This thorough explanation of our color scheme is intended for newbies, seasoned fantasy vets, data nerds, or anyone who has time for 10+ minute read. It is written for those newer to fantasy disc golf, to get more up to speed with how our brand approaches the data within the game.

The rationale for using a color scheme can be explained in the following ways:

• Color adds pop to the page,  making our tables more engaging and easier to read. Art’s Fudge believes the data on its own is telling a story, and doesn’t so much need added text to explain it (with bias) but instead a way to have audience attention drawn to the key details of the story that may otherwise be glossed over.
• Optimized for Mobile: Recognizing that mobile screens offer limited real estate, we use color to convey information compactly. This reduces the need for horizontal scrolling.
• Color is not just for aesthetics; it’s a strategic tool for information visualization. Recognizable patterns in the color make for quicker digestion of some key information, as in how well has a player done at Ledgestone tournament in the past 5 years.

Understanding Colors as Layers in Ranking Lists

Typically, tables and spreadsheets present data in a static format, where information is laid out in rows and columns. While this method is straightforward, it masks underlying patterns that could be key to making informed wagering decisions, with greater insight.

hiding in plain sight

In July 2021, our deep dive into PDGA player ratings uncovered what we now term ‘Fantasy Ranking Value’ (FRV). This metric transcends traditional player ratings by blending data in a way that reveals deeper layers, relevant to weekly re-draft fantasy leagues.

In fantasy disc golf, the ongoing tracking of fantasy points and player tiers is key. Our approach uses FRV as a dynamic data metric that bypasses complex jargon while effectively tracking these key components. Our unique color scheme visually conveys this data, simplifying complex statistics into intuitive insights.

While FRV may not appear, by name, elsewhere on our site, it fundamentally drives our narrative. Pro disc golf statistics must encompass relevant data that not only captures fan interest but also actively engages fantasy participants, who rely on these insights to track scoring variables and player values.

Our crafted presentation of player data, in our tables, aims to make patterns not just apparent but intuitive. Our colors do more than decorate—they unveil hidden data, while connecting dots through a sophisticated blend. These colors dynamically layer fantasy-relevant metrics within the table, offering an organic, immediate understanding of the data.

Purpose of Colors Specifically

Colors as background to any cell within a table are often conveying tier values for the player with regard to the number or text getting the cell color. Our Quick Guide that appears with most tables is conveying those tiers.

The primary colors are yellow (best), orange (middle) and gray (worst). Orange is generally ‘okay’ in all instances it appears. Because we are publishing abbreviated ranking lists (top 40 MPO, top 20 in FPO), it is rare our lists go past orange tier players, who are essentially top 30 MPO, top 25 FPO. In rating columns, orange comes up often as it means the player is right where they ought to be in our rankings, based on rating alone.

From the orange middle it grows brighter or lighter, with yellow representing the elite of the elite. On the other side of orange, the colors get darker or more intense representing lower player value.

Early in 2024, we added 2 more colors to the chart above. That looks like this:

This chart doesn’t readily replace the other one, and is more an additive. The EB and EW colors come up on our MPO Event Rankings where player value often extends beyond our standard scale. They are ‘even better’ or ‘even worse’ than the 2 ends of the standard guide. These 2 added colors rarely apply anywhere other than MPO Event Rankings.

The charts below are getting into more detail how the tiered color scale is actually working.

AF Colors Explained – Tiers & Rating Columns

If our Quick Color Guides used lots of words to clearly explain things, the following is how’d they appear.

The colors above are the scheme we are working from in most instances on the site. On our standard ranking list we often have a column pertaining to player’s Elite average, or Elite + Major average for the season, and is using this same scheme in one of two ways.

• Listing the top 5 in that column by taking 5 top colors in our scheme (yellow through orange), or instead…
• Listing for each player, how the average (as number) falls within existing fantasy tiers, as noted in the chart above. If MPO player is averaging 4.8 placement at Elite tournaments, that would get a yellow background on their cell in that column, to indicate they are on top tier. Likewise, if FPO player is averaging 10th place, that cell background is dark gold, or third tier for FPO based on fantasy scoring.

Next Up Column Colors Explained

This column has multiple combinations for depicting performance history, and we’ll walk through each of the scenarios. This was first column on our site to convey performance history, which is now also key part of how Event Rankings makes use of the Player Name column. In general, we are conveying how well the player has performed at the venue over the last 5 years, based on average placement.

• Any color background means they’ve played at least twice in past 5 years, and thus have an average place in that period. No background color means they’ve played this event once or less in past 5 years. Less meaning the current year is first time they’re playing the event.
• This list is the full version of performance history that we currently go with

Added Notes

• This guide page mainly pertains to our Standard Rankings for MPO or FPO. Our other guide pages will make use of the same color scheme as it pertains to other content types (ranking lists) in our lineup.
• This is the 2nd version of our color scheme since we’ve launched. The previous version had had green as negative value, and we’ve since made green on the positive side, with red and gray being colors conveying negative or poor values.
• Right about now, AF would appreciate commentary on this guide page at feedback@artsfudge.com