Discs are a common prize, but they are not the only type of equipment that we use. Personally, I would like to be awarded prizes/player packs that have items such as stools, towels, umbrellas....etc. I know that some of these items may get more expensive than discs, but for the top winners in ADV that probably have enough discs anyway, why not give out a different type of merch?

What do others think about this? Do TD's in your area already do this?

I hate that. I have so many towels already and I only need one stool at a time. Funny money is the way to go.

As the merch man, I stock all that stuff. Innova and Discraft hats and shirts are really popular. Birdie Bags are great for the last few funny bucks that don't add up to a disc. When it gets colder hoodies and ski caps sell too.

I'm with Bruce...we're going to the "funny money" approach this year for our tourneys too.

Cool trophies are more important.

I like the trophy idea.

Also, I like the funny money, and I agree, it's the way to go... if possible.

So I guess the question becomes, if funny money is not an option, what do people prefer? I am assuming that people prefer the option to be able to get whatever they want, so funny money should be #1... now I'm looking at #2.

Bags are good for the top guys, but there's only so many bags that one person needs. I'm fairly tired of winning discs, unless it's newly released/hard-to-find stuff. I would like to see more equipment available such as stools and clothing from Innova, Discraft, HukLab, and others.

Funny money is always good that way you can get what you want. As long as what you want is available.

Funny money is the way to go.




sleepy

What type of merchandise do you want to get as a prize?



Cars.

Weighted full color mini's and mini baskets

Hooter's Gift Cards!

Or everyone could play for money.

You can Hawk!
Just register in the Open or Pro Master division next time.

I'd really like to see more merch guys carry birdie bags, and use them in tournament payouts sometimes. towels are really good too, because you will always use them eventually.

I'd really like to see more merch guys carry birdie bags, and use them in tournament payouts sometimes. towels are really good too, because you will always use them eventually.

I'm surprised more merch guys don't carry Birdie Bags. I offered to break up my last order with several TDs and none of them were interested. So I figured, well, they don't spoil, so I bought a two years supply! :D But I've had lots of positive comments about carrying them.

You can Hawk!
Just register in the Open or Pro Master division next time.

In defense of Hawk , he was in the " PRO Master " division last year with a rating of 920ish to 904 ish for the year .
WHICH IS REALLY BRAVE CONSIDERING ,
WHAT F______G chance in HELL does he have to CASH in a division that allows LOTS of high rated players to BAG ( alot more then SOME high rated advanced player who in turn plays for prizes )
NONE ( or he is playing for his money back and that is IT )

HOWEVER playing in the division he is playing in this year
ADVANCED MASTERS
what chance does he have to cash in that division ( if they would pay in CASH , with a 920ish rating )
Half way decent ( considering the top of the adv master division is sitting at 960 ish cause THEY play adv masters cause they REALLY dont stand a chance in a PRO Master division cause of the HIGH rated players )

TO top that off if those HIGH rated players would all play in the same division ( reguardless of age ) there would be EVEN MORE ROOM in ALL DIVISIONS to play as a PROTECTED player who REALLY NEEDS it .
IT would also allow those 960ish rated players hiding in ADV master division to move up to the pro master division .
WHICH In turn would allow the 920 rated players who IMPO are the true ADV masters to play in a division ( protected from those really better then them ) and COMPETE in the division that they REALLY BELONG .

OMG what a concept , divisional structures that MAKE SENSE .


OVERALL the point is , get a divsional structure with a payout that is favorable for BOTH player and TD .

AS Craig and all have said many times over
TO ALLOW the top players to HIDE IN A DIVISION is WRONG . END OF STORY

I can also say that YEARS AGO , I complained ( as an AM ) that ams carry the finacial load of the tourneys .

OF course we all know this is true , BUT going along with Hawks idea (1) of all divisions playing for money AND Kevin McCoys idea (2) of TRUE pros playing for entry fees and added cash and semi pros paying LESS and playing for just their entry fees and MY idea (3) of ALL players getting a deduction of entry fees going to TD ( instead of him just geting profit from AMS only thru disc " sales ") , would not this whole competitive structure take place ???????
Everyone would get a piece of the pie they deserve based upon player capability , including the TD that would get a % of entry fee NO MATTER WHAT is given out as prizes .

Golden retievers or quicksticks

AND Kevin McCoys idea (2) of TRUE pros playing for entry fees and added cash and semi pros paying LESS and playing for just their entry fees and MY idea (3) of ALL players getting a deduction of entry fees going to TD ( instead of him just geting profit from AMS only thru disc " sales ") , would not this whole competitive structure take place ???????
Everyone would get a piece of the pie they deserve based upon player capability , including the TD that would get a % of entry fee NO MATTER WHAT is given out as prizes .



This is incredibly to logical....please delete this post immediately...The PDGA finds this offensive ;)

It's so logical that TDs could likely have the format approved as an X-tier trial but no TD has asked yet.

go to the Mountain Disc Golf Challenge for some of the best NON Disc Golf prizes around. Sweet hiking backpacks, great dog gear, stools, etc. They have some awesome sponsors who donate prizes... AND cash. So the pros get great payout, the ace pool gets stacked, and the ams get some real value for playing well. Yes, there are discs too. I traded a bunch of discs for a sweet inflatable dog bed. James and the crew run the bestest tournaments.

Oh yeah, 4 meals of FREE FOOD.

Boo Ya Ka Sha.

It's so logical that TDs could likely have the format approved as an X-tier trial but no TD has asked yet.

The PDGA is not going to X-tier a format where ams take cash and remain ams. Ams rated less than 960 or so aren't going to play a format where they take cash and go pro in Pro 2.