How can local tournaments be better?

[Dcinmd]

Ah okay. I can see how that can be an issue I don't know what they call that division but I'm pretty sure it used to be called rec.

There is an entire color chart for division ratings. It just is seldom used by Td's. I have seen it used at club events more often than not.

Gold
Blue
White
Red
Green
Purple


https://www.pdga.com/files/2023_player_division_grid_-table_5_divisions_etc._v6.pdf

 

[jamespenn]

This is my second year playing in tournaments so maybe I'm not an expert but the problem is there are way too many events, and they are too expensive. In 2022 there were far less tournaments to enter so if you didn't sign up in the first 10-15 minutes, it was full. but in 2023 it was not uncommon for there to be 2-3 events every weekend, within a 20-30 mile radius, all competing to draw players from the same regional pool. To do that, they jacked up the players packs and increased prices. $60 dollar C-tiers are common, and some of them only have a players pack, no prizes. This has caused a noticeable dropoff in the quality of events, as tournament directors are exhausted and begging for people to enter their half-full events.

I also think I'm going to stop playing in the Age-protected am divisions. It's ridiculous to have a 200 point ratings difference in the same division. The age divisions are fun if everyone everyone is relatively competitive, but invariably someone shows up from out of town at the last minute who is 50 points higher than everyone else and the day is ruined. Nobody who is rated 950 should be playing in MA50. Sorry, i realize maybe you're eligible, but what's the point other than adding another win to your stats and picking up another $20 disc? Next year I'm sticking to MA2 or MA3 where everybody is competitive and you don't have people swooping in from out of town to beat up on the locals who are just trying to have fun.

 

[Van1]

It's ridiculous to have a 200 point ratings difference in the same division. The age divisions are fun if everyone everyone is relatively competitive, but invariably someone shows up from out of town at the last minute who is 50 points higher than everyone else and the day is ruined. Nobody who is rated 950 should be playing in MA50. Sorry, i realize maybe you're eligible, but what's the point other than adding another win to your stats and picking up another $20 disc? Next year I'm sticking to MA2 or MA3 where everybody is competitive and you don't have people swooping in from out of town to beat up on the locals who are just trying to have fun.

How many times has that happened to you? It seems oddly specific.

 

[Frank Broughton]

Clean air would be nice. Have yet to play with my teen son in a local tournament were I would not be that guy aka the "bad guy" for asking people not to smoke on the t's green's and fairways.

 

[jamespenn]

How many times has that happened to you? It seems oddly specific.

Happens at least half the time. I think we should just do away with age groups unless you're a pro. Amateurs should just play MA1-4 regardless of age.

 

[ru4por]

It has been a tough season. Our attendance is down, considerably. Not just us, but the entire region is struggling to fill events. I am sure there are many reasons, but it has put us in a position, for the first time in a handful of years, to become really creative in attracting players.

Themed player packs and high quality player packs, are a focus.

We have bought a Tech Disc and are doing some field event type activities, to help bring in some money to offset not selling out. An investment in a good net, a dry box for the equipment and printer was made. We now run three throws for five bucks and the participant gets a printout. We have had good results, as players really seem to enjoy this. Some get side bets going and drop some cash on trying to best their friends.

Last tournament we sold bingo cards and had made an agreement with a handful of pros. They each got 5 throws and players purchased bingo cards with velocity numbers. The winner got a Chainstar Lite.

In a couple events we have made back the investment and put some money into the community improvement fund!!

 

[DiscGolfCraig]

It has been a tough season. Our attendance is down, considerably. Not just us, but the entire region is struggling to fill events. I am sure there are many reasons, but it has put us in a position, for the first time in a handful of years, to become really creative in attracting players.

Themed player packs and high quality player packs, are a focus.

We have bought a Tech Disc and are doing some field event type activities, to help bring in some money to offset not selling out. An investment in a good net, a dry box for the equipment and printer was made. We now run three throws for five bucks and the participant gets a printout. We have had good results, as players really seem to enjoy this. Some get side bets going and drop some cash on trying to best their friends.

Last tournament we sold bingo cards and had made an agreement with a handful of pros. They each got 5 throws and players purchased bingo cards with velocity numbers. The winner got a Chainstar Lite.

In a couple events we have made back the investment and put some money into the community improvement fund!!

Is the COVID bump finally over?

 

[ru4por]

Is the COVID bump finally over?

I think that plays a role. I think this area is somewhat oversaturated with tournament opportunities. I think the current tournament models and pricing are slowing down participation. I think there are likely several more reasons. Our leagues are all still doing pretty well.

 

[jupiterboy]

Were 85% of the tournaments doubles before covid, or is this just my local luck?

 

[ru4por]

Were 85% of the tournaments doubles before covid, or is this just my local luck?

We have always done about half and half. Non sanctioned doubles is far less work and make more money for us. I think most tournament around here are singles.

 

[TiltedFlipCurves]

Seems like there's way fewer sanctioned tournaments this year. I just send in my money to play them and get a low rating number, I'm not more involved, so not sure why. And actually my preference is tee times over multiple rounds in a day (unless the course is short and easy).

 

[Opoo9]

They need to do something about 2 hours lunch. Waiting to start lunch when the last card comes in is BS. Pack your lunch and get back on the course tournaments don't need to last all day long

 

[ru4por]

They need to do something about 2 hours lunch. Waiting to start lunch when the last card comes in is BS. Pack your lunch and get back on the course tournaments don't need to last all day long

As an old guy, any long delay is difficult. It is difficult to avoid the above problem.

 

[sisyphus]

To promote appropriate pace of play, I've often suggested an hour from first card in, but folks get mad at that suggestion. If you have the time to dawdle all day, munch while you do so.

Meanwhile, I'd also love to see a rule change allowing us more , er, 'seasoned' players a re-warm up period for every excessively long backup delay. These old joints might as well be starting the day over whnever we have to sit around 10, 15, 20+ minutes on a hole.

 

[ru4por]

To promote appropriate pace of play, I've often suggested an hour from first card in, but folks get mad at that suggestion. If you have the time to dawdle all day, munch while you do so.

Meanwhile, I'd also love to see a rule change allowing us more , er, 'seasoned' players a re-warm up period for every excessively long backup delay. These old joints might as well be starting the day over whnever we have to sit around 10, 15, 20+ minutes on a hole.

Delays and backup are often not at the hands of several of the backed up groups. One slow group can keep several cards out on the course for 40 minutes of that one hour lunch. It's not really fair to those cards, as they are likely already very frustrated.

 

[biscoe]

Given the concept of 2 rounds in a day if you are not happy about committing your full day to a tournament perhaps you need a less time consuming hobby.