Jackson Reid
Disc golf ratings are a numerical value that reflects a player's skill level and performance in sanctioned rounds. The Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) has developed a system to calculate these ratings, which are based on how well a player shoots relative to a hypothetical scratch player with a rating of 1000. This Scratch Scoring Average (SSA) is the expected score of a scratch player on a particular course. Each throw is then worth a certain number of rating points, which can vary depending on the course difficulty. The PDGA website provides detailed information on ratings, allowing players to track their progress, set goals, and compete fairly. These ratings are updated monthly and are calculated for sanctioned singles and league rounds. While the exact algorithm is not publicly available, the PDGA rating system provides a valuable tool for disc golfers to measure their performance and improve their skills.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| PDGA rating | A numerical value that reflects a player's skill level as a disc golfer |
| PDGA rating range | From below 800 for beginners, to over 1000 for professionals |
| Basis of rating | Performance in sanctioned rounds |
| Purpose of rating | To compare players, track improvement, and determine division eligibility during tournaments |
| Rating calculation | Based on the 'round rating' from the events played |
| SSA (Scratch Scoring Average) | The average score an experienced 1000-rated player would achieve under normal conditions |
| SSA calculation | Determined by the ratings team manually when there are fewer than 2 propagators |
| Points per throw | 10 points per throw for courses with SSA of 50 |
| Points per throw for easy courses | 13 points per throw for a course with SSA of 44 |
| Points per throw for difficult courses | 6 points per throw for a course with SSA of 68 |
| Exclusion of rounds | Rounds more than 2.5 standard deviations or 100 points below a player's average are excluded from the rating |
| Rating updates | Occur on the second Tuesday of each month |
| Unofficial ratings | Posted online on the PDGA website during or after a tournament |
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What You'll Learn
How are PDGA ratings calculated?
The Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) calculates round ratings for all sanctioned singles and league rounds where the Tournament Director (TD) has submitted the scores and course layouts. The ratings are updated on the second Tuesday of each month. A player's PDGA rating is based on rounds played in the 12 months prior to the date of their most recently rated round.
The PDGA player rating is a number that shows how close a player's average round scores are compared to the course rating, called the Scratch Scoring Averages (SSA). Players who average the SSA on courses played will have a rating of 1000 and are considered "scratch players". A player who averages scores lower than SSAs on the course will have a rating over 1000.
The initial calculation step determines the SSA for each round. The SSA is the score a scratch player with a rating of 1000 would be expected to average on that course. For example, if the SSA is calculated as 50 for an 18-hole course, a player who shot a 50 that round would receive a rating of 1000 for that round. Each throw is worth about 10 rating points for courses with this level of difficulty. So, if a player shot a 60, their rating for that round would be 900 because they were 10 throws worse than scratch, then multiply by 10 points per throw. If they shot a 48, their rating would be 1020 for that round, which is 2 throws or 20 rating points better than SSA.
The number of rating points per throw changes as the course gets easier or more difficult. On an easy course with an SSA around 44, every throw is worth about 13 rating points. On difficult courses like the USDGC with an SSA of about 68, every throw is worth about 6 rating points. This change is due to an effect called "compression". On an easy course, top players are limited to scoring no better than a 2 on every hole, but lower-rated players can also shoot lots of 2s, which "compresses" or narrows the range of scores for players of varying skills in that round.
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What is a 'scratch player'?
In disc golf, a player's rating is a number that indicates how their average round scores compare to the course rating. This is known as the Scratch Scoring Average (SSA). Players who achieve the SSA on courses played will have a rating of 1000 and are considered "scratch players".
The Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) calculates round ratings for all sanctioned singles and league rounds. The ratings are based on how well a player shoots relative to a hypothetical scratch player, defined as someone with a rating of 1000. The calculation uses the scores and player ratings from the propagators, who are players with a rating above 699, based on at least 8 rated rounds.
The number of rating points per throw changes depending on the difficulty of the course. For example, on an easy course with an SSA of 44, each throw is worth about 13 rating points, while on a difficult course with an SSA of 68, each throw is worth about 6 rating points. This effect is known as "compression".
While the PDGA officially labels a 1000 rating as "scratch", some players argue that a rating of 900 is more accurate for a scratch golfer in disc golf. This is because the ratings are based on the players you are competing against and some random math that the PDGA does not disclose. The location of the tournament can also impact the rating, as a 980-rated player in one state may not perform the same as a 980-rated player in another state.
In conclusion, a scratch player in disc golf is someone who achieves a rating of 1000 by averaging the SSA on the courses they have played. However, the definition of a scratch player may vary depending on the specific tournament and the competition.
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How does course difficulty affect ratings?
The Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) uses a player rating system to indicate how close a player's average round scores are to the course rating, known as the Scratch Scoring Average (SSA). The SSA is the score a scratch player with a rating of 1000 would be expected to average on that course. For example, on an 18-hole course with an SSA of 50, a player who shoots a 50 would receive a rating of 1000 for that round.
