the right amount of fade to make these flights predictable and controllable. When it comes to hand feel, the 22mm rim width represents the perfect middle ground between speed and maximum comfort, while the gentle dome makes the Time-lapse feel amazing for backhand drives and adds some glide at the same time!
High-power players will find the Time-lapse to be a controllable max-distance crusher – allowing you to create Simon Lines of your own – while low-power players will love the Time-lapse as a controlled-distance driver and potentially a wind fighter as well.
Considering the wait, the first 12-speed from MVP absolutely had to be perfect. Thanks to Simon, at 12, 5, -1, 3, we truly think it is.”
MVP will send 10 pcs of the Time-Lapse prototype to us and other dealers. After the small prototype run, MVP will produce a stock run in large numbers. We’ll be sure to get a good stock of any Simon Line discs.
We congratulate Simon for his dream coming true!
Simon Line ethos:
No limits
Un-Fairway
Over the trees
Speed
Do it different
Find your own way
Finish with style
See our selection of products manufactured by MVP Disc Sports.
Eveliina Is Ready for the Finnish Nationals, European Championships and Worlds 2023
Eveliina at the European Open 2023.
Eveliina Salonen of Team Innova and Powergrip did a three-month tour in the USA in the spring of 2023.
– How did the first trip to the USA in 2023 feel?
Eveliina: So the trip was about 3 months and there were 7 competitions in addition to the DGPT Allstars. I was at the Allstars event for the first time and it worked well as a warm-up for the upcoming season. The event was a fun and nice way to see fellow US players after the off season.
– Did you play as you expected?
Eveliina: Unfortunately, in the competitions in the US, the same pattern continued as last year: big problems on the putting green while throwing works well and effortlessly. In a few events, I was able to fight for a top 10 finish, but competing was very challenging because of my putting problems. Otherwise, the trip was fun. Of course it’s tasking to tour for a long period of time away from home and the putting problems discouraged me at times. But these trips are always just as great and memorable. On the positive note, my putting game has felt much better at the PCS Open in Norway and now last week at the European Open.
– What have you done while you’ve been back in Finland?
Eveliina: Before the European Open, there was a small “summer vacation” because my athlete visa didn’t come in time. Thus I didn’t return to competitions until the PCS Open in Norway. I feel that this break was very good for me! I have been able to properly enjoy the Finnish summer, spent a lot of time with family and friends, played a lot of different sports including disc golf.
– How do you feel about last week’s European Open?
Eveliina: The event is really great and the EO is my favorite event. The result wasn’t what I went for, but at least I learned more about when to attack and when not to!
– How will your season continue from here?
Eveliina: The four most important competitions of the season – the EO, Finnish Nationals, European Championships and the World Championships, are subsequently in my calendar. I look forward to these competitions with excitement! The goal for these competitions is always a win, of course, but first let’s try to get the putt in the basket without major disasters and then we’ll see how far it will take me, but let’s go all in.
– Thank you for the interview! Do you have any greetings to your fans?
Eveliina: Thank you all for the cheers and support! See you at the courses!
Powergrip.fi Sales Report Q2/2023 (April-June)
Discmania continued to shine in Q2/2023. Discmania took the first position from Prodigy Disc in the beginning of 2023.
The Most Popular Disc Golf Discs and Other Products Q2/2023
The chart below lists the most popular disc golf discs and other products in the second quarter of 2023. As for other products, bags and the European Pro Tour Mystery Box (5 discs and a 12-month Disc Golf Stream subscription for 49,90 euros!) made it to our list. Grip EQ‘s flagship bag, the AX5, was our most sold product in Q2. Our first Simon Lizotte & MVP Disc Sports collaboration disc – the Glitsch – was our second most sold product. The top manufacture in our brand listing for this quarter was Discmania. They had the total of 10 products in our top 20.
Top Disc Golf Brands in Q2/2023
Our brand sales were very even behind the top two, Discmania and Innova. Most notably, MVP Disc Sports’ direction is up, whereas Prodigy Disc is going down. On Monday, July 17, Väinö Mäkelä’s new Archer 4 was released. It will help fight for Prodigy’s position on the Q3/2023 charts.
