Disc Golf
Information and Study Sheet
Background:
Disc Golf follows the same concepts and distinctions of traditional golf including scoring and game play. The game starts with a
player throwing their flying disc from a throwing area toward an affixed target, usually a chained style of basket. Each time the disc
comes to a rest, the player must then throw the disc again from that resting point. The thrower must count how many times they throw
the disc until it eventually lands into the basket. The number of throws taken will be the score for that “hole.” Courses vary from
open area fields to thick wooded courses with obstacles such as trees, water, and all different types of terrain and elevation changes.
The lowest score wins a round of disc golf.
Scoring:
As mentioned previously the score is calculated by the number of throws it takes to get the disc into the goal or chained basket. The
lowest score wins the round. Each hole is typically designated with a par score. Par is defined as a standard score for that particular
hole. Other scoring designations are defined below:
Eagle – scoring two shots lower than par for the hole.
Birdie – scoring one shot less than par for the hole.
Par – scoring the standard score for the hole.
Bogey – scoring one shot over the par for the hole.
Double Bogey – scoring two shots over the par for the hole.
Penalties:
If a disc is throw out of bounds, the disc is placed within one yard from where it originally went out of bounds and the player is
assessed a 1 stroke penalty. If a disc lands in an unsafe position for the player to make a throw, the player may move the disc within
five feet of the resting point (no closer to the hole) and is also assessed a penalty stroke.
Order of Play:
To start, playing order is determined by the order by which the players are listed on the score card. Order at the start of each of the
next holes is determined by which player had the lowest score on the previous hole. If there was a tie, the order should be determined
from two holes back, so on and so forth. During the hole, the order should be determined by which players disc is furthest from the
hole. This allows continuous and safe play.
Other Terms and Notes:
Drive – The first initial throw to start a hole, taken from the tee or start area. Typically the longest required shot.
Approach Shot – any shot taken from outside of 30 feet from the hole. The basic strategy is to get the disc to get as close to the hole
as possible so that the putt is the shortest distance possible.
Putt – Any shot taken within 30 feet of the hole.
Marker – a small disc or object that a player uses to mark the position of their resting disc before they pick up their disc.
NOTE – A player may step in front of the marker on a drive or approach shot after the disc is released. However, on a putt shot, the
player must establish balance after the release before they step in front of the marker.
Skills and Techniques :
A traditional backhanded throw is the most common disc throw used in disc golf. The grip involved the players dominant hand on the
disc with the thumb on the top of the disc and finger underneath and along the inside rim of the disc. Other types of throws include a
side-armed throw and a hammer throw in which the disc is throw in an overhand motion from above the head.