Top 5 PDGA rules to know before playing your first tournament | Beginner’s Guide

The rules in disc golf can be quite unintuitive. We’ve compiled our top 5 most important rules you should know before playing in your first tournament. You can find the whole rulebook at pdga.com/rules and more beginner’s guide content at dynamicdiscs.c...
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1. Equipment 0:21
2. Your Lie 1:07
3. The Circle 1:58
4. Order of Play 2:33
5. Courtesy 3:03
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[@SOUNDINTHECITY]

@1:44 Thanks, I didn’t understand where to place that mini marker. 👍🏼

[@LeafwortThumbfloggin]

PDGA rule 890.1: Slow is smooth, and smooth is far

[@Meta-Drew]

Throwing out of order was a tough one for me - I didn't realize how agonizingly slow some people play in competitive situations. I get to my disc, look around and everyone else is standing around with the bags on their backs I figure I am out - no, some people stand over their discs for a long time without making any indication that they are getting ready to throw - yeah probably a lot of these people should be called for taking more than 30 seconds, but people don't call that and instead call you when you throw out of order - very confusing and aggravating for a beginner. I am used to focusing on my own game and shots and found I have to pay a lot more attention to my card mates than I am used to in order to avoid courtesy violations.

[@Triton_Secure]

it doesn't take too many calls of "I guess that's close to 30 seconds" to make your point!

[@themeadowlarkminutewithpau8184]

That would be frustrating for me. I usually play alone, and run to my next shot to get exercise. I guess I could relax if I had to.

[@Boucher702]

You have 30 seconds

[@byuidan]

Great video! Danny you are so good for the sport of disc golf! I really appreciate the work that you do!

[@stephenadmire]

The one I see messed up the most with new players is moving branches when throwing from the rough.

[@ericfleet9602]

Yup, that is a rule I only recently learned.

[@TimmyP_]

Stephen Admire what is and isn’t allowed when in the rough?

[@mattsnyder4754]

TimmyP_ basically, if it’s still attached, it has to stay put. It’s slightly more complicated than that, but that’s 90% of it.

[@Triton_Secure]

@@TimmyP_ Essentially, you cannot interfere with ANY foliage in front of the lie. This includes the old 'trick' of backing into the lie to hold as many branches as possible to either side. Sometimes, the only way to reach the lie is from the front, but you must do as much as possible to restore all the leaves and branches back to where they were before you throw.

[@marshallpeters7174]

Bumping into and incidentally moving a branch on your follow through is ok, I believe, but holding a branch back with your free hand while you shoot is not ok.

[@docxen]

talking about the rules and asking card mates question gave me an idea. Should (not enforced) there be a divison (new player) or maybe just offered for rec cards during tournaments, where a volunteer walks with the card and offers to help with rule questions. Maybe they could even offer tips if asked. Sounds like it might slow the card down but if people don't need to ponder a rule , and not have to worry about finding the next hole could maybe help speed them up.

[@mikehosier1239]

That alcohol rule applies to your caddy as well. Just ask VJ.

[@ArneWidding]

Thanks, but haven’t we already seen this? Reupload? At least 2 tips are taken directly from this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3O2ZIB7hMenpNE

[@chillynewberg2652]

Exactly.. Why couldn't he have gone over the flow of play rule instead of the order of play rule. Come on Danny

[@chrisjardin6242]

Thanks danny

[@zacparkerson]

3.03 alcohol strictly prohibited at B-TIER or higher.. Up to TD after that So.. If the guy with a mikes hard beats your 2nd place intermediate +7 and takes bounty $ at weekly league.. TURN HIM IN! He’s cheating and that’s your 18$ Everyone will respect you for that

[@seymourglass26]

But the real question is if you can smoke weed during your round. Just kidding, obviously.

[@MPHshoots]

@@seymourglass26def just kidding

[@brandonbush1815]

Can we get an updated rules video based on 2022 changes?

[@Flakzor123]

(new players disregard what I write below and just do what Danny tells you, it's a lot less effort and wrangling involved.) @0:40 not to derail this in any way, but I actually sent a rule tip in to the pdga about the "uniquely marked" rule as it is sometimes not enforceable in its current state due to the dictionary definition of "marked" not implying that it is deliberately marked (but rather marked from use) and no subset of discs specified wherein it needs to be "uniquely marked" (as we get more and more discs it becomes ever more farfetched to simply say "unique" with no subset defined), I don't believe I have had a reply to it... unless it ended up in my junkmail folder but as covid hit right about the same time they have had other things on their mind.

