The Official Rules of Disc Golf (ORDG), the Competition Manual for Disc Golf Events (CM), and the PDGA Tour Standards go through some level of revision each year. The Policy & Compliance team oversees this process, which involves input and ideas from the Rules & Regulations Advisory Committee, Disc Golf Pro Tour employees, and the PDGA Event Support & Training and Operations & Logistics teams, as well as public comment by members in June and in October. This process has yielded valuable results and continues to help us make our rules and regulations as clear and useful as possible.

This year focuses primarily on minor improvements and clerical changes. The few major changes include allowing TDs to assign players without PDGA numbers to divisions based on knowledge of their skill level, requiring TDs to offer mirrored divisions for at least one week, requiring that underserved divisions be contested even if only one player competes, and mandating restrooms at C-Tier level and above. A list of the changes – first major, then minor, then a rundown of some clerical matters – is here for your reference.

Major Changes

Competition Manual for Disc Golf Events

1.05 Practice Rounds, Beginning Play, Late Arrivals - Add the flex start

Flex starts are a popular format that are not currently recognized by the Competition Manual. This adds the concept to the CM for the first time. Further, shotgun and staggered starts are better explained by the revision. The current 1.05.B is struck and replaced with:

B. Three types of starts are used to begin competitive play:

1. At a shotgun start, groups are assigned to begin play on different holes simultaneously.

a. The two-minute signal is a notification to all players that practice has ceased and that all PDGA rules and regulations are in force, and that the Tournament Director intends to begin play in two minutes.

i. The two-minute signal shall be sounded by the Tournament Director or designated Tournament Official by a method that informs all players on the course.

ii. If a horn is used, the signal is sounded by two blasts.

b. The start signal is a notification to all players that play has begun.

i. The start signal shall be sounded by the Tournament Director or designated Tournament Official by a method that informs all players on the course.

ii. If a horn is used, the signal is sounded by one long blast.

c. The course or courses are closed to practice while competitive rounds are in progress and at all other times designated by the Tournament Director.

2. At a staggered start, also known as a tee time start, groups start one after another on a certain hole.

a. Groups shall start at the time announced by the Tournament Director and check in with the starter as required by 1.04.

b. Players may practice in any area designated by the Tournament Director until the starter indicates the two-minute signal for their group.

c. The course or courses are closed to practice while competitive rounds are in progress unless the Tournament Director specifies otherwise.

3. At a flex start, players may choose their own starting time, their own playing group, or both.

a. This format is only available for one-day, one-round events sanctioned at C-Tier level and for Leagues.

b. The grouping and sectioning requirements of 1.06.A and C do not apply to flex starts.

c. The Tournament Director may adjust starting times and playing groups.

d. Flex starts are staggered starts in all other respects.

1.12 Tournament Officials - Expand the use of video evidence to course markings

This expands the use of photo and video evidence. It allows players to take a picture or video and send it to the TD in order to clarify what course markings mean. For example, "hey, on hole 5, is this white line painted by the creek an OB line?" This also allows clarifications regarding things that are not course markings but might appear to be, such as painted cross-country trail lines or utility flags. 

H. Video evidence or other media is not allowed for the purpose of making rulings for sanctioned play. Such evidence can only be used to document player misconduct (as defined in 3.03). Photo or video evidence may only be used by the Tournament Director or a Tournament Official to:

1. Clarify the meaning of course markings that indicate teeing areas under 802.04.A, restricted routes under 804.01, regulated areas under 806, or drop zones. This includes clarifying that a marking on the course is not relevant to competition.

2. Make rulings related to player misconduct (as defined in 3.03). This evidence may be provided by anyone present who witnessed the misconduct. Evidence of player misconduct may also be evaluated at any time by the PDGA Disciplinary Committee.

2.01 Division Types - Add this section to clearly define the types of divisions and to which divisions they apply.

The Competition Manual refers to different types of divisions. They are not adequately defined. This solves that problem.

A. Open divisions have no upper ratings boundary and no age requirements. They may have ratings floors at Major and Elite Series events (see 4.02) or require that a member be Amateur-class or qualify under the Pros Playing Am rubric (see 5.05.A). The open divisions are:

1. Mixed Pro Open (MPO).

2. Women's Pro Open (FPO).

3. Gold (RPA).

4. Mixed Amateur 1 (MA1).

5. Women's Amateur 1 (FA1).

B. Ratings-based divisions have ratings caps that prevent higher-rated players from competing in those divisions. The ratings-based divisions are:

1. Blue (RAH)

2. Mixed Amateur 2 (MA2)

3. Women's Amateur 2 (FA2)

4. White (RAD)

5. Mixed Amateur 3 (MA3)

6. Women's Amateur 3 (FA3)

7. Red (RAE)

8. Mixed Amateur 4 (MA4)

9. Women's Amateur 4 (FA4)

10. Green (RAF)

11. Purple (RAG)

C. Gender-based divisions are divisions where eligibility is subject to the PDGA Policy on Eligibility for Gender-Based Divisions. Any division labeled "Women's" or "Girls" or whose division code has the prefix "FP," "FA," or "FJ" is a gender-based division.

D. Age-based divisions are divisions where eligibility is based on the player's year of birth. For example, a player who turns 40 in a given year is considered to be 40 for eligibility purposes for that whole year. Any division labeled "Masters" or "Juniors," or who code ends in a two-digit age such as "08" or "65," is an age-based division.

