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. Proposed changes are first vetted by Committees, staff, and the PDGA Global Board of Directors and then evaluated through a public comment period open to all PDGA members. Pursuant to that feedback, edits and alterations are often made to some of the proposals. A list of all the changes for 2024 – first major, then minor, then a rundown of some clerical matters – is here for your reference. They go into effect on January 1, 2024. 

Major Changes

Official Rules of Disc Golf

803.01 Moving Obstacles

This greatly broadens the area in which players may move casual obstacles. This change responds to requests from players that the rules grant the ability to clear casual obstacles from a larger area to accommodate a run-up.

B. 1. A player may move casual obstacles that are on the playing surface where a supporting point may be placed when taking a stance farther from the target than the front edge of the lie.

808 Scoring

All players will now be required to keep score for the whole group. This ensures even distribution of scoring duties and maximizes scoring integrity. It also limits scoring penalties to the player who submitted the incorrect scorecard. Outside the United States and Canada, this change is highly recommended but not yet required per the International Program Guide.

A. The player listed first bears primary responsibility for picking up the group's scorecard(s). Each player must keep an independent scorecard recording scores after each hole for the entire group. A player who refuses to keep score may be subject to disqualification.

B. Players in the group keep score proportionally, unless a player or a scorekeeper volunteers to keep score more and that is acceptable to all players in the group. Players may delegate scorekeeping duties only to their designated caddie.

C. After each hole has been completed, the scorekeeper records each player records the score for every player in the group in a manner that makes each score clear to every player in the group. Any warnings or penalty throws are to be noted along with the score for the hole.

. . .

F. All players are responsible for reconciling and submitting their scorecards copy of the scorecard within 30 minutes of when their group finished their round. A player whose scorecard is not submitted who has not submitted their scorecard on time receives two penalty throws.

. . .

G.2. If a player submits a scorecard where their the total score or any hole score is hole scores are incorrect, improperly recorded, or missing, two penalty throws are added to the correct total score. Those penalty throws are not added when the score has been adjusted for other violations determined after the player had submitted an otherwise correct scorecard.

G.3. A player is not penalized if another member of their group submits an incorrect scorecard.

Competition Manual for Disc Golf Events

1.05 Practice Rounds, Beginning Play, Late Arrivals

This revision works alongside the revision to 808 in the ORDG. Scoring regulations pertaining to players now are in the ORDG and those pertaining to TDs are in the CM. 

G. The Tournament Director must provide at least two scorecards to each group a scorecard to each player in the group, to be kept independently of one another. These scorecards may be digital or physical, so long as they meet the requirements in  808, Scoring. of the same medium or of different media.  Each member of the group should be given the opportunity to examine the scorecards and each member of the group must agree on an official scorecard and submit it by whichever method the Tournament Director has designated as the official scoring method for the tournament. Any player who denies the opportunity to another player in the group to examine and verify the official scorecard receives two penalty throws.

1.06 Grouping and Sectioning

This strikes the ability to randomly mix divisions for the first round of a C-Tier. Per 1.06.A, divisions can still be mixed if necessary, so long as they are kept together as much as is practicable (e.g. an event with 6 MA50 and 6 MA60 players may have a mixed group of 2 MA50 and 2 MA60 to make three full groups of four). Please note that this change will only apply to the United States and Canada per the International Program Guide.

B.4. C-Tier events have the option to randomly mix divisions for groupings (first round ONLY) with the exception that Junior ≤15, Junior ≤12, Junior ≤10, Junior ≤08, and Junior ≤06 divisional players should only be mixed with other players from those same divisions.

1.09 Ties

This defines the term "sudden-death play," codifies proper procedures for sudden-death tiebreakers, and introduces the option for TDs to use an aggregate playoff.

B. Except where noted below in 1.09.D, final ties for first place in any division must be broken by sudden-death play. Also, if If ties are being broken for the reduction of field size, they also must be broken by 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. 

1. Sudden-death play is a 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.

2. An aggregate playoff is a 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, 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. Team Play Sudden-death play must use the same format as the previous round (e.g., medal play, match play, team play) 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 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 Director of Event Support.

