Points, Rankings, and Getting SNAP!!!

(Also a peek at who's on top of the leaderboard)

Author

Sean Malone
September 11, 2023

Melissa and I just rolled back into the glittering world of Vegas, fresh from the high-octane Disc Golf World Championships.

Talk about a power charge, huh?

Seeing the disc golf big guns in action is like a shot of espresso for the soul.

You ever get that zing, where you watch the pros and think, "Dang, I've got to up my game!"?

Because that’s us right now, totally buzzed with inspiration.

So, who's up for tossing some discs and chasing that disc golf dream with us?

Let's keep this energy going and get into it…! 🥏💥🎉

Estimated read time: 3 minutes 52 seconds

THIS WEEK’S SCOOP:

The Points & Ranking System Breakdown

The Ranking System, Explained…

Ever wondered how they rank players?

Let me break it down for you in terms that even my cat (who loves to sit on discs, by the way) can understand.

So, the whole ranking shebang was inspired by the chess Elo rating system, whipped up by a chess maestro named Arpad Elo.

In a nutshell, every player gets a rating, like a game score between 100 and 3000.

Win a match?
Your score goes up.

Lost to someone you shouldn't have? Oops!
That score takes a tumble, possibly straight into a water hazard.

But, and here’s the curveball, disc golf isn't chess.
(I mean, can you imagine the chess pieces tossing mini discs?)

Since disc golf often features more than two players, they needed to shake things up.

Our pals at UDisc embraced the Elo concept, ensuring each player's rating sways like a good dance move based on tournament results.

But wait – don’t confuse this "rating" with the PDGA rating; this is UDisc's very own unique twist.

Want to dig into the nitty-gritty?

Check out this article on How Disc Golf World Rankings Work.
Trust me, it's a fun read - if you’re a math nerd!

Alright, onto the big question:

Who gets the spotlight on the leaderboard?

We can't have legends like Val Jenkins and Nate Doss, who swapped discs for brewery dreams, still hogging the top ranks, right?

So, they introduced a nifty point-based system.

Players earn points for each different type of event, and these points decide if you get that VIP spot on the leaderboard.

In 2023, disc golfers can win Disc Golf Pro Tour (DGPT) points at six types of events:

The maximum number of points a player could earn on the 2023 DGPT is 1,650. 

Those points would come from their...

  • Eight highest points earnings from Elite and Elite+ Events (900 maximum points, 13 eligible events)

  • Three highest points earnings from Silver Events or eligible PDGA Euro Tour events (150 maximum points, 17 eligible events, but due to overlapping dates, a player could only participate in 15)

  • Two highest points earnings from eligible PDGA Majors (300 maximum points, three eligible events)

  • All points earned at DGPT Playoffs (300 maximum points, two eligible events)

So, who’s on top of the current MPO leaderboard?

As of Sept 9th, 2023, here’s the juice…

Thank UDisc for this image!

And the FPO division:

Why Disc Golf Pro Tour Points Matter

Picture this: You're a pro disc golfer.

Besides that lovely feeling of nailing a 100-foot putt, two major things are on your mind.

First up, you've got the DGPT points standings, and these aren't just some arbitrary numbers – oh no! These standings are your golden ticket to scoring a Tour Card.

"What's a Tour Card?", you might ask.

Well, my friend, it's like the backstage pass at a rock concert.

It makes getting into DGPT tournaments a breeze and showers you with perks that'll make you feel like disc golf royalty.

Next, these points decide your fate for the Tour Championship.

Let’s not be coy here: the prizes here have been chef’s kiss over the past few years. And hey, if you make it into the Tour Championship, guess what?

You get a two-year Tour Card exemption. Bonus!

More specifics for you stats junkies:

  • DGPT Tour Cards in 2023:

    If you were chilling in the top 80 for MPO or top 40 for FPO in last year's tour points, congrats!

    You got that coveted DGPT Tour Card. That means early access to register for tournaments, a boost to your health and wellness (a zen moment, anyone?), and VIP treatment at events.

    This trend isn't changing in 2024, so keep those discs flying!

  • DGPT Championship Details for 2023:

    Look, spots are limited here. 32 for MPO and 20 for FPO. If you’re one of the lucky ducks that won a DGPT Elite, Elite+, Playoff Event, or one of the three PDGA Majors dishing out DGPT points, you’re in!

    If not, it's all about those 2023 DGPT points, buddy. Oh, and did I mention the seeding? Points = power! Higher points get you a better seed, and seeds?

    They're like sprinkles on an ice cream cone, especially if you're between 1-24 in MPO or 1-12 in FPO.

    Why?

    Because you get some lovely “starting strokes” that might just be your ticket to semifinals glory.

  • Auto Two-Year Exemption:

    Played in the 2023 DGPT Championship? Well, hats off! You've automatically earned a two-year Tour Card exemption.

    Who's the disc golf superstar now?

Now that you're all clued in, you should be more excited to watch the next two major events…

If you’ve got more burning questions or just want to chat about that epic birdie you scored last weekend, drop us a line! We’re all ears. 😉 

PRO-TIP:

Want another 50 feet of distance? (In 1-Day?)

Ever daydreamed about adding a whopping 50 feet to your throw? Sounds a tad sci-fi, right?

Well, grab your popcorn and prepare to have your mind blown. Introducing the epic tale of one guy's journey: "I Gained 50 Ft Of Distance In ONE DAY!!!" No, that's not a typo.

Yes, it's real. 🚀

Now, I get it. You might be thinking, "Oh, c'mon, it’s probably some staged gimmick."

Hold your discs, skeptics!

This ain't some late-night infomercial; it's a story of passion, dedication, and that "snap" we all secretly (or not-so-secretly) drool over.

Yup, that beautiful sound we're all chasing when the disc just zings right off our hands. Music to my ears. 🎶

Dive in and see how a fellow "Disc Maniac" went from kinda meh to kinda marvelous in under 24 hours. We're talking fixing backhand forms, ninja-level footwork, and achieving that legendary snap!

And hey, all it takes is 8 minutes and 46 seconds.

That’s shorter than your last wait at the coffee shop!

Go on, click it. Give it a whirl.

You’re already here, so why not?

And if by the end, you're thinking, "Dude, that's not the greatest thing since sliced bread," tell me about it!

Seriously, I'm all ears and always up for some hearty disc golf banter.

Ready, set, and… click!

Go on, be the hero of your next disc golf game and make your Daily Disc Golfer friends jealous with all that “SNAP” you get. 😉🥏🔥

Till next week!

-sean 🔥🕺

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