The number of rating points per throw changes depending on the course difficulty. On an 18-hole course with an SSA between 48 and 53, each throw is worth approximately 10 rating points. On an easy course with an SSA of around 44, each throw is worth about 13 rating points, while on a difficult course with an SSA of about 68, each throw is worth approximately 6 rating points. This change in rating points per throw over the range of course difficulties is known as "compression."
Compression occurs because, on an easy course, top players are limited to scoring no better than a 2 on most holes, while lower-rated players can also achieve many scores of 2, narrowing the range of scores for players of varying skill levels. On the other hand, a difficult course with an SSA over 60 will spread the scores farther apart in each round compared to a course with a scoring average of around 50 for scratch players.
Therefore, course difficulty significantly affects ratings as it determines the number of rating points per throw and influences the range of scores achieved by players of different skill levels.
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How do ratings help track progress?
Ratings in disc golf are a valuable tool for players to track their progress and improvement over time. The Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) has developed a rating system that takes a player's overall performance and boils it down to a single number. This number is a reflection of a player's skill level and is based on their results in sanctioned rounds.
The PDGA rating is calculated using the "round rating" from the events a player has participated in. Each course layout is assigned a Scratch Scoring Average (SSA), which is the expected score of a 1000-rated player, or a "scratch player", under normal conditions. The SSA is the central data point from which all other ratings are calculated. For each tournament round, the PDGA algorithm determines what a hypothetical 1000-rated player would score. Once this score is established, each stroke is assigned a point value, which can range from 6 to 12 points. A player's rating for a round is then determined by how many strokes they were above or below the SSA.
Ratings allow players to compare their performance with others and see how they stack up. It also helps them identify their skill level and determine which divisions they are eligible to compete in during tournaments. For example, a "scratch player" with a rating of 1000 is considered a high-level golfer who can consistently shoot near the top of the field and compete in the Mixed Pro Open (MPO) division. On the other hand, a rating below 800 indicates a beginner, while a rating over 1000 suggests a professional player.
Ratings also help players track their progress and improvement over time. By comparing their current ratings with their previous scores, players can see how they have progressed. This can be a great motivator for players to improve their skills and set new goals. Additionally, ratings provide a clear and objective measure of performance, encouraging growth and fostering fair competition.
While the PDGA rating system is widely used, other platforms like UDisc have developed their own rating systems. UDisc's system aims to be more accessible to all disc golfers, especially beginners, by providing easily understandable benchmarks for progress. It offers a different perspective on round ratings, allowing players to compare their performances across various courses and conditions.
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How do ratings ensure fair competition?
Ratings in disc golf are an important tool to ensure fair competition. The Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) has developed a rating system that assigns a numerical value to each player, reflecting their skill level and performance in sanctioned rounds. This system allows players to compare themselves to others and determine their division eligibility during tournaments, ensuring they compete against others with similar skill levels.
The PDGA rating is based on the player's performance relative to a "scratch player", who is defined as someone with a rating of 1000. This is the central data point, with each course layout assigned a Scratch Scoring Average (SSA). The SSA represents the average score a 1000-rated player would achieve under normal conditions. After each round in a tournament, the scores are analysed to determine how many strokes each player was above or below the SSA, and their rating is adjusted accordingly. This ensures that players are competing on a level playing field, relative to the expected performance of a scratch player on that particular course.
The PDGA rating system also takes into account the number of rounds played. Players with more rounds in their history tend to have more stable ratings as a single bad performance carries less weight in the overall average. This discourages sandbagging, where players intentionally underperform to enter a lower division. Additionally, the system adjusts the points assigned per stroke based on the ratings of other players in the tournament, ensuring a dynamic and fair distribution of points.
Ratings also help foster fair competition by encouraging growth and improvement. Players can track their progress over time, set goals, and see their improvement reflected in their rating. This motivates players to work on their skills and compete fairly, knowing that consistent performance and challenging courses will be rewarded in their rating. The rating system provides a clear and objective measure of performance, allowing players to accurately gauge their skill level and focus on areas of improvement.
Furthermore, the PDGA rating system helps prevent "sandbagging", where players intentionally enter a division below their skill level. By having a transparent and standardised rating system, players are incentivised to compete at their appropriate level, ensuring fair competition across all divisions. The PDGA's large membership base and the accessibility of ratings information further contribute to ensuring a level playing field for all disc golfers.
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Frequently asked questions
A PDGA rating is a numerical value that reflects your skill level as a disc golfer, based on your performance in sanctioned rounds.
Your first rating can be calculated after just one valid round of tournament play. It will be posted on your player profile along with your tournament results the next time the ratings are updated. To find individual player ratings, go to the player’s PDGA homepage.
The PDGA rating system takes your overall game and boils it down to one number. The 1000 rating is the central data point from which all other ratings are calculated. For each tournament round, the PDGA’s algorithm decides what a hypothetical 1000-rated player would shoot on that day. This score is defined as the “Scratch Scoring Average” (SSA). Once the 1000-rated score is determined, each stroke is assigned a point value, usually between 6-12.
Rounds are excluded if they are significantly below your established rating or if certain conditions (like extremely small fields) prevent accurate calculations.
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