PDGA Tour Player Classifications & Divisions

The PDGA Tour Player system is based on Professional, Amateur, and Junior Divisions with both Mixed divisions (Male & Female) and female-only divisions. Professionals compete for money, Amateurs and Juniors for trophies and prizes. 

Professional Divisions are based on gender and year of birth, while Amateur Divisions are based on gender, year of birth, and in some cases, skill level. Divisions that have the letter M in their code are “Mixed” divisions where both males and females may play.  Divisions that have the letter F in their code are “Women-only” divisions in which only females may play. 

Male and Female Pro players may compete in nine pro divisions, with one division open to all ages and eight age-based divisions based on their year of birth: Mixed Pro Open (MPO), Mixed Pro 40+ (MP40), Mixed Pro 50+ (MP50), Mixed Pro 55+ (MP55), Mixed Pro 60+ (MP60), Mixed Pro 65+ (MP65), Mixed Pro 70+ (MP70), Mixed Pro 75+ (MP75), and Mixed Pro 80+ (MP80).  Players may play in younger divisions if they wish or if their age-based division is not offered.

Female Pro players may also compete in nine female-only pro divisions, with one division open to all ages and eight age-based divisions based on their year of birth: Women's Pro Open (FPO), Women's Pro 40+ (FP40), Women's Pro 50+ (FP50), Women's Pro 55+ (FP55), Women's Pro 60+ (FP60), Women's Pro 65+ (FP65), Women's Pro 70+ (FP70), Women's Pro 70+ (FP75), and Women's Pro 80+ (FP80).

Amateurs have similar age-based divisions but may also be grouped based on skill and PDGA Player Ratings, into Advanced, Intermediate, Recreational, and Novice division levels.

Junior (18 and under) aged boys and girls are divided into six groups based on a player’s year of birth: Junior ≤18, Junior ≤15, Junior ≤12, Junior ≤10, Junior ≤08, Junior ≤06.  These divisions are also offered in Mixed (Male & Female) divisions and Girl-only divisions.

See the PDGA Tour Player Divisions, Ratings, and Point Factors chart for specifics on division age breaks, ratings, etc.

Depending on whether events are sanctioned as Pro/Am, Pro only, or Amateur only, a Tournament Director (TD) may offer all or a subset of the possible divisions. Some specialized events will only offer very specific subsets of divisions – Junior Only events, Senior Only events, etc. PDGA guidelines stipulate that events offering registration for a specific division must hold that division if there are four or more registered competitors. TDs will often make exceptions for the Women’s and Junior divisions to encourage attendance as participation may typically be less than four players.

The PDGA Tour Player system also offers the following flexible playing opportunities for Pros and Ams, as outlined in the Player Divisions Table and in the PDGA Tour Standards: Pros below a certain player rating may compete in select Amateur divisions for prizes in A, B, and C-Tiers, while Amateurs may compete in Pro divisions but in Major, National Tour, and A-Tier events they may compete only for trophies should they place (unless they wish to turn Pro by accepting cash and relinquishing their Amateur status.)  For 2018, Amateurs may accept merchandise in lieu of cash ONLY at B-Tier or C-Tier events.

Player Classification

A player relinquishes Amateur status by registering (ie. renewing / joining) as a Professional member in the PDGA, or by competing in a Professional division at a PDGA Tour event and accepting cash based on their place of finish. A player may request reclassification from Professional to Amateur status by petitioning the PDGA Event Support Team. Reclassification within Amateur divisions (for example, from Intermediate to Advanced or vice versa), is based on player ratings.

Joining the PDGA

Most players join the PDGA as Amateurs. When competing in their first PDGA Tour event, new members and TDs are encouraged to use the following descriptions of PDGA divisions, in order to determine the level at which that player will be most competitive. Once a player has competed in a PDGA Tour event, they will receive a player rating at the next official ratings update which compares a player’s skill against other players on the Tour. Once a player’s rating has been calculated, the rating is used to determine the minimum Amateur division the player may compete in future tournaments. As players become more proficient at the different disc golf skills, including putting, driving, approaching, and learn other shots such as rollers, overhands, and forehands, their scores will improve. As their scores improve, their rating will increase, moving them up through the Amateur levels. Below are some definitions for the principal PDGA divisions and some practical examples of the level of skill to be expected in each. This includes a range of scores on a typical 18 hole course at a PDGA Tour event. Such a course would require a variety of discs and shots, and may be described as being of medium difficulty or harder, and as having a pro par of 54, with holes ranging from 200-500 feet, significant elevation changes, obstacles and rough.

