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ARTICLE VIII - DISC GOLF
Comment: 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 Lie Above the Playing Surface
- 803.08 Out-of-Bounds
- 803.09 Playing From Another Playerıs Lie
- 803.10 Lost Disc
- 803.11 Mandatories
- 803.12 Hole 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 Categories of Competition
- 805 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. Refusal to perform an action expected by the rules, such as
assisting in the search for a lost disc, moving discs or equipment, or
keeping score properly, etc., is a courtesy violation.
- 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.
- 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:
- (1) the previous player has thrown; and,
- (2) the player has taken a reasonable time to arrive at the disc and
mark the lie; and,
- (3) 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:
- (1) 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.
- (2) 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 unwind as required by 803.11 B and
C without penalty, counting all throws made. 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 unwinding.and receive a two-throw penalty for
the misplay.
- (3) Wrong Target: Throwing at the wrong target. If the
misplay is discovered before the player has holed out at the incorrect
target, the player shall proceed to hole out at the correct target,
counting all throws actually made, without penalty. If a player has
thrown for the correct target but has inadvertently holed out on an
incorrect target, no course misplay has occurred. The player shall mark
his or her lie within one meter of the incorrect target, without
penalty, and proceed to hole out at the correct target, counting all
throws made.
- (4) 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.
- (5) 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
W.F.D.F. general disc specifications
(section 107) and the
appropriate category of competion (section 804.08).
- B. A disc which is cracked, i.e., the disc has a perforated or broken
flight plate, 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.
- 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. 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 players'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. 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.).
- B. A player shall receive two penalty throws, without a warning, if,
during any portion of a round, he or she is observed by two players or an
official using or carrying an artificial device that is determined by the
director to violate section 802.04 A. A player who
uses an artificial device after it has been determined by the director to
be in violation of 802.04 A has also violated
804.05 A (3) and shall be penalized accordingly.
- 803 Rules of Play
- 803.00 General:
- A. The game of disc golf consists of throwing a flying disc from the
teeing area to a target by a throw or successive throws. The competitor
who plays the stipulated round or rounds in the fewest throws plus penalty
throws is the winner.
- B. A player who throws a practice throw or an extra throw with any
disc any time after the start of his or her round and prior to his or her
finishing the last hole of the round (except for throws that must be
re-thrown in accordance with the rules, provisional throws made pursuant
to 803.00 C (3) or throws during a suspension or postponement of play)
shall receive one penalty throw. The practice throw or extra throw must be
observed by any two players or an official.
- C. Appeals:
- (1) When a group cannot reach a majority decision regarding a
ruling, the benefit of the doubt shall be given to the thrower. However,
any player may seek the ruling of an official, and the official's ruling
shall supersede the group's ruling. Any player desiring an appeal of the
group's decision shall promptly and clearly express that desire to the
group.
- (2) If an official is readily available, the group shall stand aside
to seek the official's ruling, allowing other groups to play through.
- (3) If an official is not readily available, the group shall proceed
in one of two ways. The group may reach a majority decision with the
benefit of the doubt going to the thrower, and continue play.
Alternatively, if the thrower does not wish to continue play under the
group's majority decision, the thrower has the option of taking
provisional throws. When taking provisional throws, the thrower shall
complete the hole being played under the alternative rulings advocated
within the group. The eventual final ruling, made by an official or the
director or the director's designee, shall count only those throws made
under the proper rules interpretation. The unused throws shall not be
added to the thrower's score nor treated as practice throws. If an
official is not readily available to decide an appeal immediately
following the round (or during the round where practical), the group
shall locate an official for a ruling.
- (4) A player may seek an appeal of an official's ruling to the
director or director's designee. If the director or director's designee
is readily available, the appeal shall be heard directly. The group
shall stand aside awaiting the ruling on appeal. If the director or
director's designee is not readily available, the group shall continue
playing under the official's ruling. The appeal shall be made as soon as
practical. The decision of the director or the director's designee shall
be final.
- (5) Where a group's or official's decision is overturned on appeal,
the official (or director or director's designee) may, in the interest
of fairness, allow the thrower's score to remain the same or adjust the
thrower's score to reflect the correct interpretation of the rules. Only
in a case where a replay is the most fair solution should a hole or
holes be replayed.
