I remember the first tournament I ever entered …
It was one of those one-day, two-round events – something convenient for most people. It wasn’t even a sanctioned gig, but I was nervous as heck. For the guys who knew what was going on, it was a great way to spend a Saturday. For me, though, it might as well have been Rock Hill.
As it wasn’t a sanctioned tourney, I don’t remember how divisions were established, but I was in the worst one – that much I recall. Anyway, on the first hole of my first-ever event, the guy at the top of the box steps up and laces a Star Wraith 425-plus feet on a jaw-dropping hyzer-flip …
I was screwed.
I knew I wasn’t God’s gift to the disc-golf world, but I’d at least played the course a million times – I was comfortable with it. And though I didn’t know anybody on my card, I’d played casual rounds with a bunch of the guys in my division – I thought I could hang …
The good news?
I could.
Following the conclusion of the first round, it took about five minutes of detective work to learn from everybody else that we had a first-rate “sandbagger” on our hands. If you’ve never heard the term before, a sandbagger is somebody who golfs in a lower division than they should in order to come out on top. That’s right – all that for a few discs and some lousy gift cards.
* Note #1: The terms “sandbagger” and “bagger” are interchangeable – you’ll hear both.
Sandbagging is hardcore LAME …
Divisions exist to provide disc golfers of all skill levels with meaningful competition. When that doesn’t happen, first-time tournament attendees are likely to feel discouraged – it’s a nervy thing, so I get it. On top of that, sandbagging throws a wrench in the organizational side of competitive disc golf. I mean, ours is a sport in which you can still pay to be a “professional” disc golfer …
We need all the help we can get.
Obviously, sandbagging isn’t so much a thing at the MPO and FPO levels. There might be some tournament-poaching to make ends meet, but if you really don’t belong, you’ll feel the heat.
School’s back in session …
Here’s a quick recap of the PDGA’s amateur divisions:
- MA1 – ≥ 935 PDGA Rating + FA1 – ≥ 825 PDGA Rating
- MA2 – < 935 PDGA Rating + FA2 – < 825 PDGA Rating
- MA3 – < 900 PDGA Rating + FA3 – < 775 PDGA Rating
- MA4 – < 850 PDGA Rating + FA4 – < 725 PDGA Rating
* Note #2: For more detailed information on the above, click here and here.
But let’s say you’ve been at the amateur scene for a good bit …
How do you know if YOU are a sandbagger?
Here are three tell-tale signs:
- Sign No. 1 – You’re regularly winning tournaments in the same division – and big.
- Sign No. 2 – Your margin of victory is SO big, it’d be competitive in other divisions.
- Sign No. 3 – Keep your eyes and ears peeled. People will talk – and often, to your face.
No, I might not be a great disc golfer, but this much I know: Your game gets better when you surround yourself with players who push you. Buy a DorkDot. Invest in the best practice basket money can buy. And collect discs like your wallet’s on fire – it’s NEVER the same thing, though.
Don’t sell yourself short …
Play where you should.
Then, take pride in a hard-fought victory.
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