Disc Golf Doubles Rules for Tournament Play

Disc golf doubles tournament rules cover team formats, scoring, and advancement. The most common formats are best shot, alternate shot, and worst shot. In best shot, both partners throw and choose the best lie; in alternate shot, partners take turns throwing from each lie; in worst shot, opponents choose the worse of the two lies. Teams are usually two players. Brackets can be single or double elimination, and round scheduling must allow for ties and breaks. Clear communication of rules and next-round assignments is essential.

Choosing a Doubles Format

Selecting the right format is the first step in organizing a doubles tournament. The format determines how partner teams play each hole and how their scores are recorded. The three primary formats are best shot, alternate shot, and worst shot, each with its own strategic flavor.

Best Shot (Best Disc)

In best shot, each player on the team throws from the tee. The team then chooses which lie to play from, and both players throw from that spot. This process repeats until the hole is completed. The team’s score for the hole is the number of throws taken from the chosen lies. Best shot is forgiving and encourages aggressive play, making it popular for casual and charity events.

Alternate Shot

Alternate shot requires partners to alternate throws. One player tees off on odd holes, the other on even holes. After the tee shot, the other player throws the next shot, and they continue alternating until the ball is holed. The team’s score is the total number of throws. This format demands consistency and can be frustrating if one player struggles, but it speeds play and emphasizes teamwork.

Worst Shot (Tough Shot)

Worst shot is the inverse of best shot: after both players tee off, the opponents (or a designated official) choose the worse lie, and both players play from there. This continues until the hole is finished. Worst shot is rare and used mainly for fun or fundraising, as it produces high scores and tests mental toughness. It is not recommended for serious competition.

Team Composition and Scoring

Doubles teams consist of two players. You can allow players to form their own teams or assign teams based on skill levels for balance. In tournament play, divisions may be based on combined ratings or age/gender, but for a friends event, simple random or mixed pairings work well.

Team scoring is straightforward: for each hole, the team records a single score. The total score for the round is the sum of hole scores. In medal play, the team with the lowest total wins. In match play, teams compete hole by hole, and the team winning more holes advances.

Building a Bracket

A bracket organizes the tournament progression. For doubles, a single-elimination bracket is common if time is limited. Here’s a step-by-step method:

1. Determine the number of teams. Let’s say you have 8 teams.
2. Choose bracket type. Single elimination is simplest: losers are out. Double elimination gives teams a second chance but takes longer.
3. Seed teams. If you know skill levels, seed so stronger teams face weaker ones early. Otherwise, draw randomly.
4. Draw the bracket. In a standard bracket, the first round has 4 matches (for 8 teams). Winners advance to the semifinals, then the final.
5. Handle byes. If the number of teams is not a power of 2 (e.g., 6 or 10), some teams get a bye in the first round. For an odd number, one team may have to play an extra match or receive a bye.

Example: With 6 teams, bracket as follows: two first-round matches (Team 1 vs 2, Team 3 vs 4), and two byes (Team 5 and 6). Winners of first-round matches face the byes in the semifinals, then the final.

For double elimination, losers drop to a consolation bracket. The winner of the winner’s bracket and the winner of the consolation bracket play in the final; if the consolation winner beats the winner’s bracket champion, a second final is needed because both would have one loss.

Scheduling the Rounds

A realistic schedule keeps the event running smoothly. Consider these factors:

• Round duration: A round of 18 holes takes about 2 hours for best shot, 1.5 hours for alternate shot, and up to 3 hours for worst shot, depending on course length and group size.
• Tee times: Assign starting holes or tee times for each match. For a shotgun start, all teams start on different holes and play simultaneously, saving time.
• Breaks: Allow 15-30 minutes between rounds for rest, food, and travel to next tee.
• Buffer for ties: In match play, if a match is tied after the scheduled holes, decide a tiebreaker (e.g., sudden-death playoff). Add extra time to the schedule.

Example schedule for 8 teams, single elimination, shotgun start:

Adjust times based on your course and format.

Communicating the Next Round

After each round, teams must know where and when to play next. Use a central scoreboard or a bracket poster near the first tee. Announce results and next assignments clearly. For larger events, use a text or email system, but for a friends tournament, a physical bracket is effective.

At the end of a round, have teams report scores to a tournament director, who updates the bracket and posts the next round pairings. Include hole assignments and start times.

Rules for Lie Selection and Throwing

Clarify how lies are chosen in each format to avoid disputes.

• In best shot, after both players throw, the team may choose either lie. The team should mark the chosen lie and both play from there. The player whose lie was chosen does not have to throw first; either player may throw.
• In alternate shot, there is no lie selection; the players simply alternate. However, after the tee shot, the other player throws from the resulting lie, so no choice is made.
• In worst shot, the opponents or a neutral party selects the worse of the two lies. “Worse” is typically defined as furthest from the hole or with the most obstructed path. Define this before play.

Other rules, such as out-of-bounds and mandatories, apply as in regular disc golf. Both players on a team must throw from the same lie in best and worst shot, but in alternate shot, only the next player throws.

Handling Disagreements and Edge Cases

Even among friends, disagreements arise. Establish a tournament director with final say. Common issues:

• Tie in stroke play: Use a sudden-death playoff on a designated hole, or compare scorecards from the hardest holes (countback).
• Weather delays: Have a rain plan and communicate any changes immediately.
• Player substitutions: Decide if a team can substitute a player mid-tournament (usually not).
• Lost disc: Apply standard rules; both players search, but if lost, proceed with penalty as per PDGA rules.

Conclusion

Running a disc golf doubles tournament with proper rules and organization turns a casual gathering into a memorable event. Choose a format that fits your group’s skill and time, set up a clear bracket, schedule realistic round times, and communicate effectively. With these disc golf doubles rules and tournament structures, you’ll create a fun and competitive experience for all players.