How frequently do you check scores during an event?
Come tourney time, everybody does things differently.
It’s a matter of personal preference.
For example, some guys want to know EXACTLY how far back of the lead they are – and at all times. For them, these details serve as a means of motivation – a “dangled carrot,” so to speak. The more information with which they arm themselves, the better they’ll be able to strategize.
Knowledge is power.
Others find it easier to get in their own heads when they know where they’re at in the field. And as a result of it, they overthink things. For them, disc golf is a one-on-one battle between them and the course – not other disc golfers. As long as they play the course the best they can, what good does it do knowing how everyone else is performing? Control what you can control.
Makes sense.
As is the case with most things, however, your best bet?
It’s somewhere in the middle.
As a starting point, go with what has you feeling most comfortable on the course …
Duh.
But whether you like it or not, in certain settings, you REALLY should know where you stand. And I’m not talking about the obvious stuff, like checking out the (literal) leaderboard between rounds during a multi-round, weekend-long tournament, either – everybody does that already.
From disc golfers far smarter than myself, here’s what I’ve always been told …
You’ve likely heard some variation of this:
- If it’s the final round, and you’re on the lead card, monitor scores.
- If it’s the final round, and you’re on the chase card, monitor scores.
- If it’s the final round, and you’re within five strokes, monitor scores.
* Note: If more than five strokes back, screw everyone else – put your head down and play.
No, you don’t have to be glued to your phone …
But pay attention on the back nine.
If a win’s on the line, situationally, come crunch time, you’ll want to be in the know. Simply knowing your score could be the difference between laying up for a win-saving par and wasting a weekend with an unnecessary birdie bid that pops, rolls and carries with it your self-worth …
I’ve seen it happen.
Of course, winning isn’t everything …
Other score-dependent goals are on the table, as well.
Some golfers are BIG on competing for a tourney takedown from the lead card. If this is you, during the penultimate round, you’ll want to know where you sit to make a push for it. For FPO and MPO golfers, merely cashing is worthwhile. On the Pro Tour, points and Tour Cards matter.
And for the more amateur amongst us, beating a buddy is always nice for bragging rights. Or maybe even finishing in the top-half or upper-third of the field is your aim – that’s fine, too.
So, no …
You don’t have to watch scores like a hawk.
I get it.
But don’t cut yourself off from ‘em completely, either.
You might regret it.
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