Top 20 Most Popular Disc Golf Discs and Other Products In Our Online Store
Products shown based on availability on July 18th, 2023.
Grip Equipment, or Grip EQ, is considered to be the best disc golf bag brand by many. Our customers buy Grip EQ bags the most, even though there are a lot of cheaper options available. Grip EQ focuses on user-friendliness and durability when designing bags. The company uses high-quality materials and manufacturing methods to ensure that the bags withstand heavy use and retain their shape for a long time.
Grip EQ’s products are available in many models and colors, so every disc golf enthusiast can find a suitable bag for their needs. Their collection of bags ranges from bags for beginners to bags designed for the professional level. Many professional players use Grip EQ bags: for example Paige Pierce, Simon Lizotte, Paul McBeth and Eveliina Salonen.
Grip EQ Bags In Our Selection 2023
There are six bag lines in the Grip EQ bag collection. We focus on the three biggest of them.
Grip EQ AX5 Series – Professional Player’s Choice
Grip EQ AX5.
The AX5 series bags are popular among professional players and competitive enthusiasts. They offer plenty of storage space, and include additional pockets for accessories such as a water bottle, phone and umbrella. These bags are designed to withstand heavy use and retain their shape for a long time.
22 Disc (drivers) Main Compartment +2 Disc (drivers) front Flap Pocket
The most popular disc golf discs and other products in the first quarter of 2023
Discmania took the first place among the most popular disc golf manufacturers during the crisis winter 2022-2023.
Winter has been a challenging time sales-wise in many sectors. The same goes for disc golf sales. Simon Lizotte’s transition from Discmania to MVP is clearly visible in our sales statistics in popularity of products manufactured by MVP.
Simon Lizotte’s first signature disc made by MVP was the Axiom Discs Eclipse Hex Leapin’ Lizottl’ Team Series. It was our best-selling product in the first quarter, slightly ahead of the other MVP product Simon has endorsed, the Glitch.
The Most Popular Disc Golf Discs and Other Products Q1/2023
The chart below lists the most popular disc golf discs and other products in the first quarter of 2023. As for other products, bags made it to our list. It should be obvious that the top two products by Axiom and MVP Disc Sports is thanks to the visibility brought by Simon Lizotte. As a fun detail, the PG Custom product Prodigy Disc 400 Spectrum FX-2 Väinö Mäkelä – The Mullet also made it to the list of the most popular disc golf discs.
Top Disc Golf Brands in Q1/2023
Discmania returned to the top spot of best-selling brands after no less than five quarters dominated by Prodigy Disc. Discmania took the place right before Axiom Discs, whose highest sales quarter in history, both here and probably worldwide, brought the brand to the second place. As mentioned, MVP Disc Sports manufactures Axiom Discs. Third on the list is Innova, whose sales popularity continues to be stable. MVP came fourth on the list, which is a higher ranking than usual. The visibility brought by Simon Lizotte can be seen in our five stores and our online store. See the list of the twenty most popular disc golf manufacturers in the chart below.
Top 20 best-selling disc golf brands in Q1/2023 by euros.
Top 20 Most Popular Disc Golf Discs and Other Products In Our Online Store
Products shown based on availability on April 4th, 2023.
Disc Golf Is One of the Favorite Sports Among Children in Finland
The physical activity behavior of children in Finland (LIITU or Lasten ja nuorten liikuntakäyttäytyminen Suomessa in Finnish) study is a national follow-up study. It extensively surveys physical activity, behavior and culture of 7-15-year-olds. I wrote this summary based on the 2022 report of the LIITU study. You can access the entire report here (193 pages, PDF file). Disc golf was found in the study to be one of the favorite sports of children in Finland.
The 2022 report deals with data collected from children in the 7-15-year-olds age group. The data was collected in March-June 2022 with electronic surveys (n = 10,098) and physical activity meters (n = 1,525). The period of data collection coincided with the third Covid-19 wave (the threat of closing schools), the beginning of the war in Ukraine, and strikes and threats of strikes in the education sector. These factors may have influenced the willingness to participate in the study. They may have also influenced the exercise and health behavior of the participants.
