The Ultimate Guide to Disc Golf Statistics
Introduction
Disc golf is a sport that has been gaining popularity in recent years, and it’s not hard to see why. It combines the precision of traditional golf with the fun of throwing a frisbee. Disc golf has its own set of unique statistics, which can be used to track the progress of individual players and the sport as a whole. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most interesting and important disc golf statistics, including the longest throws, the best-selling discs, the PDGA champions of the last 20 years, the most popular disc golf brands, and much more.
Types of Disc Golf Statistics
There are many different types of statistics that are used in disc golf, but some of the most important include driving distance, disc sales, PDGA champions, and the growth of the sport.
Longest Disc Golf Throw
One of the most exciting aspects of disc golf is the long throws that some players are able to achieve. The longest recorded throw in disc golf history was made by David Wiggins Jr who threw a 154 gram Boss 1,108.92 feet (338 M) to reclaim the title from Germany’s Simon Lizotte, who threw a disc an incredible 1030 feet respectively. Other notable long throwers include Philo Brathwaite, who threw a disc 803 feet in 2016. These throws are possible thanks to a combination of factors, including technique, disc selection, and wind conditions.
Best Selling Disc Golf Disc
Disc sales are an important indicator of which discs are most popular among players. According to the website Infinite Discs, the most popular disc golf disc of all time is the Innova Destroyer, which has been the top-selling disc for several years running. Other popular discs include the Discraft Buzzz, the Innova Roc, and the Dynamic Discs Judge.
PDGA Winners of the Last 20 Years
The Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) hosts many of the most prestigious disc golf tournaments in the world, including the PDGA World Championship. Some of the top male and female players in the world have won this championship over the past 20 years. Notable champions include Paul McBeth, who has won the championship five times, and Paige Pierce, who has won the women’s championship four times.
Here are the PDGA World Champions for the past 20 years, separated by gender:
Men:
- 2021 – James Conrad
- 2019 – Paul McBeth
- 2018 – Gregg Barsby
- 2017 – Ricky Wysocki
- 2016 – Ricky Wysocki
- 2015 – Paul McBeth
- 2014 – Paul McBeth
- 2013 – Paul McBeth
- 2012 – Paul McBeth
- 2011 – Nate Doss
- 2010 – Eric McCabe
- 2009 – Avery Jenkins
- 2008 – Dave Feldberg
- 2007 – Ken Climo
- 2006 – Nate Doss
- 2005 – Ken Climo
- 2004 – Ken Climo
- 2003 – Barry Schultz
- 2002 – Ken Climo
- 2001 – Ken Climo
Women:
- 2021 – Catrina Allen
- 2019 – Paige Pierce
- 2018 – Paige Bjerkaas
- 2017 – Paige Pierce
- 2016 – Valarie Jenkins
- 2015 – Paige Pierce
- 2014 – Paige Pierce
- 2013 – Paige Pierce
- 2012 – Sarah Hokom
- 2011 – Paige Pierce
- 2010 – Valarie Jenkins
- 2009 – Valarie Jenkins
- 2008 – Paige Pierce
- 2007 – Des Reading
- 2006 – Des Reading
- 2005 – Des Reading
- 2004 – Des Reading
- 2003 – Elaine King
- 2002 – Juliana Korver
- 2001 – Des Reading
It’s important to note that the PDGA World Championships have not been held every year over the past 20 years due to various circumstances, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Most Popular Disc Golf Brands
Disc golfers are passionate about the brands they use, and there are many different brands that produce high-quality discs. Some of the most popular brands include Innova, Discraft, Dynamic Discs, MVP and Latitude 64. Each of these brands offers a variety of different discs that cater to different types of players.
PDGA Growth
The PDGA has experienced significant growth in recent years, with the number of members increasing by more than 50% in the past decade. This growth is due in part to the increased popularity of the sport and the efforts of the PDGA to expand its reach and offer more events and tournaments.
As of September 2021, the PDGA has over 130,000 members worldwide. However, it’s important to note that this number may have changed since then as the sport continues to grow in popularity.
The PDGA does not directly put on tournaments each year, but instead sanctions tournaments that are run by local tournament directors and clubs. In 2019, the PDGA sanctioned over 4,000 events worldwide, including more than 3,000 in the United States alone. The number of sanctioned events each year has been steadily increasing, which is a reflection of the growing popularity of the sport. It’s important to note that the number of sanctioned events may have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021.
Disc Golf Popularity Over Time
Disc golf has been around since the 1970s, but it has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years. According to a 2020 report from the PDGA, there are currently more than 8,000 disc golf courses in the world, and the sport continues to grow. The rise of social media has helped to spread the word about the sport and attract new players.
Disc Golf Course Creation Over Time
The number of disc golf courses has been increasing steadily in recent years, with hundreds of new courses being added each year. This growth is due in part to the efforts of the PDGA and other organizations to promote the sport and make it more accessible to new players. Many parks and other public spaces have also begun to incorporate disc golf courses into their amenities, which has helped to further expand the sport’s reach.
Disc Golf in Different Countries
Disc golf is played in countries all around the world, and the sport continues to gain popularity in many different regions. The United States is currently home to the largest number of disc golf courses, with more than 5,000 courses spread throughout the country. However, the sport is also growing in popularity in other countries, such as Finland, which has produced several top players in recent years.
Disc Golf In Media and Television
Disc golf media has become an increasingly important part of the sport as it has grown in popularity over the past few years. Some key statistics related to disc golf media include:
- YouTube has become one of the most popular platforms for disc golf content, with several channels dedicated to covering tournaments and other aspects of the sport. As of February 2023, the JomezPro YouTube channel, which covers professional disc golf tournaments, has over 350,000 subscribers and has amassed over 210 million views.
- Disc golf podcasts have also become popular in recent years, with several shows dedicated to discussing the latest news and events in the sport. The Disc Golf Answer Man podcast, hosted by the team at Dynamic Discs, is one of the most popular disc golf podcasts, with over 300 episodes released and a dedicated following of listeners.
- The Disc Golf Pro Tour (DGPT), which is one of the most prestigious disc golf tours in the world, has its own media team that produces high-quality coverage of the tournaments. In 2021, the DGPT livestreams were watched by over 1.5 million unique viewers across the season.
- The PDGA’s own media team also provides coverage of various tournaments throughout the year, including live scoring updates and post-round analysis. The PDGA has also recently introduced a new subscription-based service called PDGA TV, which provides live coverage of select tournaments and other exclusive content.
These statistics demonstrate the growing importance of disc golf media in the sport, as well as the popularity of various forms of disc golf content among fans.
Conclusion
Disc golf is a sport that offers many unique and interesting statistics that can be used to track the progress of individual players and the sport as a whole. From the longest throws to the best-selling discs, there are many different factors that contribute to the success of the sport. As disc golf continues to grow and gain popularity around the world, it will be interesting to see how these statistics evolve and change over time. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner just starting out, there is always something new to learn and discover in the world of disc golf.
