Are you a PDGA Hater? Why?

I like the PDGA. I think they have, do and will do a lot of good for our sport. I want to know why you don't like it. Please be specific.

[Chuck Kennedy]

There is a real threat but it depends on the players and TD running the event. I've been in events where players have been DQ'd and some suspended for a variety of behaviors over 20 years and not just in Minnesota.

[Jamie 'gr8rocshot' Ruane]

Chuck Kennedy said:

There is a real threat but it depends on the players and TD running the event. I've been in events where players have been DQ'd and some suspended for a variety of behaviors over 20 years and not just in Minnesota.

That's total BS and you know it!!! Don't get me wrong, Chuck, I'm not doubting your experience or observations. Just that, how can you rely on the players or the TD to enforce those particular rules...when in a large part...they are part of the problem in the first damn place?

That needs to be done by the governing body...period!


Don't get wrong here the rest of you guys lurking and reading...What we do on our own time is our business...What we do during a sanctioned event should be the PDGA's business.

[Tarazarr]

I've only been playing for about a year, so my comments come from a NewB, so don't hate on me..

I joined the PDGA only because there are local monthly C tier tournaments where I live and I love competing, so I wanted to play in them and I could see how the 10 dollar penalty for not being a member of the PDGA would quickly cost me more than becoming a member. I don't throw the Stratus they sent me, I lost the official mini somewhere around the house and the sticker already faded and came off my window.

$10.00 non PDGA member penalty to play in a tournament IMO is too much and basically extortion.

It's a hippy sport - deal with it - I have yet to play in a tournament where pot wasn't smoked and beer wasn't drank during the round...something to think about before you go getting your kids hooked on the sport I guess.. I play disc golf with my kids, I want them to play the game, but I won't be taking them to play in any tournaments. Not condoning or judging, just saying it's their, it's embedded in sport, a rule in a book isn't going to change it or make it go away.

I see a few of these same smokers and drinkers, complain about rule infractions....I laugh.....don't be a hypocrite.....
I've also played rounds in a tournament with a few rule nazi's - and that really takes the fun of the sport and flushes it right down the toilet.

Make the rules clear - remove the gray areas - and if you can't follow them, don't play in sanctioned tourney's.

I don't think the PDGA is all that - When the PBA can get their tourney's sponsored by big companies and aired on ESPN (even if it's at 2am) then the PDGA should be embarrased, When a touring pro only makes 40K a year, your association has a long way to go.

My #1 gripe - a $10.00 penalty to play in your first "sanctioned" tournament - is turning more new players away from the tournament experience and tournament play, then it's attracting.

sorry for my ramblings

[Chuck Kennedy]

Jamie 'gr8rocshot' Ruane said:

Chuck Kennedy said:

There is a real threat but it depends on the players and TD running the event. I've been in events where players have been DQ'd and some suspended for a variety of behaviors over 20 years and not just in Minnesota.

That's total BS and you know it!!! Don't get me wrong, Chuck, I'm not doubting your experience or observations. Just that, how can you rely on the players or the TD to enforce those particular rules...when in a large part...they are part of the problem in the first damn place?

That needs to be done by the governing body...period!


Don't get wrong here the rest of you guys lurking and reading...What we do on our own time is our business...What we do during a sanctioned event should be the PDGA's business.

I'm afraid you're incorrect on this. It's very clear in the rules that this is a self regulated sport. In very few cases is an official required. The PDGA IS the players. The rule enforcement is only as good as the players themselves. All the PDGA can do is back up the calls of the players and TDs and provide penalties where an infraction rises to that level. To blame the PDGA is a cop out when in fact it's the many players who don't want to nor take the responsibility to call the infractions.

[Jamie 'gr8rocshot' Ruane]

Chuck Kennedy said:

Jamie 'gr8rocshot' Ruane said:

Chuck Kennedy said:

There is a real threat but it depends on the players and TD running the event. I've been in events where players have been DQ'd and some suspended for a variety of behaviors over 20 years and not just in Minnesota.

That's total BS and you know it!!! Don't get me wrong, Chuck, I'm not doubting your experience or observations. Just that, how can you rely on the players or the TD to enforce those particular rules...when in a large part...they are part of the problem in the first damn place?

That needs to be done by the governing body...period!


Don't get wrong here the rest of you guys lurking and reading...What we do on our own time is our business...What we do during a sanctioned event should be the PDGA's business.

I'm afraid you're incorrect on this. It's very clear in the rules that this is a self regulated sport. In very few cases is an official required. The PDGA IS the players. The rule enforcement is only as good as the players themselves. All the PDGA can do is back up the calls of the players and TDs and provide penalties where an infraction rises to that level. To blame the PDGA is a cop out when in fact it's the many players who don't want to nor take the responsibility to call the infractions.

Well then.....CHANGE THE RULES Chuck!!!!

[Chuck Kennedy]

Ball golf seems to have little problem with players calling the rules usually on themselves and does provide officials at every hole only in their very biggest events where it can be afforded.Our rules have been modeled on similar principles of self officiating. Are you willing to say that disc golfers can't learn to uphold the same high of standards as ball golfers? If so, then it's a sad statement on the potential future of our game as a competitive sport.

[Jamie 'gr8rocshot' Ruane]

Chuck Kennedy said:

Ball golf seems to have little problem with players calling the rules usually on themselves and does provide officials at every hole only in their very biggest events where it can be afforded.Our rules have been modeled on similar principles of self officiating. Are you willing to say that disc golfers can't learn to uphold the same high of standards as ball golfers? If so, then it's a sad statement on the potential future of our game as a competitive sport.

Your missing the point Chuck!!!

[Nascar Dave]

I love the bantering and all the different viewpoints. I'm gonna keep this short and sweet and to the point.
If you want to play a sanctioned event, you join the PDGA and you play, either way, it's your choice to make.

They don't tell you that you can't smoke your pipe and drink your drink, they don't tell you that you have to wear shoes and a nice shirt to play, only if you play their events, do you have to follow their rules.

It's simple, if you don't want to play by their rules, don't. Go play charity or non-sanctioned events.

Don't hate on the PDGA, when it's an organization trying to better our sport. Don't hate them when the choice to join or NOT is yours to make. Go hang out with your buddies and their buds if that's what you want to do.

[Jamestown]

Um how about the southern nationals???

Mojo said:

Seriously, I feel there needs to be an alternative organization out there to capture those players interests', who for whatever reason, do not want to support the PDGA. Look at how NASCAR has screwed up stock car racing...what could it hurt to have another entity involved that furthers the game/sport...without all the entrapment's of rules, rules, rules. Many people just don't care about the PDGA's rules, and with good reason. Further, many players will never play a tournament which requires they be a card-carrying PDGA member. Lastly, with the PDGA's lack of any action (evident to the public) for the 'Red Hawk' incident, what reason would a potential member (new or renewing) have to support an organization that appears to be rather hollow - what good are rules when rules are not strictly enforced.

[Glen Baldwin]

Me as a player im not sure what the PDGA can offer me that would make me rejoin. Really what do they do for me? They keep track of scores and i might get an invite to a few different events who cares i can play in events all year long and i dont need someone to remind me of a good or a bad day. So i don't see a point in it. JMO

[Ben Calhoun]

Ask not what disc golf can do for you, but what you can do for disc golf. Sit back, don't join, and don't complain as disc golf sits stagnant.

[Donny Olow]

PDGA has been Good to me , so no complaints here.