How does doubles disc golf work

This affinity for playing with company is probably a big reason why many disc golfers love doubles — a format where teams of two face off against each other. In this article, we cover how various doubles formats work as well as how to pick teams, play with odd-numbered groups, and avoid common beginner mistakes. Giving players the ability to create scorecards with teams was one of the most-requested additions to the app for years.

To learn more, read all about how to use this new tool in our Support article about it. One way to pick teams when playing with friends is to let UDisc do it for you. When you hit the "Teams" option while creating your scorecard, the players you've chosen are automatically sorted at random into teams of two. If you want to pick your teams another way, it's very easy to move around which players are on what team or create teams larger than two. The most popular low-tech option for picking doubles teams when playing in small groups is likely flipping discs.

How this works is all players take a disc from their bag and flip it in the air at the same time. Players whose discs land with the same side facing up become teammates. If this worked out on the first flip, a result could look like this:. The same ideas apply when there are more than four people, with smaller and smaller groups breaking off based on how their discs land. Any time there are just two people with the same side up in these groups, they become a team and stop flipping.

Below we explain how the most commonly-used doubles formats work. Note that our focus here is on relatively casual doubles, and there are formats we don't cover. If you're looking to dive into the more technical rules of formal doubles competition or to learn how to play less common formats, this PDGA page is the place to go.

When most disc golfer's hear "doubles," Best Throw sometimes called Captain's Choice or Best Disc is what first comes to mind. As the name suggests, it's when a team always picks the best throw from one of the team members as its lie. This format is a great way for beginners to enjoy rounds more and learn from players with more experience.

The ability to always choose the best throw is likely to yield far better results than newer players are used to. And if they're teamed up with a player with more skill and knowledge, they could get advice and tips for improvement or learn just by watching. Here's how this format could work on a par Teammates 1 and 2 T1 and T2 throw from the tee.

T1 lands not too far from the basket. T2 lands out of bounds OB. The players choose to play from the lie near the basket. T1 misses the putt. T2 makes it. The team chooses to take the made putt. If T1 had made the putt in this example, T2 wouldn't have needed to putt. There is no rule about who has to throw first from any lie in this format, and strategic thinkers often take advantage of that. For example, sometimes teams consist of a highly skilled player and another who's more unpredictable.

Letting the unpredictable player to go first in some cases would let the more skilled player know whether they have license to go for high-risk, high-reward shots or need to play it safe. One other thing about this format is it shouldn't be confused with Best Score.

In this format, both team members complete a hole as normal and take whichever teammate's score is lowest. For those looking to add a little more unpredictability to their doubles rounds, Alternate Shot is a great way to do it. Does one player have multiple options on a hole?

Is there the danger of a missed mando or OB? One of the most important factors is psychology — does one player better handle the pressure of having to throw a shot after their partner goes OB? This is why the better player often tees off second, so the less-skilled golfer never gets put in the position of having to carry the team. But this is not always so clear-cut. The better player throwing first and ripping a good shot can free up a nervous partner to throw without pressure.

So how do you decide? In that case, should he throw first or second? Partly, it depends on their partner. It could even change from hole to hole — having the worse player throw first on open and easy holes, so Bob can throw with confidence if they do well or with less risk if they throw poorly — but have Bob go first on dangerous holes where his partner could get in real trouble.

If his partner goes OB, Bob may panic, so better to reduce the pressure off by throwing first. Even in the case of two evenly skilled partners, there are still reasons to have a particular player throw first. Sometimes style of play, rather than skill or experience, can dictate who should throw first. He can make putts from 90 feet out on a flat line; but he can also throw inside the circle putts 40 feet long. I always go first because I can putt aggressively knowing my misses usually leave tap-ins that give him a green light; and because I know that if I see his miss land outside the circle, I will have a hard time making myself run a putt knowing we face a foot comebacker from his disc.

My safety-first style can be a blessing or a curse, depending on whether I throw first or second. Sometimes setting up an order and not changing it — one player always throwing first — can help set a level of consistency. Other times, it is better to change the order based on the hole. If a player has multiple potential shots — they could throw one shot and have a good chance at birdie or could throw a much riskier shot that might get an eagle, then that player can throw second.

If their partner sails OB, then they can play the safer shot. But be aware that not every player can effectively change plans and throw safe or aggressively as the situation demands. Be careful about throwing away shots hunting unicorns. These result in overthrown garbage shots that are essentially wasted.

Yes, if your partner is dead parked for birdie from then, sure, throw a missile dead at the basket. But if they are just outside the edge of the circle, then it might be smarter to try and get an even closer putt.

Making high quality decisions also depends on the course — is the tournament a birdie fest where pars are always losing ground, or is it a course with OB that rewards smart play? It may be that playing aggressively is required and the smart strategy may be as obvious as trying to hit every basket. However, in every round, there will come times when you face tough decisions as a team.

Sometimes you disagree about what shot is best. Or, you threw first and got in trouble and, while they nodded when you said they would play safe if that happened, now they want to go for it. How you resolve this issue will depend on your relationship. Can you tell them your thoughts without creating a conflict? Are they open to suggestions? But better scores can mean more fun on the course.

Or you can ramp it up to super competitive and play for bragging rights. Best throw is definitely the most popular way to play doubles disc golf. Both team members will throw off the teepad at first. The team then chooses which of the two discs to play from on the next throw. You all will throw from the next chosen lie and once again, will pick the best throw. Once one player is able to hole out, that hole is completed. Now just add up your score. Both players throw and the opposing team chooses which throw a team is to throw from next.

Both players again throw and the opposing team picks the worse throw. Each hole is completed when both players on the team hole out. The team picks which team member throws first on the first hole. From then on, you alternate who throws at every throw. First you, then your buddy after your throw, then you after his throw.

A hole is completed when either member makes a basket. In best score, you and your partner will both play as if you were playing singles. You both throw your own drives, approaches, and putts.

Upon completing the hole, whoever records the lowest score is what your team score will be. So if your score is better on hole 1, that is your team score. If your partner has a better score on hole 2, that score is added in with your score in hole 1 to equal the team score.