I've played in just a couple of local tournaments, but plan to play many more during the 2010 season.
There is an upcoming tournament later this month that was on the schedule, but the TD dropped out. They are looking for somebody to step up and take over the TD duties. I would love to give that a try, but my experience/knowledge about being a TD is rather minimal.
I do have people that can assist me with score keeping, registering and pairing the groups. I do have a PDGA rule book as well that I can study. Other than that, are there other important/vital things I should be aware before I volunteer?

If it's sanctioned, pass the official's test.

The PDGA website has a bunch of checklists for TDs. A great resource to start with.

Read the first several documents on this page:
http://www.pdga.com/tdinfo/resources

If it's sanctioned, pass the official's test.

The PDGA website has a bunch of checklists for TDs. A great resource to start with.

Actually, this tournament is not sanctioned. If it were, there's no way I would volunteer to fill in.

If you haven't at least been an assistant TD, or don't have some former TDs helping you, you're biting off a lot.

But the documents Chuck linked to, even if you're not sanctioning, will be an immense help. They cover a lot of things that apply to all tournaments, and things that players will expect.

Actually, this tournament is not sanctioned. If it were, there's no way I would volunteer to fill in.

If I may ask, why would that be?

You need to partner up with a seasoned TD for your first try. So much stuff needs to be done before hand.

My advice after the dozen or so PDGA events I've ran...

Plan ahead and think of / cover everything. If you have been playing a course for 20 years and have never seen anyone ever throw in some creek or over some fence, I promise the first time it will happen is during your event.

Also, things like OBs and such are much easier and consistent when written out and given to players.

If I may ask, why would that be?


Thanks for all the advice guys. I will be partnering up with another individual and co-directing this tournament. Should be a good learning experience for me and I look forward to it.
The tournament itself is the second in a series of tournaments sponsored by our new disc golf club. So, not PDGA sanctioned, but we expect 50+ players based on our first tournament.

Thanks for all the advice guys. I will be partnering up with another individual and co-directing this tournament. Should be a good learning experience for me and I look forward to it.
The tournament itself is the second in a series of tournaments sponsored by our new disc golf club. So, not PDGA sanctioned, but we expect 50+ players based on our first tournament.

Sorry, but my question was why you wouldn't consider stepping up and running the tournament if it was PDGA sanctioned. Why would sanctioning affect your willingness to get involved?

Sorry, but my question was why you wouldn't consider stepping up and running the tournament if it was PDGA sanctioned. Why would sanctioning affect your willingness to get involved?

Just seems like I should get my feet wet first with a local tournament before jumping into a PDGA sanctioned tournament.

Got it, thanks.

Good luck with the tournament, and thanks for helping promote disc golf!