Disc Golf 3rd Most Popular Among Boys, 15th Among Girls of Ages 11-15
The most common leisure physical activities in the winter reported by children of ages 11-15 were cross-country skiing, football (soccer in the US), ice skating, ice hockey and skiing. The most common summer activities were football, swimming, cycling and disc golf. Disc golf was the third most popular summer sport among boys, after football and cycling. This result was achieved when 1-3 most popular sports were asked and points for individual sports were summed up. Among girls, disc golf reached the position 15th among most popular sports during the summer. (Appendix table 2 of the report)
We Need More Organized Disc Golf Events for Children
Disc golf is doing well, but we adults should support disc golf for children more by organizing more well run events. This way parents and guardians could bring their children to such events familiar from more traditional sports. Fortunately, the Finnish Disc Golf Association has started investing in bringing disc golf into the structures of our society. See, for example, the sections School sports and Education materials on the association’s website. There’s lots of room to improve arranging organized disc golf activities for kids. On the other hand, a good feature of disc golf is also that children can practice disc golf freely with each other. without the constant guidance of adults. Adults’ guidance is familiar to kids from home, school and many hobbies.
Disc Golf Is an Antidote To Health Problems Caused by Sitting Too Much
Disc golf is an outdoor sport that has grown in popularity strongly in recent years. There are many reasons behind its popularity, such as the fact that disc golf is suitable for almost everyone regardless of age, gender and wealth. Disc golf can be played alone or together with others. There are more than a thousand disc golf courses in Finland from the south to the northernmost Lapland, and most of them are free to play.
Disc golf has many health effects that make it an excellent hobby for improving fitness and mental health.
In this article, we discuss the problems caused by sitting and the suitability of disc golf for the prevention and treatment of problems. We use the Finnish institute for health and welfare as our source.
Too Much Sitting Is a Problem in Our Society
Too much sitting and inactivity cause various problems. Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Repeated and long-term sitting every day is harmful to health. According to the FinTerveys 2017 survey, Finnish men sat for an average of 7 hours 41 minutes and women 7 hours 11 minutes on weekdays.
Problems caused by frequent and long-lasting periods of sitting and other inactivity:
musculoskeletal system problems
the risk of developing several long-term diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, diseases of the cardiovascular system and depression.
Exercise Recommendations by the Institute of Health and Welfare
The need for exercise varies during different stages of life, which is why the Institute of Health and Welfare has developed its recommendations for different age groups. The recommendations are a good help in planning your exercises.
To achieve the health benefits of exercise, adults (aged 18–65) should exercise once a week
moderate endurance exercise for at least 2 h 30 min or, alternatively, heavy endurance exercise for at least 1 h 15 min
exercise that maintains muscle condition and movement control at least 2 times a week.
The recommendation for exercise for children under school age is at least three hours every day. School-aged children and young people, i.e. 7-18-year-olds, should do versatile, age-appropriate exercise for at least 1-2 hours a day. The physical growth and development of a primary school-aged child is continuous, so exercise should be versatile and contain a lot of repetitions in order to develop motor skills.
Read the Institute of Health and Welfare recommendations here (in English).
Disc Golf Helping In Prevention and Treatment of Problems Caused by Sitting
Playing disc golf can be a good way to improve your fitness. One full round on an 18-hole course usually takes about 2-3 hours. Even one round per week can reach the recommendations given by the Institute of Health and Welfare as the minimum amount of exercise for adults. Many disc golf enthusiasts play several rounds a week and thus get exercise in accordance with Institute of Health and Welfare’s recommendations.
Disc golf enthusiasts walk in different kinds of terrains, usually 2-5 kilometers (or 1-3 miles) per round, walking, squatting and throwing at different positions. This makes the sport quite versatile. Exercise comes almost unnoticed to the disc golfer, especially if the round is played in the company of friends, enjoying playing in the fresh air.
When playing disc golf, the heart rate increases and breathing accelerates to a level that develops fitness of people who don’t exercise much. The sport is suitable for most people who can walk or even use a wheelchair. Disc golf does not require as good fitness as, for example, running or skiing. This makes disc golf suitable for a large group of people. Playing disc golf can also inspire a more versatile development of the body and mind, as both of these are certainly beneficial for performance in disc golf.