- D. A player shall not receive a warning for a rules violation unless
the rule specifically provides for a warning. Warnings do not carry over
from one round to the next round or to a playoff.
- E. If any point in dispute is not covered by the rules, the decision
shall be made in accordance with fairness. Often a logical extension of
the closest existing rule or the principles embodied in these rules will
provide guidance for determining fairness.
- 803.01 Teeing Off:
- A. Play shall begin on each hole with the player throwing from within
the teeing area. When the disc is released, at least one of the player's
supporting points must be in contact with the surface of the teeing area,
and all the player's supporting points must be within the teeing area. If
a tee pad is provided, all supporting points must be on the pad at the
time of release, unless the director has specified a modified teeing area
for safety reasons. If no tee pad is provided, all supporting points at
the time of release must be within an area encompassed by the front line
of the teeing area and two lines perpendicular to and extending back three
meters from each end of the front line. Running up from behind the teeing
area before the disc is released is permitted. Following through in front
of the teeing area is permitted provided there is no supporting point
contact outside the teeing area when the disc is released.
- B. Any supporting point contact outside the teeing area at the time of
release constitutes a stance violation and shall be handled in accordance
with sections 803.03 F, G and H.
- 803.02 Marking the Lie:
- A. After the tee off, the thrown disc must be left where it came to
rest until a mini marker disc is placed on the playing surface between the
hole and the disc, directly in line with the hole, touching the thrown
disc. The mini marker disc may not be moved until the throw is released. A
mini marker disc inadvertently moved prior to the throw shall be returned
to its correct location.
- B. If the thrown disc comes to rest in-bounds but within one meter of
an out-of-bounds line, the lie is marked by placing a mini marker disc up
to one meter away from, and perpendicular to, the nearest out-of-bounds
line. This holds true even if the direction takes the lie closer to the
hole. See the following sections for other consideration in marking a
thrown disc:
- C. The Rule of Verticality: The out-of-bounds line represents a
vertical plane. Where a player's lie is marked from a particular point
within one meter of the out-of-bounds line pursuant to the rules, the
one-meter relief may be taken from the particular point upward or downward
along the vertical plane.
- D. If the thrown disc breaks and comes to rest in more than one piece,
the largest piece, as agreed to by a majority of the group or an official,
is deemed to be the thrown disc.
- E. A disc thrown in water shall be deemed to be at rest once it is
floating or is moving only by the action of the water or the wind on the
water.
- F. A player shall receive a warning for the first violation of a
marking rule if observed by two or more players of the group or an
official. One penalty throw shall be assessed for each subsequent
violation of any marking rule during the round if observed by two or more
players of the group or an official.
- 803.03 Stance:
- A. When the disc is released, a player must:
- (1) Have at least one supporting point that is in contact with the
playing surface on the line of play and within 30 centimeters directly
behind the mini marker disc (except as specified in 803.03 E); and,
- (2) have no supporting point contact with the mini marker disc or
any object closer to the hole than the rear edge of the mini marker
disc; and,
- (3) have all of his or her supporting points in-bounds.
- B. Stepping past the mini marker disc is permitted after the disc is
released, except when putting within 10 meters.
- C. Any throw from within 10 meters or less, as measured from the rear
of the mini marker disc to the base of the hole, is considered a putt. A
follow-through after a putt that causes the thrower to make any supporting
point contact closer to the hole than the rear edge of the mini marker
disc constitutes a falling putt and is not allowed. The player must
demonstrate full control of balance before advancing toward the hole.
- D. A player must choose the stance that will result in the least
movement of any part of any obstacle that is a permanent or integral part
of the course.
- E. If a large solid obstacle prevents a player from taking a legal
stance within 30 centimeters directly behind the mini marker disc, the
player shall take his or her stance immediately behind that obstacle on
the line of play. The player must comply with all the provisions of 803.03
A other than being within 30 centimeters directly behind the mini marker
disc.
