
A disc golf tournament type where only paid PDGA Professional Disc Golf Association is a membership organization dedicated to the promotion and sustainable growth of disc golf. It promotes the sport through player participation, tournament development, spectator participation, course development, rules and competitive stand…Professional Disc Golf Association
Full Answer
What does * on a disc golf tee mean?
* indicates "Disc golf in COUNTRY or TERRITORY" links. A disc golf tee (commonly referred to as a tee box or the box) is the starting position of a hole. The PDGA recommends that the tee box be no smaller than 1.2 meters wide by 3 meters long. The tee box is usually a pad of concrete, asphalt, rubber, gravel, or artificial turf.
What is a disc golf player rating?
A disc golf player rating is a weighted average score, based on your last 12 months’ worth of competition scores, or longer if the player doesn’t have 8 competitive scores in that time. The rating is then calculated based off a hypothetical scratch player who would score 1000 on the same course.
What are the different tiers in the PDGA?
Event Descriptions 1 PDGA Major 2 National Tour (NT) 3 A-Tier 4 B-Tier 5 C-Tier 6 X-Tier 7 PDGA Leagues
What is a disc golf tournament?
Disc golf tournaments are popular around the world. As with traditional golf, there are many championship tournaments. One of the largest is the United States Disc Golf Championship. Every year, the largest teams tournament in the world is held in Austin, Texas, by John Houck.

2022 A-Tier Schedule Released - Professional Disc Golf Association
The schedule for the 2022 PDGA A-Tiers is now available, along with the 2022 PDGA Tour Standards that will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2022. PDGA state and provincial coordinators may now start accepting requests for approval of dates for 2022 B-Tier and C-Tier events. The 2022 PDGA Event Sanctioning Form is now enabled, so event directors for pre-approved 2022 A-Tiers and
Upcoming disc golf tournaments in the United States
Schedule Set for 2022 PDGA Majors | Professional Disc Golf Association
How can disc golf improve your game?
Not too long ago, Mind Body Disc wrote a piece on measuring your game in order to improve, and this is a perfect example of how data and measurements can help improve your disc golf game . This disc golf analysis involves comparing your preferred type of disc for each distance during different phases throughout your disc golf history. Observing the difference helps you identify how your game has changed, what areas you could focus more attention on, and even how you may adjust your bag strategy.
Do distance drivers use less?
My distance drivers are also used less frequently, so I may decide to remove some from my bag and focus only on those that are versatile.
What is an A-tier disc golf tournament?
A disc golf tournament type where only paid PDGA members are allowed to play. A-Tier tournaments have at least three rounds, are played over multiple days , and the tournament director is not allowed to play. At the time this dictionary was written, PDGA A-Tier tournaments require a minimum of $3,000 be added to professional players payout purse. Events can only be approved for A-Tier status after multiple years running as a B-Tier event.
How much does a B-tier disc golf tournament cost?
A PDGA B-Tier is a class of tournament that consists of at least two different disc golf rounds and has a minimum of $750 in added cash for pro purse payout.
What is the ace shot in disc golf?
Throwing your disc in to the basket on your first shot off the tee box. In disc golf it is common to have any spectators sign the “ace shot” when witnessing a disc golf ace.
How far from the basket should you be in a golf ball?
A 10 meter (32.8 feet) radius from the basket. PDGA regulates that if you’re in the circle, you must show balance until your disc comes to rest in the basket before any part of your body moves past the mini marker towards the basket. Failure to do so can lead to a “falling putt” penalty stroke.
Why do you have to throw mandos in disc golf?
Mandos are established to improve the safety, challenge, and design of a course. Holes can have multiple mandos where you must throw left, right, under, or even over certain marked objects. One of the most famous mandos in disc golf is the triple mando wall built for the United States Disc Golf Championship.
How much does a PDGA membership cost?
PDGA membership costs $50 per year for amateur players and $100 per year for professional players.
What is disc golf?
Disc golf has a vocabulary of its own. There are lots of “words” you’ll hear on the disc golf course that you won’t hear anywhere else. This guide is designed to help you understand the different disc golf lingo and help you understand what the avid discers are talking about when you join them for a league or tournament round.
How does disc golf improve?
As players become more proficient at the different disc golf skills, including putting, driving, approaching, and learn other shots such as rollers, overhands, and forehands, their scores will improve. As their scores improve, their rating will increase, moving them up through the Amateur levels.
What is advanced disc golf?
Advanced - the top amateur division, available to all amateur players. Required division for male amateur players under 40 years of age with ratings >= 935. Tournament experienced players who have played disc golf for several years, and developed consistency. Throw 300-450 feet, make 5-7/10 putts from 25-30 feet, have different shots in their arsenal.
What is PDGA Tour Player?
