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2002 PDGA Official Rules of Disc Golf
The growing popularity of the game of disc golf begins with the essential
fact that throwing a flying disc with power and accuracy is a marvelous sensation.
The constant challenge, the social nature of the game, the good physical and mental
conditioning, and the fact that it is inexpensive to play are also attractions.
Disc golf is a recreational sport for everybody, regardless of age, gender, or ability.
The object of the game is to traverse a course from beginning to end in the fewest
number of throws of the disc. Each consecutive throw is made from where the disc
came to rest after the last throw. Score is determined by counting the number of
throws made on each hole plus penalty throws and then summing all holes. The winner
is the player who completes the course with the lowest score.
The course consists of a series of holes laid out so that when the player
completes one hole he or she proceeds to the beginning of the next until all
the holes have been played. The player is provided with a teeing area from which
to begin each hole and a target to complete the hole. Disc golf courses are
normally laid out among wooded areas with diverse terrain to provide natural
obstacles to the flight of the disc. These natural obstacles are very much a
part of the game and must not be altered by the players in any way to decrease
the difficulty of a hole. Disc golf courses are normally 18 holes in length,
but there are also 9-hole, 24-hole and 27-hole courses in existence. Disc golf
courses can be found in each of the 50 United States and in Canada, Japan,
Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Netherlands, Switzerland,
Germany, Finland, Hungary, United Kingdom, Peru, and Africa.
Disc golf is a game that expects high standards of etiquette and courtesy.
Among the basic considerations of etiquette are such things as concern for
spectators and other players and respect for plant life on the course.
These rules have been designed to promote fair play for all disc golfers.
In using these rules, players should apply the rule that most directly
addresses the situation in question. If in doubt, players should consult an official.
Outline of Contents
801 Conduct of Players
801.01 Courtesy
801.02 Order of Play
801.03 Excessive Time
801.04 Playing the Stipulated Course
802 Equipment
802.01 Discs Used in Play
802.02 Mini Marker Discs
802.03 Targets
802.04 Artificial Devices
803 Rules of Play
803.00 General
A. Description of the Game
B. Practice Throws
C. Appeals
D. Warnings
E. Rule of Fairness
803.01 Teeing Off
803.02 Marking the Lie
803.03 Stance
803.04 Obstacles and Relief
803.05 Unsafe Lie
803.06 Interference
803.07 Disc Above the Playing Surface
803.08 Out of Bounds
803.09 Throwing From Another Player's Lie
803.10 Lost Disc
803.11 Mandatories
803.12 Holing Out
804 Tournament Procedures
804.01 Special Conditions
804.02 Beginning Play
804.03 Scoring
804.04 Rain or Hazardous Conditions
804.05 Disqualification and Suspension
804.06 Grouping and Sectioning
804.07 Ties
804.08 Classification of Players
804.09 Officials
805 Measurement Reference & Technical Standards
806 Glossary
801 Conduct of Players
801.01 Courtesy:
A. Players should not throw until they are certain that the thrown disc will not distract another player or potentially injure anyone present. Players should watch the other members of their group throw in order to aid in locating errant throws and to ensure compliance with the rules.
B. Players should take care not to produce any distracting noises or any potential visual distractions for other players who are throwing. Examples of discourteous actions are: shouting, freestyling, slapping course equipment, throwing out of turn, throwing or kicking golf bags, and advancing on the fairway beyond the away player. Shouting at an appropriate time to warn someone in danger of being struck by a disc is not a violation of courtesy.
C. After all the players in the group have teed off, the player farthest from the hole, (the away player), throws first. To facilitate flow of play, a player who is not farthest away may play next if the away player consents.
D. Littering is a courtesy violation.
E. Courtesy dictates that players who smoke should not allow their smoke to disturb other players. Smokers should extinguish their cigarettes and carry their cigarette butts to a trash can. Disposing of cigarette butts by dropping them on the ground is littering.
F. A player violating a courtesy rule may be warned by any affected player, even if from another group, or by an official, with all players of the group advised of the warning. The player shall be assessed one penalty throw for each subsequent courtesy violation of any type in the same round. Repeated violations of courtesy rules may result in disqualification in accordance with section 804.05.
801.02 Order of Play:
A. Teeing order on the first teeing area is determined by the order in which the scorecards were filled out or by the order the players were listed or arranged on the scoreboard.
B. Teeing order on all subsequent tees is determined by the scores on the previous hole, with the lowest score throwing first, and so on. If the previous hole was a tie, the scores are to be counted back until the order is resolved.
C. After all the players in the group have teed off, the player farthest from the hole, (the away player), throws first. To facilitate flow of play, a player who is not farthest away may play next if the away player consents.
D. During tournament play, no group may play through the group ahead unless the group ahead is required to stand aside in accordance with the rules or as directed by an official.
E. Throwing out of turn shall be considered a courtesy violation. See 801.01 F.
801.03 Excessive Time:
A. A maximum of 30 seconds is allowed to each player to make a throw after:
- the previous player has thrown; and,
- the player has taken a reasonable time to arrive at the disc and mark the lie; and,
- the playing area is clear and free of distractions.
B. A player shall receive a warning for the first excessive time violation if observed by two or more players of the group or an official. The player shall be assessed one penalty throw for each subsequent excessive time violation in the same round if observed by two or more players of the group or an official.
801.04 Playing the Stipulated Course:
A. It is the responsibility of the player to play the course correctly. Before play begins, players should ask about any special conditions that may exist on the course, including extra holes, alternate teeing areas, alternate hole placements, out-of-bounds areas, and mandatories.
