Let's Analyze The Open Division In 2020

Disc golf is certainly a unique sport in nearly every way you can imagine, so it’s not surprising that competitions are designed to give everyone an equal opportunity to do their best. While the divisions that the PDGA implements have changed over the years, by and large, they’ve always had relatively the same goal in mind: allow professionals to compete against each other and let those who are newer to the game play with others that are similar in skillset.

This concept has recently had a big bold spotlight shined down upon it as the PDGA is making a change to some of the divisional criteria come 2020. Let’s explore exactly what the change is, how it might affect you, and the real-world implications of this shift.

Behind The Scenes

The PDGA works tirelessly to ensure that they are doing all that they can to grow the sport of disc golf and provide the best possible experience for their members, and there’s no doubt that much of the conversation at this fall’s Summit has centered around that common thread. One topic of discussion touched upon the ratings required to register in the Open division for both National Tour and DG Pro Tour events, noting that come 2020, a minimum rating of 900 will be necessary.

Suddenly, the internet was buzzing as someone referenced Lloyd Weema and casually questioned if this change had anything to do with him - for reference, Weema attended 2018 Pro Worlds and competed in the Open division as a 735-rated individual, ending up in last place when all was said and done. Starting next year, players like Lloyd will no longer be able to compete in NT or DGPT events as an Open player just for the fun of it.

How Major Is This Change?

Any hot button disc golf topic will naturally have a plethora of voices on many sides of the issue, and of course, this newly dubbed “Lloyd Weema Rule” is no exception. While a handful of players are concerned that this change is naturally closing the window of inclusivity, the fact of the matter is that very few people will be negatively affected. Take a look through 2019’s event history and count how many Open players were sub-900...we’ll wait. At most, this new rule will exclude a few handfuls of players from competing in Open across all NT and DGPT events.

Disc golfers are passionate people and of course, whenever it appears like someone is going to get left out, we make our feelings known. A host of questions have come up surrounding the new rule, ranging from whether this positively promotes a higher level of professionalism within the sport all the way to inquiries about if you’ve previously accepted cash and are now prohibited from playing in Open because your rating ended up dropping.

We’d like to spark our own healthy conversation around the rule change and the nature of PDGA divisions as we know it - where do you stand on this modification? Leave a comment below and share your two cents!