2.02 Qualifications - Require TDs to hold underserved divisions with fewer than four players

Frequently, women, seniors, and juniors are not able to get four players for their division. While TDs are currently encouraged to run underserved divisions with fewer than four players, members still report that adoption of that suggestion is low. The change to Competition Manual 2.06 that changes the requirements of True Amateur events so that they no longer require trophies for Amateur divisions with a single player - as well as the two-weeks-prior cutoff for determining trophy amounts at True Amateur events - will minimize the impact on TDs.

L. A Tournament Director may limit the divisions they wish to offer at their event by listing only the divisions they plan to offer on their registration form.  

1. If a division is offered and at least four eligible players register for that division, that division must be held.  

2. If a division is underserved as defined in 1.02.C.2.c, the division must be held if at least one player registers for the division.

3. In all other cases, it is at the Tournament Director's discretion whether to hold the division or not (see 1.03.H for refund policy in that case).

If fewer than four eligible players register for an offered division or a division does not have four eligible players at the close of registration, it is at the Tournament Director's discretion whether to hold the division or not (see 1.03.H).  Tournament Directors are strongly encouraged to offer divisions which are otherwise underserved (see 1.02.C.2.c) and to hold such divisions even if fewer than four eligible players register.

2.02 Qualifications - Allow TDs to determine appropriate divisions for players without PDGA numbers

Sometimes, a local player does not have a PDGA number or a rating, but the Tournament Director knows their skill level well enough to know what division they belong in. This empowers the TD to make that decision and tell the player where they are eligible to play, addressing member concerns about "sandbagging" by non-members. This only applies to players who have never been PDGA members. It does not apply to players who have a PDGA number but who are not current members or to current members who have not yet received a PDGA Player Rating.

M. PDGA members, whether current or not, shall must be allowed to play in any offered division offered by the Tournament Director that for which they are eligible for. if that division is offered by the Tournament Director. All local rules which force a player to move up divisions based on previous performance are invalid and are not applicable to PDGA members at PDGA-sanctioned events

N. For players without a PDGA number, Tournament Directors may estimate their Player Rating based on direct knowledge of their demonstrated skill and ability.

1. If the player signs up for a ratings-based division (see 2.01.B), the TD may use that estimated Player Rating to assign the player to a different ratings-based division or MA1 or FA1 as appropriate. 

2. If the player registers for an open division (see 2.01.A) or an age-based division (see 2.01.D) for which they qualify, the player is treated the same as PDGA members (see 2.02.M).

3. A player who is assigned a division by the TD under 2.02.N.1 and who then purchases a PDGA membership prior to the start of play may move to and compete in any ratings-based division for which they qualify under 2.02.M.

2.06 True Amateur - Bring standalone document into the Competition Manual and adjust trophy requirements

This section was previously a single unformatted paragraph with a link to a stand-alone document. This revision brings the information from that document into the Competition Manual and properly formats it. The major change is in the trophy rubric. TDs are no longer required to provide trophies to divisions with a single player in order to make it easier for TDs to run solo divisions for underserved populations (women, juniors, and seniors). It also caps the number of trophies awarded at first through third place. Finally, it requires that TDs advertise the use of this format so players know what to expect. The entire section is struck and replaced with:

A. True Amateur (also referred to as "trophy only") is the designation used by the PDGA in reference to those amateur events at A-Tier and below, or the amateur portions of events, which promote the true spirit of amateur athletics by presenting only trophies to the top finishers of the tournament rather than a payout in merchandise.

B. All players in the event receive equal value through player packs. A player pack may consist of commemorative items and/or tournament amenities. 

1. The combined retail value of the player packs in a given division should meet or exceed the value of the Tier-required minimum payout for that division. For example, if a six-person division's Tier-required minimum payout is $240, each player pack must be worth at least $40.

2. Examples of player pack items include, but are not limited to:

a. Tangible disc golf items, such as discs, minis, or towels 

b. Apparel, such as shirts, hats, or outerwear.

c. Food items, such as snacks or catered meals.

d. Any other item that meets the requirements of the PDGA Allowable Items Toward Player Pack Value document.

C. Each division must pay out a minimum number of trophies as listed below. TDs may offer more trophies than the minimum at their discretion. For the purposes of acquiring and awarding trophies, TDs may specify a cutoff date for determining how many trophies each division will get, so long as that date is no more than two weeks prior to the start of competition.

1. One player: no trophy required.

2. 2-4 players: 1st place only.

3. 5-12 players: 1st and 2nd place.

4. 13+ players: 1st through 3rd place.

D. Tournament Directors must advertise the use of the True Amateur format in pre-registration materials.

5.02 Divisions and Reclassification - Require divisional availability

This rule requires that TDs make women's divisions available for a specified period. Both the Women's Committee and the Diversity & Outreach Task Force have identified this as a good method to make space for women in PDGA events. Essentially, TDs must either offer women's divisions for a week of early registration or for the first week of regular registration. This will work in combination with the proposed change to Competition Manual 2.02 above. This is in the new Section 5 of the Competition Manual, containing the provisions that were formerly in the Tour Standards document.

C. If mixed divisions are offered at an event, Tournament Directors must offer the corresponding women's division (e.g., if MA40 is offered, FA40 must also be offered). After one week of early registration as detailed in Competition Manual 1.02.C.2.c or one week of open registration, the TD may cease offering the division as long as Competition Manual 2.02.L permits it.

