Would i be a bagger if......?

[ChampionKirby]

I won a division but didn't move up?

Ok so I took Rec in my previous tourney, but, i had a great first round and my ratings still aren't near Intermediate. My rating is an 860 but i shot a 885 and 870 round. There was only 14 people in our division. I am playing this weekend and i am singing up for a rec because i know for a fact that there will be at least 25-40 people in my division like there was last year. Now i told myself if i won a tourney i would move up but with only 14 people i think that is hardly fair for myself. If i would have played Intermediate i would have placed 8 out of 11. Would i be bagging if i played in Rec or am i making too much of a deal out of this?

 

[mashnut]

If you're playing where your rating puts you, you're not sandbagging. Those rounds are still well within the rec range, stay there as long as you want. There's nothing wrong with playing up, but don't feel pressured to.

 

[UnitedPuppySlayer]

You asking this question makes me think you have already answered it yourself, but not the way you like, and are looking for validation to go against it. Play what you want, I don't really think anyone will care honestly. (Not trying to be rude, just trying to be truthful)

 

[birdman101]

Sounds like your good with your rating and all that, where as i have to make a decision based on no rating taking first in rec and what would have been 2nd in intermediate in an ice bowl type event.

 

[tripp]

Just be gracious when you steal the first place spot from the other bagger playing in Rec.

 

[psudgc17]

I'm an 880ish player and I've often thought about playing Rec. I know I could, and there's nothing against that. Personally, I play better with better competition around me. Stepping up to Intermediate while I'm on the fence puts me where I need to be. I would be shat on if I played Advanced, no doubt.

 

[gcr_russell]

Playing your rating is never sandbagging, do what you feel comfortable and disregard anything anyone says to the contrary.

 

[Usher]

My rating is a 866 and I won a tournament in Int. and people said I should be in Advanced. With a 866 I could still be in Rec. Whenever you win, the pressure will always be there to move up. Only move up when you feel comfortable or the PDGA makes you because your rating.

 

[GLong]

no.

stack up the plastic until you get better.

how long have you been playing tournaments?

 

[ChampionKirby]

no.

stack up the plastic until you get better.

how long have you been playing tournaments?

This was maybe my 4th Tourney. The best before this one was 7 out of like 24 and then i got 12th out of 40 once.

 

[tarel]

whoever makes their putts and pars and has the least bogeys usually will place in am2. with luck a birdy or two, most am2 dont even make par.

 

[topdog]

If you're playing where your rating puts you, you're not sandbagging. Those rounds are still well within the rec range, stay there as long as you want. There's nothing wrong with playing up, but don't feel pressured to.

I dont believe in play where your rating puts you and I am a prime example. July of 2010 my rating was 952 since then I have played 5 tournament and only one was I not injured so now my rating is 934. So should I play Int since my rating puts me there.

 

[GLong]

whoever makes their putts and pars and has the least bogeys usually will place in am2. with luck a birdy or two, most am2 dont even make par.

this is all very true.

stack up some plastic in rec, get yourself a basket, get better at putting, and move up. unless you wanna stay in rec indefinitely. depends on what your goals are. everyone is different.

 

[DeadEye]

I was called a sand-bagger in my very first tournament because I played in Rec and won it, with everyone else in the top 4 having about 3 more tournaments under their belt on average, and at least 1-2 years playing on me. Went to the same city's Ice Bowl last weekend with a buddy of mine who said he'd leave me at the tournament if I played Rec again... which I told him I simply wanted to retain my title!

I ended up playing AM, getting last place cash, not getting my prize on that day because they mixed things up, but ended up getting hooked up later for more than I would've won. So I guess Karma was on my side for moving up, it also showed me that even playing badly my first time in AM I still cashed, so I can just imagine what would happen if I played decent.

Also 8th place in AM got more $$ than 1st place Rec, so that's always something to think about.

 

[GLong]

I dont believe in play where your rating puts you and I am a prime example. July of 2010 my rating was 952 since then I have played 5 tournament and only one was I not injured so now my rating is 934. So should I play Int since my rating puts me there.

i think the 'play where your rating puts you' point of view is most applicable for 'legit' intermediate players and lower, ie. players who are still moving up through the am ranks. i also think that it doesn't apply if you have attained a certain level of consistency and then regressed for various reasons.

 

[ChrisWoj]

The best theory is this: Can you shoot what you consider a bad set of rounds and still finish top-3 regularly in a decent sized (say 14-15 person minimum) field? Once you start feeling like poor shooting is finishing you in the top 3 of your division, it is time to move up.

 

[Darth Anovin]

Don't listen to everyone else. Do what you feel comfortable with. You're always gonna have people call you a bagger if you win. Either people in your division that you beat, or people in a higher division that think they can beat you so they want more in their division. Elitist opinions will have you believe that there are only 2 types of players at PDGA events: baggers and donators. I guess you need to decide which you'd rather be called. Personally, I'd play my rating. That's what the system is there for. I went through this last year after I won 2 tourneys in rec in back to back weekends. Don't let it bother you. And don't listen to those that tell you, " we'll if you have to ask you already know the answer." Just play you're rating, collect more plastic, and move up when you feel comfortable or when you have to.

 

[JTacoma03]

Rec is a sham anyway - the way its structured its asking for baggers. I've kinda flipped stances on this since I started playing but IMO there should be Advanced and a division called "recreational" which comprises of what now is Novice, Rec, Int. and there really shouldn't be a "payout" - it should be all about fun and maybe a trophy for the top 3.

So to the OP - play the division that fits your mindset, not your cumulative rating. If you're a competitive person who is looking to win, move up and learn to compete. If you're out there having fun and couldn't care less about placing, then stay in Rec.

Tiered competition breeds bagging, and people who say "oh I'm playing in this division so I can win it" are baggers, regardless of what their rating dictates.

 

[giles]

Hey, OP. This weekends event might not pay rec in plastic. Could be trophy only.

 

[Johnny Conservative]

I won a division but didn't move up?

Ok so I took Rec in my previous tourney, but, i had a great first round and my ratings still aren't near Intermediate. My rating is an 860 but i shot a 885 and 870 round. There was only 14 people in our division. I am playing this weekend and i am singing up for a rec because i know for a fact that there will be at least 25-40 people in my division like there was last year. Now i told myself if i won a tourney i would move up but with only 14 people i think that is hardly fair for myself. If i would have played Intermediate i would have placed 8 out of 11. Would i be bagging if i played in Rec or am i making too much of a deal out of this?

I say that you play what your rating says you are, unless you want to play up. You are not sandbagging though.