What are the course difficulty levels on UDisc?

There are 4 levels of course difficulty: easy, moderate, challenging, and very challenging. Each level has a corresponding symbol.

How are the difficulty levels defined?

Each layout on UDisc will be placed into a bucket based on distance and technicality. Once a layout's distance and technicality are determined, they are run through the following matrix to give them a corresponding overall difficulty classification.


How is a course's distance classified?

Distance is derived from a layout's average hole length. Par is not considered.

  • Very Short: Less than 180 feet (55 meters)

  • Short: 180-247 feet (55-75 meters)

  • Mid-Length: 247-310 feet (75-95 meters)

  • Long: 310-394 feet (95-120 meters)

  • Very Long: Greater than 394 feet (120 meters)

How is technicality defined?

Technicality is based on scoring results compared to hole distance. For a given hole, a regression model is consulted to determine whether that hole tends to score higher or lower than other holes of similar length; the higher the scoring trends at a given distance, the more technical the hole is considered to be. A layout’s overall technicality level is then the average technicality of its holes.


The regression model accounts for the fact that technicality can come from a variety of physical factors that impact scoring, including out-of-bounds, trees, water hazards, elevation change, and more.


What does "difficulty pending" mean?

If you see “difficulty pending”  on a layout, it means we need more scoring data on that layout to determine its difficulty.


Why don't my layouts have difficulty categories?

This could be for one of two reasons:

  • If it’s a Classic Layout, it needs to be converted to a Smart Layout.

  • If it’s a Smart Layout, it needs to be played more.


How do I upgrade to Smart Layouts?

Learn how to create or update Smart Layouts here.


Can I (the Course Ambassador) assign the difficulty on my course or layouts?

Difficulty is based on scoring with UDisc. Course Ambassadors do not set a course or layout’s difficulty.


Want to get even more out of the Course Directory? By subscribing to UDisc Pro you can unlock Real-Time Course Traffic! Instead of getting stuck behind crowds or accidentally running into the doubles league you didn't know about, you can plan your next trip to the course and get the green light to start carding birdies.


As always, for more assistance, feel free to reach out to help@udisc.com. 


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