The Professional Disc Golf Association is the governing body for the sport. Visit the website where you can view the rule book and become a PDGA member.
Membership benefits include:
1. All renewing members receive a basic membership package including current year member card, annual tour information, PDGA logo bag tag and sticker.
2. New, first-time members also receive lifetime member #, and the latest rules book. Renewing members receive a complimentary copy of the rules book whenever a new edition is printed.
3. Current members are eligible to compete in all levels of PDGA Tour events where they earn points towards invitations to Major events including the PDGA World Championships. Current PDGA members can track their tournament season and career results at their own personal stats pages at www.pdga.com .
4. PDGA members also gain their own very cool player rating, based on their round by round performances at Tour events. The PDGA Ratings system measures a player’s ongoing level of play, enabling them to compare their game with friends and rivals, and with the best disc golfers in their country and around the world. Qualification for an increasing number of top level events is now based on player ratings.
5. Current International members also have the option to receive the informative PDGA e-newsletter (free), and to purchase a subscription to the PDGA’s DiscGolfer magazine, as well as PDGA logo minis and discs.
6. The ability to vote in annual PDGA Board of Director elections and to run for a Board position. All current members can vote in PDGA Global elections; European current members can also vote in PDGA Europe Board elections. Current members can also serve on PDGA Global and PDGA Europe Committees.
PDGA Member fees are also used to support many other activities and programs – the indirect benefits of membership – including:
1. The development, maintenance and innovation of the PDGA database, websites, and software, including Disc Golf Scene, TournamentManager software, Tournament Central and Live Scoring
2. The on-line worldwide Course Directory which now has more than 9300 listings in more than 70 countries.
3. The work of the PDGA Staff in running the organization day to day including processing and maintenance of the now huge memberships and events system, the associated accounting, the management and delivery of the annual Pro Amateur and Junior World Championships, other Major events, the Elite Series, annual refinements to the system, and so on. In 2020 and 2021 this includes management of the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on our sport.
4. Governance by the volunteer Boards of Directors and the work of the volunteer Committee members who review and revise the Rules of Play, test and approve discs and baskets for sanctioned play, develop theTour and competition standards, oversee the course and player ratings system, investigate Disciplinary issues, and examine other important aspects of disc golf from the environment to sustainability to how to grow participation among women, juniors and visible minorities.
5. The marketing of disc golf to the public, sponsors, social and traditional media, including live web TV coverage of leading events, print materials including DiscGolfer magazine, representation of the sport at trade shows, photography, videos on disc golf instruction, leading events, great shots, etc.
6. The International Program, which is strengthening and supporting the growth of disc golf and the PDGA brand in more than 40 affiliated countries. Beyond providing sanctioned PDGA Tour events and the benefits of membership, the International Program fosters the globalization of the Rules, competition formats, and other standards, all with the aim of increasing international play.
7. The International Disc Golf Center, in Wildwood Park, Columbia County, Georgia, which opened in April 2007. A fabulous resource and headquarters for the sport, the IDGC is home to the Disc Golf Hall of Fame, the Steady Ed Headrick Museum, the PDGA offices, and 3 world class courses.
All these PDGA activities and programs build credibility for disc golf and contribute to the formalization, growth, and UNITY of the sport. In short, as a PDGA member you enjoy all the direct benefits of membership as listed above, while also supporting and promoting the development of the sport and the PDGA around the world. Join the PDGA. The professional association for ALL disc golfers!