The PDGA Tour Player system is based on Professional, Amateur, and Junior Divisions with both Mixed divisions (Male & Female) and female-only divisions. Professionals compete for money, Amateurs and Juniors for trophies and prizes.
How many feet does a world class golfer drive?
A world class Open player has many years of tournament experience, drives at least 350 feet, makes 7-9/10 putts from 25-30 feet, rarely makes a mistake, and has a shot for every situation. Ratings Guideline: 1000+
What is the advanced women's golf division?
Advanced Women - the top women’s amateur division, available to all female amateur players. Required division for female amateur players under 40 years of age with ratings >= 825. Upcoming players who have played 2-3 years and are gaining consistency and experience. Throw 200-300 feet, make 4-6/10 putts from 25-30 feet, developing different shots.
What is a TD in a pro?
Depending on whether events are sanctioned as Pro/Am, Pro only, or Amateur only, a Tournament Director (TD) may offer all or a subset of the possible divisions. Some specialized events will only offer very specific subsets of divisions – Junior Only events, Senior Only events, etc. PDGA guidelines stipulate that events offering registration for a specific division must hold that division if there are four or more registered competitors. TDs will often make exceptions for the Women’s and Junior divisions to encourage attendance as participation may typically be less than four players.
What is the difference between amateur and professional divisions?
Professional Divisions are based on gender and year of birth, while Amateur Divisions are based on gender, year of birth, and in some cases, skill level. Divisions that have the letter M in their code are “Mixed” divisions where both males and females may play. Divisions that have the letter F in their code are “Female-only” divisions in which only ...
What does circle 3 mean in golf?
Circle 3 (any number) pertains to a circle on the scorecard, indicates a penalty on the hole; some players indicate penalties with a “p” as well. Circle’s Edge. edge of circle 1. Comebacker. a putt in which the player has gone long of the basket and has to “come back,” typically after a missed putt. Condor.
What is a jump putt in disc golf?
Jump Putt (Jumper) a putt in which the player jumps from behind marker and lands beyond marker, note: release must be from behind marker with the player having contact with the ground.
What is a mando in golf?
an artificial point in which it is mandatory for a disc to fly on the designated side, usually a tree or a pole, and to make the hole safer or more difficult ; missing the mando results in a penalty stroke
What is the reaction of a disc once it hits the ground?
the reaction of the disc once it hits the ground, typically in the form of a skip or curl
What is disc down?
Disc Down (Club Down) to throw a slower speed disc instead of a higher speed, typically for greater accuracy. Disc Golf. a game where the objective is to throw a disc golf disc into a disc golf basket, maneuvering through the trees.
When a disc is thrown with a hyzer release angle and “flips up” to?
when a disc is thrown with a hyzer release angle and “flips up” to flat, typically a long straight shot
Where are the fingers on a disc?
variation of the backhand grip, fingers are spread out along the underside of the disc
Why is it useful to compare each tier to average player ratings?
To give context on competing in tournaments and actually receiving any sum of money, it is useful to compare each tier to average player ratings.
How much more does a B tier give per event?
The real difference is in the average prize, with B-Tiers distributing about $3,500 more per event.
How many tiers of PDGA sanctioned events are there?
There are 5 tiers of PDGA sanctioned events that we’ll review, so you can see exactly which level of tournament you may want to participate in or watch.
What is the total purse for the PDGA?
Total purse must be a prize of at least $7,500. A-Tier – Requires membership with the PDGA. Must payout at least 100% of the entry fees and at least $3,000 must be added to the purse. B-Tier – Does not require membership with the PDGA.
What is a tournament purse?
The tournament purse is the money that is available to distribute to the players.
How much does a B tier increase in prize money?
From a B-Tier to an A-Tier, we see a 346% increase in available prize money to be won. This comes at twice the competition with the average player size increasing 110%.
How much is the jump in the C-tier to B-tier?
From a C-Tier to a B-Tier event, there is a jump of $3,489 in the purse, which is a 218% increase. However, the average total players remains relatively consistent, which is surprising. One would expect the increased cash prize would attracted more players. If you were choosing between a C-Tier and B-Tier, you would be better off sticking with a B-Tier event because the average competition is about the same.
What is disc golf?
Disc golf is a flying disc sport in which players throw a disc at a target; it is played using rules similar to golf. Most disc golf discs are made out of polypropylene plastic, otherwise known as polypropene, which is a thermoplastic polymer resin used in a wide variety of applications. Discs are also made using a variety ...
What is a disc golf tee box?
A disc golf tee (commonly referred to as a tee box or the box) is the starting position of a hole. The PDGA recommends that the tee box be no smaller than 1.2 meters wide by 3 meters long. The tee box is usually a pad of concrete, asphalt, rubber, gravel, or artificial turf. Some courses have natural turf with only the front of the tee position marked or no tee boxes at all and players begin from a general location based on the course layout.
What was the first disc golf target?
