Disc Golf Rules for Beginners: Scoring & Gear
Disc golf is golf you play with flying discs instead of clubs and balls, and it might be the easiest big-yard sport to fall in love with. You throw a disc from a tee pad toward a metal basket, then keep throwing from wherever it lands until the disc clatters into the chains and drops in. Fewest throws wins. Courses are usually free, the gear is cheap to start, and a beginner can learn the whole game in one round.
What you need
- A driver for distance off the tee
- A mid-range disc for control and approach throws
- A putter for short, accurate tosses into the basket
- Comfortable shoes and a course to play (many city parks have free ones); a beginner 3-disc set covers all three needs
How to play disc golf
- Tee off from the tee padStart each hole by throwing your disc from the marked tee pad toward that hole's basket. Your first throw is your drive, usually with a driver disc for distance.
- Play from where it lands (your lie)Walk to wherever your disc came to rest, called your lie. Mark it and make your next throw from there, with your foot planted at the mark.
- Keep throwing toward the basketTake throw after throw, choosing a mid-range or putter as you get closer for more control. Each throw should advance the disc nearer to the basket.
- Throw in order, farthest player firstIn a group, the player whose disc is farthest from the basket throws next. This keeps everyone safe and the round flowing in turn.
- Complete the hole in the basketThe hole is finished when your disc lands and stays in the basket, either caught in the chains or resting in the basket's tray. Count up your throws for that hole.
- Move to the next teeAfter everyone holes out, head to the next tee pad and repeat. A full round is usually 9 or 18 holes, and you total your throws at the end.
Scoring
- You score by counting every throw it takes to get the disc into the basket on each hole. Add up all your holes for your total round score.
- Each hole has a par, the expected number of throws for a skilled player. Beating par is good, going over par adds strokes.
- Like ball golf, the lowest total score wins. Fewer throws is always better.
- Out-of-bounds throws add a penalty stroke, and you replay from near where the disc went out (or the marked drop zone).
- Common terms: a birdie is one under par on a hole, a bogey is one over par.
Distance & setup
Fun variations
- 9 vs 18 holes: play a quick 9 for a casual outing or a full 18 for a complete round.
- Singles or groups: go solo to practice, or play in a group of up to four or five and throw in turn.
- Doubles (best disc): partner up and each play your own throw, then both throw again from the better-positioned disc.
- Casual backyard target: no course nearby? Pick a tree or a portable basket as your target and invent your own par.
Disc Golf rules FAQ
What discs do you need to start disc golf?
Beginners can start with just three discs: a driver for distance off the tee, a mid-range for control and approach shots, and a putter for short throws into the basket. Many brands sell a beginner 3-disc starter set that covers all three, which is the easiest and cheapest way to begin.
How do you score in disc golf?
You count every throw it takes to get your disc into the basket on each hole, then add up all the holes for your total. Each hole has a par, and the player with the lowest total score at the end of the round wins, exactly like regular golf.
How do you play disc golf for beginners?
Throw your disc from the tee pad toward the basket, walk to where it lands, and throw again from that spot. Keep going until the disc rests in the basket, then move to the next hole. The goal is to reach each basket in as few throws as possible.
What is par in disc golf?
Par is the number of throws a skilled player is expected to need to complete a hole. Most disc golf holes are par 3. Finishing a hole in fewer throws than par lowers your score, while going over par raises it.
What happens if your disc goes out of bounds?
Going out of bounds usually adds a one-throw penalty stroke to your score. You then continue play from near where the disc crossed out of bounds, or from a designated drop zone, depending on that course's rules.
Ready to play?
Grab a set and start your league this weekend. We ranked the best disc golf sets for every budget.
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