Variations of Disc Golf, Alternative Formats, & Games

Disc Golf may be the most popular disc sport today, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to disc sports. There are many variations of disc golf, alternate scoring formats, and fun games played with a disc. Some of these date back long before the advent of the modern disc golf disc.

Along the way, people of all shapes and sizes created sports with the Frisbee to have fun with their friends. Many of these went on to become competitive individual and team sports, disc golf not the least among them. In this article, we’ll explore variants of disc golf, scoring formats, fun disc games, and more.

Early Predecessors of Disc Golf

Classic Throw & Catch

Ahh yes, where it all started. The game of throw and catch is possibly the oldest sport with a flying disc. Friends stand at various distances from each other and simply throw a disc amongst themselves. There can be anywhere between two and an infinite number of players in this game. This is a great space to learn new skills by trying throws and honing your skills. Players are able to try and throw directly towards people or make it a true game of exercise by sending people on the run. A classic for all ages!!

Object Disc Golf

Let’s get abstract y’all! This is the heart of disc golf. Before Steady Ed Headrick invented the Pole Hole (precursor to the modern disc golf basket) there was object disc golf. This consisted of players heading to an open space, picking a target and throwing towards it in as few strokes as possible. This is an incredibly creative game where the players become the course designers. Object disc golf is still applicable today if you find yourself in a park without baskets. Players generally have to hit an object between knee and chest height. The object can be anything from a tree to a road sign to a light pole, you decide!

Pole Hole

The Pole Hole was the original disc golf basket invented by Steady Ed Headrick in 1975. Originally, it consisted of only 10 chains over a basket (about 18 fewer than modern day baskets). It was a big development in the sport and led to the standardization of disc golf that we know today. The first official course to implement the Pole Holes was Oak Grove Park in Pasadena, CA in 1975. From these humble beginnings Headrick would barnstorm around the country and grow the sport person by person. He then founded the PDGA in 1976 and holds the first PDGA membership number of #001. Disc Golf might not be here at all without the early influence and passion of Headrick.

Disc Golf Scoring Variations

Everybody loves regular stroke play in disc golf, but when you want to mix it up try one of these variations.

BINGO BANGO BONGO

There are 3 points awarded per hole. The player with the most points at the end of the round wins. Players can earn a point in one of the following ways:

• BINGO – 1 point for longest drive off the tee.
• BANGO – 1 point for being closest to the pin. On a par 4, this is awarded on the 2nd shot; 3rd shot for a par 5.
• BONGO – 1 point for being the first to hole out. Player furthest from hole throws first, so factor this into your strategy.

Nassau

This is a betting game borrowed from traditional golf for a round of disc golf and is essentially three different bets in a single round. These three bets include one for the winner of the front nine, one for the winner of the back nine, and one for the combined winner. This is still rooted in stroke play but allows a player who has a tough front nine to get a clean slate on the back nine.

Stableford

This is another game borrowed from traditional golf which awards points for pars and birdies rather than keeping track of strokes like in stroke play. This scoring technique was developed in Wales in the late nineteenth century to keep players on the course and not abandon their round after a rough start. This game awards the same point cost to a quintuple bogey as it does to a double bogey so big numbers don’t do as much damage. This is a fun variation as it allows players to play aggressive without fear of losing too many strokes.

Scratch Play

This is also known as “handicapping” a round. This has to do with your average strokes above or below par. This type of game levels the playing field for players of all skill levels by subtracting strokes from players with higher handicaps. This is a fun variation of stroke play that allows for a level playing field.

Match Play

This is an enjoyable scoring format where each hole is worth one point. Winning a hole (i.e., getting the lowest score on the hole) earns you the point for that hole. This means that no matter what your scores are for a single hole, only one point is awarded to the player who has the best score on a hole. This allows players who are out of position to be more aggressive to try and make up strokes on a certain hole. Oftentimes there are team match play tournaments where individuals square off against one another to gain points for each team. This is a fun way to employ camaraderie to an otherwise individual sport.

