Starting scores are a manual score offset assigned to a player before their round begins — similar to a custom handicap. A player with a starting score of -3 begins their round at -3 before throwing a single disc. When at least one player has a starting score, an ADJ (adjustment) column appears on the leaderboard, visible to both admins and the public.
Note: Starting Scores are not the same as UDisc Handicap Leagues. UDisc Handicap Leagues automatically calculate handicaps using player history — admins can't edit those. Starting Scores are a separate feature where you enter the adjustment yourself. If your event has handicap scoring turned on, the starting score field is disabled — you must choose one or the other. See Handicap Leagues — FAQs for players and admins for more.
Starting scores are useful when:
You want to run your own custom handicap system
You need to apply a penalty or bonus to a specific player
Your league doesn't use or isn't eligible for UDisc's automatic Handicap Leagues
How do I set starting scores as an admin?
Once a player has been added to the event and a card has been published, you can set their starting score from the Leaderboard tab.
Go to the Leaderboard tab in your Event tools
Tap the pencil (Edit) icon to the right of the player's name
Select Adjust scores and penalties
Enter the player's score in the Starting score field
Tap Save
Note: Each player's starting score must be set individually — there's no bulk option. Starting scores can only be entered after a player has been added to or registered for the event and a card has been published.
Can players set their own starting scores?
Yes — players can enter their own starting score when creating their scorecard:
Tap Start round from the event page
Add players to the scorecard
On the Round setup screen, scroll down to Customize your round
Tap Starting scores
Enter the starting score for each player on the card
Tap Start my round
Troubleshooting
The starting score field is greyed out or missing
This happens when handicap scoring is enabled for the event. Starting scores and handicap scoring can't be used at the same time. If you want to use manual starting scores, turn off handicap scoring in the Edit event screen first.
I don't see an ADJ column on the leaderboard
The ADJ column only appears once at least one player has a starting score applied. Set a starting score for at least one player using the admin steps above.
A player registered but I can't set their starting score yet
Starting scores can only be set after the player has been added to the event and a card has been published. Publish the card first, then return to the Leaderboard tab to set the starting score.
Need more help? Check out the UDisc Landing Zone here for tips from fellow disc golfers, or ask to talk to a person in the chat.