Best Shot
Definition: Best shot is the most common doubles format in disc golf - both partners throw from each lie, after which the team selects the preferred disc position and both players throw again from that chosen location. Best shot doubles is widely valued because it combines competitive scoring with aggressive strategy, teamwork, and social interaction while reducing some of the pressure associated with singles play. Since players are allowed to attempt difficult or creative shots knowing that a partner’s safer throw may still provide a favorable lie, best shot formats often produce lower scores, more birdie opportunities, and dramatically different strategic behavior than traditional individual rounds. Effective best-shot play starts with technical execution that improves with communication, trust, and intelligent coordination between teammates regarding shot order, risk tolerance, and strategic priorities. Best shot doubles often creates an energetic and highly entertaining style of competition, where mistakes can be erased by a partner’s success or an excellent first shot lets a partner “go for broke.”
Why It Matters: Best shot encourages aggressive scoring opportunities, teamwork, and strategic experimentation in the context of a competitive structure accessible to players of many skill levels. Teams can attack difficult holes more confidently, with complementary strengths rewarding differing talents in the context of social dynamics that differ substantially from singles competition.
Term Observations:
- Teams often strategically decide which player should throw first, with one partner attempting a safer placement shot while the other attacks a more aggressive scoring line.
- Aggressive birdie runs become more common in best-shot play because players know missed attempts may still be protected by a partner’s safer result.
- Strong best-shot teams frequently combine complementary abilities such as power driving, technical precision, scrambling skill, or elite putting.
- Communication and emotional chemistry between partners propels success during competitive best-shot events.
- Best-shot doubles creates a more relaxed and enjoyable competitive environment with responsibility for outcomes shared between teammates.
- Best-shot formats reward confidence and creativity by reducing the penalty for failed high-risk attempts.
- On technical wooded courses, best-shot strategy may shift toward ensuring at least one player successfully hits critical gaps before the other attempts more ambitious lines.
- Best-shot doubles fosters social interaction, mentorship, and balanced participation across varying skill levels, making it ideal for league play.