- F. A stance violation must be clearly called within three seconds
after the infraction to be valid. The call may be made by any member of
the group or an official. When the call is made by a member of the group,
it must subsequently be confirmed by another member of the group. A player
shall receive a warning for the first violation of a stance rule in the
round. Subsequent violations of a stance rule in the same round shall
incur a one-throw penalty.
- G. Any throw that involves a validly called and seconded stance
violation may not be used by the thrower. Re-throws must be taken from the
original lie. Re-throws must be taken prior to subsequent play by others
in the group.
- H. The player may not retrieve the originally thrown disc prior to the
re-throw, except in the case of a putt from within 10 meters. Where a disc
is retrieved in violation of this rule, a one throw penalty shall be
imposed without a warning.
- 803.04 Obstacles and Relief
- A. Permanent or Integral obstacles to a Stance or Throwing Motion:
Players must choose a stance which results in the least movement of
any part of an obstacle that is a permanent or integral part of the
course. Once a legal stance is taken, a player may not move an obstacle
(or hold it back or bend it) in order to make room for a throwing motion.
See 803.04 C for relief a player may obtain for certain casual obstacles
prior to taking a stance. It is legal for a player's throwing motion to
make incidental movement of an obstacle.
- B. Obstacles Between the Lie and Hole: A player may not move,
alter, bend, or hold back any part of any obstacle between the lie and the
hole, with one exception. A player may move obstacles between the lie and
the hole that became a factor during the round, such as spectators,
players' equipment, open gates, or branches that fell during the round.
Where it is not known if an obstacle has become a factor during a round,
it shall not be moved. It is legal for a player's throwing motion to make
incidental movement of an obstacle.
- C. Casual Obstacles: A player may obtain relief only from the
following obstacles: casual water, loose leaves or debris, broken branches
no longer connected to a tree, motor vehicles, harmful insects or animals,
players' equipment, spectators, or any item or area specifically
designated by the director before the round. The type of relief a player
may obtain is based on the location of the obstacle and is limited as
follows:
- (1) Obstacles between the lie and the hole: No relief is
granted except for obstacles which became a factor during the round as
described by 803.04 B.
- (2) Obstacles to stance or throwing motion: The player must
first attempt to remove the obstacle. If this is impractical, the
player's lie may be relocated to the nearest lie which is no closer to
the hole; is on the line of play; and not more than five meters from the
original lie, as agreed to by a majority of the group or an official
(unless greater casual relief is announced by the director).
Alternatively, the player may declare an unsafe lie and proceed in
accordance with 803.05.
- (3) Obstacles to a run up: The player may move the obstacle.
No other relief is provided.
- D. In situations where it is unclear if an object may be moved or
other relief obtained, it shall be determined by a majority of the group
or an official.
- E. A player shall receive one penalty throw, without a warning, for
violation of an obstacle or relief rule. A player who consciously damages
anything on the course shall receive two penalty throws, without a
warning, if observed by two or more players of the group or an official.
The player may also be disqualified from the tournament, in accordance
with section 804.05 A (2).
- 803.05 Unsafe Lie:A. A player may, by adding one penalty throw,
declare his or her lie to be an unsafe lie and relocate to a new lie that is
no closer to the hole and within five meters of the unsafe lie. Or, if the
player cannot find a lie that suits him or her within five meters of the
unsafe lie, the player may, with two penalty throws, relocate to any new lie
on the fairway of the hole in play that is no closer to the hole than the
unsafe lie.
- 803.06 Interference:
- A. A thrown disc that hits another player, spectator, or animal shall
be played where it comes to rest. A thrown disc that is intentionally
deflected or was caught and moved shall be marked as close as possible to
the point of contact, as determined by a majority of the group or an
official. Players should not stand or leave their equipment where
interference with the flight or path of a disc could easily occur. The
away player may require other players to mark their lies or move their
equipment before making a throw if the player believes that either could
interfere with his or her throw.
- B. If a disc at rest is moved, the disc shall be replaced as close as
possible to its original location, as determined by a majority of the
group or an official. If a mini marker disc is moved, the mini marker disc
shall be replaced as close as possible to its original location, as
determined by a majority of the group or an official.
