2009 PDGA Membership

[Dan Michler]

I just got my 2009 PDGA card in the mail.  I noticed the back has membership discount codes for hotels and Enterprise.  Does anybody know what kind of discount this is, and can it be used at any of the facilities at any time?

[tacimala]

http://www.pdga.com/members/benefits

[can't putt]

I'm strongly considering not renewing this year.  Between the magazine fiasco, the web site fiasco (the discussion board is down again as I type this), web site ads, ridiculous discussion board moderation, and general unwillingness to disclose various information to the membership I just don't think the organization serves us well.  The only reason I would renew is that less of my money would go to the PDGA in membership fees than in tournament non-member fees.

[Dan Michler]

Thanks Taylor.  I think I'll be able to use those discounts at some point this year, which could pay for my membership by itself.  Not a bad deal.

I can understand your frustration Kurt.  I'm also very frustrated with this new website.  If there was no PDGA website, I would not pay for a membership, thats how important it is to me.  I enjoy checking results, player ratings, and mostly checking for upcoming events on the Tour page.  I've had so much trouble doing all three of these things since the website was updated.  I only hope it gets better in 2009.

[Jon Brakel]

I'm strongly considering not renewing this year.  Between the magazine fiasco, the web site fiasco (the discussion board is down again as I type this), web site ads, ridiculous discussion board moderation, and general unwillingness to disclose various information to the membership I just don't think the organization serves us well.  The only reason I would renew is that less of my money would go to the PDGA in membership fees than in tournament non-member fees.

Only 10 percent of us voted to keep our rights to information.

[airspuds]

I just sent mine in, so lets see how long it takes to process.

It's only fifty bucks so what is the big deal, that's not even enough to cover a good meal anymore.

But according to the White Sox thread that fifty will go a long way on the south side and a short way on the north.

[duain]

wow i renewed mine dec 29 online and have already got my stuff. 6 months faster than last year.

[CEValkyrie]

I renewed in November. My dad & I received confirmation a few days later.

Magazine
I did not like Disc Golf World. I decided to save the $10 last year. I wanted to see if they would produce a quality publication. I have mixed feelings about keeping an official publication going. I don't fault the PDGA for trying to support a publication nor do I hold them responsible. The new disc magazine ran a poor business and they paid the price.

One thing i'd really like to see. I'd love for the PDGA to spend it's inhouse resources on video rather than another magazine. A crew could get out to major events and cover them each weekend and those could be posted to Youtube immediately. I think this would be much more beneficial than waiting for a publication that is outdated by the time it arrives.

Website
I agree that the website transition was frustrating. The PDGA was in the process of planning a transition to a new website. That got started much earlier than anticipated with the attack. It is a vital part of the organization and I wish they would have found a way to quicken that transition. Hopefully the flaws will be worked out. I have no problem with the Ads. Hopefully one day there will be companies buying more ad spots on the site. Go to any major sporting website and you'll find some type of ads. Once it was the only site that offered a course directory and is a model for many that are being built now. As the message board is very frustrating at times how may sports do you see some top players getting on there to post and discuss topics? Most nonsanctioned events and leagues use the PDGA rules and divisions.

Overall PDGA Thoughts
Over the last few years i've put disc golf into persepective. It's a very small population of members run by a handful of paid officials and volunteers. In a short amount of time the # of players, courses, and events are rising. I believe the PDGA has helped with this process. When I started playing in 2001 there were approximately 50 courses in Illinois. As of today there are 120 courses in Illinois. Go back and look at the PDGA schedule and you'll see months that have doubled even tripled in the number of events. I think there are too many players think the PDGA is a large organization and is raking in the money. For the most part they are understaffed. I do believe they are making what they think are the best decisions for our sport. I have not agreed with all of them but I do support them. I don't have the time or interest to run for an elected position on the PDGA board to make the changes i'd like to see.

Let's keep in mind WE are the PDGA. We help promote and support the game. I don't think the disc golf community would be a better place without the PDGA.

[Jon Brakel]

You've got my vote for PDGA BOD, Brett!

[SERG]

I just got my 2009 PDGA card in the mail.  I noticed the back has membership discount codes for hotels and Enterprise.  Does anybody know what kind of discount this is, and can it be used at any of the facilities at any time?

Carla and I have used the La Quinta and Enterprise discounts a few times already. We've saved our fair share to pay for at least one of our memberships.

Nice thing is that you can use them whenever, not just for tournament travel. We used the Enterprise discount when we were in Boston. We'll be using it again this summer when we go to a wedding in Colorado.

