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Competition Manual for Disc Golf Events

5.05 Tier and Target Requirements

Last updated: Friday, December 27, 2024 - 14:25
  1. Tier Standards Chart. See 6.03.J.1 for events outside the United States and Canada.
      Worlds Other Majors Elite Series A-Tier B Tier C Tier League
    Sanctioning Fee Waived Waived Waived $100 $75 $50 $25
    Sanctioning agreement submission deadline Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable December 1st (of prior year) 45 days prior Recommended 30 days prior Recommended 30 days prior
    Per player fee (post-event) $0 $0 $5 $5 $4 $3 $0.50 per player for each round they played during the league
    Membership requirements Current PDGA Member; Certified Official; See also 4.02 Eligibility Current PDGA Member; Certified Official; See also 4.02 Eligibility Current PDGA Member; Certified Official; See also 4.02 Eligibility Current PDGA Membership Current PDGA Membership $15 Temporary Membership Fee (except Junior Divisions) No Membership Requirement
    Length of event 4 to 5 days 4 to 5 days 3 to 4 days 2 or 3 days 1 or 2 days 1 or 2 days 6-10 consecutive weeks played the same day each week
    Minimum number of holes 72 72 54 54 36 18 (36 Preferred) 18 holes per week on the same layout for all players
    Course must be in tournament format for practice 4 Days Prior 3 Days Prior 3 Days Prior 1 Day Prior No Requirement No Requirement No Requirement
    Start Type Staggered or shotgun start Staggered or shotgun start Staggered or shotgun start Staggered or shotgun start Staggered or shotgun start Staggered or shotgun start; flex start is available for one-round events only. Staggered, shotgun, or flex start
    Certificate of Insurance Complimentary Complimentary Complimentary Complimentary $50 (non-refundable) $50 (non-refundable) $50 (non-refundable)
    Required Minimum Added Cash to Pro Purse 25% of Net 25% of Net $30,000 $3,000 $750 None None
    Pro Purse % (Cash Purse Only) of Net Entry 125+% of Net 125+% of Net 100+% of Net Entry Fees 100+% of Net Entry Fees 100+% of Net Entry Fees 85+% of Net Entry Fees Variable - pre-set by League
    Amateur Payout % (Prize Purse + Player Packs) True Amateur True Amateur Not applicable 110+% of Net Entry Fees 100+% of Net Entry Fees 85+% of Net Entry Fees Variable - pre-set by League
    Minimum retail value of Amateur Player Pack 125+% of Net 125+% of Net Not applicable $25 retail value to each player in Amateur divisions $10 retail value to each player in Amateur divisions None Required None Required
    Upload Scores via PDGA Tournament Manager (TM) After each round After each round After each round After each round After each day Within 24 hours of completion of the event Within 24 hours of completion of each round
    Must submit TD Report online via PDGA TM 24 hours from end 24 hours from end 24 hours from end 48 hours from end 72 hours from end 1 week from end 1 week from end
    Payment of event post-event fees within Not applicable Not applicable 30 days from end 30 days from end 30 days from end 30 days from end 30 days from end
    Certified official requirements TD & ATD of record may not play. 1 non- playing official on site per course. TD & ATD of record may not play. 1 non- playing official on site per course. TD & ATD of record may not play. 1 non-playing official on site per course. TD & ATD of record may not play. 1 non-playing official on site per course. Must have either non-playing TD or ATD of record. One official on site per course. One official on site per course. One official per week.
  2. Target Requirements
    1. PDGA-approved Championship targets of the same design and manufacturer are recommended for all events and are required for A-tier, Elite Series, and Major events.
    2. PDGA-approved Standard targets may be used at B-tier, C-tier, and League events.
    3. PDGA-approved Basic targets may be used for C-tier and League events.
    4. PDGA-approved Object targets are allowed under XB, XC, and League events, but this must be specified when submitting the PDGA Sanctioning Agreement.
    5. Events that do not meet the target requirements due to emergency, such as a basket destroyed by a falling tree with no suitable replacement available, may request a waiver by contacting the PDGA Director of Event Support at [email protected].
    6. Please see the Technical Standards documentation for target classifications and further information at https://www.pdga.com/technical-standards

  3. Required Minimum Distances Between PDGA Events. See 6.03.J.2 for events outside the United States and Canada.

    The following table shows the minimum distance required between sanctioned tour events in order to avoid a scheduling conflict. The PDGA gives priority of dates to Majors, Elite Series, and A-Tiers, and handles the scheduling of these events directly. State Coordinators are responsible for the scheduling of B and C Tier events and should give preference to reliable events with a successful history, and then to smaller or new events where there is no scheduling conflict.

    Minimum # of Miles Between PDGA Events
      Major Elite A B C League
    Major n/a n/a 750 200 150 0
    Elite n/a n/a 500 175 100 0
    A 750 500 200 100 50 0
    B 200 175 100 50 25 0
    C 150 100 50 25 0 0

Outline of Contents

Disc Golf Rules and Standards