5. The specific order in which players tee off for sudden-death play 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. 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).

3.02 Pace of Play

This addition codifies the concept of putting a group "on the clock," defines what being "on the clock" means, and outlines the relevant procedures. It also clarifies that pace of play applies to groups as well as individuals.

A. All competitors shall play without undue delay and make every effort to keep up with the group in front of them. Undue delay means delays in play, other than as permitted by rule, that affect the pace of play of the group behind them.

B. Players and groups are expected to quickly move without delay from the completion of one hole to the teeing area of the next hole. Any undue delay should not so as not to affect the pace of play within of the group behind them. Also, while advancing down the fairway During play on a hole, a player or group shall not unduly delay play cause undue delay by their actions or inaction.

C. A player causing undue delays may be issued an excessive time violation by agreement of the playing group or a Tournament Official (see 802.03, Excessive Time).

D. If a group as a whole causes undue delay, each player should be issued an excessive time violation by a Tournament Official (see 802.03, Excessive Time). Examples of this include:

1. A group remaining by the target of a completed hole to record scores.

2. A group that neglects to start the clock or enforce the time limit when searching for a lost disc (see 805.03, Lost Disc).

3. A group whose actions unrelated to play halt or slow play.

E. If, in the sole discretion of the Tournament Director or a designated Tournament Official, a group is causing undue delay, that group may be put on the clock. 

1. On the clock means that a Tournament Official will accompany the group and actively time each player to ensure their play conforms with 802.03, Excessive Time and with 3.02.A-D and will issue warnings and penalty throws accordingly.

2. The Tournament Official must notify the group that they are on the clock in a manner understandable to all players. 

3. When a group is no longer causing undue delay, they come off the clock. Off the clock means a Tournament Official is no longer actively timing their play. 

4. When a group comes off the clock, the Tournament Official must notify the group that they are off the clock in a manner understandable to all players.

5. A group that is repeatedly put on the clock may receive penalties as described in 3.02.C. and 802.03, Excessive Time.

3.03 Player Misconduct

This removes the TD's discretion to issue a tournament warning for public display or use of alcohol at C-Tier level and instead requires disqualification. This change also provides a more specific definition for "tournament warning."

B. If a player violates the above standard, the Tournament Director may opt, in their sole discretion, to issue a tournament warning for a first offense (except as specified in 3.03.C). A tournament warning is a type of warning whose effects persist through all rounds and sudden-death play. Otherwise, the Tournament Director will immediately disqualify the player. Actions that violate this standard include, but are not limited to: . . . 5.Public display or use of alcohol, even where otherwise lawful or permitted, from the two-minute signal until the player’s scorecard is submitted at an event sanctioned at C-Tier level or below (see 3.03.C.4 for penalties at events sanctioned at B-Tier or above). This rule does not apply to Leagues, where, if local law and event venue rules permit it, players of legal age to do so may consume alcohol during the round (see 1.14.C.4).

C. The following actions also violate the above standard. Players who commit one or more of these violations will not receive a warning. and will be immediately disqualified by the Tournament Director: . . . 4. Public display or use of alcohol at PDGA events sanctioned at B-Tier C-Tier or higher, or of marijuana cannabis (other than as permitted by the CBD Product Use Policy) at PDGA events sanctioned at any Tier level, even where otherwise lawful or permitted, from the two-minute signal to the time the player's scorecard is submitted. This rule does not apply to Leagues, where, if local law and event venue rules permit it, players of legal age to do so may consume alcohol during the round (see 1.14.C.4).

Section 4: Majors and Elite Series

This new section pulls together Majors and Elite Series-specific regulations that previously were scattered across the CM and Tour Standards, and adds some provisions regarding caddies, check-in, and scoring. Associated clerical changes are enumerated below.

4.01 Applicability

A. All elements of the Official Rules of Disc Golf, sections 1-3 of the Competition Manual for Disc Golf Events, and the PDGA Tour Standards are in effect for all PDGA Majors and Elite Series events unless otherwise specified in this section. Events of other Tiers that are run as part of a larger Elite Series tour, such as DGPT Silver events, are considered to be Elite Series events for purposes of this section.

