Section 1: Introduction
Disc golf is an individual flying-disc target sport in which players throw discs from a designated tee toward a target — most commonly a chain-and-basket assembly known as a "Pole Hole" — attempting to complete each hole in the fewest throws. The sport's organizing principle mirrors traditional ball golf: par-rated holes are played in sequence, score is the total throws across the round, and the lowest score wins.
The Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) is the international governing body for disc golf and is the publisher of the canonical rules text — the Official Rules of Disc Golf — together with the supplementary Competition Manual for Disc Golf Events. The PDGA rules use an 800-series numbering system in which Section 801 covers conduct, 802 covers definitions, 803 covers stance and throw, 804 covers courtesy, and so on. References in this document to specific 800-series rules are pointers to the canonical PDGA text.
The current rules text is the 2025 update to the Official Rules of Disc Golf, in effect for all PDGA-sanctioned competition during the 2026 season unless and until a subsequent revision is adopted. The 2025 revision built on the substantial 2024 update that restructured several long-standing sections; PDGA's revision cycle is approximately biennial.
This entry summarizes the major rule mechanics for educational purposes. It does not reproduce rule text and is not a substitute for the canonical PDGA rules text, which is authoritative in any dispute and which is published in full at the PDGA rules hub (see source URL in metadata).
Section 2: Equipment
Discs
Players throw a flying disc — a circular plastic implement with a continuously curved upper surface and a peripheral rim. The PDGA Technical Standards govern disc dimensions, weight, and rim configuration; only PDGA-approved discs may be used in PDGA-sanctioned competition. Approved disc parameters include:
- Maximum diameter: approximately 21–22 cm (under PDGA Technical Standards)
- Maximum weight: dependent on diameter, with a sliding scale capped near 200 g
- PDGA-approved disc list is published and updated by the PDGA Technical Standards committee
- Discs are typed by intended flight: distance drivers, fairway drivers, mid-ranges, and putters; classification is functional and does not appear in the rules
Disc Modifications
Players may not use a disc that has been altered in a manner that changes its original PDGA-approved flight characteristics. Discs that are damaged in play (e.g., cracked, gouged, or have a piece broken off) become unsuitable for further competition and must be replaced from the player's bag with a PDGA-approved disc.
Targets
The standard target is a Pole Hole-style assembly: a vertical center pole with chains hanging into a basket. Approved targets meet PDGA Technical Standards for height, basket dimensions, chain configuration, and entry geometry. A disc is "holed out" when it comes to rest fully supported by the basket or by the chains assembly above the basket entry.
Bag and Accessories
- Players carry their own discs; caddies are permitted in most divisions and may carry the bag
- Markers (small mini-marker discs) used to mark the lie are PDGA-approved or improvised within rule
- Towels, water, weather gear, and rangefinders are permitted unless restricted by event-specific rules
- Electronic devices must not provide active distance measurement during play in PDGA-sanctioned majors unless explicitly permitted by the Tournament Director
Section 3: Playing Area
Course Layout
A disc golf course consists of a sequenced set of holes, typically nine or eighteen, each comprising a tee area, a fairway, and a target. Each hole has a designated par — the number of throws an expert player is expected to require to hole out — and a designated rated distance. PDGA-approved courses are rated and listed in the PDGA Course Directory.
Tees
Each hole begins from a designated tee area marked by tee pads (typically rubber or concrete) or by tee signs. The tee defines the legal area from which the first throw of each hole is made. Tee pads have defined boundaries; the player must establish a legal stance entirely within the tee area for the tee shot.
Fairway and Out-of-Bounds (OB)
- The fairway is the area within the boundaries of the hole where play is intended; the rules do not require play to remain on a defined fairway, only that the disc not come to rest in OB
- OB areas are defined by the Tournament Director: roads, parking lots, water, marked lines, defined property boundaries
- A disc is OB when it is established that the disc came to rest entirely surrounded by OB territory
- OB carries a one-throw penalty (Rule 805 / 806 area) and the lie may be re-thrown from the previous lie or marked at a designated drop zone or on the playing surface a meter from where the disc last crossed into OB, per the rules and Tournament Director's specification
Mandatories
A mandatory ("mando") is a designated obstacle (often a tree or pole) marked by an arrow indicating the side the disc must pass. A disc that fails to pass a mandatory on the indicated side incurs a one-throw penalty and is played from the designated drop zone, or from the previous lie if no drop zone exists.