Skins Match

High stakes you ask?! The skins match is for you. This is generally the same format as match play. However, in skins, prize money is typically awarded for each hole. This is also a common betting game, where you can have a fixed or variable bet per hole. Players can bet on the front nine, back nine, closest to pin, etc.

The outright winner of each hole earns the point, bet, and/or prize money for that hole. Ties carry over to the next hole. This rollover continues until a hole is won outright. Skins matches bring a fun and pressure element to the competition. Check out this coverage from GKPro to see how fun a skins match can truly be!

Bizzaro Golf

This format brings the bizarre to life on the disc golf course. Every hole has a different set of rules throughout the round. Players can either choose before the round or create the rules each hole. Rules can be dizzy shots, throwing with the off hand, putter-only, roller-only, eyes closed or anything the mind can imagine. This format brings great fun to the course when scoring is not your ultimate intention.

Doubles Formats

Disc golf is great in teams, too. The following sections detail formats for teams with two or more players.

Best Shot Doubles (Scramble)

This is the most common format in doubles. Both players from each team throw from the designated tee. Players decide which shot was better and then both players throw their next shots from that same lie. This continues until one of the players gets the disc into the basket. This format allows teams to use strategy as to who can be more aggressive versus playing safe. Loads of fun and a great way to speed up a round when you have many players on a card.

Best Disc Doubles (Best Score)

This is a similar format to singles as it allows both players on a team to play each hole individually. Players throw their shots from their own lies and complete the hole individually. However, only the lowest score between the two players is recorded as the team score.

Worst Shot Doubles

Watch out now! This game is extremely fun as teams tend to razz each other in a fun sporting spirit. It doesn’t matter if a player throws an ace because if the other player on the team shanked their drive in the drink, they must take that shot. Ohh the humanity! And this is true all the way to the putting green. For a team to finish a hole, both players must make the putt. This is a high energy game that is extremely fun for players of all skill levels, though it does expose players of less skill.

Alternate Shot Doubles

This doubles platform is just as it sounds, players alternate shots until one player makes it into the basket. Tee shots can be pre-determined before the round by alternating every hole no matter who finishes the hole. However, each tee shot can also vary based on who finishes each hole. This means that the player who puts the disc in the basket would allow the other player to tee off on the next hole. When playing against another team, timing this throwing rotation with each player’s strengths can be an important part of your strategy. 

3 Player Formats

5-3-1

This game, also known as 9 point, is generally played as a betting game. It is a straightforward point game in which each hole awards a total of 9 points to three players. The winner of each hole receives 5 points, second place gets 3 points, and last place gets 1 point. Scoring can get a touch complicated if players tie, however it makes sense once the math is hashed out. The player with the most cumulative points at the end of the round wins the game. This is another great game to allow less skilled players to play more aggressive and compete via points.

Defender

This is a really fun game where your team and your place in the game continue to change. This three-person game allows players to break into two rotating teams. On every hole, two players from a team face off against the one lone player, aka the “Defender.” Players are awarded points based on the outcome of each hole and the player with the most points at the end of the round is the winner. Scoring is skewed towards the defender winning a hole as this player gets two points for doing so. A tie results in all three players earning one point. If the defender loses the hole then each player on the winning team gains one point.

Pressure

When it comes to the Pressure format, players need to avoid making mistakes. After each turn of the three players, the individual who lands the worst shot is ‘awarded’ a pressure point. The game continues to rotate in this manner until all holes are played, and the player with the lowest accumulation of pressure points triumphs. The Pressure format encourages players to consistently perform and stay focused, adding a new layer of intricacy to disc golf strategy.

These 3-player formats of disc golf challenge the players at every step, demanding consistency, strategy, and competitive spirit. Whether playing for fun or to improve one’s skill level, these formats make sure that every shot counts.