Disc golf is also an excellent way to maintain social relationships and improve mental health. Disc golf is most often played with friends, allowing players to enjoy being together and share their experiences with others. In addition, focusing on playing disc golf is a good way to relax and relieve stress, as players can enjoy nature and the surrounding landscape while playing.
Disc golf is an easy and affordable way to start exercising. If you’re looking for a new and fun way to exercise, try disc golf!
Väinö Mäkelä To Begin His Disc Golf Season 2023 at Las Vegas Challenge
Photo: Väinö Mäkelä putting at the European Open 2022. @discgolfprotour
Finland’s disc golf star Väinö Mäkelä representing Prodigy Disc and Powergrip will begin his 2023 disc golf season at the Disc Golf Pro Tour event Las Vegas Challenge Feb 23-26 in 2023. We had a little chat with Väinö before he left for the US tour.
How has your winter break been?
Thanks for asking, the winter has been a little bit inconsistent. I was sick for a while at the beginning of winter, but luckily I was able to get back to working out and practicing quite quickly. I have been able to prepare for the new season well and also had time to hang out with my girlfriend and friends. I went to Spain to get a better feel for throwing. The brain has had a rest from the competition.
How do you practice?
In the off season, I train for everything else except competing. For example, muscle strength in the gym, throwing training and basic fitness. During the season, I practice at the gym 1-2 times a week, depending on whether it’s competition week. I focus on training the tournament courses – I practically don’t have time to do field practice between events.
Your three favorite things in the US?
Warm weather
Sense of a big country – amount of opportunities
Food
Your three least favorite things in the US?
Absurdity of many things
Overuse of plastic
Complexity of how things work compared to Finland
Do you have greetings to your fans?
I send all the fans a big thank you for following and supporting! I wouldn’t be in this situation without you. I want to give back to you as much as possible. Thank you very much to everyone!
The Archer 3, with a fine archer stamp, is the fundraiser disc of the 2021 Finnish champion and multiple Finnish Pro Tour winner, Väinö Mäkelä.
Support Väinö buy purchasing this disc!Reflective VM-logo in front. Trucker cap with mesh back and matching color plastic snap. Trucker cap has hard buckram and matching undervisor.
Shop hereThe Prodigy BP-1 V3 is the biggest, baddest, and raddest version of our flagship backpack bag, and it comes in at an unbeatable price. We heard what the players wanted and delivered. Trust us, you won’t have to debate between two molds going in your bag — you’ll have room for both.
Fill up the main compartment with more 20+ discs and then put your favorite pair of putters in the front putter pocket. There’s plenty of extra room in the large top pocket that can fit 4 putters or other accessories. If that isn’t enough, the expandable side pockets can be used for discs, snacks, towels, and even extra gear.
Shop hereD1 is a very fast, over stable driver designed for power throwers. This driver is good for all conditions and flies as well into the wind as it does with the wind. The consistent flight path of this disc makes it a favorite of disc golfers looking not only for a long flight but pinpoint accuracy. The flight path is similar regardless of the weight.
Shop hereThe Prodigy Insulated Water Bottle is ideal for disc golfers on the go. It now comes in two sizes and features double-wall vacuum insulation technology, so drinks will stay cold up to 24 hours or hot up to 12 hours. For added convenience, it now comes with a straw lid for quick and easy drinking. The Prodigy Insulated Water Bottle fits perfectly in the drinks holders on Prodigy Disc Golf bags. The Insulated Water Bottle is made of durable A2 Grade Stainless Steel and is BPA Free, with a beautiful powder coat finish. Now featuring a logo from Väinö Mäkelä as well as the classic Prodigy Star.
Eveliina and Henna To Begin Their 2023 Season in Arizona at the Disc Golf Pro Tour All-Star Weekend
A new Disc Golf Pro Tour season is about to begin. The first Finns to start the tour are our strong duo Henna Blomroos and Eveliina Salonen. Despite their young age, Eveliina and Henna have achieved a lot. They’ll start the new season even hungrier after a training through winter. Both can win any competition when all the aspects of their game works.