B. Nothing in this section shall apply to any other event, except as otherwise specified in the Official Rules of Disc Golf, sections 1-3 of the Competition Manual for Disc Golf Events, or the PDGA Tour Standards.

C. Provisions of this section may modify or extend penalties detailed in the Official Rules of Disc Golf, Competition Manual for Disc Golf Events, or the PDGA Tour Standards beyond the original applicability of those penalties.

4.02 Eligibility

A. MPO players must have a minimum rating of 935 and FPO players must have a minimum rating of 825 at the time of registration to compete in a PDGA Major or Elite Series event.

B. There is no minimum rating for eligibility to compete at PDGA Majors or Elite Series events for any other division.

C. All players must be Certified Rules Officials with a certification expiring after the conclusion of the event in order to register for and compete in any PDGA Major or Elite Series event.

4.03 Caddies and Groups

A. A caddie is someone who walks with a player during play.

B. The playing group consists only of:

1. the players themselves; and

2. each player’s individual caddie; 

and may be accompanied by:

3.  chaperones, where required (see 1.13.B); and

4. any active tournament staff as determined by the TD; and 

5. any credentialed media. 

No other people may be with the playing group. All others (including players who have already finished their round) are considered spectators and must remain in designated spectator areas away from the playing group. 

C. Caddies at events must always display a caddie credential if on the course during play or in a player-only area. If no credential is provided or available, the player must identify their caddie to their group prior to the start of play.

D. A caddie cannot be placed or directed to act as a visual reference or guide and is considered a directional aid in any such instance (see 813.02 B, Illegal Device).

E. All other violations of this section are courtesy violations (see 812.C, Courtesy) applicable to the player the caddie is accompanying.

4.04 Player Code of Conduct

A. The prohibition on the public display or use of tobacco products in 3.03.G applies to all PDGA Major and Elite Series events in the following ways:

1. At the PDGA Junior World Championships, the public display or use of tobacco products by event staff, players, and by extension their caddies, is prohibited at all times.

2. At all other PDGA Majors and Elite Series events, the public display or use of tobacco products by event staff, players, and by extension their caddies, is prohibited from the two-minute signal until the official scorecard is submitted.

B. All players in PDGA-sanctioned competition and tournament staff shall dress appropriately and to 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 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.

5. No offensive, profane, or obscene slogans or logos are allowed on any clothing. Junior players may not wear slogans or logos referring to alcohol, tobacco, or drugs.

C. This dress code will be in effect from start to finish at each event, including all tournament rounds.

D. Players who have not made a cut and who are on site at the tournament are considered spectators and are not required to conform to this dress code.

E. All violations of this section by any player or caddie shall be considered a courtesy violation (see 812, Courtesy).

F. All players are requested to be available to any and all media while on site except during or within 30 minutes of the start of a competitive round.

4.05 Checking In and Beginning Play

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

B. Any player who does not check in by the time specified by the Tournament Director shall 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. 

D. 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.

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

4.06 Scoring

A. If the PDGA Digital Scorecard is the official scoring method of a PDGA Major or Elite Series event:

1. In MPO and FPO divisions, at least one player in the group must use the Digital Scorecard for scoring; and

2. All players must use either the Digital Scorecard or a paper scorecard for scoring.

B. In staggered start play with scheduled tee times, all members of the group must proceed to the scoring area immediately after completion of the round. Completion of the round is when all players in a group have holed out on the final hole of the round. 

Tour Standards

A-Tier Requirements: Practice Days and Required Divisions

These additions tighten up the requirements for the player experience at what will be, for many competitors, the premier event Tier of their playing careers.

Official practice days: Course(s) must be set in the tournament format and available for practice for a minimum of 6 daylight hours on or before each day for the prescribed number of days for the corresponding Tier noted above. The event’s players must be informed of the specific practice availability hours for all official practice days prior to the start of the practice days. No sanctioned events or other tournament-related events that prevent or impede these practice hours may take place on the course(s) during the day immediately prior to the beginning of competition.