- C. Any player who consciously alters the course of a thrown disc, or
consciously moves or obscures another player's thrown disc at rest or a
marker disc, other than by the action of a competitively thrown disc or in
the process of identification, shall receive two penalty throws, without a
warning, if observed by any two players or an official.
- 803.07 Disc Above The Playing Surface:
- A. If a disc comes to rest above the playing surface in a tree or
other object on the course, its lie shall be marked on the playing surface
directly below it. If the point directly below the disc above the playing
surface is an out-of-bounds area, the disc shall be declared out-of-bounds
and marked and penalized in accordance with 803.08.
If the playing surface directly below the disc is inside a tree or other
solid obstacle, the lie shall be marked on the line of play immediately
behind the tree or other solid obstacle.
- B. If a disc has come to rest above two meters, as measured from the
lowest point of the disc to the playing surface directly below it, the
player shall be assessed a one-throw penalty. This penalty applies only if
the disc is above in-bounds. The player shall proceed from a lie marked in
accordance with 803.07 A.
- C. No penalty shall be incurred if the disc falls, unassisted by a
player or spectator, to a position less than two meters above the playing
surface before the thrower arrives at the disc. The thrower may not delay
in order to allow the position of the disc to improve.
- D. If the two-meter status of a disc is uncertain, either a majority
of the group or an official shall make the determination. If the thrower
moves the disc before determination has been made, the disc shall be
considered above two meters and the thrower shall proceed in accordance
with 803.08 A and B. If a player other than the
thrower moves the disc before a determination has been made, the disc
shall be considered below two meters and the interference rule shall be
applied as it relates to the thrower and the player. See
sections 803.06 B and C.
- 803.08 Out-of-Bounds:
- A. A disc shall be considered out-of-bounds only when it comes to rest
and it is clearly and completely surrounded by the out-of-bounds area. A
disc thrown in water shall be deemed to be at rest once it is floating or
is moving only by the action of the water or the wind on the water.
See section 803.02 E. The out-of-bounds line itself
is considered in-bounds.
- B. A player whose disc is considered out-of-bounds shall receive one
penalty throw. The player shall mark his or her lie up to one meter away
from, and perpendicular to, the point where the disc last crossed into
out-o-bounds, as determined by a majority of the group or an official.
This holds true even if the direction takes the lie closer to the hole. If
the disc is also considered above two meters, the penalty for a disc above
two meters shall not be assessed in addition to the penalty for
out-of-bounds.
- C. The Rule of Verticality The out-of-bounds line represents a
vertical plane. Where a player's lie is marked from a particular point
within one meter of the out-of-bounds line pursuant to the rules, the
one-meter relief may be taken from the particular point upward or downward
along the vertical plane.
- D. If the in-bounds status of a disc is uncertain, either a majority
of the group or an official shall make the determination. If the thrower
moves the disc before a determination has been made, the disc shall be
considered out-of-bounds, and he or she shall proceed in accordance with
803.08 B. If a player other than the thrower moves
the disc before a determination has been made, the disc shall be
considered in-bounds, and play for the thrower and the mover of the disc
shall proceed under the rules of interference, 803.06 B
and C.
- 803.09 Throwing From Another Player's Lie:
- A. A player who has thrown from another player's lie shall receive two
penalty throws, without a warning. The offending player shall complete the
hole as if the other player's lie were his or her own. No throws shall be
replayed.
- B. The player whose lie was played by the offending player shall be
given an approximate lie as close to the original lie as possible, as
determined by the offending player, a majority of his or her group, or an
official. See section 803.10 C if the disc has been
declared lost.
- 803.10 Lost Disc:
- A. A disc shall be declared lost if the player cannot locate it within
three minutes after arriving at the spot where it was last seen by the
group or an official. Two players or an official must note when the timing
of three minutes begins. All players of the group must, upon request,
assist in searching for the disc for the full three minutes before the
disc is declared lost.
- B. A player whose disc is declared lost, shall receive one penalty
throw. The approximate lie for the player's next shot shall be marked
in-bounds nearest the spot where the disc was last seen, as agreed to by a
majority of the group or an official.
- C. If it is discovered, prior to the completion of the tournament,
that a player's disc that was declared lost had been removed or taken,
then the player shall have the penalty throw for the lost disc subtracted
from his or her score.
