McVay Rock Disc Golf Course
Disc Golf for Beginners
New to the sport?
The following are the disc golf rules for recreational play. The rules are simple and are easy to learn and are meant to give the basic framework for playing the game
Scroll down for official P.D.G.A. rules.
Objective of the Game
Disc Golf is played like traditional “ball” golf, but with flying discs instead of balls and clubs. One point (stroke) is counted each time the disc is thrown and when a penalty is incurred. The goal is to play each hole in the fewest strokes possible. The player with the lowest total strokes for the entire course wins.
SAFETY FIRST
Never throw when players or park users are within range. Always give park users the right of way. Be aware of your surroundings and environment.
Throwing Order
The player with the least amount of strokes on the previous hole is the first to tee off on the next hole. After teeing off, the player whose disc is farthest from the hole always throws first.
Fairway Throws
Fairway throws must be made from directly behind the lie. A run-up and normal follow-through, after release, is allowed, unless the lie is within 30 feet of the target. Any shot within 30 feet of the target is considered a putt and requires that the player not move past the lie until the disc is at rest.
Dogleg (or Mandatory)
A dogleg is one or more designated trees or poles in the fairway that must be passed as indicated by arrows. Until the dogleg is passed the closest foot to the dogleg must be on the lie when the disc is released.
Putt
All throws made within 30 feet of the target is considered a putt.
Completion Of Hole
A disc that comes to rest in the basket or chains constitutes successful completion of that hole.
Unplayable Lie
Any disc that comes to rest above the ground is considered an unplayable lie. The disc must be thrown from the lie on the ground, directly underneath the unplayable lie, relocated to avoid damage to the vegetation.
Out Of Bounds
If any area of O.B. is visible between the disc and O.B. line, then the disc is considered O.B. A throw that lands out of bounds, must be played from a point 3 feet in bounds from where the disc went out of bounds. Permanent water hazards and public roads are always out of bounds.
Course Courtesy
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Remain quiet and avoid unnecessary movements while others are throwing.
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Stand behind the player who is throwing until throw is complete.
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Remove disc from the basket after completing the hole.
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Help new players learn the rules.
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Allow faster groups to play through when possible.
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Pick up trash and put in proper receptacles.
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Do not alter the course (trees, bushes, etc.) in any way.
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Official P.D.G.A. Rules
802.01 Teeing Off
A. Play begins on each hole with the player throwing from within the teeing area. When the disc is released, the player must have at least one supporting point in contact with the surface of the teeing area, and all supporting points must be in contact only with the surface of the teeing area. Supporting point contact outside the teeing area is allowed if it comes before or after, and not at, the moment the disc is released.
B. Any supporting point contact outside the teeing area at the time of release constitutes a stance violation and shall be handled in accordance with sections 802.04 E and F.
802.02 Establishing Position
A. The thrown disc establishes a position where it first comes to rest.
B. A disc is considered to be at rest once it is no longer moving as a result of the momentum imparted by the throw. A disc in water or foliage is considered to be at rest once it is moving only as a result of movement of the water, the foliage, or the wind.
C. If the disc first comes to rest above or below the playing surface, its position is on the playing surface directly below or above the disc.
D. If the thrown disc breaks into pieces, the largest piece is deemed to be the thrown disc.
E. If the thrown disc has moved after it first came to rest on the in-bounds playing surface, it shall be replaced to its approximate position. If it first came to rest elsewhere, the disc need not be replaced, and any determinations are made relative to where it first came to rest.
802.03 Marking The Lie
A. The position of a thrown disc on the in-bounds playing surface marks its lie.
B. Alternatively, a mini marker disc may be used to mark the lie by placing it on the playing surface, touching the front of the thrown disc on the line of play.
C. A player is required to mark the lie with a mini marker disc in the following situations:
1. Marking an approximate lie;
2. Marking a disc above or below the playing surface (see 802.02.C);
3. Relocating the lie within one meter of an out-of-bounds area (see 802.03.D);
4. Taking relief (see 803.01).
E. If the position of the thrown disc is in-bounds but within one meter of an out- of-bounds line, the lie may be marked by placing a mini marker disc on the playing surface at any point on a one-meter line that extends perpendicularly from the nearest point on the out-of-bounds line and passes through the center of the thrown disc, even if the direction takes the lie closer to the target. For the purpose of marking the lie, the out-of-bounds line represents a vertical plane.
F. If a large solid obstacle prevents the player from taking a legal stance behind the marker disc, the player may instead mark the lie by placing a mini marker disc on the playing surface immediately behind that obstacle on the line of play.
G. A marker disc that is moved prior to the ensuing throw shall be replaced to its original position to mark the approximate lie.
H. A player shall receive a warning for the first violation of a marking rule. One penalty throw shall be assessed for each subsequent violation of any marking rule during the round.
802.04 Throwing from a Stance
A. A player must choose the stance that will result in the least movement of any part of any obstacle that is a permanent or integral part of the course. Once a legal stance is taken, the player may not move an obstacle in any way in order to make room for a throwing motion. It is legal for a player's throwing motion to cause incidental movement of an obstacle.
B. When the disc is released, a player must:
Have at least one supporting point that is in contact with the lie; and,
Have no supporting point in contact with the marker disc or any object (including the playing surface) closer to the target than the rear edge of the marker disc; and,
Have all supporting points in-bounds.
C. Supporting point contact with or beyond the marker disc is permitted after the disc is released, except when putting.
D. Putting: Any throw from within 10 meters of the target, as measured from the rear of the marker disc to the base of the target, is a putt. Supporting point contact closer to the target than the rear edge of the marker disc after the disc has been released is a stance violation. The player must demonstrate full control of balance before advancing toward the target.
E. A player shall receive a warning for the first stance violation in the round. Subsequent stance violations in the same round shall incur a one-throw penalty. Stance violations may not be called or seconded by the thrower.
F. Any throw made from an illegal stance is disregarded. A re-throw must be taken from the original lie, prior to subsequent play by others in the group.
802.05 Holing Out
A. Basket Targets: In order to hole out, the thrower must release the disc and it must come to rest supported by the chains and/or the inner cylinder (bottom and inside wall) of the tray. It may be additionally supported by the pole. A disc that enters the target below the top of the tray or above the bottom of the chain support is not holed out.
B.Object Targets: In order to hole out, the thrower must release the disc and it must strike the marked target area on the object as specified by the Director.
