Innova Aviar Review

Innova Aviar Review

For anyone looking to build a consistent short game or seeking a reliable, straight-flying approach disc that has stood the test of time, the Innova Aviar deserves a serious look. This foundational putter offers unparalleled versatility, serving as a workhorse for putting, touch approaches, and even controlled tee shots on shorter holes, adapting to a player's power and technique as they grow.

At a glance

:::flight-numbers-card manufacturer: Innova mold: Aviar category: putter speed: 2 glide: 3 turn: 0 fade: 1 stability: stable rim_width: 14mm weight_range: 165-175g :::

How it actually flies

The Innova Aviar, particularly the Putter (often just called the Aviar), is renowned for its straight flight and dependable finish. Fresh out of the box, a max weight Aviar in DX plastic will fly incredibly straight on both spin and push putts, exhibiting a gentle, predictable fade as it slows. For approach shots, a flat release will yield a straight flight path with minimal turn, finishing with that same mild fade. It's surprisingly resistant to off-axis torque (OAT) for a putter, allowing for clean releases even with moderate power.

As it beats in, especially in DX plastic, the Aviar becomes even straighter, losing some of that initial fade and developing a slight, controlled turn when thrown with power. This makes it an excellent candidate for disc cycling, where you bag multiple Aviars at different stages of wear to cover a range of stable to slightly understable approach shots. Stronger arms can push a fresh Aviar out to 250 feet with a flat, straight flight and a reliable fade, while average arms will find it a laser-straight point-and-shoot disc out to 150-200 feet. Its low speed and moderate glide mean it's less affected by mild winds than faster discs, though strong headwinds will push it, as with any putter.

:::flight-path stability: stable turn: 0 fade: 1 :::

Plastic, honestly

The Aviar is available in a wide array of Innova plastics, each offering a distinct feel and flight characteristic.

Where it sits

The Innova Aviar holds a unique place in the putter market due to its long history and balanced flight. When compared to other popular putters, its characteristics become clearer.

Versus a Discraft Luna (3/3/0/3), the Aviar is less overstable and has less glide, making the Luna a more torque-resistant throwing putter for power throwers. The Aviar's 0 turn and 1 fade make it a straighter flyer that demands a cleaner release for throwing, but rewards it with a dead-straight line. Compared to the Gateway Wizard (2/3/0/2), the Aviar typically has a slightly shallower rim and a less pronounced bead (or is beadless depending on the specific Aviar mold, the standard Aviar Putter has a small bead), often feeling a bit more nimble in the hand, though both are excellent stable putting putters. The Aviar is also generally straighter out of the box than a new Wizard, which tends to have a bit more low-speed fade. For players seeking a truly neutral, beadless flight, the MVP Anode (3/3/0/0) offers a similar straight profile but often with more glide and a completely beadless feel, which is a significant difference in hand-feel for many. The Aviar's enduring appeal comes from its ability to cover a wide range of shots with a consistent, point-and-shoot flight that isn't overly specialized.

Buying advice

For most players, especially those starting out or looking for a workhorse putter, max weight (170-175g) in DX plastic is the way to go for putting. The grip is exceptional, and the disc will quickly beat into a perfectly straight flight. For throwing approaches or short tee shots, a Star Aviar in max weight will provide excellent durability and consistent, stable flight that resists turn. If you're looking for a slightly more overstable throwing putter that can handle a bit more power or headwind, a Champion Aviar is a solid choice.

Beginners will find the Aviar incredibly forgiving for putting and approach shots, helping them develop consistent form without fighting an overly stable or understable disc. Intermediate and advanced players will appreciate its ability to hold any line thrown, from anhyzer to hyzer-flip, as it beats in. Consider buying 2-3 DX Aviars for putting practice, and perhaps one Star Aviar for dedicated throwing duties; they are affordable enough to warrant multiples.

FAQ

Is this a good beginner disc?

Absolutely. The Aviar is one of the best putters for beginners due to its neutral flight path, allowing new players to learn proper putting and approach form without the disc masking their technique.

What weight should I throw?

For putting, most players prefer max weight (170-175g) for stability and consistency in light winds. For throwing approaches, some players might opt for slightly lighter weights (165-170g) for a bit more glide or to achieve a straighter flight with less power, but max weight is still a very popular choice for control.

Does it work for forehand?

While primarily a backhand putter, the Aviar can be used for forehand approaches by players with very clean form and minimal off-axis torque. It's not as torque-resistant as an AviarX3 or other overstable putters, so it will expose poor forehand technique with a quick turn-and-burn.

How fast does it beat in?

DX plastic Aviars beat in relatively quickly, showing noticeable flight changes (becoming straighter/slightly understable) after 10-20 rounds of regular use. Star plastic will take significantly longer, and Champion plastic will hold its flight characteristics for hundreds of rounds.

What's the difference between the standard Aviar Putter and other Aviar molds like Aviar3 or AviarX3?

The standard Aviar Putter (often just "Aviar") is the classic mold (2/3/0/1). The Aviar3 (3/3/0/2) has a flatter top and is faster and more overstable, designed for throwing. The AviarX3 (3/2/0/3) is even more overstable and low-glide, built to resist torque and handle power for driving and aggressive approaches. This review focuses on the standard Aviar Putter.

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This article contains affiliate links. BasketBound may earn a commission when you purchase through them, at no additional cost to you. BasketBound is a Datafathom publication.

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