Earlier this week, the Disc Golf Network (DGN) announced a change to its subscription offering. Disc golf is a cheap sport. Apart from being fun, this is what attracts so many people to it in the first place. So when fans are confronted with something that could burn a bigger hole in their wallets than an obvious, years-long addiction to plastic-driven purchases, mass panic ensues.
As a result, you see tweets like this:
Netflix and DGN now cost the same per month. Wonder how much better the coverage will be? At $20 a month whether you’re a die hard fan or just a casual player who just likes to tune in every so often does this new price allow new people to join and enjoy the game? #YouTellMe
— Drew Gibson (@DrewGibsonn) February 13, 2024
This is misleading.
More on that later.
I don’t know you; I don’t know your finances. What I do know, however, is that much of the material surrounding the DGN’s recent changes to its subscription plan is loaded with marketing speak and fluffy, pointless copy in an effort to satisfy Google’s perceived word-count demands.
I’m not a fan.
To not make the same mistake, let’s get straight to the meat of the matter. For the 2024 Disc Golf Pro Tour (DGPT) season, the DGN offers three subscription plans for paying customers:
- Plan #1 – DGN Basic ($)
- Plan #2 – DGN Standard ($$)
- Plan #3 – DGN Pro ($$$)
Next, here’s what each plan costs:
* Note #1: If you’re a PDGA member, things are cheaper – click here to capitalize on that.
And most importantly, here’s what what you get with each plan:
DGN Basic
On one device at a time, DGN Basic gives subscribers live, first-round coverage of all DGPT and PDGA Pro Major events. It’s only one round, but hey – it’s better than Jack-diddly, right?
And if that weren’t enough, the good news is that subscribers will also get live coverage of the first two rounds of the 2024 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships in Lynchburg.
As an added bonus, live coverage will be offered for ALL rounds of select tournaments. These are subject to change in the future, but currently, the lineup includes the Chess.com Invitational, Champions Cup, MVP Open and United States Women’s Disc Golf Championships.
If you’re already a PDGA member, that’s not bad.
DGN Standard
One device is lame …
Two devices are better.
You’ll get to use them with DGN Standard – and simultaneously.
With the exception (sigh) of the European Open, United States Disc Golf Championship and Throw Pink Women’s Disc Golf Championship, DGN Standard subscribers will have access to live coverage of every Disc Golf Network event throughout the 2024 DGPT calendar.
Furthermore, if you’re a die-hard JomezPro fan, these same events will be available in a next-day, post-produced format for your viewing pleasure – and without ads, to boot.
Lastly, those non-tourney shows JomezPro and the DGN drip-feeds throughout the season and force-feeds during the off-season? You’ll have early access to (most of) them, which is nice.
DGN Pro
This is the grand-daddy of ‘em all, folks.
Did you read the entirety of the DGN Standard section?
This is that.
But with a few KEY differences:
- Three simultaneous devices for account-sharing are kosher.
- Live, you’ll see everything Europe and Rock Hill has to offer.
- Premium live content is yours: feature holes, alternate broadcasts, etc.
So more, but not tons more.
* Note #2: Whatever plan you choose, if you can swing it, go yearly – there are added perks.
If you’re a visual learner who can’t stand reading, no worries …
Download (and review) this image:
So what do I think is the best bang-for-your buck plan?
Back to the tweet I referenced at the start of this post: Drew Gibson blew a gasket about DGN Pro’s $20 price point. There was no need for it, though. DGN Standard is virtually the DGN’s 2023 subscription plan: Content, pricing and coverage – it’s nearly identical in what it offers.
Whether you’re a PDGA member or not, it’s your best bet for quality (and affordable) viewing in 2024. And for the events that aren’t covered, go the one-off, pay-per-view route for watching.
It’s not perfect.
But it’s enough.
Besides, it’s playing disc golf that got you hooked on the sport in the first place …
NOT watching.
Don’t forget it.
Go outside.
Have anything to add? Take to X to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.
Editor’s Suggestions:
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