Required divisions: Tournament Directors at A-Tiers must offer, at a minimum, both the top mixed and women’s divisions  based on the class and/or age of the fields the event is intended for, unless the event is only using Ratings-Based Divisions. For example:

a. Pro-only A-Tiers must offer MPO and FPO.

b. Am-only A-Tiers must offer MA1 and FA1.

c. Pro-Am A-Tiers must offer MPO, FPO, MA1, and FA1.

d. Pro-only Masters-only A-Tiers must offer MP40 and FP40.

e. Am-only Masters-only A-Tiers must offer MA40 and FA40.

f. Masters-only Pro-Am A-Tiers must offer MP40, FP40, MA40, and FA40.

g. Pro-only gender-based A-Tiers must offer FPO.

h. Am-only gender-based A-Tiers must offer FA1.

i. Pro-Am gender-based A-Tiers must offer FPO and FA1.

j. Junior-only A-Tiers must offer MJ18 and FJ18.

Minor Changes

Official Rules of Disc Golf

802.05 Lie

This clarifies how the line of play behaves when a playing surface ends.

D. In all other cases, the lie is a rectangle that is 20cm wide and 30cm deep, centered on the line of play behind the rear edge of the marker disc. The line of play is the imaginary line on the playing surface extending from the center of the target through and beyond the center of the marker disc. If that playing surface ends, the line of play continues on the nearest playing surface following that line. The marker disc, or marker, is the disc used to mark the lie according to 802.06.

803.02 Relief from Obstacles

This change allows relief from harmful insects or animals if they are in front of the lie. Previously, a player would not be entitled to relief if such harmful insects or animals were directly in front of the lie. People are also removed as obstacles; people in the fairway need to be dealt with by the Tournament Director.

A. A player may obtain relief from the following obstacles that are on or behind the lie: harmful insects or animals, people, or any item as designated by the Director. To obtain relief, the player may mark a new lie that is on the line of play, farther from the target, at the nearest point that provides relief (unless greater relief is announced by the Director).

806.05 Hazard

This clarifies the interaction between adjacent hazard and OB areas.

B. The line defining the edges of the hazard area is part of the hazard area. If a line is shared between out-of-bounds and a hazard area, the line is considered part of the out-of-bounds area. 

811 Misplay and QA-MIS

This eliminates what is essentially a duplicative rule (given the overlap with 805.01.C and current 811.F.3) while giving interpretive guidance in a new Q&A.

2. Wrong Target. The player has completed play on a target that is not the correct target for the hole being played. If no subsequent throw has been made, play continues from the resulting lie. If the target is a basket target, then the disc is above the playing surface and play proceeds according to 805.01.C. If the player has teed off on the next hole, two penalty throws are added to the score for the misplayed hole.

The remainder of the subsections in 811.F will move up one number. Then a new QA-MIS-7 is added:

Q: My disc landed in a basket target that is not the correct target for the hole being played. What do I do next?

A: Treat the target like any other obstacle and mark your lie on the playing surface below the disc (see 805.01.C) and throw your next throw. If you find that you mistakenly have played the next hole (or finished the round) without finishing the hole correctly, then you have failed to complete a hole. See 811.F.2.

QA-LIE-1

This provides much-needed clarity to a common situation: a bridge spanning an OB creek.

Q:
My throw landed on a bridge that spans an OB creek. Do I play from the bridge, or is my disc OB since it’s above the creek? What if I’m on the bridge but over land?

A:
A bridge is an example where one playing surface is vertically stacked above another playing surface. Each playing surface is treated independently. The bridge is in-bounds unless the TD has declared it to be OB, regardless of whether a playing surface above or below it is OB. If the two-meter rule is in use, it does not apply because your disc is on, not above, the playing surface. You mark your lie on the bridge, and there is no penalty.

The TD will need to clarify their intentions in this situation. If the course rules are unclear, use a provisional. In general, if the edges of the water are the OB line, then if the disc is completely within that area regardless of the item it is resting on, then the disc is considered OB. The out-of-bounds line extends a vertical plane (806.02.F). If any part of your disc is over the in bounds shore, then your disc is in bounds.