- D. A mini marker disc that is lost shall be replaced in its
approximate lie as agreed to by a majority of the group or an official
with no penalty.
- 803.11 Mandatories
- A. A mandatory restricts the path the disc may take to the hole. The
disc must be thrown past the mandatory to the correct side, as indicated
on the tee sign or at the mandatory, before the player may complete the
hole. All progress toward the hole must play around the mandatory in the
designated direction.
- B. If the disc should pass a mandatory on the incorrect side, the
player must throw the disc back past the incorrect side of the mandatory
in an unwinding fashion, in order to pass to the correct side.
- C. When marking the lie, if the line of play does not pass to the
correct side of the mandatory, then the mandatory shall be considered the
hole for the application of all stance, mini marker, obstacle, and relief
rules.
- 803.12 Hole Out:
- A. A player who fails to play any hole or who fails to hole out on any
hole during the round may, at the discretion of the director, be
disqualified, except as follows:
- (1) Hole missed due to late arrival. See sections
804.02 A and B.
- (2) Failure to hole out inadvertently (as determined by a majority
of the group or an official) shall result in two penalty throws being
added to the number of throws plus penalty throws already taken or
received on the hole. The hole shall then be considered completed.
- B. Disc Entrapment Devices: In order to hole out, the the
thrower must release the disc and it must come to rest supported by the
chains or within one of the entrapment sections. This includes a disc
wedged into or hanging from the lower entrapment section but excludes a
disc resting on top of, or hanging outside of, the upper entrapment
section. The disc must also remain within the chains or entrapment
sections until removed by the thrower.
- C. Object Targets: In order to hole out, the thrower must
release the disc and it must strike the marked target area on the object
as specified by the director.
- 804 Tournament Procedures
- 804.01 Special Conditions:
- A. Rules governing special conditions that may exist on the course
shall be clearly defined and disseminated to the player prior to the start
of the tournament. No rules may be stipulated which conflict with this
rulebook unless approvedby the W.F.D.F. Disc Golf Committee.
- 804.02 Beginning Play:
- A. Shotgun Starts (rounds where several groups start
simultaneously): At a scheduled time, scorecard(s) shall be
distributed to the player listed first on each hole. After the cards have
been distributed, groups shall be given adequate time to reach their
assigned teeing areas. A loud noisemaker, such as an air horn, shall be
used to indicate that there are two minutes remaining until tee off. This
signal shall be a series of short blasts. At this time, players are to end
practice and all practice shots and move promptly to their teeing areas. A
throw by a player between the two minute signal and the start of the round
shall receive a warning if observed by two or more players or an official.
After being warned, subsequent throws by the player during this period, if
observed by two or more players or an official, shall result in one
penalty throw added to the player's score, regardless of the number of
throws. An extended blast of the noisemaker begins the round and signals
the scorekeepers to call the throwing orders. If a player is not present
to throw when it is his or her turn, the scorekeeper shall allow 30
seconds. If the player has not thrown after the 30 seconds has elapsed, a
score of par plus four is to be entered for that hole. This procedure
continues on any subsequent holes for which a player is absent. No holes
shall be replayed. If a complete round is missed, or if a player does not
finish a round, the player may, at the discretion of the director, be
disqualified.
- B. Staggered Starts (rounds where groups start one after another on
a certain hole): The player shall start at the time announced by the
director. Players may practice until their group prepares to tee off
provided their practice does not distract players on the course. If a
player is not present to throw when it is his or her turn, the scorekeeper
shall allow 30 seconds. If the player has not thrown by then, a score of
par plus four is to be entered for that hole. This procedure continues on
any subsequent tee offs for which a player is absent. No holes shall be
replayed. If a complete round is missed, or if a player does not finish a
round, the player may, at the discretion of the director, be disqualified.
- 804.03 Scoring
- A. The player listed first on the scorecard or, in the case of
individual scorecards, listed first among the group on the leader board,
is responsible for picking up the scorecard(s) prior to the start of the
round and is the first scorekeeper. Players in the group shall rotate the
scorekeeping responsibility proportionally, unless a player or a
scorekeeper volunteers to score keep more and this is acceptable to all
members of the group.
