Age of the aging

[Flatroc]

Yo Chuck Kennedy!!!!!!!!!
From one oldie to another, has there been any discussion about changing the age limit for the 'protected' divisions?
Thanks ol' timer.
Yoseman

[Bullseye]

Yo Chuck Kennedy!!!!!!!!!
From one oldie to another, has there been any discussion about changing the age limit for the 'protected' divisions?
Thanks ol' timer.
Yoseman

Yose,

Where do you want this to lead? More divisions? Fewer divisions? I'm curious.

Also, didn't they already bump the Masters age up to 40 from 35 once?

Personally, I think we already have too many divisions. It seems like a lot of people want to so many divisions that we end have a bunch of divisions with 3-5 people in them... which I think is not only absurd, but a logistical nightmare for TDs.

[Chuck Kennedy]

Haven't heard any discussion on changing the age ranges. The only thing new in the past two years is the addition of the Grand Legends for 75+ and Sr Legends for 80+

[Matt B.]

Haven't heard any discussion on changing the age ranges. The only thing new in the past two years is the addition of the Grand Legends for 75+ and Sr Legends for 80+

Such bullshit. Senior Legends should be 90+. When will the sandbagging and age protected bagging end? These 80 year olds are predatory.

[Chuck Kennedy]

Such bullshit. Senior Legends should be 90+. When will the sandbagging and age protected bagging end? These 80 year olds are predatory.

They're non-existent so far. I don't think we've processed a Sr Legends division yet for ratings. And we know they're unlikely propagating at that age (nothing to do with needing Viagra, their ratings are under 800 ;))

[Flatroc]

Haven't heard any discussion on changing the age ranges. The only thing new in the past two years is the addition of the Grand Legends for 75+ and Sr Legends for 80+

Thanks man!
I like the 5 year gap as opposed to 10 and wonder if it would fit in with the PGM to SGM age ranges.
Say for example:
PM 45-50
PGM 50-55
SGM 55-60
I think for the ordinary average guy, once we're 40-45, every 5 years is noticeable when it comes to endurance and/or other ol' timer issues.

[Wes Hansen]

I think the current PDGA age divisions are more than reasonable... but as someone that would like more chances at trophies... I also agree with Flatroc.

[Chuck Kennedy]

Those are the age ranges used for the Senior Games for competitors over 50. I did a study that pros lose 1 throw (10 rating points) every 5 years on average starting at age 40. But I'm not sure that's enough to justify 5 year ranges until perhaps 60-65 where we didn't have enough data to see if it was still 1 shot lost per 5 years. It appeared to accelerate.

[PhilStomp]

Yose,

Where do you want this to lead? More divisions? Fewer divisions? I'm curious.

Also, didn't they already bump the Masters age up to 40 from 35 once?

Personally, I think we already have too many divisions. It seems like a lot of people want to so many divisions that we end have a bunch of divisions with 3-5 people in them... which I think is not only absurd, but a logistical nightmare for TDs.

I believe that I agree with you, Jeff as for too many divisions.
I understand the issue for TD's but I still sign up for tournaments that don't have my true division.

Well, I see the heart ache here but don't have a solution. I guess I keep enjoying this game and learn to putt better.
Peace,
Phil

[Flatroc]

Those are the age ranges used for the Senior Games for competitors over 50. I did a study that pros lose 1 throw (10 rating points) every 5 years on average starting at age 40. But I'm not sure that's enough to justify 5 year ranges until perhaps 60-65 where we didn't have enough data to see if it was still 1 shot lost per 5 years. It appeared to accelerate.


Cool, I remember reading bits about your study and was wondering if it still came up at the talk table. Thanks again Chuck for all the work you have put into our great sport.
Yose

[Chuck Kennedy]

Pure speculation, but down the road I think as the current generations under 40 age, they will be more comfortable playing with players with a wider mix of ages and the demand for having age based divisions will diminish in favor of ratings based divisions. There's really little need for age based divisions (and even gender) now. But tradition and familiarity has a strong pull which leads to discussions like this to provide even more narrowly focused age range divisions.

