What division should I play?

[Sean Curcio]

I found this link recently. If you have any questions as to which division you belong read this:
http://gmdgc.com/tournaments/divisions/

[Titan Bariloni]

female 3

[Karl Molitoris]

Personally I feel that that structure was written by someone who wishes to "grow" the Pro ranks ! But seriously, it does not take into account the concept of "playing for fun" (i.e. NOT putting up more (than other divisions) money to "gamble") and would never advocate a REALLY good player 'just playing as a true amateur'. It's sort of a help but not really any more so than the PDGA's 'suggested division structure' (that's somewhere on their web site).

Karl

[Ryan Brunelle]

Sweet...this jives with my pdga rating. Looks like I'm moving down to recreational division next year!! I dont like the insinuation that recreational players dont know the rules or etiquette of the game. Thats a load of crap. Also, for some reason, people expect that the longer you play, the better you get. Not always the case. Some of us just are not that good and are not looking to become champion of the universe. Some of us just like hanging out with cool people (not you curcio ) and being a little competitive playing the sport they love.

[Titan Bariloni]

Sweet...this jives with my pdga rating. Looks like I'm moving down to recreational division next year!! I dont like the insinuation that recreational players dont know the rules or etiquette of the game. Thats a load of crap. Also, for some reason, people expect that the longer you play, the better you get. Not always the case. Some of us just are not that good and are not looking to become champion of the universe. Some of us just like hanging out with cool people (not you curcio ) and being a little competitive playing the sport they love.

well stated

Most of us Am2ers should be REC at a National level

and most of our Am1ers would be middle level Am2ers

and so on and so on..

although guys like Nick "I have so much energy I run around like I pounded 40 packs of skittles but really I just had a salad" Connell give our region some hope

[Erik Siersdale]

what would happen if everyone started playing where the national Pdga standings would suggest? Would Nefa offer a novice division for people who have actually cashed in Am2?

[Ryan Brunelle]

although guys like Nick "I have so much energy I run around like I pounded 40 packs of skittles but really I just had a salad" Connell give our region some hope

well stated...I just pissed my pants a little laughing....

[Dave Mourad]

Sweet...this jives with my pdga rating. Looks like I'm moving down to recreational division next year!! I dont like the insinuation that recreational players dont know the rules or etiquette of the game. Thats a load of crap. Also, for some reason, people expect that the longer you play, the better you get. Not always the case. Some of us just are not that good and are not looking to become champion of the universe. Some of us just like hanging out with cool people (not you curcio ) and being a little competitive playing the sport they love.

If this were on facebook it would be a definite "like"

[Karl Molitoris]

Erik,

It's a funny situation (that whole "do I play where my rating "puts" me or do I play where I'm "comfortable"?)...with no right or wrong answer. And it seems to be a somewhat "regional" thing - as players in certain spots in the country DO precisely play "according to their ratings" while other locales def lean toward "macho-ness", read: play "up".
While I don't believe the ratings are "the end all" to determine a player's strength, at the present time, they are the best that we've got so we might as well use them to our advantage...if there IS any advantage to using them as such . Don't know.

Karl

[Patrick Harris]

I'm with Karl.

Right now, my current rating is 946. But my personal best average rating is 955.

I did notice at the Team Challenge that one of the team captain wrote down next to my name "Wins three AM1 tournaments in 2013, sandbagger."

*glup* Really? Am I? Seriously?

But its not my fault that I happen to have a very good year to win three AM1 divisions at three different tournaments and my average rating has not gone above 960 at all. I just happen to play smart and consisted in the whole rounds to capture those wins.

Others says that I should move up. I'm 39 years old now and will be 40 in May this year (yay??). My rating remains within AM1 level for years. I don't see myself as a Pro player at this point. I could have been Pro if I'm serious enough in this sport 10+ years ago.

So, should I stay on AM1 or move to MM1 or what? If I play Pro Masters and always end up last place most of the time, then its not for me.

I respect to anyone who might know me to express their opinions about my status.

[Kenji Cline]

Don't move to MM1. Being all about me and don't want to compete against you. LOL. But really in our area I believe that MM1 players skill level is mid to low AM1.

[Paul Sullivan]

Patrick,

My opinion.... you are good enough to play in MM1 and to place in top 1/2 of the field.

To me that means you could play MM1. If you do and don't place well then you can always go back.

[Titan_Bariloni]

pro masters....

[John Giampapa]

pro masters....

I agree. The fields are competitive but usually small so if you play the golf it sounds like you're capable of playing, you will cash at least some of the time. And it's real cash!! Best thing I ever did was start playing Pro Masters. Plus you'd be coming in as the young gun.
Whatever you choose, here's to a fun and healthy season.

[Karl Molitoris]

Patrick,

I remember when you, Pat (Roy) and I had a really good battle at Sap Bucket about 4 years ago. We were all rated ~950ish, so Adv1 can be had with mid-900's. AdvM only means you're older than that (still same ability)! Heck, I've only got 1 more year in GM and then I'm off to SrGM (so ability degredation - with a bit of luck avoiding injuries - can be put off with work).
Why not stay an AM and play wherever / whenever you want? Last year I was able to play in 6 different divisions! Played with a lot of different faces. "Pro" and "Am". Neat stuff! The only downside is that you may not be competitive in the NEFA points series (if that's a goal).

Karl
Ps: That TC guy just must have been a grumpy curmudgeon that day (either that or an idiot). It's just the mindset of a lot of people around here...but not that of our world-wide governing body (I know, I've checked...and got "their blessing").
Pps: If we (940-970 types) played Adv1 in a lot of 'stronger areas' in the country we'd be lucky to be 50 percentile, so don't let anyone bully you around.
Ppps: You're 40 now??

[Chris Young]

Your absolutely right Karl, this piece was put on our website ( by a non-Pro) as a general guide for players at our tournaments. It is not meant to be the official guide for all players in all areas. Its also not meant to be the only thing to take into consideration when choosing your division. The GMDGC thought it would be helpful to have up on our website and we had some players asking for something like this, so we put it up.

[Patrick Harris]

Patrick,

I remember when you, Pat (Roy) and I had a really good battle at Sap Bucket about 4 years ago. We were all rated ~950ish, so Adv1 can be had with mid-900's. AdvM only means you're older than that (still same ability)! Heck, I've only got 1 more year in GM and then I'm off to SrGM (so ability degredation - with a bit of luck avoiding injuries - can be put off with work).
Why not stay an AM and play wherever / whenever you want? Last year I was able to play in 6 different divisions! Played with a lot of different faces. "Pro" and "Am". Neat stuff! The only downside is that you may not be competitive in the NEFA points series (if that's a goal).

Karl
Ps: That TC guy just must have been a grumpy curmudgeon that day (either that or an idiot). It's just the mindset of a lot of people around here...but not that of our world-wide governing body (I know, I've checked...and got "their blessing").
Pps: If we (940-970 types) played Adv1 in a lot of 'stronger areas' in the country we'd be lucky to be 50 percentile, so don't let anyone bully you around.
Ppps: You're 40 now??

Thanks Karl for your insights about players who are becoming 40's like me.

I do understand that playing in Pro Master will results having cash payouts.

However, I have been attending PDGA AM Worlds twice and plan to go there this year at Minnesota for third time.

Therefore, you will see me playing in AM1 or MM1 divisions this year. Gotta earn AM points for the invites (2015 AM Worlds will be at Michigan!!)

Yep, those young boys will have to deal with old boys in AM1. Its interesting to watch these young guys developing their skills in AM1 and moving on to Open divisions.

Rest assure, that I may play some Open Master in the near future.

Thanks for your inputs you all.