- B. After each hole is completed, the scorekeeper shall call out each
player's name. The called player shall answer with the score in a manner
that is clear to all players of the group and the scorekeeper. The
scorekeeper shall record that score and read it back, in a manner that is
clear to all players of the group. If there is any disagreement about the
score a player reports, the group must review the hole and attempt to
arrive at the correct score. If the group cannot reach consensus on the
player's score, they shall consult 803.00 C
- C. Warnings and penalty throws given to a player for rules infractions
should be noted on the scorecard.
- D. At the end of the round, each player shall sign his or her
scorecard indicating that he or she attests to the accuracy of the score
on each hole and the total score. If all the players of the group agree
that a hole score was recorded in error, the score may be changed prior to
the scorecard being turned in. Players whose scorecards are turned in
unsigned accept responsibility for the scores reported.
- E. All players are responsible for returning their scorecards within
25 minutes after the completion of a round. Failure to do so shall result
in the assessment of two penalty throws, without a warning, to each player
listed on the late scorecard.
- F. After the scorecard is turned in, the score shall stand with no
appeal, except for the following circumstances:
- (1) Penalty throws may be assessed at whatever time the infraction
is discovered until the director declares the tournament officially over
or all awards have been distributed.
- (2) If it is determined that the total score was incorrectly
recorded, either by an error on a hole score or by an error in totaling
the hole scores, the director shall add two penalty throws to the
correct total score.
- (3) Late Scorecard. See 804.03 E.
- 804.04 Rain or Hazardous Conditions:
- A. If, in the opinion of the director, excessive rain or hazardous
conditions exist that make it impractical or dangerous to continue play,
the tournament shall be suspended. The signal to suspend play shall be the
same as the signal to start.
- B. Players should immediately stop play and mark the lie of each
member of the group. A natural object is sufficient to mark the
approximate lie from which the player shall resume play. Players shall
then return to the first teeing area, clubhouse, or area designated by the
director.
- C. Players shall resume play from their approximate lies as
established when the round was halted. The approximate lie is determined
by a majority of the group.
- D. The director may allow players to take a break while waiting for
weather to improve, but may require players to return each hour on the
hour or at a time assigned by the director until play resumes or until the
round is postponed.
- E. The director may postpone the incomplete portion of the round for a
later date if, in the director's opinion, the conditions will not improve
or if darkness will fall prior to the projected finish time.
- F. Partial round scores shall be carried forward to the completion of
the round whenever the round is resumed.
- G. A player who stops playing before a signal to stop has been given
shall receive two penalty throws if, in the opinion of the director, the
player stopped playing prematurely.
- 804.05 Disqualification and Suspension:
- A. A player may be disqualified by the director for meeting any of the
necessary conditions of disqualification as set forth in the rules, or for
any of the following:
- (1) Unsportsmanlike conduct, such as; loud cursing, throwing things
in anger (other than discs in play), or overt rudeness to anyone
present.
- (2) Willful and overt destruction or abuse of plant life, course
hardware, or any other property considered part of the disc golf course
or the park.
- (3) Cheating: a willful attempt to circumvent the rules of play.
- (4) Activities which are in violation of the law or park regulation
or disc golf course rule, including the illegal consumption of drugs or
alcohol. Directors are granted the discretion to disqualify a player
based on the severity of the offending conduct. An official warning of
disqualification may be issued by a director where appropriate.
- B. Disqualified players shall forfeit any prize money and shall not
receive a refund of entry fees.
- C. A player in violation of any section under 804.05
A is also subject to suspension from the W.F.D.F. play. Suspension
from the W.F.D.F. play may only be assigned by the W.F.D.F. Disc Golf
Committee. A player may appeal his or her suspension to the Chairperson of
the W.F.D.F Individual Events Committee. The determination to suspend, and
the length of the suspension, shall be based on the severity of the action
and the extent to which the player may have committed repeated violations.
- 804.06 Grouping and Sectioning:
- A. Players from different divisions shall be segregated from each
other during play as much as practicable.
- B. All players within a division shall be randomly grouped for the
first round and grouped by cumulative score for each round thereafter.