5.03 Preparing the Course - Require restrooms at C-Tier and above

Restroom access is a basic need. Tournament Directors need to provide at least one bathroom available for players. The already-existing pass-through bathroom fee should make this a simple matter. This is in the new Section 5 of the Competition Manual, containing the provisions that were formerly in the Tour Standards document.

Rules Update (12/05/24): Flex Starts Exempt From Bathroom Requirements in 2025

G. At PDGA-sanctioned events, bathrooms are now required.

1. The event must have either a permanent bathroom or temporary bathroom on site at each venue that is:

a. accessible to all players;

b. stocked and serviced and in working order;

c. available no less than 60 minutes prior to the first tee time of the day; and

d. available for the duration of the event schedule and all event-related activities at the course(s) being played; and

e. a reasonable walking distance from the course(s) being played.

2. Tournament Directors who must rent facilities to comply with this are allowed to use the bathroom pass-through fee (see 5.04.A.3.d) to offset costs.

3. This provision does not apply to Leagues.

4. This provision does not apply to flex starts (see 1.05.B.3 above). The TD must notify players in pre-registration materials if no bathroom will be available at a flex start.

5. Please consult the PDGA Water and Bathroom Recommendations for best practices regarding bathrooms.

Competition Manual Restructure - 2026

Just as the Official Rules of Disc Golf were restructured in 2018 to better reflect the order in which things occur in a round, we will restructure the Competition Manual in 2026 to make items better-organized and easier to find. We will also improve readability by breaking up large paragraphs and complex sentences where possible. The new version is a Fleisch-Kincaid 56.1 (8th-9th grade reading level) where the current version is a 51.5 (11th grade reading level). We intend to publish the 2026 version on January 1, 2025, so that players and TDs have a year to get used to the changes prior to their effective date. This will also give our international translators a head start.

Additionally, beginning in 2025, the PDGA Tour Standards are moving into the Competition Manual, along with the International Variances and Exceptions currently located in the International Program Guide. These will be sections 5 and 6 in 2025 and sections 7 and 8 in 2026.

Here is the proposed structure:

Section 1: Eligibility, containing 1.01 Player Eligibility; 1.02 Divisional Eligibility; 1.03 Eligibility Exceptions.

Section 2: Registration and Withdrawals, containing 2.01 Tournament Registration; 2.02 Withdrawals and Refunds.

Section 3: Tournament Procedures, containing 3.01 Officials; 3.02 Youth Safety; 3.03 Shotgun Starts and Staggered Starts; 3.04 Practice Rounds and Event Check-In, 3.05 Grouping and Sectioning; 3.06 Beginning Play; 3.07 Suspension of Play; 3.08 Reduction of Field Size (Cuts); 3.09 Ties, 3.10 Disqualification; 3.11 Distribution of Prizes

Section 4: Player and Staff Code of Conduct, containing 4.01 General Conduct; 4.02 Pace of Play; 4.03 Player Misconduct; 4.04 Dress Code; 4.05 Carts, Caddies, and Groups; 4.06 Player Media and Sponsor Relations; 4.07 Event Vendor Policies, 4.08 Tournament Director Rights and Responsibilities.

Section 5: Majors and Elite Series, containing 5.01 Applicability; 5.02 Eligibility and Registration; 5.03 Tobacco Use Policy; 5.04 Marshals; 5.05 Checking In, Media Availability, and Beginning Play; 5.06 Dress Code; 5.07 Caddies and Groups; 5.08 Scoring.

Section 6: Leagues, containing 6.01 Leagues.

Section 7: Tour Standards, containing 7.01 Applicability and Purpose; 7.02 Divisions and Reclassification; 7.03 Preparing the Course; 7.04 Finances and Payout; 7.05 Tier and Target Requirements; 7.06 Did Not Play, Did Not Finish, Ratings Manipulation, and Disqualification; 7.07 Reporting Requirements; 7.08 Major and Elite Series Requirements; 7.09 A-Tier Requirements; and 7.10 X-Designated Events. 

Section 8: International Variances and Exceptions, containing 8.01 Applicability of Exceptions; 8.02 Variances from the Official Rules of Disc Golf; and 8.03 Variances from the Competition Manual for Disc Golf Events.

Minor Changes

Official Rules of Disc Golf

801.02 Enforcement and Appendix A: Match Play - Allow players to self-call violations without confirmation

This allows players to call violations on themselves without confirmation from a second player or Tournament Official. This comports with the spirit of the game, where players are to graciously accept penalty throws and move on with the round.

801.02.E. A call made by a player for a rules violation that results in one or more penalty throws can only be enforced if the call is confirmed by another player in the group or by a Tournament Official. A penalty throw is a throw added to a player's score for violating a rule, or for relocation of the lie as called for by a rule. A call made by a player for a rules violation that results in one or more penalty throws can only be enforced if the call is confirmed by another player in the group or by a Tournament Official. A rules violation call made by a player on themself does not need to be confirmed in order to be enforced unless objected to by a player in the group or by a Tournament Official.

A.03.A Only a player's opponent may call a violation on or warn a player. Any player in the group or an official may confirm the call.

