Disc golf is a sport that has become very popular with new players over the past few years. You may have heard about it, and if you’re heading out to try the sport, here is an introduction to the most important rules.
What is disc golf about?
When you play disc golf, the goal is to complete a course using as few throws as possible with your disc. A disc golf course consists of a number of “holes,” each with a designated starting point and a target. The target is a disc golf basket, which consists of a basket and chains that the disc must come to rest in. The starting point is also called a “tee” or “tee area.”
From the tee area, the goal is to get the disc to land in the disc golf basket. Each time a throw is made, the player walks to their disc and makes the next throw with one foot placed directly behind where the previous throw came to rest. The hole is finished when the disc is resting in the basket or hanging in the chains, and the player counts the number of throws they used.
When a hole is finished, the player moves on to the next hole, where play starts again from the tee area and continues to that hole’s basket. As a rule, each hole on the course has its own basket and its own tee area. On some courses, you may find that certain holes share a tee area or a basket with another hole.
The most important rules in disc golf
Disc golf is easy to get started with, and everyone can join in. You can play alone or in groups. The most important rules are:
- Count your throws
Each player throws their own disc and counts the total number of throws they use to complete the course. The goal is to achieve as low a score as possible.
- Complete a hole
A hole is completed when the disc comes to rest in the basket or is hanging in the chains. If the disc hits the basket but falls out onto the ground, the hole is not completed, and the player must throw again until the disc has come to rest in the basket. In the rare case that a disc lands on top of the basket, the hole is also not completed.
- Throwing order
When playing in a group, it is always the player whose disc is farthest from the basket who throws next. The other players in the group stay behind the player who is about to throw. When starting a new hole, the player with the best score on the previous hole(s) throws first.
- Mark where the disc lands
When a throw has come to rest somewhere on the course, the next throw must be made with one foot placed on a direct line from the basket, behind the thrown disc. You may change discs for the next throw, and if you pick up the thrown disc before making the next throw, you must mark its lie with a mini marker disc. You may also take a run-up for your throw, but at the moment the disc leaves the player’s hand, there must be contact with the marked lie from the previous throw.
If a disc gets stuck up in a tree or in a bush, a lie is marked directly below the disc’s position, and that spot is used for the next throw. - Play the course as it is
You are not allowed to remove branches, bushes, or anything else from the course that might be in the way of your throw. You are not allowed to break branches off trees or bushes.
In addition to these rules, safety for everyone using the course and the surrounding area is the most important thing. You should not throw if there is a risk of hitting someone, and if you do not have a clear view of the area where your disc may land, you must make sure you can throw without putting anyone at risk of being hit.
If your disc still ends up going off course, it is important to warn anyone who might be at risk. In disc golf, the international warning call “FORE” is used and should be shouted as loudly as possible.
Local disc golf rules
Many courses have local rules that help shape the course, maintain good flow, and improve safety for everyone in the area. Local rules are most often posted on an information board near the course’s starting area or on the individual tee signs. Always make sure to follow the course rules. Local rules can include:
- Out of Bounds (OB)
If an area is Out of Bounds, it means it is not part of the course, and therefore your disc may not come to rest in that area. You may throw over a