4+ Player Team Formats

Hollywood

Hollywood, a variant that’s as glamorous as its name suggests, shifts partnerships every six holes. In a round of Hollywood, partners work together to earn points for each hole won. The crucial aspect of this format is that it allows individual scores to be tracked over multiple rounds, enabling an overall match winner to emerge at the end of the tournament. This creates a nice balance between teamwork and personal skill level, as players cooperate to win holes but also strive to outdo their changing partners and claim the Hollywood title.

Wolf

Next up is Wolf, another dynamic 4+ player format. In Wolf, the order of play is rotated with each hole, and the outcome of the game becomes largely dependent on the decisions of the ‘Wolf’ player. As the star player of the match, the Wolf must decide whether to pair up with other players for the round or to bravely venture as a ‘Lone Wolf’.

The Lone Wolf designation is simultaneously risky and rewarding. It offers a lone wolf the chance to capture double points if they win the hole. However, if they do not, the other players win the points. This injection of strategy into each hole keeps the game exciting, ensuring every hole maintains an engaging level of suspense and unpredictability.

These formats highlight the variability and adaptability of disc golf, proving that it’s not just the number of players that make the game exciting – it’s how you choose to play it.

Other Disc Golf Games

Learn something new about your game or your card mates when you play these funky disc golf formats.

1 Disc Challenge

This is a great challenge for players of all skill levels to dial in that certain disc you want to throw on a variety of angles. Simply select one disc in your bag and this is the only disc you throw for an entire round (though sometimes players bring a putter to get practice around the green). This challenge allows you to hone skills on a certain disc from a variety of angles, shot shapes, and speeds on both forehands and backhands. We urge beginners to select a neutral putter or mid-range to complete this challenge.

Ript Revenge Card Game

Ript Revenge is a card game that you can implement to spice up a round with your friends. Players are dealt a hand of cards at the beginning of a round and use said cards against their opponents to make it harder for them to score well. You gain more cards when you lose a hole and this raucous game becomes a hoot when you use such cards as

• “Force your opponent to throw a grenade on their upcoming drive/approach.”
• “Reposition an opponents lie by 30 feet.”
• “Force an opponent to take the upcoming drive with his/her off hand.”

Bag Raid

This is a match play style game in which the stakes are big. In short, the player who loses a hole gets to “remove” a disc from the bag of the player who won the hole. This player has to relinquish this disc for the remainder of the round. This game can be especially brutal for players who know each others bags well as you can remove the go-to discs of your friends. A true gem of a game that keeps you guessing!

Barkie

Who would have thought that hitting trees could be a bonus? In a game of Barkie, nature mishaps get rewarded with points, taking the sting out of stray shots while keeping play fun and unpredictable. A player earns a barkie (one point) for getting a par after hitting a tree somewhere on the hole. A player earns two barkies by carding a birdie after hitting a tree anywhere on the hole. Most barkies at the end of the round wins.

Half Point Nelson

Half Point Nelson introduces fractional scoring for metal hits, inviting players to take risks and aim for the basket. Players get a 1/2 stroke for a metal hit as a gimme to finish the hole. This means that no matter how far out you threw from and no matter how far away from the basket your disc ends up, you receive 1/2 stroke for a metal hit. Say you hit metal on your third shot. Your score for the hole is 3 1/2. This game speeds up the pace and is great when you need to get in a quick round. It also awards aggressive play from distance if you get a metal hit.

Pebbles (aka Vegas)

This high stakes game is played by two teams of two. It is recommended that all players be of similar skill levels to keep the match competitive. Each player on a team uses their score in combination with each other to figure their score for each hole. Instead of adding the scores together, the lower of the two scores is used first to combine with the higher score. For example, Player A cards a 3 while Player B cards a 4. This gives them a score of 34 for the hole. The other team has Player C card a 4 while Player D cards a 5. Their score for the hole is a 45. You then subtract the lower score from the higher score (45-34=11) to get the point total awarded to the team with the lower score. Most points at the end of the round wins and the point total is the dollar amount due to the winners. This game has the potential to add up quick!

