New Scoring Rules Come into Effect in 2024

As we approach the 2024 season, it's essential that all players, Tournament Directors (TDs), and officials understand the new scoring rules that will be in effect for PDGA events. One of the most significant changes is that every player must keep their own official score throughout the round, with some exceptions.

According to the International Program Guide, the new rule requires players to keep track of their scores themselves or have a designated caddie do so on their behalf. No one else can keep score for a player except for the player themselves or their assigned caddie. It's crucial that TDs communicate the available scoring options (digital and paper) to players before the event begins, allowing them to plan accordingly.

Players who choose to use digital scores should ensure they have fully charged phones and place them in "do not disturb" mode to save battery life and minimize distractions. Those opting for paper scorecards must have a writing instrument handy. A small notebook or pencil can serve as a backup option if the primary scoring method fails.

Reconciling scores is a mandatory process, where groups compare their scorecards to ensure accuracy. This step is essential in detecting potential scoring errors. If all players used the PDGA Digital Scorecard, hole-by-hole reconciliation may not be necessary, as discrepancies are automatically flagged.

For events using paper or third-party apps, reconciling scores is vital, and it's recommended that groups perform this task at the completion of each round to ensure accuracy. This involves reading out the hole-by-hole scores for each player to confirm their correctness.

To make things smoother for TDs, offering the PDGA Digital Scorecard is highly recommended. It streamlines scorekeeping, eliminates manual math, and automatically identifies discrepancies between scorecards. Tournament Directors can monitor submitted scorecards using the "Tournament Central" interface within 30 minutes of completing each round.

Implementing these new scoring rules may require some adjustments for both players and TDs. To facilitate a smooth transition, the PDGA Event Support & Training team is available to provide guidance on how to navigate these changes at your event.

Whether you're a seasoned player or an experienced Tournament Director, understanding the intricacies of the new scoring rules will help ensure that all events run smoothly and accurately in 2024.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/how-score-2024-player-td-guidance