No jargon, no 40-page rulebook. Here's everything you need to know to play your first round — in about 5 minutes.
Disc golf works like ball golf — complete each hole in as few throws as possible. Instead of a ball and clubs, you throw flying discs. Instead of a hole in the ground, you aim for a metal basket with hanging chains.
A course has 9 or 18 holes. Each hole has a tee pad (where you start) and a basket (where you finish). The total number of throws across all holes is your score. Lowest score wins.
Stand on the tee pad and throw your disc toward the basket. Where your disc lands is your new lie. Stand behind your disc and throw again. Keep going until the disc lands in the basket — the chains catch it and it drops into the tray.
Each throw counts as one stroke. If a hole is a par 3, that means a good player is expected to finish it in three throws.
Scoring uses the same terms as ball golf:
| Term | Meaning | vs. Par |
|---|---|---|
| Ace | Basket in one throw (hole-in-one) | -2 or more |
| Birdie | One throw under par | -1 |
| Par | Expected number of throws | 0 |
| Bogey | One throw over par | +1 |
| Double Bogey | Two throws over par | +2 |
A typical 18-hole course has a total par around 54. If you finish in 60 throws, your score is +6 (six over par). If you're new, don't worry about par — just track your total throws and try to improve each round.
You don't need a bag full of discs. Three is enough to start:
Short throws, approach shots, and putting. Flies straight and predictable. This is the disc you'll use most as a beginner.
Medium-distance shots. More glide than a putter but still easy to control. The workhorse of most bags.
Long throws off the tee. Requires more arm speed to fly properly. Beginners should start with fairway drivers (speed 7–9), not distance drivers.
Every disc has four flight numbers printed on it: Speed, Glide, Turn, and Fade. These describe how the disc flies. You don't need to memorise what they mean right now — just know that lower speed discs are easier to throw well.
There are two main throws in disc golf:
Backhand
The most common throw. Hold the disc with your thumb on top and fingers underneath the rim. Reach back, step forward, and snap the disc out in front of you — like swinging a tennis racket.
Forehand (Sidearm)
Hold the disc with your middle and index fingers pressed against the inside rim. Flick it forward with a wrist snap. Useful for shots that need to curve the opposite direction.
For your first few rounds, stick with the backhand. Focus on a smooth, flat release — not power. A slow, accurate throw will always beat a fast, wild one.
Tee off from behind the front of the tee pad
Your foot can be on the tee pad, but not in front of it when you release the disc.
Play from where your disc lands
Mark your lie (where the disc stopped) and throw from directly behind that spot. Don't move your disc unless it's out of bounds.
The player farthest from the basket throws first
After the tee shot, whoever is farthest away goes next. This keeps things safe and moving.
Out of bounds (OB) = one penalty throw
If your disc lands OB (usually marked by white lines or signs), add one stroke and throw from where it crossed the OB line.
The disc must come to rest in the basket
It needs to enter through the chains or the top and stay in the tray. A disc sitting on top of the basket or wedged in the side doesn't count.
Foot faults matter
When putting inside 10 metres, you must keep your front foot behind your lie until the disc comes to rest. You can't step past your marker during the throw.
Disc golf is a community sport. These aren't official rules, but following them will make you a welcome player on any course:
That's really all you need to know. Grab a putter, a midrange, and a fairway driver. Find a local course (most are free to play), and go throw. You'll learn more from one round than from reading ten guides.
Don't stress about score or technique on your first few rounds. Just throw the disc, walk to it, and throw it again. The rest comes with time.
Our beginner guide breaks down exactly which three discs to start with — and why.