Ed Headrick's Flying Disc Entrapment Device Patent 4039189. The first disc golf target made with chains that became the standard for disc golf. In 1977, Headrick and his son Ken developed the modern basket catch for disc golf, US Patent 4,039,189, [4] titled Flying Disc Entrapment Device, which they trademarked "Disc Pole Hole". The Disc Pole Hole created a standardized catching device that had a chain-hanger that held vertical hanging rows of chain out and away from a center pole. The vertical rows of chain came together forming a parabolic shape above and angling down towards a metal basket that attached to and surrounded the center pole, and could catch a disc from all directions.
How many holes are there in disc golf?
Disc golf courses. Most disc golf courses have 9 or 18 holes, and exceptions most often have holes in multiples of three. Courses with 6, 12, 21, 24 or 27 holes are not uncommon. The PDGA recommends that courses average 200–400 ft (61–122 m) per hole, with holes no shorter than 100 ft (30 m).
How many disc golf courses are there in the world?
There are disc golf courses on every continent, including 24 in Latin America, 8 in Africa, and one in Antarctica. The Åland Islands have been defined as the world's largest single disc golf park, with one course in each of the 16 municipalities of Åland. Country. DGC.
Why is it better to throw a disc or a driver?
Because the physics of a disc require "snap" or "flick", which means putting spin on the disc, new players generally find that throwing a distance driver accurately can be somewhat difficult and will require experience with golf disc response. This is why it is better for players to begin with fairway drivers, long drivers, or even mid-ranges, and incorporate maximum distance drivers as their strength and disc control increases. Most players that are starting off will be most likely throwing lighter discs.
Why do players carry discs in golf?
In order to facilitate making different shots , players carry a variety of discs with different flight characteristics, choosing an appropriate disc for each throw. Some players also carry a mini marker disc, used to accurately mark the throwing position before each throw. Use of mini marker discs is particularly prevalent in formal competitive play.

A–
- A-Tier
A disc golf tournament type where only paid PDGA members are allowed to play. A-Tier tournaments have at least three rounds, are played over multiple days, and the tournament director is not allowed to play. At the time this dictionary was written, PDGA A-Tier tournaments … - Ace
Throwing your disc into the basket on your first shot off the tee box. In disc golf, it is common to have any spectators sign the “ace shot” when witnessing a disc golf ace.
B–
- B-Tier
A PDGA B-Tier is a class of tournament that consists of at least two different disc golf rounds and has a minimum of $750 in added cash for pro purse payout. - Backhand
A throwing style in which the player points their right shoulder towards the target in an RHBH (Right-hand backhand) throw. The disc is then pulled across the chest from left to right and released. A backhand throw (RHBH) will cause a normal disc golf disc to fade to the left near th…
C–
- C-Tier
A class of disc golf tournament with the least strict requirements. C-Tier events can consist of a single round of disc golf and do not require any additional payout. Disc golfers do not need to be members of the PDGA to play in C-Tier tournaments but if they are not members need a $10 no… - Card
In tournaments, leagues, and competitive disc golf settings players play in groups called “cards.” Your “card” will all write their scores on a single scorecard to be turned in to the tournament director at the completion of the round
D–
- Deuce
Completing a disc golf hole in two shots. - Disc
A plastic circular object used in disc golf is commonly referred to as a Frisbee.
E–
- Eagle
Completing a hole two shots under par. A two on a par four or a three on a par five-hole. Also the name of the first bevel edge disc made by Innova Champion Discs.
F–
- Fade
The path of a disc during the slower portion, or “finish,” of a disc’s flight when it naturally turns left (RHBH) or right (RHFH). - Fan Grip
A grip style where the fingers are extended and not wrapped tightly together. This grip style is typically used for shorter control shots.
G–
- Green
The putting area. Sometimes referred to as the area within the circle but oftentimes refers to the area near the basket where a normal putt shot is possible. - Grip lock
When a disc gets stuck in a player’s hand causing them to accidentally release later than expected usually causing a poor throw.
H–
- Headwind
Wind blowing directly at you. A disc will fly more understable in a headwind (for RHBH, your disc is more likely to turn right). For best performance, throw more overstable discs when throwing into a headwind. - Helix
see “flex shot.” Also the name of several discs manufactured by Lightning Discs.
J–
- Jump Putt
A putting technique using a forward jumping motion to increase distance. A jump putt is only legal outside of 10 meters (32.8 feet) from the basket.
L–
- Lay-up
A strategic throw designed to set up the next shot. Examples include an approach shot that prepares for an easy putt or a conservative drive that avoids a water hazard. - League
A group of disc golfers that get together, typically on a weekly basis to play competitive disc golf — usually for small cash payout or prizes. A league is often referred to as a mini-tournament. Joining a disc golf league is an excellent way to get disc golf tips and improve your game.