Amateur Divisions

Mixed Amateur 1 (MA1) - the top amateur division, available to all amateur players. Required division for male amateur players under 40 years of age with ratings >= 935. Tournament experienced players who have played disc golf for several years, and developed consistency. Throw 300-450 feet, make 5-7/10 putts from 25-30 feet, have different shots in their arsenal. (Formerly "Advanced")

Mixed Amateur 2 (MA2) - available to amateur players of all ages with player ratings < 935. Developing players who have played 2-3 years with improved consistency and accuracy. Throw 250-350 feet, make 5-7/10 putts from 20 feet. (Formerly "Intermediate")

Mixed Amateur 3 (MA3) - available to amateur players of all ages with player ratings < 900. For players who have played 1-2 years and are gaining consistency and experience. Throw 200-300 feet, make 4-6/10 putts from 20 feet, learning different shots. (Formerly "Recreational")

Mixed Amateur 4 (MA4) – available to amateur players of all ages with player ratings < 850. For beginning and casual players who are learning basic Frisbee® and disc golf skills. Throw 175-250 feet, make 3-5/10 putts from 20 feet, can throw backhand with some accuracy. (Formerly "Novice")

Women's Amateur 1 (FA1) - the top women’s amateur division, available to all female amateur players. Required division for female amateur players under 40 years of age with ratings >= 825. Upcoming players who have played 2-3 years and are gaining consistency and experience. Throw 200-300 feet, make 4-6/10 putts from 25-30 feet, developing different shots. (Formerly "Advanced Women")

Women's Amateur 2 (FA2) – available to female amateur players with ratings < 825. Players who have developed basic Frisbee® and disc golf skills and/or have tournament experience. Throw 125-200 feet, make 3-5/10 putts from 20 feet, can throw backhand with some accuracy. (Formerly "Intermediate Women")

Women's Amateur 3 (FA3) - available to female amateur players with player ratings < 775. For beginning and casual players who are learning basic Frisbee® and disc golf skills. (Formerly "Recreational Women")

Women's Amateur 4 (FA4) - available to female amateur players with player ratings < 725. For beginning and casual players who are learning basic Frisbee® and disc golf skills. (Formerly "Novice Women")

Mixed Amateur 40+ – available to players who will be 40 years of age or older during the current year.  Seasoned tournament players who have competed for several years, and developed consistency.  Throw 250-350 feet, make 5-7/10 putts from 25-30 feet, have different shots to choose from. (Formerly "Amateur Masters 40+")

Women's Amateur 40+ – available only to female players who will be 40 years of age or older during the current year. (Formerly "Amateur Masters Women 40+")

Mixed Amateur 50+ – available to players who will be 50 years of age or older during the current year. (Formerly "Amateur Masters 50+")

Women's Amateur 50+ – available only to female players who will be 50 years of age or older during the current year. (Formerly "Amateur Masters 50+")

Mixed Amateur 55+ – available to players who will be 55 years of age or older during the current year. (Formerly "Amateur Masters 55+")

Women's Amateur 55+ – available only to female players who will be 55 years of age or older during the current year. (Formerly "Amateur Masters 55+")

Mixed Amateur​​​​​​​ 60+ – available to players who will be 60 years of age or older during the current year. (Formerly "Amateur Masters 60+")

Women's Amateur​​​​​​​ 60+ – available only to female players who will be 60 years of age or older during the current year. (Formerly "Amateur Masters 60+")

Mixed Amateur​​​​​​​ 65+ – available to players who will be 65 years of age or older during the current year. (Formerly "Amateur Masters 65+")

Women's Amateur​​​​​​​ 65+ – available only to female players who will be 65 years of age or older during the current year. (Formerly "Amateur Masters 65+")

Mixed Amateur​​​​​​​ 70+ – available to players who will be 70 years of age or older during the current year. (Formerly "Amateur Masters 70+")

Women's Amateur 70+ – available only to female players who will be 70 years of age or older during the current year. (Formerly "Amateur Masters 70+")

Mixed Amateur​​​​​​​ 75+ – available to players who will be 75 years of age or older during the current year. 