- C. Groups shall not be less than three players, except under
extenuating circumstances, as deemed necessary by the director, to promote
fairness. In cases where fewer than three players are required to play
together, an official is required to accompany the group and may play as
long as this does not interfere with the competing players.
- D. When there are more entrants than can play together in one round,
the field of competitors may be split into sections. These sections shall
be seeded, i.e., each section should have an equal number of top players
and lesser players.
- E. If conditions differentially affect play among seeded sections, the
director may consider using a sectioning procedure for cut and
advancement. Under this procedure, a proportionate number of advancing
players are taken from each section by score and the scores are not
carried forward.
- F. If a cut is made, it shall be done to a number that allows all
advancing players to play at the same time.
- 804.07 Ties:
- A. If there is a tie at the level of a cut, all players at that level
shall advance.
- B. Between rounds when the groups are being reset, tied positions
shall be broken. The player with the lowest score in the most recent round
shall have the highest ranking when the scorecards/positions are reset. In
the event of low score ties, the ties shall be broken by the director
through any consistently applied manner.
- C. Final ties for first place must be broken by sudden death play.
Sudden death play shall begin with hole number one unless a different hole
is designated by the director prior to the start of the tournament. Final
ties for other ranks shall be officially recorded as ties. Prize money
distribution to tied players shall be determined by adding the total money
allocated to the number of positions represented by the tied players and
dividing that by the number of players tied. Trophy distribution for ties
may be determined by sudden death play or by any related disc golf skill
event determined by the director.
- 804.08 Categories of Competition:
- A. Vintage Class: This set of disc standards are suggested for
short courses. It is also appropriate for player development events
including, but not limited to novices. Discs in this class must meet both
the W.F.D.F. general disc specifications (see section 107) and these
additional specifications:
- (1) Rim configuration: must achieve a rim configuration rating of 75
or greater (may not be beveled -
see section 108 [D]).
- (2) Weight: must weigh no more than 6.7 gm per cm of outside
diameter.
- (3) Rigidity: must not exceed 9.1 kg (20 lbs.) of pressure as
measured by the flexibility testing procedure
(see section 108[F]).
- B. 150 Class: These disc standards should be used for play on
mid-length courses or those which use areas that are shared with the
general public. These standards are appropriate for all levels of
competitive play. Discs in this class must meet both the W.F.D.F. general
disc specifications (see
section 107) and the following additional specifications:
- (1) Rim configuration: must achieve a rim configuration rating of 26
or greater ( see section 108
[D]).
- (2) Weight: must weigh no more than 150 gm.
- (3) Rigidity: must not exceed 89.3 N (9.1 kg/(20 lbs.) of pressing
force as measured by the flexibility testing procedure
(see section 108[F]).
- C. Heavy Class: These disc standards are appropriate for play
on courses which have limited public access. In heavy class competitions,
access to the course area should be limited to competitors, event
officials and informed spectators. Discs in this class must meet both the
W.F.D.F. general disc specifications
(see section 107) including
the following specifications:
- (1) Rim configuration: must achieve a rim configuration rating of 26
or greater ( see section 108
[D]).
- (2) Leading edge radius: must have a leading edge radius that is
greater than 1/16 in (1.6 mm)
(see section 108[E]).
- (3) Weight: must weigh no more than 8.3 gm per cm of outside
diameter.
- (4) Rigidity: must not not exceed 12.3 kg (27 lbs.) of pressure as
measured by the flexibility testing procedure
(see section 108[F]).
- 805 Glossary
- Approximate Lie: A lie established by the player's group in
order to resume play following a rain or hazardous conditions delay
(804.04 C), a lost disc (803.10 B), a lost mini
marker disc (803.10 D), or to correct a misplay from out-of-bounds (801.04
B (4)).
- Away Player: The player whose lie is farthest from the hole and
who shall throw next.
- Casual Water: Bodies of water other than those that have been
specifically designated by the director prior to the start of the round as
out-of-bounds or those that have been specifically designated by the
director prior to the start of the round as not being casual water.
- Completion of a Round: The round has been officially completed
for all competitors when, in the director's opinion, the last group on the
course has completed their final hole and has had reasonable time to walk
from their final hole to tournament headquarters.