Competition Manual for Disc Golf Events

1.02 Tournament Registration

Defines "in a timely fashion" for posting registration tiers and exceptions, mandates that registered player lists be posted on the PDGA event page, and makes various clerical corrections. Additionally, this introduces a new registration tier for current PDGA members.

C.1.b. In all cases, any use of Exceptions must be completely transparent and publicly posted in a timely fashion and in a manner that provides at least 48 hours prior to the opening of registration in order to provide the opportunity for any player to meet the requirements to be included within the specific Exception(s).

. . .

2. Unlimited Permitted Exceptions

These Unlimited Permitted Exceptions are not limited by percentage of event spots, but the specific early registration tiers for the Unlimited Permitted Exception must be first-come, first-served to any player who meets the specific requirements of that registration tier. TDs may offer tiered registration based on:

a. TDs may offer early registration tiers based on PDGA Player Ratings to give higher-rated players priority (Examples: Elite Series events, USADGC).

b. TDs may offer early registration tiers based on qualification through PDGA-sanctioned qualifier events that were publicly available to all players. (Example: PDGA Worlds, USDGC, USADGC, or a Points Series Finale).

c. TDs may offer early registration tiers based on specific divisions that are otherwise underserved. These are limited to female-only divisions, junior divisions, or senior (age 50 and older) age-based divisions.

d. current PDGA membership.

. . .

3.d. The Limited Permitted Exceptions are as follows:

1. Affiliate Club Membership Exception
TDs may offer early registration tiered registration to the paid registered members of local disc golf clubs who are hosting, running, or otherwise facilitating the event’s success and who are registered as PDGA Affiliate Clubs. Club membership must not be exclusive and must be publicly posted so anyone can meet the requirements to be part of the Affiliate Club Membership Exception if they so choose.

2. Event Sponsorship Exception
TDs may offer early registration tiered registration to players who agree to sponsor the event (or an event sponsor’s designated player) at a level determined by the Tournament Director. The sponsorship opportunity must not be exclusive and must be publicly posted so anyone can meet the requirements to be part of the Event Sponsorship Exception if they so choose.

3. Volunteers Exception
TDs may offer early registration tiered registration to volunteers for their work in prepping the course etc., for the event at a level determined by the TD. That volunteer opportunity must not be exclusive and must be publicly posted so anyone can meet the requirements to be part of the Volunteer Exception if they so choose.

4. PDGA Affiliate Club Permitted Exception – “Club Members Only” Events

a. PDGA Affiliate Clubs with large numbers of members may run a PDGA-sanctioned event where registration is open only to the paid registered members of the PDGA Affiliate Club.

. . .

G. Events must post pre-registration lists on the PDGA event results page, post and waitlists on the official registration page, pdga.com and/or the official tournament registration site, and update those lists at least weekly.

1.03 Withdrawals and Refunds

This simplifies the language for the deadline for withdrawal requests.

F. Players who do NOT officially request to withdraw from a registered spot playing in the event prior to the published closure of registration and waitlist replacements and don’t play (aka a no-show), forfeit their entry fee and do NOT receive a refund or player’s pack. This does NOT apply to a waitlist player; 1.03.B. Players who request withdrawal within 48 hours of the start of play, or who request withdrawal after the published close of registration and the published end of waitlist replacements, are not entitled to a refund. If a TD fills a player’s spot with a player on the waitlist at the time of withdrawal after the published close of registration and the published end of waitlist replacements, but more than 48 hours prior to the start of play, that player must receive a 100% monetary refund of their entry fee.

1.04 Event Check-In

This sets standards for TDs to notify players of check-in requirements. It also outlines player check-in requirements at A-Tier events with staggered starts and scheduled tee times.

A. Pre-tournament check-in is required for players in Majors, Elite Series, and A-Tier events and is suggested for all other Tiers. 

B. Any player who does not check in by the time specified by the Tournament Director shall forfeit their official place and entry fee. Exceptions will be made only at the sole discretion of the Tournament Director. 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.

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. Players who do not check in with the starter by this time receive two penalty throws. This is recommended for staggered starts with scheduled tee times at all other Tiers. 