[@chillynewberg2652]

Danny can you please talk about the flow of play rules for newer players! Even some experienced players I've encountered seem to think that it doesn't matter and force others to take extra time because the other person is "out" and they "don't want bad juju", yet the experienced player was already standing at their disc, ready to throw. The flow of play rule was made so we don't hold up EVERYBODY'S ROUND just so that person can walk 110 ft to the other side of the basket because one threw 50ft short, and the other threw 60ft long. PLEASE COVER THIS!!

[@ids_ej]

Is this really an issue? I've never encountered this issue in a sanctioned round or in weekly unsanctioned league play.

[@leopard3131]

Great tips. I highly advise reading the rule book before your first tournament. I play by a vast majority of the rules even in casual rounds so that I don't have to change me game in leagues or tournaments. One comment on the lie, a player does not have to use a mini marker disk, you can leave the disc on the ground and measure the lie from the back of the disk. A marker is optional, but you can not flip the disk or use anything but a mini marker to mark the lie.

[@leopard3131]

Tournament play is slower than casual rounds. The order of play is covered in rule 802.02 802.02 states: 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. It would be a violation of the rules for the player 50 ft from the basket to throw before a player 60 ft from the basket. With that said I don't feel this rule is a significant delay nor have I seen it enforced. During tournament play you have to relax a bit and be patient

[@chillynewberg2652]

@@leopard3131 The whole reason the PDGA placed the flow of play rule was to combat what you are talking about dude.. They don't want people slowing down the entire field. Next argument

[@chillynewberg2652]

@@leopard3131 802.02 - E. "To facilitate flow of play, a player who is not next may throw if the player who is next consents, or if throwing will not impact the player who is next." All I'm trying to say is that more people should be willing to do this because it does help the entire field. When the pros waited 45mins on hole 17 at LVC this year, I bet they would have preferred the groups in front of them had done a little something to help with that. Do you really disagree with that RULE? Because yes, it is a rule, a new rule, 3 paragraphs below what you quoted.

[@daynonweaver292]

I'd prefer the Play Order rule instead of run n gun. I got shot in me bum for that one! Literally, by a Driver disc off the tee. It really hurt. Not to mention the degree of humiliation!

[@itsmecarter2]

Good stuff...now its just time for this whole covid 19 to finish its bullshit, so we can all go have fun again.

[@Barbariandisks]

So pants are optional in sanctioned tourney's, gotcha! 🤔 And btw i have played a disc golf tournament in sandals, but it was in the early 90's

[@Triton_Secure]

I think 3.04.D.1 covers that (as it were!)

[@kylebraby2357]

Do you still review and send feedback on throwing videos?? Id love to send you one via facebook and hear back if you have time.

[@chillynewberg2652]

Yeah this was a wonderful thing. If you left it behind, bring it back!

[@dyne313]

I play Magic the Gathering. That has a lot of rules. PGDA has a few number of rules, but I wouldn't call it "a lot" of rules.

[@user-SuaveJ]

Good to know no adult bev while tourny play

[@henrymanahan2764]

rule 1: no more tournaments rule 2: yoink there goes the baskets

[@hipgnostic560]

Are you allowed to do step-putts inside circle 1 as long as you are behind your disc the entire time? I feel more accurate stepping forward as i putt but my front foot lands behind my lie. I think i release the disc a fraction of a second before my stepping foot lands but I'm not 100% certain

[@Vecrezier]

Basically to add to the simple "no" answer ..... you HAVE to have your foot land/touch the ground BEFORE you release the disc in the correct area BEHIND the disc/lie Danny mentioned. So if you do the step putt you mentioned you should practice to release it 100% AFTER you foot lands..... oooor just don't do it. =) Because you will for SURE be called on this in a tournament for foot fault. Good luck, hopefully you get more comfortable with normal putt or learn to land your foot first =)

[@hipgnostic560]

@@Vecrezier thanks, i decided to just stop the stepping altogether since i wasn't positive I'd rather be safe...turns out it wasn't too bad relearning the proper way so it's all good now

[@Vecrezier]

@@hipgnostic560 Yeah that's what I would suggest so that's great you are relearning it. Just wanted to clarify if it's illegal or not. But "best practice" oh that's a whole different conversation 😂

[@hipgnostic560]