Drop Zones
A drop zone is a designated area for re-throwing after specified penalty events (OB, missed mandatory, deep rough, etc.). Drop zones are part of the course design and are noted in the round briefing and on the tee signs.
Course Hazards
Hazards (one-throw penalty without re-throw, the disc is played from where it lies) are differentiated from OB (one-throw penalty with re-throw or drop zone). Tournament Directors define hazards on a per-event basis.
Section 4: Players & Officials
Players
Disc golf is an individual sport played in groups (cards) of typically four players. The composition of each card and the order of play within each card is determined by the Tournament Director, often with reference to standings or random draw.
Throw Order
- On the first hole of a round, throw order is the order players appear on the scorecard
- On subsequent tees, throw order is by score on the previous hole, lowest first ("honor")
- On the fairway, throw order is by lie distance from the target — the lie farthest from the target throws first
Scorekeeping
The card's designated scorekeeper records all throws taken by each player and any penalties applied. The scorekeeper announces each player's running score on completion of each hole. Each player is responsible for verifying their own score before the card is turned in at the end of the round.
Tournament Director and Officials
The Tournament Director (TD) has overall authority over the event, including OB definition, mandatory placement, drop-zone designation, weather and play decisions, and rulings on matters not explicitly addressed in the Official Rules. PDGA-certified officials may be assigned to cards, may roam between cards, and may be summoned by players to render rulings on disputes.
Spectators and Caddies
- Spectators may follow play but must not influence the result; spectators do not call rules infractions
- Caddies may carry the bag, retrieve discs, and offer information that any player on the card could obtain (e.g., distance to a basket if obtained from a permitted source)
- Caddies must conform to the same conduct standards as players
Section 5: Rules of Play
The Tee Shot
The first throw on each hole is the tee shot. The player must establish a legal stance entirely within the tee area before releasing the disc. The disc is in play upon release and remains in play through its flight and any subsequent slide, roll, or skip until coming to rest.
Marking the Lie
After the tee shot and on every subsequent throw, the lie — the position from which the next throw is made — is marked. Two methods are recognized:
- Marking with the thrown disc itself, with the disc remaining where it came to rest (the leading edge of the disc closest to the target defines the lie)
- Marking with a mini-marker disc placed on the line of play between the disc and the target, directly in front of the thrown disc
Stance for the Throw
The player establishes a legal stance at the moment the disc is released:
- At least one supporting point (typically a foot) must be in contact with the playing surface within 30 cm directly behind the marker disc, on the line of play
- All other supporting points must be in line with or behind the marker disc
- No supporting point may be in contact with the marker disc itself or with any object in front of the marker on the line of play
Falling Putt Rule
Within 10 meters of the target — the "putting circle" — the player must demonstrate full balance after releasing the disc and before stepping forward. The player must not advance any supporting point closer to the target than the marker until full balance has been demonstrated. A breach of the falling-putt rule is a stance violation and the throw must be re-thrown without re-marking.
Holing Out
A hole is completed when the disc comes to rest fully supported by the basket or by the chains assembly above the basket entry. A disc that strikes the chains and falls outside the basket is not holed and must be played from where it comes to rest. A disc that wedges in the chains above the basket but is not supported by the basket is similarly not holed.
Throw Limits and Time of Throw
- The player must release the throw within 30 seconds after taking position at the lie and after the previous player has thrown — failure to do so is a time violation
- A player who takes excessive practice swings or otherwise unreasonably delays play is subject to the courtesy provisions of Rule 804
Lost Disc
A disc is declared lost if it is not located within 3 minutes after the group reaches the area where the disc is believed to be. A lost disc carries a one-throw penalty, and the lie is established at the previous lie (or at a designated drop zone where applicable).
Section 6: Scoring
Counting Throws
Score on a hole equals the number of throws taken plus any penalty throws assessed. Throws include the tee shot, every subsequent throw on the hole, and the throw that holes out. Penalty throws (OB, lost disc, missed mandatory, courtesy violations exceeding the warning, certain stance violations) are added to the throw count.
