The US Distance Championship is open to all spectators and will be held at 1:00 PM sharp on Monday, October 5th, 2026 at Winthrop Meadows. Entry is $50, registration must be done before the competition to make tee-times.

Spectating & Event Overview

The United States Distance Championship is free to watch — no pass required. The competition is open to both men’s and women’s divisions, where players test their power to see who can throw the farthest. Each competitor gets five attempts in the qualifying rounds, with the top performers advancing to the finals. Champions are crowned based on their longest throws in the finals, which take place as part of USDGC week and are highlighted in a special showcase after the Championship round.

Competition Rules

Players must check in with the distance staff at least 15 minutes before their scheduled tee time and be fully warmed up. Failure to appear on time may result in disqualification. In both qualifying and final rounds, each competitor has five throws to be completed within a three-minute window. The throwing field is approximately 200 feet wide and lined with trees, with boundaries clearly marked as out of bounds. A throw is measured at the first point of ground contact, and only in-bounds throws count. Skips and rollers do not count toward measurements, and hitting a tree is considered out of bounds.

The top six competitors in the Open Division and the top three in the Women’s Division advance to the finals, scheduled for approximately 4:30 PM. Finalists throw in reverse order of their qualifying results, with the longest qualifier earning the advantage of throwing last.

Registration

Entry into the United States Distance Championship is open to the public for both the Open and Women’s Divisions. All competitors must have a current PDGA number and complete the $50 registration to secure their spot.