Throw ‘Em All

This game teaches each player how to throw every disc in their bag, literally. A player must throw every disc in their bag one time throughout a round before they are able to cycle back through and throw a certain disc a second time. This game is a lesson in patience and knowing your entire bag. Choose which disc to play wisely – because you won’t be using it again for a while!

Safari Round

Creative minds unite! A Safari Round is one in which you combine a variety of tees and baskets to create holes with a variety of lines and pars (i.e. step up to hole one’s tee pad and throw to hole four’s basket). You can have this all ironed out before the round or feel free to play abstract golf and create the course while you are on the go. The number of holes to play is up to you. This is best played on a fairly empty course so blind throws do not end up interfering with or endangering others playing.

Distance

Let the big dogs eat! This is the truest test of distance. How far can you throw? Participants generally set up ideal wind conditions over their left shoulder to send the disc as far as possible.

Here are the current world records:

Male-David Wiggins, Jr. (2016)- 1,108 feet

Female-Jennifer Allen (2016)- 568 feet

Here’s video from the windy desert of Wiggins’ massive drive.

Other Disc Games

Let’s move outside of disc golf and look at some of the many games using other discs like freestyle and catch discs. 

Accuracy

Think archery. Accuracy is a field event that gauges participants’ ability to throw a disc through a square target. Players have seven different targets to which they throw four discs each. 

Here are the current records:

Male- Mike Cloyes (1991)-25/28 Bullseyes

Female- Yukari Komatsu (2003)- 19/28 Bullseyes

Maximum Time Aloft (MTA)

This discipline sees players throw the disc in the air for as long as possible as it hovers and crashes back to the player and they must catch it with one hand for the MTA to be complete.

Here are the current records:

Male- Don Cain (1984)- 16.72 seconds

Female- Amy Bekken (1991)- 11.81 seconds

Throw Run Catch (TRC)

This is a frisbee discipline in which a player throws a disc, runs to track it down and catches it as far as possible from the point in which they released the disc.

Here are the current records:

Male- Christian Sandstrom (2003)- 308 feet

Female- Judy Horowitz (1985)- 196 feet

Discathon

This is a speed endeavor where mandatories are marked on a course, generally in a park. The course can be anywhere between 200 meters and 2 kilometers long. Players carry two or three discs and are allowed to throw one of their alternate discs once they arrive at their lie. This keeps them moving forward at a quicker pace. Players set themselves up for mandatories with placement shots and then use their speed and endurance to power forward through the course. This discipline is finished when the disc crosses the finish line.

Disc Freestyle

Disc Freestyle is the most artistic and athletic of all the Frisbee disciplines. It combines hand-eye coordination with creativity and pure athleticism. The purest form of this sport is “Creative movement with a moving disc.” Think of ballet with a spinning disc while catching and spinning throughout. This is one of the most fun sports to witness.

Self Caught Flight (SCF)

MTA and TRC are often combined into one event by having players throw five attempts of each discipline. The SCF score is derived by taking the TRC result in meters and adding it to the MTA time in seconds which is multiplied by a factor 5.5. 

Here are the current records:

Male-Niclas Bergehamn (1996)-14.63 seconds/281 feet(166.19)

Female- Annie Kreml (1994)- 10.49 seconds/172 feet(110.35)

Overall

Eventually the ‘Overall’ discipline (similar to the heptathlon in track and field) became the true test of the best Frisbee player in the world. Overall combined 10 Frisbee disciplines (Accuracy, Discathon, Double Disc Court, Freestyle, Distance, Disc Golf, Self Caught Flight, Maximum Time Aloft, Throw, Run and Catch and Self Caught Flight) to crown the grand champion. Early pioneers of Frisbee sports in the 50’s and 60’s came together in the early 70’s to popularize many of the Frisbee disciplines under the “Overall” category. The WFDF notes 1974 as a pivotal year for disc sports.

