Hopefully this from the Rulesbook from the PDGA website and their recommended regulations for setting a course for a tournament helps.
Courses should ideally be selected to challenge players based ...
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Hopefully this from the Rulesbook from the PDGA website and their recommended regulations for setting a course for a tournament helps.
Courses should ideally be selected to challenge players based on their current skill level and even one step up in higher tier events. Skill level ranges are defined using PDGA Player Ratings as follows: Gold 970+, Blue 925+, White 875+, Red 825+, Green under 825.
In high-level Pro events, the Gold level criteria should be the primary set of guidelines for the course skill level used for Open & Masters 40+ and Blue level for Pro Women (when possible). At high-level Am events, the Blue level criteria should be the primary design level for top-level Advanced & Advanced Masters 40+ at these events.
Water Crossing Length Range
Provide players with a route to throw around water hazards if possible. However, if the terrain forces a throw across water, provide a drop zone on the target side where players may proceed by rule without throwing across. Here’s the maximum length across water for each skill level when forced to reach the other side.
Cross Water Max Gold. Blue. White. Red. Green
Feet 265. 230. - - -
Meters 82. 70 - - -
The recommendation is for a maximum water carry for Blue (those rated 925+) should be 230 feet. MA50 would therefore be White. Last time i measured, the water carry on 17 long is over 230 feet, therefore should not be used for MA50 or older, like it was last year.
Last year in my two MA50 rounds, only 1 throw combined crossed the pond at 17 long on both card combined.
I think 17 short is a better option for MA50.
Here is th PDGA link with the data i copied if you wish to review.
https://www.pdga.com/course-development/skill-level-guidelines