B. Specific Types of Misplay and Penalty Procedures for Each:
- Wrong Tee: Teeing off from the wrong teeing area among several teeing areas for a given hole. If the misplay is discovered after the player's throw from the incorrect teeing area, but before a subsequent throw, the player shall re-tee from the correct teeing area and treat the initial throw as a practice throw (one throw added to the player's score). If the misplay is discovered after a subsequent throw, the player shall proceed to complete the hole and receive a two-throw penalty for the misplay.
- Misplayed Mandatory: Failing to attempt to navigate a mandatory route. If the misplay is discovered after a player's throw has passed beyond the mandatory on the wrong side, but before a subsequent throw has been made, the player shall be assessed a one-throw penalty and play from the drop zone as stipulated in 803.11 B. If the misplay is discovered after a player's throw has passed beyond the mandatory on the wrong side, and a subsequent throw has been made, the player shall finish the hole without playing from the drop zone, and receive a two-throw penalty for the misplay.
- Wrong Target: If a player holes out on the wrong target for a given hole, he or she will continue play from a lie directly beneath that target, without penalty. If the player holes out at the wrong target, and believes the hole is completed, and proceeds to play the next hole, a two-throw penalty will be added to that player's score for misplaying the course.
Out-Of-Bounds Play: Playing an out-of-bounds disc as if it were in-bounds. If the misplay is discovered after the throw from out-of-bounds, but before a subsequent throw has been made, the player shall throw from the correct lie and treat the throw from out-of-bounds as a practice throw (one throw added to the player's score). If the misplay is discovered after a subsequent throw, the player shall proceed to complete the hole and receive a two-throw penalty for the misplay.
Non-Sequential Play: Skipping a hole or playing the holes in the wrong order. If the misplay is discovered after an initial throw has been made but before a subsequent throw has been made, the player shall re-tee from the correct teeing area and count the initial throw as a practice throw (one throw added to the player's score). If the misplay is discovered after a subsequent throw has been made, the hole being played shall be completed. Immediately thereafter, the player shall proceed to play the course in its proper order from the point where the misplay began. Regardless of the number of holes skipped ,or played in the wrong order, a total of two penalty throws shall be added to the player's score for the misplay infraction. The score earned from any completed hole(s) shall stand. Any completed hole(s) shall not be replayed.
C. In instances where the misplay rules affect players within a group differently, the group shall remain together while a hole is being completed by some of the group to verify scoring and rules compliance.
D. In instances where a misplay is discovered after the pertinent hole or holes have been completed (holed out), the misplay shall not be replayed and the player shall receive a two-throw penalty for the misplay.
E. In instances where a misplay is discovered after the player has turned in his or her scorecard, the misplay shall not be replayed and the player shall receive a two-throw penalty for the misplay.
F. A player who deliberately misplays the course to gain competitive advantage has violated 804.05 A(3) and shall be penalized in conformity with this section.
802 Equipment
802.01 Discs Used in Play:
A. Discs used in play must meet all of the conditions set forth in the Official PDGA Technical Standards Document. See section 805 B for disc technical standards.
B. A disc which is cracked or perforated is illegal. See sections 802.01 D, E, and F. A disc which is cracked during a round may be carried by the player, but not used, for the balance of the tournament. The player must immediately declare his intention to carry the newly cracked or broken disc to the group or be subject to penalty under 802.01 E.
C. Players may not make post-production modification of discs which alter their original flight characteristics. This rule does not forbid inevitable wear and tear from usage during play or the moderate sanding of discs to smooth molding imperfections or scrape marks. Discs excessively sanded or painted with a material of detectable thickness are illegal. See sections 802.01 D, E and F.
D. Discs must be specifically approved by the director if questioned by another player or an official, but in no case shall the disc be approved if it violates any of the above specifications. Any specifically non-approved disc (per the director) shall be considered illegal, and the player shall be penalized in accordance with 802.01 E.
E. A player who carries an illegal disc during play shall receive two penalty throws, without a warning, if observed by two or more players of the group or an official. A player who repeatedly throws an illegal disc during the round may be subject to disqualification in accordance with 804.05 A(3).
F. All discs used in play, except mini marker discs, must be uniquely marked in ink or pigment-based marking which has no detectable thickness. A player shall receive a warning for the first instance of throwing an unmarked disc if observed by two or more players of the group or an official. After the warning has been given, each subsequent throw by the player with an unmarked disc shall incur one penalty throw if observed by two or more players of the group or an official.
802.02 Mini Marker Discs:
A. Mini marker discs shall be used to mark a player's lie as required by these rules. Mini marker discs must have a diameter of between 7 and 15 centimeters and a height not exceeding 2.54 centimeters.
802.03 Targets:
A. Targets used to complete the hole may not violate any of the conditions set forth in the official PDGA Technical Standard Document. See sections 803.12 B and C for criteria to hole out for targets.
802.04 Artificial Devices:
A. During a round, a player shall not use any artificial device that may assist in making a throw, except those devices that reduce or control abrasion to the skin (such as gloves, tape, bandages, gauze, etc.) and medical items (such as knee and ankle braces, etc.). Items used to prevent slipping on the teeing surface are also allowed. A player is specifically prohibited from using any artificial device that changes the position of the disc in the player's hand or artificially lengthens any of the player's throwing levers (fingers, wrist, arm, shoulder, etc.). The use of device | | |
