How Does Scoring Work In Disc Golf?

A pastime spun off of the sport of golf, disc golf maintains similar rules and gameplay as the original game of golf, but is played with very different equipment. Rather than the clubs, balls, and hole in the ground golfers use, disc golfers toss small frisbees at upright metal baskets. The similarities between the two sports are many, leaving a new disc golfer wondering: Do golf and disc golf utilize the same scoring system?

The Goal of Disc Golf

Essentially, golf and disc golf are scored the same. The goal in both sports is the opposite of most games. Rather than each player hoping to score the most points, they each try to score the least amount of points. 

In both golf and disc golf, a point is counted for each stroke taken. In golf, this means you are penalized one stroke for each time you make contact with the ball, whereas in disc golf, you are given one stroke each time you throw a disc. 

Where disc golf scoring differs from golf, is mostly in the specific penalties players can incur. For example, a foot fault may be called when a player takes an improper stance while throwing their disc. If the player's foot lands outside of certain designated circles on the field, or if they step beyond their disc while throwing, they will lose their turn and automatically incur one stroke.

Scoring Related Terminology

To properly record your score throughout a disc golf game, some knowledge of the sport’s terminology is required, as players often use shorthand lingo to describe how they are progressing through any given game. 

In the game of golf and disc golf, successfully hitting your ball into the target in one stroke is referred to as a hole in one or an ace. Par is the term used to describe the average score for each hole of the course. When a player reaches the basket in one throw below par, they’ve just scored a birdie. For example, if the par for the hole is three but the player only used two throws, this is a birdie. Similarly, an eagle means a player reached the target two throws under par. Alternatively, the terms bogey and double bogey mean that the player did not make it to the hole until one or two throws over par, respectively.

The final important scoring term to know is extra throw, extra throws are handed out when a player lands their disc in out of bounds territory, or for some penalties. An extra throw adds a point to the player’s total score and allows them to bring their disc back in bounds.

Other Important Penalties

Disc golf does differ from golf in regards to a few unique penalties that might be called on players. One of these special rules is called a Mandatory, or a Mando. The original game of golf does not feature these unique obstacles on the course that require a player to reach the hole in a specific way. For example, there might be a sign on the course, indicating players must either throw to the left of the sign or to the right. If a player misses this sign, or for any other reason fails to throw in the proper direction, the player receives a penalty stroke.

Another penalty disc golfers can run into is a courtesy violation. Essentially, these penalties are given out for unsportsmanlike conduct and can result in anything from a warning, to a penalty throw, to even disqualification.

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