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.C does not apply. The player only receives the penalty for being absent. 

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

1.06 Grouping and Sectioning

This adjusts the group size limits for doubles and team play.

B. All players within a division should be grouped for the first round via one of the following methods:

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

. . .

G. Groups shall not be more than five players and should be limited to four players whenever possible. In Teams play, groups may exceed five players due to team size or odd numbers of teams competing.

1.07 Suspension of Play

This adds penalties for groups who continue to play during a weather delay.

H. A player who stops playing before a signal to stop has been given shall receive two penalty throws if, in the opinion of the Tournament Director, there is evidence that the player stopped playing prematurely. A player who continues play after the announcement of an official stoppage in play shall receive two penalty throws if there is evidence that the player was aware of the stoppage. 

1.10 Distribution of Prizes

These changes clarify at what Tiers TDs may offer merchandise to Amateurs playing in Professional divisions and reduce the time frame for relinquishment of unclaimed prizes.

B. An Amateur-class member playing in a Professional division (see 2.04.C) may NOT not accept merchandise in lieu of cash in A-Tier and above events; they may only accept a trophy (if one is available) at events sanctioned at A-Tier and above; however, they may accept a trophy for their finishing place if available. All cash payouts at or below that place would move down one place, causing an additional place to be paid. Amateurs playing in a Professional division may accept merchandise in lieu of cash at other Tier levels at the Tournament Director’s sole discretion. Otherwise, all cash payouts at or below that place would move down one place, causing an additional place to be paid. This does not apply to Leagues (see 1.14.C.3).

. . .

G.5. Any prizes (cash, trophies, or merchandise) that remain unclaimed (through no fault of the TD) six months 30 days after the completion of the event are then relinquished by the player. TDs must make a reasonable effort to provide the payout to the player by contacting them, offering to ship, etc. A player has claimed a gift certificate, gift card, gift code, or similar prize upon receiving it, and this time limit does not apply to the redemption of such certificates, cards, codes, or similar prizes.

3.01 General

This broadens the ban on audible phones and pagers to other devices that can cause distractions and reorganizes clause C to improve readability.

C. Players are not permitted to have audible mobile phones or audible pagers on the course during any competitive round. In addition, personal music players and other devices must be used exclusively with personal headphones and the volume must be kept at a level so as not to be heard by other players, prevent the player from effectively interacting with their group during scorekeeping tasks, or provide a safety hazard for the player by not hearing “Fore!” calls from other players or warning blasts by the Tournament Director. Failure to interact fully with your playing group due to personal music players and other devices is considered a courtesy violation subject to courtesy violation rules and penalties. Devices capable of making audible sound or flashing light must not make audible sound or flashing light from the two-minute signal until the scorecard is submitted. 

1. If a player’s device makes audible sound or flashing light, it is a courtesy violation (see 812, Courtesy). However, the use of a device deemed medically necessary by the player’s physician, such as a glucose monitor, shall not be a courtesy violation. 

2. Devices that make audible sound must be used exclusively with headphones or earbuds, and the volume must be kept at a level that:

a. cannot be heard by other players;

b. allows the player to effectively interact with their group, such as scorekeeping or looking for lost discs; and

c. does not create a safety hazard for the player due to the inability to hear warning signals by other players or tournament staff. 

3. Failure to effectively interact with the playing group as required by rule due to the use of headphones or earbuds is considered a courtesy violation (see 812, Courtesy).

3.03 Player Code of Conduct

This specifies what is meant by "abusive or profane language" and connects it, in part, with the non-discrimination provision in the PDGA Bylaws.

B.1. Repeated and overt use of abusive or profane language, including any remarks or comments targeted at a player or group that are inconsistent with the PDGA's non-discrimination principles as outlined in Section 2.4 of the PDGA Bylaws.

Tour Standards

Clarify Tournament Official Requirements

This requires a Tournament Official to be on site at every course at every Tier except Leagues. In Tour Standards Table 1, this adds “on site” after each instance of “official” (e.g., “One official on site at each course”) and change C-Tier to: “One official on site at each event course.”

