A couple of a weeks ago I did two polls on Facebook relating to the PDGA (thank you to everyone that voted). I knew that there would be differing opinions on each of these subjects and so I thought it would be interesting to give people a chance to not only vote but feel free to discuss their opinions on my page without being judged or criticized. I wanted to share those questions and some of the great responses I received for each.
Question 1: Do you care about your PDGA rating? Are you someone who after a tournament goes to check what their ratings were? Do you check others ratings before a tournament to see how you would size up against the field?
28 people voted yes.
16 people voted no.
Of those that voted yes, the common reason was to use the rating as a tool to check yourself for consistency and growth.
Robert Nieto Jr. says “Yes, I honestly just check for myself just to see how consistent my play has been but when getting prepared for a tournament I go in with the mindset that it’s just a number and that my performance now and that of my competitors has nothing to do with that rating.”
Zachery Jansen says, “It’s a great value the PDGA provides to its base. I think it’s what pushes the AM scene, as I know I kinda stopped caring about my rating when I started cashing in Pro and knew what I was capable of. But as an AM it was the only thing I had to quantify my progress if I wasn’t cashing.”
Of that that voted no, the common reason why seemed to be that it’s just a number and won’t help you win or lose. Others mention that there are flaws in the ratings system or they are just a newer player who wants to focus on their form.
TJ Swanson says, “I’m just starting to play tournaments, so I am trying to get better about checking it. I don’t feel like it helps much at my level of play, but I can see where it would help.” To follow up I asked, “Does it motivate you? Are you interested in improving your rating or are you more focused on getting better and learning and will focus on ratings later?” TJ replied, “It for sure motivates me to try and be more consistent in my practice but I try not to focus on it as a whole to my game. Lately, I’m just wanting to work on my form and confidence, but I still want to be competitive so focusing on ratings will come later.”
Russel Schoffner says, “Ratings don’t make any difference to me. They don’t help you win or lose and I don’t pay much attention at all to them. I don’t worry about my rating going up or down, I am only worried about how I am currently playing while I try to improve.”
Question 2: Do you think women should have their own ratings system separate from the men in the PDGA?
19 people voted yes.
20 people voted no.
Many that voted mentioned that maybe certain courses should make it a point to have different tee pads for the ladies or to have their own tour like the LPGA does.
Kyle Barnhouse says, “I think we need a LPDGA. I think the ratings should differ. For example, Paige is a 1000 rated player in her own right, but it was a battle between Paul and her it wouldn’t be fair. The point to having two separate governing bodies would be so the ladies can set up, organize, and run their own tournaments and courses instead of “piggybacking” off a mostly dude tournament. This also makes the sport look more like a legit sport to the public. Tennis, basketball, golf, baseball/softball, etc. all have their own women’s division because they know what’s going to be best for the players. The sport is still in its infancy, so this will take some time, but I think in the end we should let ladies have their own divisions, especially as the sport starts to grow.”
Those that voted believe that if you are playing the same layout, the ratings should be the same.
Ryan Blazic says, “If it’s the same layout same day, the ratings should be no different.”
Ashley Sloan says, “It’s just a number. The recommendations for ratings for each division are adjusted for women. Paige is awesome, and her rating is awesome…we can all aspire to it. Being a champion isn’t just a rating. If we were to allow this, then we’d have to ask if age protected divisions deserve their own ratings…and then gender and age protected divisions. Before long, it gets out of hand.”
With such a divide in answers to the last question, I can guarantee you this won’t be the last conversation we see on this topic. I’d actually like to see both of these questions asked on a larger scale and see if the representation is the same. How do you feel in regard to these questions? What are your thoughts? Are there any other polls you’d like me to conduct or any topic you’d like me to blog about?
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