How PDGA Ratings Work
If you’re new to the world of disc golf, you might have heard seasoned players toss around terms like “PDGA rating” with the same importance as if they were discussing the stock market or the performance of their favorite sports team. You might have hear players bragging about their improvements, or lamenting a drop in their rating. But what exactly is a PDGA rating, and why does it matter? Let’s dive in—and not even mention math and calculations … well, sort of.
What Is a PDGA Rating?
The PDGA rating is a number that represents your general skill level as a disc golfer. It’s like a report card, but instead of judging you on algebra and biology, it reflects your performance on the course. Specifically, it represents your efforts during PDGA sanctioned tournaments. This rating allows players of all skill levels to be compared fairly, whether you’re a weekend warrior or a touring pro. No matter what skill level and rating you are, you can still compare yourself to any other player with a rating.
How Is Your PDGA Rating Calculated?
The process isn’t magic, but it does involve some math. 
Although the exact algorithm isn’t made public, we know approximately how they are determined. Ratings are based on the scores you’ve earned in PDGA-sanctioned events. Here’s how it works:
- Establishing a Baseline: In every event, some players’ performances are used as a benchmark. These players, called propagators, already have established PDGA ratings. There needs to be several propagators playing in order to calculate round ratings.
- Round Ratings: The PDGA determines the difficulty of the course that day by analyzing how propagators scored. Then, they calculate how many points your score is worth relative to the course’s difficulty. The course difficulty can be affected by things like wind and rain, so the difficulty level can change.
- Averaging It Out: Your overall rating is the average of your round ratings from the past year—with some exceptions. For instance, if you have a particularly bad round (for example: you have a nightmare hole where you hit every tree, find every OB, and three-putt to finish), it might get excluded if it’s unusually low compared to your other scores. The algorithm recognizes that outlier scores aren’t a reflection of your actual skill level.
Why Does Your Rating Matter?
Along with bragging rights and a clear representation of our skill improvement, our PDGA rating determines your division eligibility in tournaments. Want to play in Advanced or move up to Open? Your rating will guide where you will be playing against similarly-skilled players. 
There are limits set by the PDGA that restricts people a high enough rating from playing in certain divisions. As mentioned, it’s also a handy way to track your progress over time. And let’s be honest, there’s something satisfying about seeing that number trend upward.
What If Your Rating Is Low?
First of all, no worries. Everyone starts somewhere. Some of the best players in the world once had ratings that might make them blush today. If your rating feels more “bumbling beginner” than “proud pro,” think of it as room for growth. Besides, a low rating just means you’re leaving plenty of room to surprise your competition!
As one wise disc golfer once said, “The only rating that matters is how much fun you’re having.” (Okay, maybe nobody said that, but they should have.) Keep that in mind if you find yourself worrying too much about your rating. Most of us are in this sport for the fun of it. So, have fun when you play! You might just find that the more relaxed you are, the more your rating will climb.
For those disc golfer new to the sport, let’s define a few terms that we will use in this blog. These are terms you will commonly hear in disc golf. If you’ve been playing a while, you can skip over this section, since you will be familiar with these terms.
H13 Disc Golf was started by Jericho and Jennifer Jimentel, who had a goal of living a higher quality, experience-driven lifestyle, hence the name of the company. Experiencing fertility struggles, the couple knew that the stress of their jobs was a factor in preventing them from starting a family naturally. They wanted to do work that they loved and that gives back. Although Jericho continues to work full time, Jennifer has scaled back her hours outside of H13 so she can dedicate more time to their new company.
Bound) and 3 premium blends: Night Bound (glow), Journey Bound, and Adventure Bound. Journey Bound is a premium, opaque blend. Adventure Bound is a gummier, translucent premium blend. Currently, only the Wanderlust is available in Adventure Bound, however the Companion will be available soon in that plastic.
Although H13 isn’t currently big enough to sponsor touring pros, they gladly support and sponsor many amateurs across the country. Their Sage Team is made up of around 30 amateur players. The owners attribute much of their growth to the team.
future. They are a young brand with energetic and outgoing owners. The couple is developing a unique way to support players on their team with commission opportunities. They are also setting up a program for stamp artists so they can get paid per use of their art instead of a flat fee, giving the artist a great potential upside for their work. And they will continue to establish working partnerships with charitable organizations. They are truly Embark-ing on a fun Adventure!
organize their disc golf collection. Eliminate those piles of discs with one of these racks or shelving systems.
organize the discs in your room, closet, or the trunk of your car. It holds 60-80 discs and allows you to neatly store your backups and alternate discs. The Tote comes with pockets for your accessories, a cover, and handles to carry the tote from house to car. Plus, it folds up compactly when not in use.
Infinite has games and puzzles that you can play when you’re not out hucking. Check out our colorful and challenging 
Although it is winter now, the summer disc golf season will be here before you know it and they will be reaching for their shorts sleeve shirts. Make sure they have a shirt or two emblazoned with the logo of their favorite brands.
the disc golfer in your life, consider the all-purpose gift card from Infinite Discs. Let them choose their own color, models, weights, etc. and get the exact disc or accessory for them. A gift card ensures that they get exactly what they want, making it a convenient and thoughtful option for any disc golf enthusiast. The gift card code is sent out immediately.
The terms hyzer and anhyzer describe the angle of the disc as it leaves a player’s hand. For a right-hand backhand (RHBH) thrower, a disc released flat— parallel to the ground—is neither hyzer nor anhyzer. However, if the disc is tilted upon release, it falls into one of these categories. Let’s dive deeper into what each term means and when to use them.
Shaping a Curve
Flex Shots
disc golf skills. By mastering these angles, you can shape your throws, navigate obstacles, and adapt to different wind conditions.
The holidays are upon us once again, and once again people wonder what is the latest date that they can ship a package and still have it arrive before Christmas. At Infinite, the orders that arrive by 4:30 PM MST are shipped out the same day. However, we use carriers for the delivery, and have to rely on their cut-off dates for the Christmas holiday. All packages shipped on or before the dates listed SHOULD arrive before Christmas. Since circumstances may delay their shipping schedule, we urge you to place your orders as soon as possible, just to make sure.