[discglfr]

Wow,

I rarely get to go through all of the various threads here but when I came across this one I just had to say ... I agree with Brett on about 95% of his post.  I love the fact that he articulates his various points and that disc golf (and the PDGA) means something different to each and every one of us.  It does seem like far too few people do far too much of the work in this sport.  His point about there only be a few PDGA staff members is dead on.  Many people assume it's dozens or hundreds of people at some big corporate office and it couldn't be any further from the truth.

I do believe that everyone should have their own opinions and not everyone should be a "yes" man and just be happy with status quo.  However, a wise tournament director told me many, many years ago - "You can't be everything to every one"  Once I finally realized that I toughened up (maybe a little too much) and just got down to promoting disc golf the best way * I * knew how.  In the end, I do some things people really like and I do some other things people really don't like. 

Let's try our best to support the disc golf companies, the promoters, the tournament directors, parks departments, and maybe most importantly - the few sponsors that DO come our way.  It seems like even when disc golf events do happen to get sponsors too many people complain that it's not their first choice of beer, their favorite restaurant, or that they prefer the sponsor's competitors instead.  However, in the short run we should do everything to help those who help us and maybe we'll get to that next level.

Take all of this has you will.  I guess I'm just a sucker for disc golf.  If I fell out of bed tomorrow morning and broke both of my arms, I would still renew for the PDGA because that $75 is still a steal in my opinion. 

BTW - I'd vote Brett in for BOD any day!

I renewed in November. My dad & I received confirmation a few days later.

Magazine
I did not like Disc Golf World. I decided to save the $10 last year. I wanted to see if they would produce a quality publication. I have mixed feelings about keeping an official publication going. I don't fault the PDGA for trying to support a publication nor do I hold them responsible. The new disc magazine ran a poor business and they paid the price.

One thing i'd really like to see. I'd love for the PDGA to spend it's inhouse resources on video rather than another magazine. A crew could get out to major events and cover them each weekend and those could be posted to Youtube immediately. I think this would be much more beneficial than waiting for a publication that is outdated by the time it arrives.

Website
I agree that the website transition was frustrating. The PDGA was in the process of planning a transition to a new website. That got started much earlier than anticipated with the attack. It is a vital part of the organization and I wish they would have found a way to quicken that transition. Hopefully the flaws will be worked out. I have no problem with the Ads. Hopefully one day there will be companies buying more ad spots on the site. Go to any major sporting website and you'll find some type of ads. Once it was the only site that offered a course directory and is a model for many that are being built now. As the message board is very frustrating at times how may sports do you see some top players getting on there to post and discuss topics? Most nonsanctioned events and leagues use the PDGA rules and divisions.

Overall PDGA Thoughts
Over the last few years i've put disc golf into persepective. It's a very small population of members run by a handful of paid officials and volunteers. In a short amount of time the # of players, courses, and events are rising. I believe the PDGA has helped with this process. When I started playing in 2001 there were approximately 50 courses in Illinois. As of today there are 120 courses in Illinois. Go back and look at the PDGA schedule and you'll see months that have doubled even tripled in the number of events. I think there are too many players think the PDGA is a large organization and is raking in the money. For the most part they are understaffed. I do believe they are making what they think are the best decisions for our sport. I have not agreed with all of them but I do support them. I don't have the time or interest to run for an elected position on the PDGA board to make the changes i'd like to see.

Let's keep in mind WE are the PDGA. We help promote and support the game. I don't think the disc golf community would be a better place without the PDGA.

[airspuds]

The check has not been cashed yet, nothing in mail yet.

Posted on: January 07, 2009, 07:49:16 AMPosted by: airspuds 
Insert Quote
I just sent mine in, so lets see how long it takes to process.

[duain]

i got my renewal really fast, but i was looking at my card the other day and they put a wrong players rating on it  . it says im rated 20 points lower than what i am. it sucks you work hard to approve your rating for the pdga to mess it up. i emailed them about getting a new card but have not heard back from them. this is why people dont register with the pdga because of poor service.

[damonshort]

i got my renewal really fast, but i was looking at my card the other day and they put a wrong players rating on it  . it says im rated 20 points lower than what i am. it sucks you work hard to approve your rating for the pdga to mess it up. i emailed them about getting a new card but have not heard back from them. this is why people dont register with the pdga because of poor service.

The rating on my card looks like it was taken from the Sept 2008 update, which doesn't seem unreasonable. In most cases ratings change every couple of months anyhow, so it doesn't seem worth worrying about IMO.... 

[airspuds]

got it yesterday

rating was from sept
866