Overall saw its popularity soar through the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. The World Frisbee Championships (WFC) were held from 1974-1982. This formed the backbone for the structure of Frisbee sports. The World Championships went on to be governed by multiple bodies and is currently governed by the Word Flying Disc Federation (WFDF).

In the early 90’s a player named Ken Climo brought legitimacy and great skill to disc golf en route to 12 World titles. Around this time Ultimate Frisbee was enjoying huge success and the two sports became the face of all disc sports and soared in popularity. Disciplines under the Overall category have diminished in popularity since the 90’s. However, there are still World Championships held every year. Be on the lookout in August, 2025 for the 2025 WFDF World Overall Flying Disc Championships being held in Sweden.

More Disc / Frisbee Games You Can Play

Kan Jam

This sport is simply two plastic cylinders (think garbage cans) with a slit in them. There are multiple ways to score points. You can throw it above the cylinder to a teammate that has one attempt to slap the disc into the opening on top, for 3 points. Or, your teammate can hit the disc into the side for 1 point, or you can just throw the disc into the slit to win it all. First to 21 points wins. The big upside to this sport is that it is for players of all skill levels. Kan Jam can be purchased from all of the biggest online retailers.

Disc Hoops / Frisbee Hoops

Imagine this: players in a gymnasium playing Ultimate Frisbee, but instead of completing a pass in the end zone for a point, players throw the disc into the actual basketball hoop that’s been slightly modified. Aside from scoring, the rules of the game are the same as in Ultimate. The main difference? You can never get rained out!

Double Disc Court

Double Disc Court (DDC) is a sport played by two teams of two players each, with two discs in play. The courts are 13 meters square and 17 meters apart. Each team defends its court by catching any incoming discs, and attacks the other court by throwing them back. You get one point for a throw that lands and stays in the opponents’ court, or if an opponent drops your throw. Your opponents get one point if your throw touches outside their court. Two points are scored when the other team touches both discs at the same time. This is an incredibly fun sport which combines quickness, strategy and throwing ability.

Guts

Guts consists of two teams (generally four per team) lined up directly across from each other at a fairly short distance (40’ish feet). The team with the disc chooses a player to throw the disc as hard as they can at the other team, who has to catch that disc with one hand before it hits the ground. This is done by deflecting the disc to slow it down so teammates can make the catch. If a catch is made it equals one point. This is a high-intensity sport that requires incredible hand-eye coordination and … guts!

Frisknock

Frisnock might win the award for most name variations. Some of them include: Poles, Frickets French Darts, Filmsee, Beersbee, Polish Horseshoes, Spanish Horseshoes, Frisbeener, and Bottle Bash to name a few. It has historically been a drinking game, however people of all ages love this game. Drive two poles (i.e. ski poles, PVC, etc.) into the ground about 30 feet apart. Balance an empty can or plastic bottle on top of each pole and make sure it is sturdy. This is a game for two teams of two. Each team stands together at each pole and a disc is thrown to either hit the pole or the can/bottle to knock it off its stand. The defending players try to catch the can/bottle if it is knocked off and the disc with one hand! Points are awarded for various situations and this game is HUGE fun. Bonus: play this game in shallow water.

Ultimate Frisbee

Ultimate Frisbee, often referred to simply as Ultimate, is a non-contact self-refereed team sport played with a recreational disc designed for Ultimate. It is a combination of many sports (mostly soccer and football) with fitness at its core. From the WFDF (World Flying Disc Federation):

“Two teams of seven players compete on a playing field about the same length as a football field, but narrower. At each end of the playing field there is an end zone. Each team defends one end zone. They score a goal if one of their players catches the disc in the opposite end zone. The player with the disc is called the thrower. The thrower may not run with the disc. Instead they move the disc by passing to team-mates in any direction. The defensive team gets possession of the disc if an offensive team’s throw is not caught by a player of the same team. Then the defensive team becomes the offensive team and can try to score in the opposite end zone.”