I’m always looking for ways to mix up the disc golf experience.
Subconsciously, I’ve been inspired by Foundation Disc Golf.
I first encountered random-draw triples last summer on vacation in Southern Utah. I played with a group of guys I’d randomly met in the parking lot. While I can’t vouch for their claim, according to them, this format was a regular thing with their local disc golf club.
Playing is simple.
Basically, random-draw triples is played the same way as random-draw doubles, but with a third person. Everyone drives off the tee. From there, the best shot is chosen. Yet again, all three triples teammates throw and continue with the best shot from each subsequent lie.
So again, THAT …
But with three people.
As for the “random-draw” part, there are a few different methods for making it happen. The first time I played, the dudes I met in the parking lot were five-guys strong – I became the sixth. There was a brief conversation about ability, and we ran with what we felt would work.
For larger groups on league night, consider having participants write their names on a slip of paper. From there, they’ll place them in one of three bins: beginner, intermediate or advanced. One name is blindly plucked from each container to form a random-draw triples team. The main issue with this strategy, however, is that there are rarely the same number of papers in each pile.
The solution?
Check out this Instagram post from Jeff Panis. It contains a more scientific, numbers-backed approach to getting the random-draw side of things correct – here’s a cut-and-dry rundown:
- From one to five, have each player write a number on his (or her) mini.
- All minis are then thrown into one massive pile for team selection.
- Three are quickly drawn at random to form a single triples unit.
Sound good?
Here’s why it works …
One is for newbies. Five is for open-level golfers. Use your best judgment for numbers two, three and four. When drawn, the sum total of the numbers on the three minis can’t be less than six or greater than ten. That way – on paper, at least – things are fair. If there’s an issue, discard and redraw a mini at random until the new total jives with the aforementioned parameters.
It’s hard to get more methodical than that.
The benefits of random-draw triples are rock-solid, too. The structure gets new people out to the course in a less-threatening environment, as they can lean on the abilities of others. And older, more experienced disc golfers within the club are forced to get to know them. Also, without anybody realizing, there’s teaching, learning and sharing going on during the actual round.
All this with LOTS of people on the course.
It’s weird, because everybody has played random-draw doubles …
But triples?
Not nearly enough disc golfers know the experience.
Give it a try.
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