Minimum Rating for FPO Majors and Elite Series Events 

This ratings floor comes after consultation with the Majors & Elite Series Committee and the Disc Golf Pro Tour. There were fewer than 10 instances of a player competing in FPO with a rating under 825 across the twenty Major & Elite Series events.

D.9. MPO players must have a minimum rating of 935 to register for either PDGA Major or Elite Series (DGPT) events. FPO Players must have a minimum rating of 825 to register for either PDGA Major or Elite Series (DGPT) events. 

Clerical Items

Official Rules of Disc Golf

801.03 Appeals

This ensures this section matches 809.02.

C. If an Official or Director is not readily available to consider an appeal, the thrower may make a set of provisional throws for each additional possible outcome of the ruling (see 809.02) and later appeal the ruling to an Official or to the Director when practical. If the lies are the same, no additional set of throws is made.

806.02 Out-of-Bounds

This clarifies that players must adhere to the published course rules regardless of whether a waiver was obtained for non-standard out of bounds options.

D. . . . The above options for an out-of-bounds area may be limited by the Director only with prior approval from the PDGA Director of Event Support. Whether or not prior approval has been granted, during tournament play players must still observe the course rules announced by the Director.

QA-THR-1

This wording better expresses the intent of the answer.

Q:
My throwing hand bumped a tree branch during my backswing, knocking the disc to the ground, and the disc rolled forward of my lie. Was that a throw?
A:
No. A throw begins when the disc is moving forward in the intended direction. A disc dropped or knocked out before or during a backswing does not count as a throw.

QA-OBS-3 

This change is related to the revision to 803.01.

Q: My disc came to rest under a long, fallen tree branch. The branch is clearly detached from the tree and extends from behind my disc to in front of it. Can I move the branch? 

A: Yes. If part of the branch is anywhere where you could put a supporting point when taking a stance on the playing surface behind the front of your lie, you’re allowed to move it, even if another part is closer to the hole than the back of your marker. 

QA-OBS-4 

This change is related to the revision to 803.01.

Q: A loose, broken branch is hanging down just behind my marker, making it difficult for me to take a stance. It is not touching the ground. Am I allowed to move it? Do I get casual relief? 

A: No. Since it is not on the playing surface where a supporting point may be placed behind your marker, it has the same status as a healthy, connected branch. You will have to play around it. 

QA-OBS-8 

This change is related to the revision to 803.01.

Q: There’s a huge spider web right in front of me where I want to throw. Can I knock it down? 

A:  Only if at least some of it is on the playing surface where a supporting point may be placed behind the front of your lie, in which case it is debris and can be removed as a casual obstacle. If it’s only in your flight path or it doesn’t touch the ground, it cannot be moved. 

QA-OB-5

This wording clarifies the rule rather than creating a rule itself.

Q:
My throw landed next to an OB creek. It’s hard to tell whether the disc is in the creek or not since the edge of the creek comes up into some mud and grass. Another player went up to my disc and pushed it down to see if there’s water underneath. Is my disc now automatically in-bounds because another player touched it?

A:
No. Note that the interference and position rules are written in terms of a disc being moved rather than merely touched. The other player did not change the location of your disc. In fact, a disc must sometimes be manipulated in order to determine its status or whose it is. If you move your possibly OB disc, it is automatically OB. But there is no corresponding rule that makes it automatically in-bounds (nor automatically out-of-bounds) if someone else moves it. If that happens, you restore your disc to its approximate position as agreed upon by your group.

QA-SCO-2 

This change is part of the revision to 808.

Q: A member of my group kept a paper scorecard, and their own round and hole scores are correct. However, the other players' scores are not anything like what everyone else actually threw. Because the penalty for a player's incorrect scorecard only applies to the score for that player, can they do that? 

A: They are not penalized if there is a simple mistake for another player's score, but randomly writing numbers down is not keeping score, and that player could be subject to disqualification by the tournament director. Players need to make a good faith effort at keeping score and totaling up the scorecard correctly.  At the end of the round, the group should reconcile any differences between their scorecards before they are submitted. That cannot be done if someone is not keeping an accurate scorecard. 