- Director: The person in charge of the tournament or event. The
term "director" may be used to refer to the tournament director or the
course director in multi-site tournaments.
- Disc Entrapment Device: A target used to complete the hole,
usually consisting of an upper entrapping section of chains, cables,
tubes, etc. and a lower entrapping section of a basket or tray.
- Fairway The in-bounds path or field over which a player throws
while advancing from the teeing area to the hole.
- Group: The competitors who are assigned to play a round
together for the purpose of verifying scores and proper play in accordance
with the rules.
- Hole: The target that must be reached in order to complete that
segment of the course. The term "hole" also refers to the numbered
segments of the course that are separate units for scoring.
- Holed-Out: A term used to signify completion of a hole. A
player has "holed-out" after removing his or her at rest disc from the
chains or entrapment area of a disc entrapment device or after
successfully striking the marked area of an object target.
- Lie: The spot on the playing surface upon which the player
takes his or her stance in accordance with the rules.
- Line of Play: The imaginary line on the playing surface
extending from the center of the target through the center of the mini
marker disc and beyond.
- Mandatory: An object that the disc must pass around a
designated side on its way to the hole. A mandatory functions to limit the
legal path the disc may take to the hole.
- Mini Marker Disc: A disc used to mark the location of the lie.
(See 803.02 marking the lie, and
802.02, size restrictions)
- Obstacle: Any feature of the course that may impede any aspect
of play.
- Official: A person who is authorized to make judgments
regarding the proper application of the rules during play.
Out-of-bounds: An area designated by the director prior to the start
of play from which a disc may not be played. The out-of-bounds line
extends a plane vertically upward and downward. The out-of-bounds line is
itself in- bounds.
- Par: As determined by the director, the score an expert disc
golfer would be expected to make on a given hole. Par means errorless play
under ordinary weather conditions, allowing two close range throws to
hole-out.
- Penalty Throw: A throw added to a player's score for violating
a rule, or for relocation of a lie, as called for by a rule.
- Practice Throw: During a round, the projection of a disc of a
distance greater than two meters, or of any distance toward a target,
intentional or not, which does not change the player's lie, either because
it did not occur from the teeing area or the lie, or because the player
had already thrown competitively from the teeing area or the lie. Throws
that are re-thrown in accordance with the rules are not practice throws.
Provisional throws made pursuant to 803.00 C(3) are not
practice throws. A player shall receive a penalty for practice throws in
accordance with sections 803.00 B or
804.02 A.
- Putt: Any throw from 10 meters or less as measured from the
rear of the mini marker disc to the base of the hole is considered a putt.
- Putt (falling): A putt after which a player touches his or her
mini marker disc, or any object beyond the lie, including the playing
surface, before having demonstrated full control of balance.
- Relief: A change made to the player's lie or surrounding area,
such that an obstacle is removed from the vicinity, or when that is
impractical, the lie is relocated away from the obstacle in accordance
with section 803.04 C.
- Supporting Point: Any part of a player's body that is in
contact with the playing surface or some other object capable of providing
support, at the time of release.
- Teeing Area: The area bounded by the edges of a tee pad (if
provided); otherwise, the area extending three meters perpendicularly
behind the designated tee line.
- Throw: The propulsion of a disc that causes it to change its
position from the teeing area or the lie.
- Thrower: The player who has made, or is about to make, a throw
that is the aspect of play being considered by a particular rule.
- Unsafe Lie: A lie from which a player decides that obstacles to
stance or throwing motion make it impractical or unsafe to attempt a
throw. The lie is relocated with a penalty.
- Warning: Where prescribed by a rule, the initial advisement a
player is given for violating that rule, making him or her vulnerable to
receiving a penalty throw for subsequent violations of that rule or set of
rules within the same round.
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The World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF) has full copyright to this
rulebook. Copies of the book are sold to cover the cost of producing it.
Member associations of WFDF are allowed to translate the rules into their own
language and to add national supplements as long as the WFDF rules are not
altered or contradicted. The WFDF board must be notified of all such
translations and receive a copy afterward.
Eleventh Edition. 1998
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