Disc Golf Tournament Card Assignments: Grouping Players and Assigning Starts

What Are Disc Golf Tournament Card Assignments?

Disc golf tournament card assignments are the process of grouping players into small groups (called cards) and assigning each card a starting hole and tee time for a round. This ensures fair competition, balanced playing conditions, and a smooth flow for the event. Card assignments are essential for any organized tournament, from casual friend gatherings to sanctioned competitions.

How Do You Group Players Into Cards?

Grouping players into cards involves dividing the field into groups of typically 3 to 5 players. The most common card size is 4 players, as this keeps pace of play reasonable and allows for easy scoring. Here are key considerations:

• Divisions: Separate players by division (e.g., Advanced, Recreational, Women's) where possible to maintain fair competition. In larger tournaments, cards may be mixed if divisions are small.
• Skill Level: Group players of similar skill to keep the pace consistent.
• Randomness: For casual events, random grouping is acceptable. For sanctioned events, follow the PDGA rules for card assignment based on ratings or prior performance.
• Special Requests: Allow friends to play together in casual settings, but avoid this in competitive tournaments.

Step-by-Step: Grouping Players

1. List all registered players and their divisions.
2. Sort players within each division by rating or randomly.
3. Create cards of 4 players by taking consecutive players from the sorted list.
4. If there are leftovers (e.g., 7 players in a division), create one card of 3 and one card of 4, or combine divisions if necessary.
5. Assign a card number to each group for reference.

How Do You Assign Starting Holes and Tee Times?

There are two main formats for starting assignments: shotgun start and tee times.

Shotgun Start

In a shotgun start, all cards begin play at the same time, but each card starts on a different hole. This is efficient for large tournaments and ensures everyone finishes around the same time. To assign starting holes for a shotgun start:

1. Number the cards sequentially.
2. Assign card 1 to hole 1, card 2 to hole 2, and so on. If there are more cards than holes (e.g., 20 cards and 18 holes), assign two cards to some holes.
3. For holes with two cards, the second card can wait for the first card to finish the hole before teeing off (known as a "stacked" start) to avoid congestion.

Tee Times

Tee time starts assign each card a specific time to begin on hole 1. This is common for smaller events or when the course cannot accommodate a shotgun start. To schedule tee times:

1. Determine the expected pace of play (e.g., 12 minutes per hole).
2. Set the first tee time early enough to allow all cards to finish before daylight ends.
3. Space tee times 8-12 minutes apart to avoid backups.
4. Assign cards in order, typically by division, with higher divisions starting first.

How Do You Create Round Pairings for Multiple Rounds?

For tournaments with multiple rounds, pairings can be based on scores (e.g., leaders play together) or remain consistent. Common approaches:

• Same cards throughout: Simple for casual events; players stay with the same group every round.
• Re-pair by score: After each round, sort players by total score and regroup into cards of similar standing. This is standard in competitive tournaments.
• Random re-pair: Shuffle groups each round to let players meet different people.

When re-pairing, post the new card assignments and starting holes clearly before the next round.

What Is a Scorecard and How Is It Used?

A scorecard is a printed or digital sheet used to record each player's throws per hole. In disc golf, each card typically uses one scorecard, with one player designated as the scorekeeper. Important practices:

• Use official scorecards with hole numbers, par, and spaces for each player's scores.
• After the round, have all players verify scores and sign the scorecard.
• Submit the scorecard to the tournament director promptly.

How Do You Plan a Realistic Schedule?

To build a realistic schedule, estimate round duration and include breaks:

• Average round time for 18 holes: 2-3 hours for a card of 4, depending on course difficulty.
• For a one-day tournament with two rounds, plan for a lunch break between rounds.
• Start early enough to finish before dark; account for potential delays.

Example schedule for a shotgun start with two rounds and 72 players (18 cards, 18 holes):

Adjust times based on course length, player skill, and number of holes.

How Do You Communicate Card Assignments Clearly?

Clear communication ensures players know where and when to play. Use multiple methods:

• Post printed assignment sheets at tournament central (e.g., near hole 1 or registration).
• Announce assignments verbally before the start.
• For larger events, use a digital platform or app to share pairings and live scoring.
• Include a map of the course with starting hole locations.

For subsequent rounds, update and re-post assignments promptly, and remind players of the next round's start time.

Common Challenges and Solutions

• Uneven number of players: Create cards of 3 or 5 players to accommodate, but try to keep all cards within one player of the target size.
• Late arrivals: Have a waiting list and a policy; if a player is late for tee time, they may start on a later hole or be disqualified, depending on rules.
• Weather delays: Have a contingency plan, such as shortened rounds or adjusted tee times, and communicate changes promptly.

By following these guidelines, you can create fair and clear disc golf tournament card assignments that keep your event organized and enjoyable for everyone.