HOW WE PLAY DART GOLF
Rules:
A round of Dart Golf consists of 18 wedges (“holes”), played in numerical succession, beginning with #1. Each player must throw three (3) darts, or “shots” per hole, through the 18th. To count as a “throw”, a dart need only carry (intentionally) beyond the toe-line, or “tee box”.
On each hole, a player will obtain a score in relation to “par”, based on where each of the three darts lands. As in real golf, the object is to score as many strokes under par as possible. In multiple-player games or tournaments, the player with the lowest score upon completion of a predetermined number of rounds (or holes) is the winner.
Scoring:
Scoring areas on 1st holeA player’s score on any given hole can range from -6 to +4. The score on each hole depends on the area of that hole that is hit – or not hit – upon completion of the three-dart throw (see picture, right).
• Any dart hitting the target hole, but not in either the inner or outer ring (orange area in picture at right), is counted as “par”. A player need only stick one dart in the par area to receive a score of par for that hole. As long as one dart is in the par area, a player can score no worse than par (Even) on that hole, regardless of where the other two darts land. In other words, a player scoring par with his first dart can only better his score (with birdies or eagles) on his remaining darts. The only exception is if a dart in the par area is knocked free by a subsequently thrown dart. Multiple darts in the par area would still count as par (i.e. Even par + Even par = Even par!)
• Any dart landing in the inner ring (yellow area in picture above) is counted as a “birdie”, and the player receives a score of -1 for each dart in that area.
• A dart landing in the outer ring (blue area in picture above) is counted as an “eagle”, and the player receives a score of -2 for each dart in that area.
Birdies and eagles are cumulative.
** Example: A player throws three darts at the first hole (picture above). One dart lands in the yellow area (birdie), and two darts land in the blue area (eagle). The player’s score for that hole would be -1 (birdie) plus -4 (two eagles, -2 to par each) for a total of -5! **
If a player fails to hit the target hole, the resulting score for that hole will be over par. The number of strokes over par is determined by the placement of all three darts. Any darts which stick in or inside the eagle (outer) ring are counted as “on the board”, or “in bounds”. (Players may also refer to darts in this area as “in the paint”.) Any darts landing outside the eagle (outer) ring are considered “in the black” or “out of bounds”. Darts missing the board entirely – either in the wall, or bounced out – are treated as “out of bounds”. A dart which sticks into the back of another thrown dart ("Robin Hood", or "piggyback" dart) is not itself stuck in the board, and is therefor counted as out of bounds. Any darts which fall out of the board prior to being retrieved by the player throwing them are to be counted as out of bounds.
If all three darts miss the target hole, each dart thrown out of bounds results in the addition of one stroke to the base score of +1 (bogey):
• 3 darts in bounds, 0 darts out of bounds, target number not hit = “bogey” (+1)
• 2 darts in bounds, 1 dart out of bounds, target number not hit = “double-bogey” (+2)
• 1 dart in bounds, 2 darts out of bounds, target number not hit = “triple-bogey” (+3)
• 0 darts in bounds, 3 darts out of bounds, target number not hit = “quadruple-bogey” (+4)
** Example: A player throws three darts at the first hole (picture above). One dart sticks in the 18th hole, one dart sticks in the black (out of bounds) above the eagle area on 1st hole, and one dart bounces off the board, landing on the floor. The player’s score for that hole would be a triple-bogey (+3). The base score of bogey (target hole not hit) would be modified by +1 for the dart in the black, and by an additional +1 for the dart on the floor (both the latter darts counted as out of bounds). **
After all 18 holes have been played, a player will add up the totals from each hole to get an aggregate score for the round in relation to par.
Scoring Areas in Dart Golf
Orange = Par; Yellow = Birdie; Blue = EagleNote: Picture at right represents scoring areas for all 18 holes. Only those scoring areas for the hole being thrown at count toward overall aggregate score.
Dart Golf Scores Table
Below are all possible combinations of scores on a single hole, and the names for those scores.
- Threagle (3 eagles): -6
- B'deagle (1 birdie, 2 eagles): -5
- Deagle (2 eagles): -4
- Dirdeagle (2 birdies, 1 eagle): -4
- Beagle (1 birdie, 1 eagle): -3
- Tirdie (3 birdies): -3
- Eagle (blue area of target hole): -2
- Dirdie (2 birdies): -2
- Birdie (yellow area of target hole): -1
- Par (orange area of target hole): 0 (Even)
- Bogey (3 darts miss target hole, all in bounds): +1
- Double-bogey (3 darts miss target hole, 1 out of bounds): +2
- Triple-bogey (3 darts miss target hole, 2 out of bounds): +3
- Quadruple-bogey (3 darts miss target hole, all 3 out of bounds): +4
The “Little Brother” Tour:
Each Monday, the PDGA tour conducts an event which emulates the most recent tournament completed on the PGA TOUR (or some incarnation thereof). Official Dart Golf tournaments consist of a minimum of two 18-hole rounds, and no more than three rounds (54 holes). Major championships are contested over no fewer than 72 holes. To be counted as official, a tournament usually requires a minimum field of 5 players.
For statistical purposes, such as scoring averages, the par for 18 holes is determined each week by the corresponding course par for the PGA TOUR event just concluded. In other words, if the PGA TOUR plays on a course with a par of 70 in a given week, then we play to a par of 70 as well for that same week.
** Example: On a given Sunday, the PGA TOUR plays the FBR Open. The tournament ends on a Sunday, and is played on a golf course with a par of 71. On the next night (Monday), the PDGA tour would contest their own version of the FBR Open, and par for that night would also be 71. Thus, a player shooting 10-under par (-10) in a given round would score 61 (71 minus 10) for that particular round. **
All tournament rounds are scored only in relation to par until 18 holes are completed, and the applicable total in relation to that night’s par can then be calculated. Nine-hole totals can also be calculated, in accordance with nine-hole par values from the corresponding PGA TOUR event. (i.e. on a course with nine-hole pars of 36-35, players scoring -6 on the front nine would shoot 30, while players scoring -6 on the back nine would be credited with a 29).
Variations
Almost any golf game can be played in Dart Golf. Match Play, Skins Game and Modified Stableford scoring formats are just a few. Team formats, such as Alternate Dart, Better Dart and Scrambles, have also been used and are detailed in various portions of this web site. If you want more information, or have an idea for a format of your own, contact us on the "Dart Golf Discussion" section.
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