801.02 Enforcement and 801.03 Appeals - Automatic provisional from spotter's call

This establishes that a player's throw from a lie determined by a spotter's call is automatically a provisional throw. This will improve pace of play and ensure players aren't disadvantaged by an incorrect spotter call.

801.02.H. A Tournament Spotter is an individual empowered by the Director for a specific spotting purpose without authorizing them to act as a Tournament Official.

801.03.E. If, upon arriving at the thrown disc, the group determines a Tournament Spotter's ruling was incorrect, the player continues play from a lie based on the ruling of the group. The sequence of throws based on the spotter's incorrect signal is disregarded. A player may appeal the group's ruling and continue the original sequence with a provisional sequence of throws.

802.02 Order of Play - Establishes the order of play at a drop zone

This makes the order of play at a drop zone clearer.

C. After all players have a lie other than the teeing area, the player whose lie is farthest from the target (the away player) is next in the throwing order. If two or more players have lies that are the same distance from the target, the playing order is the order in which those lies were established.

803.02 Obstacles and Relief and 806.03 Casual Areas - Simplify improper relief as a misplay

This resolves the inconsistency between improper relief and misplays for incorrect lie. The following edit will be made to both 803.02.C and 806.03.C.

A player who takes relief other than as allowed by rule receives one penalty throw has committed a misplay for playing from an incorrect lie, see 811.F.1.

805.03 Lost Disc and 806.02 Out of Bounds - Clarify the intersection of these two rules

805.03.G. Section 805.03 does not apply if a disc is considered to be out-of-bounds (see 806.02.C).

806.02.C. If there is compelling evidence that a disc came to rest within an out-of-bounds area, the disc is considered to be out-of-bounds and does not need to be located. A disc that cannot be found is considered to be out-of-bounds if there is compelling evidence that the disc came to rest within an out-of-bounds area. In the absence of such evidence, the disc is considered lost and play proceeds according to 805.03.

806.03 Casual Area

This clarifies how relief from casual areas (where relief is optional at the discretion of the player) operates.

A. A casual area is casual water or any an area specifically designated as a casual area by the Director before the round which allows for optional relocation without penalty. A player may choose to take relief if their lie is in that area. Casual water is any body of water that is in-bounds and has not been explicitly declared by the Director to be in play.

B. By default, any body of water that is in-bounds and has not been explicitly declared by the Director to be in play is a casual area.

C. A player may To obtain relief from a casual area without penalty by marking on the line of play a new lie which is farther from the target and no farther than the nearest lie where the marker disc and lie are outside the casual area.  the player's lie may be relocated without penalty to the nearest lie which is farther from the target and is on the line of play, at the nearest point that provides relief (unless greater casual relief is announced by the Director).

D. Additional or alternate relief may be declared by the director for a casual area.

E. A player who takes relief other than as allowed by rule receives one penalty throw has committed a misplay for playing from an Incorrect Lie under 811.F.1.

811 Misplay - Clarify consequence for intentionally skipping a hole

This differentiates between intentionally missing a hole for non-competitive reasons (e.g., they have to use the bathroom for an extended period beyond what is allowed in 802.03.C) and for competitive reasons (e.g., believing that par plus four is a more favorable outcome than playing the hole).

E. A player who deliberately misplays the course to gain competitive advantage may be disqualified in accordance with Section 3.03 of the Competition Manual. This includes but is not limited to any deliberate misplays specified in 811.F.

. . .

F.6 Omitted Hole. The round has been completed, and the player has neglected to play one or more holes. The player receives a score of par plus four on each unplayed hole. Intentionally failing to play a hole constitutes withdrawal from competition.

813.01 Illegal Disc and Technical Standards - Legalize certain methods of applying custom graphics to a disc

This allows additional techniques for applying graphics after production, so long as the application doesn't bring the disc out of spec for that mold.

813.01.B. Allowed modifications to a disc after production are limited to:

1. Wear and tear from usage during play;

2. Moderate sanding to address wear and tear or small molding imperfections;

3. Marking with dye or permanent marker ink;

4. Applying graphics via hot stamp, ink printing, or dye that adheres to the approved specifications for that disc model.

5. Removing graphics in a manner that adheres to the approved specifications for that disc model.

C. Other modifications to a disc after production make the disc illegal, including but not limited to:

1. Modifying the disc in a way that alters its original flight characteristics;

2. Excessively sanding the disc;

3. Etching, carving, or engraving the disc;

3. 4. Adding a material of a detectable thickness such as paint.

4. 5. Intentionally deforming a disc such that it is not in a circular, saucer-like configuration.

Technical Standards II(15):

All Global approved discs, including any applied graphics, must (see drawing below):
. . .

(15) be essentially as produced without any post-production modifications that affect the weight or flight characteristics cause the disc to be out of specification.

QA-LOS-2 - Clarify inapplicability of three-minute timer when discs are OB

When a disc is OB, there's no need to search for three minutes, because the lie can be determined by the group without locating the disc.

QA-LOS-2

Q: My disc clearly came to rest out-of-bounds, but I cannot see it. Does my group have to help look for my disc for three minutes?

A: If a disc is declared out-of-bounds, the disc cannot be considered a lost disc and the procedures in 805.03 Lost Disc do not apply. A player can take a reasonable amount of time to fetch their disc if it does not cause an undue delay (802.03.A.2), but this does not allow the player to spend extra time searching for it. The other players in the group are not required to help search for a disc that is out-of-bounds.

