There’s a reason doubles disc golf has the social charm of a pub quiz and the tactical depth of chess — played blindfolded, in a field. Sure, it’s not just about who can throw further or putt straighter. Rather, it’s about how two flawed humans can somehow combine into something resembling coherence. And that, dear reader, is where disc golf doubles strategy really begins. Not with shot selection or who tees off odd holes. But with the strange behavioural cocktail of communication, expectation management, and not strangling your partner by hole 7.
Let’s unpack the psychology of good partnerships — and why “just play your game” is terrible advice when your game affects someone else.
Why Disc Golf Doubles Strategy Is Less About Discs and More About Dynamics
You can learn a lot about a person in 18 holes. Do they fist-bump after a shank? Do they sulk when they miss a putt? Do they apologise for your mistakes? (Always a red flag, by the way.)
Unlike solo play, where you’re only battling yourself, doubles adds a second ego to the mix — and no matter how modest we pretend to be, we all want to feel useful. The insight here? People don’t mind losing — they mind feeling useless.
So any effective disc golf doubles strategy must begin with a shared sense of contribution.
And that starts with…
Talking. Yes, Out Loud. To Each Other.
There’s a common instinct among players to stay quiet — even when speaking up could easily save a stroke. But clear, timely communication is the cornerstone of any good doubles team. And not just tactical chatter. In addition, emotional check-ins matter.
Things worth saying include:
- “You’re still up — let’s just get it inbounds.”
- “Safe play here — I’ll go aggressive if we need it.”
- “Don’t worry, we’ve got the next one.”
Things not worth saying:
- “You always do this.”
- “Should’ve used your backhand.”
- “Maybe we should just lay up every hole.”
In short: strategise like you’re playing poker. Meanwhile, support like you’re on Bake Off.
Understand the Roles: Yin, Yang, and the Art of Not Overlapping
Every doubles team has roles — whether defined or not. One person might be the bomber, the other the putt specialist. One sees lines through trees, the other sees trees and panic. And that’s fine.
A great disc golf doubles strategy means embracing complementarity. Not duplicating effort.
After a poor hole, you’ll often see both players start playing tighter. As a result, they try to compensate — which usually backfires. But that creates tension, not trust.
Ultimately, your job isn’t to impress your partner — it’s to free them up.
The psychology is simple: people perform better when they don’t feel watched, judged, or second-guessed. You’re not their boss. You’re their backup singer. Harmonise, don’t compete.
Styles Make Fights: Adapting to Different Play Types
Ever teamed up with someone who throws every shot as a roller? Or insists on anhyzers when the fairway begs for hyzer? It’s like doing a three-legged race with someone who moonwalks.
Adaptability matters. If your partner has a different style, don’t try to change it mid-round. Adjust your expectations and your tactics. For example:
- Partner loves big risks? Play safer to balance the odds.
- Partner is a steady shot? Take calculated risks to capitalise on their consistency.
- Partner uses a forehand for everything? Accept it, support it, move on.
Rather than creating a joint philosophy, you’re creating shared coverage.
Conflict Happens. But It Doesn’t Have to Escalate
It’s inevitable: a misread, a missed putt, a bit of tension when someone decides to run a death putt over OB because “it felt right.”
The best doubles teams have a plan for conflict. And that plan is simple:
- Don’t solve it mid-round.
- Don’t bury it with silence.
- Acknowledge it, reset, move on.
I’ve found humor is your best ally. If things are getting tight, say something self-deprecating. More importantly, releasing tension builds trust. And if that fails, snacks. Never underestimate the diplomatic power of a well-timed flapjack.
A Great Disc Golf Doubles Strategy Is Invisible
Like a good umpire, the best partnerships go unnoticed. They’re smooth. Unremarkable. Quietly efficient. They don’t need constant pep talks or passive-aggressive muttering.
Why? Because the best teams trust their process. They’ve had the chat before the round. They’ve agreed who takes lead on what. They know when to talk, and when to shut up and throw.
Want to be that team? Try this pre-round checklist:
- Establish who throws first (and when to swap)
- Agree your general risk level for the day
- Decide how to handle disagreements
- Share one useful detail about how you handle pressure
It takes five minutes. It saves fifteen strokes.
Final Thoughts
Doubles disc golf isn’t just about strategy. It’s a behavioral experiment in cooperation under mildly competitive pressure and occasional tree kicks.
You’re not trying to win a major. Instead, you’re trying to make each other look good. The better your disc golf doubles strategy, the less it looks like strategy at all.
Because in the end, great doubles play feels like magic — but it’s really just empathy, expressed through flight paths.
Common Questions About Disc Golf Doubles Strategy
Keep it simple: one player plays safe, the other takes a more aggressive line. Communicate clearly and support each other.
Look for someone whose style complements yours — and who doesn’t take mistakes personally. Chemistry matters more than raw skill.
Not necessarily. Complementary styles often work better, allowing for flexible strategy and better course coverage.
Stay calm, discuss options briefly, and defer to the player with the stronger position on the hole. Avoid long debates during play.
Focus on encouragement, keep your expectations realistic, and use humour to defuse tension when needed.
