Disc golf: 5 reasons to play a worst-shot round by yourself

Usually, the worst-shot format is for doubles rounds. For each shot, members of the same doubles team take a turn. As the name implies, of the two, the worse shot is the lie played for the next throw. A hole is completed once both golfers make their putts – this repeats for 18 holes.

The worst-shot format can be utilized during a solo round, as well. Only, instead of two (or more) golfers on a team, the same golfer throws two shots from off the tee, as well as each subsequent lie. A hole is completed when the golfer in question hits a putt two times.

Does this sound like fun?

It can be.

It can also suck.

Still, here’s why you should take part …

1. You’ll scramble more

Do you envy Ricky Wysocki’s ability to scramble?

If you don’t, you should.

What’s crazy about it is that, for as good as Rick is at getting out of trouble, learning to scramble isn’t something that takes place smack-dab in the middle of the fairway. Wysocki’s job is to play disc golf. He plays enough holes to find himself off the beaten path – he’s learned to get back on.

For amateurs like you and me, however, we don’t have that kind of time. The more you can milk a round for all its worth, the better off your game will be. For mere mortals, playing worst-shot rounds will get you off the fairway – and fast. From there, it’s your job to find a way to the pin.

Trial by fire …

This is how you grow.

2. You’ll learn to survive

I’m a “hot-and-cold” disc golfer.

In other words, when I’m on, my scorecard shows it – I’m fire. But when I’m struggling, I bypass mediocrity altogether, opting instead for complete and total self-implosion on the course.

There’s ZERO middle-ground.

Worst-shot rounds teach mental fortitude. Not every round will go as planned. Some days, for no reason at all, you fail to play your best golf. It’s on those days you want to learn to survive – to report back to the clubhouse with a puncher’s chance of recovering the next day and winning.

Worst-shot rounds help your brain with this.

“Good enough” is sometimes all that’s needed.

3. You’ll identify patterns

Twice the shots means twice the data.

The more shots you throw, the more you’ll start to see the same problems appear over and over (and over) again. In the woods, maybe you tend to grip-lock drives when attempting to hyzer-flip the disc up a tight tunnel. Or, perhaps your backhand approaches need some work – especially on turnovers. When putting, perchance you continue to clank your putter off the front of the cage.

First, identify the issue.

Then, in practice, focus on it.

Worst-shot rounds make pressing problems WAY easier to pinpoint.

4. You’ll get more consistent

During a worst-shot round, to shoot well, you literally have to throw two solid rounds in one. Without the slightest bit of consistency, your round will turn ugly – and fast. Best of all, the worst-shot format all but eliminates the “luck factor” many solid, outlier rounds rely on …

The occasional lucky round happens.

But twice? On the same day?

And from the same player?

Forget it.

5. You’ll make every throw count

Read it and weep:

Every. Throw. Counts.

This is certainly the case during a tournament. But during casual rounds, it’s often hard to imitate the same kind of pressure. Yes, you can still half-arse a worst-shot round. But given the way scores are accumulated, it’s harder to do. You can’t take any holes off – or throws, either.

There’s no going through the motions …

Every shot demands focus.

For the sake of your sanity, this is NOT an every-round king of activity.

Once in a while, though, it’ll help you see where your game stands.

It might sting a bit, but you’ll be better for it.

Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.

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