Divisions & tour cards
Tiers & tour membership
To ensure fair, competitive brackets and an engaging playing experience for athletes of all skill levels, the Apex Launch League uses a structured tiered system separated by gender. Player placement is determined by historical performance averages (strokes over par per 18 holes), age exemptions, and newcomer status.
Inaugural season edition
Men's competition structure
Three competitive tiers, each with tailored skill benchmarks and course yardages.
Apex Tier
Averages within 10 strokes of par over 18 holes.
Back tees — approx. 5,500 – 5,800 yards
Elite Tier
Averages between 10 and 20 strokes over par per 18 holes.
Forward tees — approx. 5,000 – 5,300 yards
- •Age exemption: players aged 55 and older may automatically opt into Tier B, provided their Performance Index does not exceed 1100 PI.
Launch Tier
All first-time tournament attendees, and players averaging between 15 and 25 strokes over par per 18 holes.
Forward tees — approx. 5,000 – 5,300 yards
Women's competition structure
Two competitive tiers, balancing skill brackets while prioritizing shared-card pairing flexibility.
Apex Tier
Averages between even par (E) and 20 strokes over par per 18 holes.
Launch Tier
Averages over 20 strokes over par per 18 holes.
- •Senior exemption: mirroring the men's policy, competitors aged 55 and older retain the option to play Tier B.
- •Both women's tiers play from the exact same tee boxes initially (approx. 4,300 – 4,600 yards).
- •This standardized yardage lets players from both tiers be paired seamlessly and compete within the same flight groups during tournament rounds.
Tour membership & tier allocation charter
This charter defines the membership structure of the Apex Launch League Players Association (ALL-PA), outlining how players enter the tour, earn initial tier placements, and maintain their competitive status throughout the season.
Entry-level membership & C-Tier access
- •Open access: Any individual can sign up for a C-Tier membership, the foundational entry-level membership into the ALL Players Association.
- •Automatic newcomer placement: All new tournament registrants and first-time attendees are automatically assigned to C-Tier upon joining, unless an exemption or tier adjustment is formally approved by the league committee.
Tier exemption & advancement pathways
Players may bypass automatic C-Tier placement or accelerate their membership status through established evaluation pathways.
- •Women's division status: Women who register and compete in an ALL-sanctioned event automatically have their tour card status elevated to B-Tier.
- •Prior experience evaluation: Players with competitive histories in similar alternative sports may submit past tournament results to the league committee. Results are evaluated and standardized against ALL metrics to assign an appropriate starting tier.
- •Age exemption (55+): Competitors aged 55 and older are granted the automatic option to select and play within Tier B (men's or women's division), provided their Performance Index does not exceed tour thresholds.
- •Score-based & performance exemptions: Newcomers seeking placement directly into Tier A may submit verified past scorecards or undergo a league-observed performance evaluation for committee approval.
Season-long status guarantee & relegation
- •Season-long status: Once a player is granted official status in a specific tier (A, B, or C) for the competition year, that tier membership is fully guaranteed until the end of the current season. Players are not downgraded mid-season based on standard performance fluctuations.
- ○Players may still be promoted during the season, or choose to be relegated to the lower tier, provided they meet the appropriate PI rating, gross score, or age metrics.
- •End-of-season review: At the conclusion of the season, tour cards and tier assignments are reviewed. Relegation or promotion takes place prior to the next championship cycle based on a player's finalized Performance Index rating and seasonal performance metrics.