There’s been lots of controversy swirling around the sports universe involving transgender women competing in female divisions of sports lately, and disc golf just got it’s own taste of it.

ENTER NATALIE RYAN

Natalie Ryan, a transgender woman, has been competing in the woman’s division of the PDGA since 2019. Ryan has several wins to boast throughout her career, including two big DGPT events. There’s no question Ryan has talent, but it’s who she competes with that raises concern within the community. Ryan isn’t the first transgender woman to compete in the sport. Kelly Jenkins was the trailblazer for this specific avenue of disc golf, being the first transgender competitor in the PDGA back in 2014. The difference is the level of success each has had, and Ryan, 28 years of age, has been winning. Enough to be recognized as legitimate competition within the women’s division of the Elite Series.

OTB OPEN

The Disc Golf Pro Tour successfully banned Natalie Ryan from competing in the women’s division of the OTB Open May 12-14th. First, the PDGA had set in place rules regarding transgender play, originally stopping Ryan from competing in the women’s division of the tournament. Then, a federal judge ruled in favor of Ryan’s lawsuit against the PDGA claiming discrimination in their rules. Finally, the DGPT filed and won the appeal, thus banning Natalie Ryan from competing in the women’s division.

THE RULES

A PDGA member who wishes to change their gender from male to female must submit the completed Application for Gender Reclassification for evaluation. Additionally, they must submit substantiating documentation regarding their method of qualification.

1. All applicants must provide a valid form of identification issued by a government entity.
2. If the applicant is undergoing hormone replacement therapy under section C.1, they must provide a physician statement confirming continued and uninterrupted hormone treatment for at least 24 months to the current date. They must also provide laboratory reports of blood testosterone levels, including at least three test results covering a period of at least 24 months to the current date. They must also sign an attestation that they will inform the PDGA Medical Committee if there is any interruption or discontinuation in hormone treatment.
3. If the applicant has undergone gender affirming surgery under section C.2, they must provide proof of this procedure through a physician statement. They must also provide laboratory reports of blood testosterone levels, including at least three test results covering a period of at least 24 months to the current date. 
4. If the applicant began medical transition during Tanner Stage 2 or age 12, whichever is later, under section C.3, they must provide a physician statement confirming this and confirming continued and uninterrupted hormone treatment for at least 24 months to the current date. They must also provide laboratory reports of blood testosterone levels, including at least three test results covering a period of at least 24 months to the current date They must also sign an attestation that they will inform the PDGA Medical Committee if there is any interruption or discontinuation in hormone treatment.

PDGA Policies

ONGOING ARGUMENT

Should transgender women be allowed to compete with biological women? Science proves biological males carry advantages over their counterparts when it comes to physical activity. But does that translate to disc golf? Let’s take a look. Natalie Ryan placed 2nd in the 2022 US Distance Championship throwing 458′ behind only Ella Hansen, who also took 3rd place, throwing 554′ and 454′. The next closest distance was 432′, which would have taken the podium in 3rd place had Ryan not been competing with the women. Ryan’s furthest throw, however, is over 100′ less than the mens top 3 competitors, and still less than the men’s last place competitor. I think that goes to show Natalie Ryan wouldn’t be competing as a professional if it weren’t for the transition.

Disc Golf is an all inclusive sport. Everybody deserves the right to play the sport, that’s without question. The issue lies within the professional title. Women around the world work their asses off to compete in their respective sports. Women are losing shots at titles because of transgender women competing in their divisions. There’s a reason divisions exist, yet people want to act as if sex based divisions aren’t justified and shouldn’t be respected. Testosterone is the difference, which is why the PDGA policy requires transitioning before the age of 12 to compete in the women’s division.

Also, if there’s so many trans competitors in these sports, why not have a division of their own? Why aren’t we seeing any transgender males competing in the men’s division? It’s not transphobia, it’s common sense.