QA-MAT-1

Eliminates reference to "extra throw," which is not a concept in match play, but rather doubles and team play.

Q:
My opponent conceded a putt, but I’d still like to throw the putt to keep my putting stroke fresh. Can I do that?

A:
No. Once your opponent concedes a puttthrow, you have completed the hole. A putt thrown after that is an extra throw. A throw after that is a practice throw. The first extra throw incurs a warning; subsequent ones incur penalty throws. The penalty for a practice throw is added to the number of throws it takes you to complete the next hole.

Competition Manual for Disc Golf Events

2.02 Exceptions 

This moves the regulation which prohibits Pros playing Am divisions from using the exceptions in 2.02 from the Tour Standards to the Competition Manual.

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

1.12 Tournament Officials

This clarifies that Tournament Officials may carry digital copies of the rules, as well as that the prohibition on Tournament Officials who are playing making calls in their own division applies to all Tournament Officials, not simply appointed ones.

D. Each Tournament Official must carry copies of the tournament/course rules, the Official Rules of Disc Golf, and the Competition Manual at all times. These copies may be printed or digital.

E. If an appointed any Tournament Official competes in the tournament, they may NOT not officiate for any ruling within their own division other than as a member of a playing group as allowed by the rules.

1.11 Officials

This change moves items into the new Section 4 of the Competition Manual.

C. All players must be Certified Officials in order to compete in any Elite Series or Major PDGA-sanctioned event. The exam is based upon the Official Rules of Disc Golf and the Competition Manual. 

3.03  Player Misconduct

This change moves items into the new Section 4 of the Competition Manual.

G. The public display or use of tobacco products by event staff, players, and by extension their caddies, is prohibited at all times at PDGA events of any Tier that solely offer Junior divisions (i.e., divisions beginning with MJ and/or FJ prefixes), including the PDGA Junior World Championships. 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. Such public display or use is also prohibited at all other PDGA Majors and Elite Series events, as well as those events held concurrently with those Major and Elite Series events, from the two-minute signal until their scorecard is submitted. 

1. This prohibition includes all smoking and chewing tobacco products, as well as electronic and vapor cigarettes, whether tobacco-based or not. This prohibition does not apply to smoking cessation products that do not produce vapor, such as nicotine gum, nicotine patches, or nicotine lozenges. . . . 

3.04 Dress Code

This change moves items into the new Section 4 of the Competition Manual. After the below language, the remainder of 3.04.D is struck and moved to 4.04 as detailed above.

D. The following dress code for all competitors will be enforced at all PDGA Elite Series and Major Events. The PDGA also recommends that this the dress code in 4.04 be enforced at A-Tier and lower Tier events, but that decision lies solely with the Tournament Director. 

3.05 Carts, Caddies, and Groups

This change moves items into the new Section 4 of the Competition Manual and clarifies the status of suspended and disqualified players.

G. In PDGA Majors and Elite Series events, the group consists of the players themselves, each player’s individual caddie, any active Tournament staff such as leaderboard attendants, Tournament Officials, etc. and any credentialed media ONLY. No other people may be with the playing group. All others (including players who have already finished their round) are considered spectators and must remain in designated spectator areas away from the playing group. No one who is currently under suspension (as listed in the Current Disciplinary Actions) or who has been disqualified from: 

1. the event itself; 

2. a separate day of the event as defined in 2.01.E; or 

3. a concurrent event of a different Tier (such as an A-Tier held concurrently with an Elite Series event); 

may act as a caddie for that event. 

3.06 Tour Player Media and Sponsor Relations

This change moves items into the new Section 4 of the Competition Manual.

B. All players at PDGA Elite Series and Major events are requested to be available to any and all media while on site except during or within 30 minutes of the start of a competitive round. 

B. C. Media personnel should refrain from interviewing a player until AFTER Players should not engage in media interviews until after they have officially submitted their scorecard to tournament officials. 

C. D. The most current information about media at PDGA events can be found in the PDGA Media Policy document.

If you have questions about how these changes operate, please feel free to reach out to PDGA Event Support. If you have questions about the PDGA's rulemaking process, please contact PDGA Policy & Compliance.

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