@@Vecrezier True! Thanks for clarifying... now if I'm outside circle 1 a step putt is fine, correct? Regardless of when my front foot lands or no? I might still try them for long distance putts but only if it's safe

[@Vecrezier]

@@hipgnostic560 ok so here's the thing. Your foot that you have at your disc lie HAS to be planted/touching the ground BEFORE release. ALWAYS. Everywhere. SO If you step putt with your FRONT foot being the one landing where you have your disc lie, and you release before you land THEN it's ALWAYS illegal.... everywhere! BUUUT if you step putt with your BACK foot at the disc and front foot going past the lie/disc. It's illegal inside circle 1, BUT okay outside circle 1 IF you release BEFORE landing the front foot. (This type of legal step putt can be seen example of in the video when Danny talks about it.) Hopefully it makes sense ☺️ (Ps. I'm using CAPS since I can't use "bold")

[@MacDaddyOP]

“Alcohol is prohibited from any event” buttt weeeeeeddddd?:)

[@naturesfinest4218]

Also prohibited at sanctioned events.

[@WIllis073]

illegal for public use nationwide so... im gonna say no lol

[@YoYoLBJ]

@@WIllis073 Not many public courses allowing tournaments at the moment, so the private courses are doing them. At that point, it's private property and up to the owners.

[@TOOLnPRIMUS]

What is disc golfing without beer?!

[@marshallpeters7174]

Never had a beer in my life, and I play disc golf just fine.

[@TOOLnPRIMUS]

@@marshallpeters7174 Nothing wrong with that. It is definitely just more fun with a couple cold ones.

[@Pullapelle]

A sport

[@TOOLnPRIMUS]

@@Pullapelle so is Bowling, Darts, Pool, Horse Shoes, Bags (cornhole) etc. All games typically played with an adult beverage.

[@Triton_Secure]

"What is disc golfing without beer?!" The best answer I can come up with is "intelligent"

[@robertmarr5888]

Okay so is it time to play yet ?

[@tommyg5095]

Help me please... Noooobie question... I need great throwing shoes.... Anyone wishing to help, please do.

[@ericdunthorne1981]

It really depends what type of courses you play at and the current conditions. If you play at courses that are mostly flat with a bunch of grass. You can wear anything that you feel comfortable in. If you play a lot of mountain course like I do. You might want shoes with more grip like trail running shoes. If the conditions are wet or muddy you probably want something water proof. If it's really cold and there's a bunch of snow you probably should wear something appropriate for those conditions. I have three different types of shoes I play in depending on conditions. When conditions are good and it's warm. I wear New Balance and Saucony shoes. If it's wet and or muddy I wear boots that are water proof. If there's snow like my current conditions I'll wear insulated waterproof boots. The shoes just keep you comfortable they're not going to improve your game. I see people playing barefoot sometimes and that's what they are comfortable with.

[@stridexxofficial]

sandals , flipflops , moms love to throw them

[@chuckfarley567]

No Alcohol ?.....screw that !!

[@revelclef3957]

I’ll sub if you start doing time stamps lol.

[@drunkrtard]

Gotta wear a shirt at a certain tier as well.

[@seymourglass26]

Yeah, he mentioned that up top.

[@richeytony21]

no alcohol, right, no fun, no thanks

[@steelerfan786]

🙁 I feel really sad that you require alcohol to have fun.

[@marshallpeters7174]

If you have to be drunk or high to enjoy it, it's not the sport for you.

[@seymourglass26]

You realize that it's always illegal to get drunk in a public park, right? I mean, I wouldn't call the cops, but you're never in the right on that one.

[@durt9872]

You have to wear you shirt and can’t drink...I’m out

[@tittyfarm]

You need to go back and slow down that jump putt. Her feet def left the ground before the disc left her hand.

[@chillynewberg2652]

Uhhh, her?? You mean Chris Clemons? He is a lefty and he keeps his left foot down. Check it again

[@chillynewberg2652]

What matters is the foot behind the lie, and he jumps forward with his right foot.

[@marshallpeters7174]

Yeah, there was no fault there. The disc left his hand before his lead foot left the ground.

[@dannylandrum7899]

What's with the obsession with ghetto music on disc golf videos?

[@connorbarnett6104]

Danny Landrum how is the music ghetto

[@Barbariandisks]

Must be either a country music fan or black metal fan

[@seymourglass26]

Electronic music is "ghetto?" You're weirdly racist and bad with music. Congratulations.