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PDGA Competitive Divisions:
Frequently Asked Questions
Information provided by the PDGA
The PDGA Tour Player System is based on Professional and Amateur divisions for male and female players. Professionals compete for money, Amateurs for trophies and prized. There are four levels of Amateur player: Advanced, Intermediate, Novice, and Junior.
Joining the PDGA
Most players join the PDGA at either the Intermediate or Novice Amateur level, depending on how long they have played disc golf. New members are encouraged to compete at one of these levels in their first PDGA event, and to compare their scores with the next highest level in order to determine when they should move up from Novice to Intermediate and from Intermediate to Advanced. PDGA points are awarded only at the Advanced Amateur and Professional levels. These points are used to determine invitations to major PDGA events, including the annual Pro and Am World Championships.
Below are links to definitions for the principal PDGA divisions and some practical examples of the level of skill expected in each.
Turning Pro
A player relinquishes Amateur status by registering in a Professional division with the PDGA, or by competing in a Professional division at a PDGA sanctioned event and accepting prize money for a divisional finish.
Reclassification
A player may change classification to a higher division upon request to the PDGA Office. A player may request reclassification to a lower division by petitioning the PDGA Competition Director. If a lower reclassification is granted, the player may not compete in the lower division for 60 days. Players who have accepted cash as a Professional have the opportunity to be reclassified as Amateur, however they will be ineligible to compete in the PDGA Amateur World Championships.
Ratings Based Divisions
As of 2000, the PDGA is also be tracking player ratings (handicap-type system) and experimenting with ratings-based divisions and events.
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