Appendix B: Doubles and Team Play - add Aggregate Score format

This format is already in use by waiver. This standardizes the format and makes it readily available.

B.05.I. Aggregate Score

1. Each team member plays the hole as an individual player.
2. The score for a team on a hole is the sum of the scores on the hole by all team members including any penalty throws for the individual or team.
3. If any team member withdraws or is disqualified, the team is disqualified.

Competition Manual for Disc Golf Events

1.04 Event Check-In and 4.05 Registration, Checking In, and Beginning Play - Improve procedures and enforceability

This change goes into more detail about what constitutes check-in and when check-in can and cannot be required before the event.

1.04.A. Pre-tournament check-in is required for players in Players are required to check in with the Tournament Director or designated tournament staff member at A- and B-Tier events. and This is suggested for all other Tiers

B. The Tournament Director cannot require in-person pre-tournament check-in on any day prior to the start of competition but may offer it as a convenience to players.

C. B. Any player who does not check in by the time(s) specified by the Tournament Director shall forfeit their official place and entry fee.

1. As detailed in 1.03.F, such day-of drops will not receive a refund even if a waitlister takes their place.

2. Exceptions will be made only at the sole discretion of the Tournament Director.

D. The Tournament Director should notify players of check-in requirements on the registration page or via email no less than 48 hours prior to the earliest check-in time.

E. C. At A-Tier events using a staggered start with scheduled tee times, players must also check in with the starter no less than 5 minutes prior to their tee time each day and be present at the starting hole for the 5 minutes preceding their tee time each day. Players who do not check in with the starter by this time or who are not present at the starting hole for the 5 minutes preceding their tee time receive two penalty throws. This is recommended for staggered starts with scheduled tee times at all other Tiers.

F. D. If a player is later deemed to be absent for the first hole under 811.F.5, Misplay, then the penalty in 1.04.E C does not apply. The player only receives the penalty for being absent.

G. E. See 4.05 for check-in requirements for Majors and Elite Series events.

. . .

4.05.A. Pre-registration is required for PDGA Majors and Elite Series events.

B. Pre-tournament check-in is required for all players at Majors and Elite Series events.

1. Pre-tournament check-in includes completing all required and applicable documents and processes, such as waivers, tax documents, or the PDGA Identity Verification program.

2. The restriction in 1.04.B does not apply to Majors and Elite Series events.

3. Any player who does not check in by the time specified by the Tournament Director shall begin the first round with two penalty throws forfeit their official place and entry fee.

C. At events using a staggered start with scheduled tee times, players must also check in with the starter no less than 5 minutes prior to their tee time and be present at the starting hole for the 5 minutes preceding their tee time each day.

1. Players who do not check in with the starter by this time or who are not present at the starting hole for the 5 minutes preceding their tee time receive two penalty throws.

2. If a player is later deemed to be absent for the first hole under 811.F.5, Misplay, then the penalty in 4.05.C.1 does not apply. The player only receives the penalty for being absent.

1.07 Suspension of Play - Note type of horn blast.

1.07.A. If, in the opinion of the Tournament Director, lightning, 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 made in the same fashion as the signal to start, but using three short blasts. These blasts should be repeated at least once within one minute and the Tournament Director should make any necessary efforts to ensure all groups can hear the signal.  

1. The signal to suspend play is a notification to all players that play has been suspended.  

2. The signal to suspend play shall be sounded by the Tournament Director or designated Tournament Official by a method that informs all players.  

3. If a horn is used, the signal is sounded by three blasts. 

4. After 60 seconds, the signal to suspend must be sounded a second time. 

1.10 Distribution of Prizes - Require notice of how Amateur payout will be handled.

G.4. If a TD uses merchandise vouchers for Amateur payout, they must be redeemable at the event or afterwards via online fulfillment. The TD must specify how payout will be handled in their pre-registration materials.

1.12 Tournament Officials - Align definitions with ORDG and allow spotters to have limited Tournament Official duties

At the discretion of the TD, a particular spotter may be empowered to act as a Tournament Official in a limited fashion.

A. Only the following are Tournament Officials (see 801.02.G) for a given event:

1. the Tournament Director (see 801.02.F); and

2. those Certified Officials (as defined in 1.11.A) that have been designated by the Tournament Director; and or

3. a PDGA Marshals as designated by the PDGA Director of Competition., are Tournament Officials for a given event.

. . .

G. The Tournament Director may empower volunteers to act as spotters for a specific spotting purpose, but Generally, the ruling of a Tournament Spotter (see 801.02.H) spotter does not supersede the ruling of the group. However, the Tournament Director may grant spotters who are Certified Officials limited authority to act as a Tournament Official for one or more specific types of ruling, such as determining where a disc was last in-bounds.

3.03 Player Misconduct - Ban tobacco at A-Tiers

G. The public display or use of tobacco products by event staff, players, and by extension their caddies, is prohibited at all times at A-Tier events and at PDGA events of any Tier that solely offer Junior divisions. (i.e., divisions beginning with MJ and/or FJ prefixes).Such public display or use is also prohibited at events held concurrently with PDGA Major and Elite Series events. For policies at PDGA Majors and Elite Series events, see 4.04.A.

3.05 Carts, Caddies, and Groups - Caddies may only caddie for one player at a time

This change specifies that a person may only act as a caddie for one player at a time. This avoids situations where caddie misconduct could potentially impute to multiple players.

