Pro Vs. Avg Joe- Skill Gap

[BigSky]

Chuck crunches the numbers for us, so Chuck, what percent of disc golfers are 1000 rated? I believe I saw that there are about 230 players rated over 1000 out of more than 18,000 rated players. Sounds like that's pretty rarified air to me.

[BogeyNoMore]

Originally Posted by codyroberts18

I think it also doesn't seem like that big of a gap because the pro's are truly that good. I know watching Kris Orrick and Matt Orum's course record round at Trace Gold, a par 69 course that will eat the lunch of anyone who is barely off, really made me realize this fact. Not only could they throw 450+ on command, they were deadly accurate, didn't make mistakes, and were making those get out of trouble shots or 35-60 foot birdie/par saves when needed. Have you ever watch a professional sport, and though man that move looks easy, that catch seems doable, I think I could hit that pitch? I have. That's the thing here, they throw so good, that the fairways look easier to navigate than they really are. Not sure how many of you here, I'm assuming a lot, have seen them in person play, but it makes a difference. I know how hard the fairways at trace gold are to navigate because I play there a lot, and there was a double digit under par score there in a tournament round where pressure was on the whole time. I don't see any 950 rated players doing that. The course designer is 988 rated, give or take a few points, and at the time of this particular tournament was 999. He couldn't touch a 16 year old Schusterick, Kris Orrick, or Matt O who all were playing this course for the first time. The difference is great, I just think some of you don't realize, or don't want to realize it.

The gap would be more apparent on a par 72 course than on par 54 hole. What you're getting at is that most DG courses don't create sufficient scoring separation. I know John Houcke wrote an article that touched on it in DiscGolfer mag. Perhaps some of us should re-examine our course ratings?

[codyroberts18]

Then ask yourself this, is 1000 rated really that good anymore? Isn't 1020 or better what it takes to compete at the highest level?

[Scoot_er]

Originally Posted by BigSky

I believe I saw that there are about 230 players rated over 1000 out of more than 18,000 rated players. Sounds like that's pretty rarified air to me.

Nope! Remember that anyone can easily achieve (and maintain) this!

Originally Posted by codyroberts18

Then ask yourself this, is 1000 rated really that good anymore? Isn't 1020 or better what it takes to compete at the highest level?

Yup!

[BogeyNoMore]

Originally Posted by codyroberts18

Then ask yourself this, is 1000 rated really that good anymore? Isn't 1020 or better what it takes to compete at the highest level?

Just so we're clear - you're talking about a 2 stroke difference.

[codyroberts18]

Another thing on how the top pros differ. There is one particular hole which plays down the levee of a lake. There is a lake on the left, one on the right. The levee is for the one on the right and slopes into te one on the left. There is about 70 feet to work with, and at the end of this 500 ft. strip of land is the basket. Before this tournament, the scoring spread was around 3.5 due to the out of bounds, accuracy required, and the distance that only few could reach with a perfect shot. 500 ft. flat ground shot with water on both sides and 70 ft. of fairway width. There had never been a birdie recorded in almost 60 rounds. First round of the tournament, with 3 top pros, there were 3 birdies made from within 20 feet. 999 rated player designed the course with players around 1000 rated playing the course for a scoring spread over almost 60 rounds. 3 of the top pros birdied it all at one time.

This is a fun discussion though.

[Emoney]

Originally Posted by BogeyNoMore

Just so we're clear - you're talking about a 2 stroke difference.

If u are already 1000 rated and u can shave 2 more strokes. I would say thats a pretty big deal bud

[codyroberts18]

Originally Posted by BogeyNoMore

Just so we're clear - you're talking about a 2 stroke difference.

On a true gold level course, 2 strokes is a lot.

[Scoot_er]

Originally Posted by BogeyNoMore

The gap would be more apparent on a par 72 course than on par 54 hole. What you're getting at is that most DG courses don't create sufficient scoring separation. I know John Houcke wrote an article that touched on it in DiscGolfer mag. Perhaps some of us should re-examine our course ratings?

At least someone gets what is going on.....


We play on putt-putt courses compared to Tiger.

[Scoot_er]

Originally Posted by BogeyNoMore

Just so we're clear - you're talking about a 2 stroke difference.

Strokes become harder to find as you get better......900 guy leaves 15 out there while the 1020 round leaves 3-4.

2 strokes between 1000 and 1020 is different than 2 strokes from 900-920...due to the fact the 900 guy has more strokes to "shave" off his score.

1020 might only be 5 off perfect....