What order should I configure things in?

Overview

PlayThru validates your setup in a specific order. Following this sequence prevents rework and unlocks your scorecard link faster.

Recommended order

1. Event tab (rules and format)

Set these first because they control everything else:

  • Game format (Stroke Play, Scramble, Best Ball, etc.)
  • Stroke or Match Play
  • Strokes or Points scoring
  • Number of holes (9 or 18)
  • Handicap settings
  • Flights, shotgun start, team competition

Why first: The Golfers tab and CSV import templates change based on format. Handicap and points settings determine what the Course tab requires.

2. Course tab (tee boxes and hole data)

Add at least one tee box with a tee name.

You can play your event with just this information, but we recommend entering in at leat par values for each hole.

Depending on the format and tiebreaker rules, you may also be required to enter in:

  • Hole handicap indexes (stroke index)
  • Slope and rating (required only if adjusting handicaps for the course)

Why second: Golfer tee assignments and net scoring depend on course data.

3. Golfers tab (roster and assignments)

Add golfers manually, import a CSV, or send registrants from the Registration tab. For each golfer, confirm:

  • Name
  • Tee assignment
  • Handicap (if enabled)
  • Starting hole (if shotgun enabled) / Tee time is show if shotgun is not enabled. PlayThru does not need this information.
  • Flight (if Flights enabled, can be any value less than 50 characters)
  • Team / combo team / match opponent (as required by your format)

Why third: The Scorecard tab checks that every golfer has the assignments your format needs to ensure the scoring is accurate.

4. Scorecard tab (share and go live)

Review the checklist, copy your link, set your Master Scorecard PIN, and share the scorecard with your golfers.

5. Registration tab (optional, can run in parallel)

You can activate your registration page at any time, but we recommend getting the Events tab set up first because the registration page uses the event name and event date.

If collecting payments, you'll set up a Stripe account and connect it to PlayThru. If you've done this once already in PlayThru, that Stripe account will be connected to all future registration pages.

What happens if you skip steps?

If you go right to the golfers tab before finalizing your event format, you won't see all required columns. For example, the handicap column in the Golfers Tab only shows if you enable handicaps.

To keep things simple, PlayThru only shows the fields required to run your event.

Quick checklist

  1. Event format and scoring configured
  2. Tee box(es) added with par and hole indexes
  3. All golfers added with required assignments
  4. Scorecard tab checklist is green
  5. Link or QR code shared with golfers