Par and Performance
- Each hole has a designated par — the score an expert player is expected to take
- Round score is the sum of hole scores
- Performance is sometimes expressed relative to par (e.g., "−5") and sometimes expressed as the raw stroke total
Tournament Scoring
- Multi-round events sum the round scores; the lowest cumulative score wins the division
- Ties are broken by play-off (sudden-death extra holes) in PDGA-sanctioned majors, or per the Tournament Director's published format
- Scoring discrepancies discovered after the card is turned in are governed by the Competition Manual; uncorrected scorecard errors are typically resolved in favor of the higher score
Ratings
The PDGA assigns each round a numeric rating based on the average performance of rated players on the course. Players accumulate a rolling rating from their rated rounds; PDGA player ratings are used for division eligibility and for some seeding purposes. Ratings are calculated separately from raw competition scoring and are not used in determining placement within a single event.
Section 7: Violations & Penalties
Stance Violations
A player whose stance does not comply with Rule 803 at the moment of release commits a stance violation. The first stance violation on a hole is typically a warning to the card; a second stance violation by the same player on the same hole results in a one-throw penalty and the throw is re-thrown without re-marking. Stance violations called by other members of the card require seconding; uncontested calls stand.
Falling Putt Violations
A breach of the falling-putt rule within 10 meters of the target is a stance violation. The throw counts and is followed by a one-throw penalty and a re-throw from the original lie when the violation is the player's second on the hole, per the standard stance-violation cadence.
Out-of-Bounds (OB)
A disc determined to be OB carries a one-throw penalty. The next lie is established by one of the following options at the player's choice (subject to TD designation):
- Re-throw from the previous lie
- Mark a lie up to one meter perpendicular from where the disc last crossed into OB, on the in-bounds side, no closer to the target
- Play from a designated drop zone, where defined for that hole
Missed Mandatory
A disc that fails to pass a mandatory on the indicated side incurs a one-throw penalty, with the next lie at the designated drop zone or, in absence of a drop zone, the previous lie.
Lost Disc
One-throw penalty plus replay from the previous lie, after the 3-minute search interval has elapsed.
Time Violations
A player who exceeds the 30-second throw window receives a warning on first occurrence in the round and a one-throw penalty on subsequent occurrences. Time violations are called by the card.
Courtesy Violations (Rule 804)
- Smoking near other players, distracting actions during another player's throw, throwing without a clear fairway, profanity in earshot of spectators or other players, and other discourteous conduct
- First courtesy violation in a round is a warning; subsequent courtesy violations carry a one-throw penalty
- Egregious or repeated misconduct may be referred by the TD or an Official to PDGA Disciplinary procedure under Rule 801
Disqualification and Suspension
Falsifying a scorecard, refusing a TD ruling, fighting or threatening violence, intentionally damaging course property, and similarly serious misconduct are grounds for disqualification from the event under Rule 801 and may trigger PDGA Disciplinary review extending to multi-event suspensions.
Section 8: Safety Considerations
Throw Safety
A player must not throw when there is a reasonable chance of striking another player, a spectator, course staff, or any non-player. The player is responsible for waiting until the fairway and the area around the target are clear of personnel before releasing the throw. Failure to do so is both a courtesy violation and, where injury results, a serious incident subject to TD and PDGA review.
Course Hazards
- Players are responsible for being aware of natural hazards: water, cliffs, dense brush, wildlife, and uneven terrain
- Risk acceptance for retrieving discs from hazardous areas is the player's responsibility; no penalty applies to declaring a disc unsafe to retrieve and accepting the lost-disc penalty
Lightning and Severe Weather
The TD has authority to suspend play for lightning, severe wind, hail, or other conditions hazardous to players. PDGA recommends compliance with local lightning detection and the standard "30-30 rule" — suspend play when thunder follows lightning by 30 seconds or less, resume only after 30 minutes of no lightning or thunder.
Heat and Hydration
Long PDGA tournament rounds are physically demanding. Players carry their own water in most events; TDs typically arrange water stations on long courses. Heat-related illness is a recognized course hazard and players are expected to monitor their own condition.
Disc Safety
- Damaged discs (cracked, gouged, broken) must not be returned to play in PDGA-sanctioned events
- Sharp-edged discs are not PDGA-approved and may not be used in competition
- Caddies and spectators retrieving thrown discs do so at their own risk
Spectator Awareness
Spectators are positioned by the TD or the card to maintain safe sightlines and clear fairways. Players must verify the fairway is clear before throwing; spectators must remain alert to play around them. PDGA majors typically employ rope-line management and dedicated marshals on signature holes.