Women's Amateur 75+ – available only to female players who will be 75 years of age or older during the current year. 

Mixed Amateur​​​​​​​ 80+ – available to players who will be 80 years of age or older during the current year. 

Women's Amateur 80+ – available only to female players who will be 80 years of age or older during the current year.

Junior – divided into six groups based on age. ≤6, ≤8, ≤10, ≤12, ≤15, ≤18 during the current year. Offered in Mixed (Male & Female) divisions and Girl-only divisions.

Professional Divisions

Mixed Pro Open - the top professional division, available to players of any age or gender. (Formerly "Open")

A world class Open player has many years of tournament experience, drives at least 350 feet, makes 7-9/10 putts from 25-30 feet, rarely makes a mistake, and has a shot for every situation. Ratings Guideline: 1000+

An average Open player has several years experience, throws 325-400 feet accurately, makes 6-8/10 putts from 25-30 feet, and has a variety of shots (rollers, forehands, etc) to draw from. Ratings Guideline: 970+

Women's Pro Open - the top womens division, available to female players of any age. (Formerly "Pro Women")

A top Open Women's player will have played at least 5 years, throws 300-375 feet accurately, make 6-8/10 putts from 25-30 feet, throws backhand and forehand. Ratings Guideline: 925+

An average Open Women's player will have played several years, throws 250-325 feet, make 5-6/10 putts from 25-30 feet. Ratings Guideline: 900+

Mixed Pro 40+ - available to male and female players who will be 40 years of age or older during the current year. Seasoned veterans who throw 300-400 feet consistently, make 6-8/10 putts from 25-30 feet, have good shot variety. (Formerly "Pro Masters 40+) Ratings Guideline: 935+

Women's Pro 40+ - available only to female players who will be 40 years of age or older during the current year. (Formerly "Pro Masters Women 40+) Ratings Guideline: 850+

Mixed Pro 50+ - available to players who will be 50 years of age or older during the current year. Seasoned veterans who throw 250-350 feet, make 5-8/10 putts from 25-30 feet, have good shot variety. (Formerly "Pro Masters 50+) Ratings Guideline: 900+

Women's Pro 50+ – available to female players who will be 50 years of age or older during the current year. (Formerly "Pro Masters Women 50+) Ratings Guideline: 800+

Mixed Pro 55+ - available to players who will be 55 years of age or older during the current year. Seasoned veterans who throw 250-350 feet, make 5-8/10 putts from 25-30 feet, have good shot variety. (Formerly "Pro Masters 55+) Ratings Guideline: 900+

Women's Pro 55+ – available to female players who will be 55 years of age or older during the current year. (Formerly "Pro Masters Women 55+) Ratings Guideline: 800+

Mixed Pro 60+ - available to players who will be 60 years of age or older during the current year. (Formerly "Pro Masters 60+) Ratings Guideline: 850+

Women's Pro 60+ – available to female players who will be 60 years of age or older during the current year. (Formerly "Pro Masters Women 60+) Ratings Guideline: 750+

Mixed Pro​​​​​​​ 65+ - available to players who will be 65 years of age or older during the current year. (Formerly "Pro Masters 65+) Ratings Guideline: 850+

Women's Pro​​​​​​​ 65+ – available to female players who will be 65 years of age or older during the current year. (Formerly "Pro Masters Women 65+) Ratings Guideline: 750+

Mixed Pro​​​​​​​ 70+ - available to players who will be 70 years of age or older during the current year. (Formerly "Pro Masters 70+) Ratings Guideline: 800+

Women's Pro​​​​​​​ 70+ – available to female players who will be 70 years of age or older during the current year. (Formerly "Pro Masters Women 70+) Ratings Guideline 750+

Mixed Pro​​​​​​​ 75+ - available to players who will be 75 years of age or older during the current year. (Formerly "Pro Masters 75+) Ratings Guideline: 800+

Women's Pro​​​​​​​ 75+ – available to female players who will be 75 years of age or older during the current year. Ratings Guideline 720+

Mixed Pro 80+ – available to players who will be 80 years of age or older during the current year. (Formerly "Pro Masters 80+) Ratings Guideline 800+

Women's Pro​​​​​​​ 80+ – available to female players who will be 80 years of age or older during the current year. Ratings Guideline 720