B. A caddie is a person who carries a player's equipment or provides other assistance during the round.

1. Players may designate one caddie at a time during their round.

2.  A person may only caddie for one player at a time (except as allowed by 1.13.B).

3. A caddie must be at least 13 years of age and must comply with the same Official Rules of Disc Golf and Competition Manual their player must follow, including the dress code, although a caddie need not be a PDGA member nor Certified Official.

4.04 Player Code of Conduct - Specify that clothing that is damaged during the round is acceptable for the rest of the round

Remember, Section 4 only applies to Majors and Elite Series events. It does not apply to your local A-, B-, and C-Tiers.

B. All players in PDGA-sanctioned competition and tournament staff shall dress appropriately and maintain a clean and well-groomed appearance at all event sites and associated functions.

1. All players shall wear an upper garment covering their upper chest area and lower torso. A well-tailored shirt with a collar is acceptable, with or without sleeves. A well-tailored one-piece tennis dress or upper garment with minimum one-inch-wide shoulder straps is also acceptable. Tank tops are not allowed for any competitor.

2. T-shirts are not allowed as a player’s outermost upper garment, except for competitors in Junior and Amateur divisions during preliminary rounds. Juniors and Amateurs shall not wear tee shirts during semifinal or final rounds. Crew neck or v-neck shirts made of high-performance or high-tech materials (including cotton/poly blends with wicking features) are allowed.

3. Shirts that hang down lower than the bottom hemline on the player’s shorts lower garment shall be tucked in.

4. No ripped shirts, shorts, or pants are allowed on the course. This includes unhemmed garments, or garments with torn or cut “vents” at the shirt collar. Clothing that becomes stained or damaged during a round is acceptable for the remainder of that round. For the purposes of this provision, semifinals and finals are counted together as a single round, as are final rounds and playoffs for first place.

5. No offensive, profane, or obscene slogans or logos are allowed on any clothing. Players in Junior divisions Junior players, as well as their caddie and required chaperone, where applicable (see 1.13), may not wear slogans or logos referring to alcohol, tobacco, or drugs.

Clerical Items

Official Rules of Disc Golf

801.02 Enforcement, 801.03 Appeals, and QA-APP-10.

This helps distinguish what situations require a majority of the group to make a determination (as opposed to what only requires a call and a second). 

801.02.A. Players are assigned to play holes together in a group for the purpose of verifying scores and ensuring play in accordance with the rules. Any determination made by the group as a whole is to be made by a majority of the group.

801.02.I. When the flight, position, or status of a disc is questionable, the determination is made by the group. When a group cannot reach a majority decision, the ruling is based on the interpretation that is most beneficial to the thrower.

801.03.A. When a group cannot reach a majority decision regarding a ruling, the ruling is based on the interpretation that is most beneficial to the thrower.

QA-APP-10

Q: My disc was over OB most of the flight and it is hard to determine if the disc crossed back in bounds late in the flight. It ended up clearly out of bounds. The group has to give the benefit of the doubt that it did, right?

A: The phrase “benefit of the doubt” is not in the rules. Making a ruling based on what benefits the thrower only comes into play after the group has made their best effort at determining the flight of the disc based on the information they have available. This determination should be made without any regard to whether or not the decision is beneficial to the thrower. Only if the group cannot come to a majority decision on whether or not the disc crossed back in bounds should a ruling be based on what is most beneficial to the thrower (801.03.A).

801.03 Appeals

This makes what can be appealed clearer.

B. A player may appeal warnings, penalties, or group decisions a group decision to an Official, or an Official's decision to the Director, by clearly and promptly stating that desire to the group. If an Official or the Director is readily available, the group may stand aside and allow other groups to play through while the appeal is being heard.

803.02 Relief from Obstacles

Matches the terminology used here to that in the rest of the rules.

B. If an obstacle physically prevents the player from taking a legal stance behind the marker disc, or from marking a lie for a thrown disc which is above or below the playing surface, the player may mark a new lie on the line of play immediately behind that obstacle.

806.05 Hazard, QA-HAZ-1, QA-HAZ-2

Makes it clear that hazards do not cause the lie to be relocated.

806.05.D. A player whose disc is in a hazard receives one penalty throw. A hazard area has no impact on the location of the lie. The lie is not relocated.

QA-HAZ-1

Q: My disc landed right next to a hazard area. Do I get 1m relief from a hazard area?

A: Unlike OB, a hazard area does not affect where one marks their lie, so no relief is granted from a hazard area. A player can stand in the hazard area without penalty. The penalty for a hazard is based solely on the position of the thrown disc, not on where one stands.

QA-HAZ-2

Q: My disc is in a puddle next to a hazard area. If I take relief behind the puddle and mark my lie in the hazard area, am I penalized?

A: A penalty for a hazard area only occurs if the thrown disc comes to rest completely in the hazard area. You are not penalized for the hazard area if you take casual relief for that puddle into the hazard area.

On a related note, if your disc lands in casual water in a hazard area, you are penalized for the hazard even if, when you mark behind the water, your lie is now outside the hazard.

811 Misplay

A common rules question is how to handle a misplay that follows an OB throw or a missed mandatory. This clarifies what to do.