[Scotty B]

It should not matter who you play against when it comes to rating based divisions. I am curious if rating based divisions are in our future what happens to all of the individuals that don't have a rating will they be unable to compete in tournament play. I like the idea but feel that some players might feel forced to join the PDGA so that they can compete or does the PDGA have an easy solution for the unrated players.

[TreeLove]

...the demand for having age based divisions will diminish in favor of ratings based divisions...

:cheerleader: :trophy: :biggrin2: :cheers: :bowing: :angel: :kissflowers:

[Discing Dennis]

For my part I've got no gripes about current divisions. What irks me are the TDs that won't include an Advanced Senior Grandmasters division in their tournament lineups. I don't think it's reasonable to expect a guy like me (soon to be 66) to either play in the Advanced Grandmasters (or sometimes even Advanced Masters) with there being as much as a 15 or even 25 year age span between myself and potential competitors or else go with the Beginners and more often than not get matched against a bunch of sandbaggers. Either way it's not even close to a level playing field and I'm getting tired of contributing my entry fees to pay for trophies I stand no chance of winning.

[Toby Puttzinski]

Play amateur? Are there any other advanced senior Grand Masters in said tournaments?


I'm really looking forward to playing masters(open) next year, so for selfish reasons I hope it doesn't change.

[Flatroc]

Those are the age ranges used for the Senior Games for competitors over 50. I did a study that pros lose 1 throw (10 rating points) every 5 years on average starting at age 40. But I'm not sure that's enough to justify 5 year ranges until perhaps 60-65 where we didn't have enough data to see if it was still 1 shot lost per 5 years. It appeared to accelerate.
Chuck,
Thanks always for your input as I value your experience and knowledge about a lot of disc golf topics.
I realize that these are 'averages' but I think that the lost shot numbers would accelerate quite a bit in the 45-60 range.
I'm curious as to what the average rating for masters players would be?
Then you could estimate what your rating would be after these 10 point drops.
Yose

[Chuck Kennedy]

I'm going to update these tables with 2012 data. However, I've had no sense that average numbers have changed much, just the number of players in each bracket has increased: http://www.pdga.com/files/documents/PlayerRatingDistribution2008YearEnd.pdf

[Lyounger]

It should not matter who you play against when it comes to rating based divisions. I am curious if rating based divisions are in our future what happens to all of the individuals that don't have a rating will they be unable to compete in tournament play. I like the idea but feel that some players might feel forced to join the PDGA so that they can compete or does the PDGA have an easy solution for the unrated players.

This is completely the way to go in my opinion!! Initially some players will see major changes in their ratings when they consistenetly play with like-rated players....Some will excell. Some will crash with the pressure.

It would add a new 'relevancy ' to the ratings system for those of us who are not in it for the glory of the number :-)

[SMOKIN JOE]

It should not matter who you play against when it comes to rating based divisions. I am curious if rating based divisions are in our future what happens to all of the individuals that don't have a rating will they be unable to compete in tournament play. I like the idea but feel that some players might feel forced to join the PDGA so that they can compete or does the PDGA have an easy solution for the unrated players.

An easy solution would be to have a non rated class. Then next time the ratings come out you will have a rating. I like the Idea. It's better than what is going on now. It sucks for people who have to play against people who are well better than they are. This way we could all play for cash. It is the "Professional" Disc Golf Association right. Not Amateur. Their trying to eliminate the competitiveness at the amateur level by going trophy only anyway. I usually don't have a chance at a trophy but almost always place. That's my incentive. To come home with more than the next guy. Just like any pro wants to do. Why are amateurs any different? Isn't a tournament for finding out who is the best among those playing. Yes we should be having fun as well but just having fun isn't what a tournament is supposed to be about.