What is par in disc golf?

Par is the expected number of strokes an experienced player should need to complete a hole. Most holes are par 3, with longer holes at par 4 or par 5. A typical 18-hole course has a total par between 54 and 63.

What is a good score in disc golf?

For recreational players, shooting even par or +1 over on an 18-hole course is a solid round. For competitive players, scores under par are expected. Professional MPO players routinely shoot 10–15 under par on championship courses.

How do you score in a disc golf tournament?

Tournament scoring follows the same stroke-play format — total strokes across all rounds. Most tournaments are 2 or 3 rounds of 18 holes. The player with the lowest cumulative score wins. Tiebreakers use sudden-death playoff holes.

What does 'circle 1' and 'circle 2' mean in disc golf scoring?

Circle 1 is within 10 meters (33 feet) of the basket — the putting zone. Circle 2 is 10–20 meters (33–66 feet) out. These are used in professional stats to track putting accuracy from different distances.

Disc Golf Scoring Explained: How to Keep Score Like a Pro

Scoring in disc golf is straightforward once you know the terminology. Here’s how it works — from casual rounds to tournament play. (Brand new? Skim our how to play disc golf guide first — this article assumes you know the basics.)

The Basics

Every throw counts as one stroke. Complete the hole, add up your strokes, and compare to par.

Under par: You did better than expected (birdie, eagle)
At par: You performed as expected
Over par: You took more strokes than expected (bogey, double bogey)

Scoring Terms

Term	Meaning
Eagle	2 under par (rare — usually on par 5 holes)
Birdie	1 under par
Par	Even
Bogey	1 over par
Double Bogey	2 over par
Triple Bogey	3 over par
Ace	Hole-in-one (throw-in from the tee)

How Par Works

Par is set by the course designer based on distance and difficulty:

Par 3: Most holes (typically under 400 feet)
Par 4: Longer holes (400–600 feet) or technical holes with OB
Par 5: Rare — very long or multi-mando holes

A typical 18-hole course has 14–16 par 3s, 2–3 par 4s, and 0–1 par 5s, for a total par of 54–63.

Tournament Scoring

In competitive play, scoring works the same way but across multiple rounds:

Stroke play: Total strokes across 2–3 rounds of 18 holes. Lowest cumulative score wins.
Match play: Head-to-head, hole-by-hole. Win a hole by having fewer strokes; tie = halved.
** skins:** Each hole is worth a “skin” (prize). If two or more players tie a hole, the skin carries over to the next hole.

Scorekeeping Tips

Keep your own score AND a playing partner’s score — compare after each hole
Mark your lie before picking up your disc to avoid disputes
Record scores immediately after holing out — don’t wait until the next tee
Use a scorecard app or paper card — don’t rely on memory for 18 holes

What’s a Good Score?

Beginner: +15 to +25 over par for 18 holes (totally normal!)
Intermediate: Even par to +5 over
Advanced: -5 to -10 under par
Professional (MPO): -10 to -18 under on championship courses

Don’t stress about your score early on. The goal is to have fun, get outside, and improve gradually. Track your scores over time — watching yourself improve is one of the best parts of the sport.

Find a Course and Start Scoring

You can’t keep score until you’ve played a round. Use our disc golf course finder to pick a beginner-friendly course near you, or browse a city guide:

Disc golf in Austin, TX — short, free courses perfect for your first scorecard
Disc golf in Denver, CO — open layouts where pars feel attainable
Disc golf in Portland, OR — forgiving wooded tracks to learn on

When OB lines and mandatories start affecting your score, keep our official rules reference handy — and our first-disc guide if you still need the disc that’ll throw your first birdie.