F. Types of misplay:

1. Incorrect Lie. The player has played from a lie that is not the correct lie. For example, the player has:

a. Teed off from a teeing area that is not the correct teeing area for the current hole; or,

b. Thrown from a lie other than that established by the thrown disc; or,

c. Played an out-of-bounds disc as if it were in-bounds; or,

d. Thrown from a lie established by a previous throw which missed a mandatory; or,

e. Played a disc in a relief area as if it were not in a relief area.

If no subsequent throws have been made after the misplayed throw, that throw is disregarded. The player plays from the correct lie and receives one penalty throw for the misplay. If an additional throw has been made after the misplayed throw, the player continues play from their current lie and receives two penalty throws for the misplay. Any penalty throws applicable to the throws used are assessed in addition to the penalties for the misplay.

Appendix B: Doubles and Team Play

Grammatical fix.

B.05.E.1: The team chooses which member makes the first throw on the first hole. They then alternate: each Each team member then throws from the lie resulting from the other previous team member's throw until they complete the hole, and so forth.

Competition Manual for Disc Golf Events

1.06 Grouping and Sectioning

The current language uses both "pools" and "sections" and undefined terms like "sectioning procedure." This corrects that problem.

A. Professional and Amateur players should not be grouped together. Divisions should be grouped together as much as is practicable.

B. When there are more entrants than can play together in one round, the field of competitors may be split into pools. Players within a division must play the exact same layouts during competition.

C. All players within a division should be grouped for the first round via one of the following methods (see 1.05.B.3.b and 6.03.E for exceptions):

1. Random grouping; players within a division may be randomly grouped for the first round. All team events should use this option.

2. Player Rating grouping; players within a division may be grouped by player rating to set first round groups. Highest-rated player starting on the lowest number hole, the second-highest-rated player starting on the following hole, etc. This process would continue until all starting holes have been filled. For example, a division of 12 players across 3 holes set by the ranking of their ratings would be:

Hole 1: Players 1, 4, 7, and 10

Hole 2: Players 2, 5, 8, and 11

Hole 3: Players 3, 6, 9, and 12

3. In the case of a division that is large enough to be in multiple pools or sections, the players should must be split by rating (example: 72 highest ratings in Pool A and 72 lowest ratings in Pool B) and then randomized within each pool for the first round.

. . .

H. When there are more entrants than can play together in one round, the field of competitors may be split into sections or pools. Players within a division must play the exact same layouts during competition.

I. If conditions affect play differently among sections, the Tournament Director may consider using a sectioning procedure to determine advancement. In that case, a proportionate number of advancing players would be taken from each section by score and their scores would not be carried forward.

. . .

1.09 Ties

This series of changes both clarifies how tiebreakers operate and how sudden-death and aggregate playoffs work. This does not change the operation of either process; it simply makes it clearer.

A. 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 positions are reset. In the event of ties for lowest score across all previous rounds, the ties shall be broken by the lower PDGA number having the higher ranking amongst the tied players and then alphabetical by last name for any tied players without a PDGA number. When sorting groups under 1.06.E, ties for position are broken as if the following player has the lower total score:

1. First, a player with a lower score in the more recent round;

2. Second, among players with identical round scores for the event, the player with the lower PDGA number (a player with no PDGA number loses this tiebreaker);

3. Finally, among players with no PDGA number, the player whose last name comes first in alphabetical order.

B. Playoff: Except where noted below in 1.09.D, final ties for first place in any division must be broken by a playoff, either sudden-death or aggregate play. If ties are being broken for the reduction of field size, they also must be broken by these procedures sudden-death play. Under no circumstances should any other method such as hot round, head-to-head scores, etc. be used to break a tie for first place. The Official Rules of Disc Golf and the Competition Manual apply during playoffs, but the throws do not accrue to the players' scores or break ties for any position other than first.

1. Sudden-death play is a playoff format where the player or players with the lowest score on a hole move on to the next hole and all other players are eliminated. When only one player has the lowest score on a hole, that player has won the tiebreaker and sudden-death play is over. The Official Rules of Disc Golf and the Competition Manual apply during sudden-death play, but the throws do not accrue to the players' scores or break ties for any position other than first.

2. An aggregate playoff Aggregate is a playoff format type of sudden-death play where the competitors play a set of 6 or fewer holes that have been announced by the TD, where the lowest score on all holes wins the playoff. Players who are tied after an aggregate playoff proceed to standard sudden-death play on those same holes, unless a different set of holes has been announced by the TD. 

3. Sudden-death play, including aggregate playoffs, Playoffs shall begin, wherever possible, on the same course and layout as the previous round on hole number one unless a different course, hole, or series of holes is designated by the Tournament Director prior to the start of the tournament.

4. Sudden-death play Playoffs must use the same format as the previous round (e.g., medal play as outlined in the Official Rules of Disc Golf, match play as outlined in Appendix A, or team play as outlined in Appendix B) unless another format is designated by the Tournament Director prior to the start of the tournament. In team play, each team is considered a player for the purposes of this section. Any sudden-death format playoff that uses team play to break ties for an event conducted wholly as singles play, or that uses singles play to break ties for an event conducted wholly as team play, must do so for a compelling competitive reason and must be approved prior to the start of the event by the PDGA Director of Event Support.

5. The specific order in which players tee off for sudden-death play the first hole of a playoff shall be determined by random draw (e.g., numbered playing cards, selecting tee positions from a hat, etc.).