How has your winter been?
The winter has gone well and quickly as there has been a lot to do. It’s been nice to see family and friends and it’s been fun to play all other sports and not just disc golf. Physical training and throwing indoors have been a big part of the training program for both of us.
What do you expect from the season start at DGPT All-Star in Arizona?
It’ll be our first All-Star tournament, so we have no idea what to expect. It’s cool to be able to play with the US players after a long time and see all my disc golfing friends. It’s also fun to see how the disc flies outdoors after a long indoor season.
How do you practice during the off season and the season?
Henna: in the off season, I invest in physical training and it gives a rhythm to my everyday life. There will also be a lot of disc golf training, but due to the slippery conditions, really only in the indoors. During the season, there will be a lot of putts, and hopefully also physics training in the future. During the season, the largest number of throws occurs in connection with getting to know the courses before each event.
Eve: My winter training consists of indoor training, indoor throwing, padel training and competitions. During the season, my training is mainly playing rounds.
Your three favorite things in the US?
Warm weather, high level of competition and practice speaking English
Three not-so-favorite things in the US?
Homesickness, suitcase life and a limited selection of food for us picky eaters.
What would you like to say to your fans?
Thanks for all the support, we appreciate it a lot!
We wish everyone a nice new season! See you at the courses.
Support Eveliina and Henna by purchasing their signature discs:
Powergrip adds Lizotte, Sexton, Koling, Blomroos, Salonen, and more
Marquee additions to Team Powergrip. (Henna’s photo: Marika Salmi)
As we inch closer to the start of the 2023 professional disc golf season, we are excited to announce five outstanding additions to Team Powergrip for the upcoming year.
At Powergrip, we call ourselves a “Pretty Good Disc Golf Shop” and after many discussions, we believe we’ve compiled a “Pretty Good Disc Golf Team”. — In fact, you could say this is the nicest group of disc golfers you can find around the world.
Five Marquee Additions for 2023
As we put together plans for Team Powergrip, we wanted to find partnerships where we can build a great relationship for many years to come. While we’re excited for what everyone on the team can bring to the table, we also value opportunities to help showcase, promote, and support those who are on the team. We’re excited to show you what 2023 has in store.
Simon Lizotte, Team MVP Disc Sports
Simon has been the talk of the disc golf industry over the last few weeks with his move to MVP Disc Sports for 2023. As he learns his new bag and begins his next phase in his professional career, we’ll be right along side him to support him along the way. Be sure to follow Simon on Instagram and subscribe to his YouTube channel.
Nate Sexton, Team Innova
The current Captain of Team Innova, Nate joins us for 2023. The 2017 United States Disc Golf Champion, Nate has been a fixture on the professional disc golf scene for over nearly two decades. He’s seen success throughout his career and we’re happy to welcome him to the team as his first ever retail sponsor. Be sure to follow Nate on Facebook and Instagram.
Jeremy Koling, Team Innova
Known as just Big Jerm, Jeremy Koling not only can compete at the highest level, he has an incredible sense of humor and creative mind. In our first discussion together, it was clear that we could help tap into his creativity and ideas that he’s been sitting on for years. Plus, he’s very much looking forward to a trip to Finland later this year. Be sure to follow Jeremy on Facebook and Instagram.
Henna Blomroos, Team Innova
One of Finland’s top disc golfers, Henna is coming off a very successful 2022 season. Her season last year was highlighted by a second place finish at the 2022 PDGA World Championships. With a battle tested mindset, we can’t wait to see what Henna can do during the year ahead. Be sure to follow Henna on Facebook and Instagram.
Eveliina Salonen, Team Innova
Eveliina is one of the most exciting disc golfers to watch compete. She has an absolute cannon for an arm while also having nearly unmatched control. Eveliina finished fifth at last year’s World Championships and was in the hunt from start to finish. Be sure to follow Eveliina on Facebook and Instagram.
Väinö Mäkelä Leads Returning Team Members
The 2021 Finnish Champion, Väinö Mäkelä, has been a staple on Team Powergrip for years and our long-standing partnership continues for 2023. See the full roster below.