6. In the case of a tied hole during sudden-death play, the teeing order for the next hole will rotate from the order used on the just completed hole, such that the player who teed first on the previous hole relative to the remaining players will now tee last, the player who teed second will now tee first, and so on.

7. During an aggregate playoff, the teeing order will instead rotate in the manner described by 802.02, Order of Play.

8. If the aggregate playoff ends with two or more players still tied, the teeing order will rotate:

a. in the manner described by 802.02 to set the teeing order for the first hole of sudden-death play; and

b. in the manner described by 1.09.B.6 for the remainder of sudden-death play.

9. Players may decline to participate in sudden-death play a playoff. Their ranking and cash or prizes will be determined as if they had declined to participate in a semi-final or final among the tied players (see 1.08.D).

C. First place cash or prizes must be awarded to the division winner and listed in the event results. Cash or prizes may not be evenly split between any players tied for first place except as noted in 1.09.D.

D. Exceptions to the requirement for first place tiebreakers:

1. A tie for first place at a flex start event where a tied competitor has already left the event.

2. A tie for first place caused by the necessity of calling an event due to dangerous conditions where there is no time left on the regularly scheduled final day of competition to complete the event or break a tie for first place. Under no circumstances should players be expected, or asked, to return on a day following the last day of the regularly scheduled rounds to finish the event (see PDGA Mid-Event Suspension & Cancellation Policy).

3. If a sudden-death playoff cannot be held during the last day of regularly scheduled rounds for the competition, the tie for first place will stand with the players declared co-champions and the cash and prizes for the ranked places split between the players. If two players are tied for first place, they split the first and second place cash or prizes).

E. Final ties for other ranks shall be officially recorded as ties. Prize money distribution to tied players (other than for first place) 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 a playoff or by any related disc golf skill event determined by the Tournament Director, but only for the purpose of awarding trophies; the players must remain officially recorded as tied in the results.

2.02 Qualifications and 1.14 Leagues

This clarifies that players may not compete twice in an event.

2.02.E. Players may not compete more than once in a single event. Each entry on the PDGA calendar is considered a separate event. For Leagues, see 1.14.C.7.

Players may not compete more than once in a single event, unless that event:Players are allowed to compete in their scheduled round(s) once per event, unless the event:

has different divisions competing on different days; and

those days are listed as distinct entries in the PDGA calendar and;

the player is competing no more than once per distinct entry on the PDGA calendar.

1.14.C.7. Players may play in different divisions from week to week but may not play more than once in any given week of a League.

2.03 Exceptions

This makes the exceptions to the eligibility criteria based on ratings clearer without changing the intent of the requirements, which was unclear under the prior language.

A. In a given event, players may compete in a ratings-based division for which they are otherwise ineligible if:

1. They were registered for that event and in that division; and

2. They were eligible for that division at the time of registration; and

3. They became ineligible for that division due to a ratings update that took place within two weeks of the start of competition for that event; and

4. The Tournament Director approves; and

5. The Tournament Director gets approval from the PDGA Director of Event Support.

B. In events within a points Series, players may compete in a ratings-based division for which they are otherwise ineligible under the requirements of 2.03.A or if:

1. The Series Director has received prior approval to allow this exception from the PDGA Director of Event Support; and

2. The Series allows players to stay in the division for the entire Series; and

3. The player has not competed in a higher division at any time during the Series; and4. The player's rating is not more than 20 points higher than the rating ceiling for the division.

C. Nothing in this 2.03.A or B shall apply to Professional-class players competing in Amateur divisions.

Players are allowed to enter a ratings-based division they would otherwise be ineligible to participate in only under the following circumstances:

If approved before the event by the PDGA Director of Event Support.

Players who have become ineligible for a division due to a ratings update may participate for two weeks following the update, provided they are pre-registered for the event in question, at the discretion of the Tournament Director.

If competing in an applicable points Series (see 2.02.B).

Players may be allowed to enter a ratings-based division they would otherwise be ineligible to participate in as part of a points Series provided that:

The Series Director has contacted the PDGA and received prior approval from the PDGA Director of Event Support.

The Series allows players to stay in the division for the entire Series.

The player has not competed in a higher division at any time during the Series.

The player’s rating does not exceed 20 points above the rating ceiling for the division they wish to compete in.

Nothing in this section shall apply to Professional-class players competing in Amateur divisions.

3.01 General

Clarifies that service animals can be excluded if they are distracting or disruptive.

D. Animals may not accompany players with the exception of players whose disability or medical condition requires the use of a legally-defined service animal.

1. Players are required to notify the Tournament Director prior to the event if they will be accompanied by a of legally-defined service animal usage during play.

2. If, in the opinion of the Tournament Director, a service animal presents a distraction or disruption, that animal will no longer be permitted to accompany the playing group.

5.05 Tier and Target Requirements - add Start Type and update fee schedule

This update, in the new Section 5 that brings the Tour Standards into the Competition Manual, adds a row specifying what type of starts can be used at each Tier level (e.g., shotgun or staggered start for B-Tier, but shotgun, staggered, or flex start for C-Tier). It also updates the per-player fee and temporary membership fee amounts to reflect the announced 2025 increases.

Thank you for reading and thanks in advance for sharing your feedback.

(This article was originally published on November 1, 2024)

^ Back to the top ^