Disc golf is a fun game to play in your peer groups. Some of you might even take it to the tournaments by playing at national and even international levels. While some will only keep it a fun sport, others will want to go competitive in the sport.
If you want to compete in disc golf, you need to know the disc golf rules and guidelines. Worry not, in today’s blog; we will discuss the disc golf rules, regulations, and penalties. Everything you need to know about disc golf tournaments lies here. Young disc golfers, stay with us!
Recreational play or tournament play, disc golf has a set of rules like all the other games, set by the Disc Golf Association. Although the level of hardiness increases in tournament plays, the set of rules and principles are easy to follow by both leisure players and competitive players.
Before we get to know the guidelines and rules for disc golf, let’s crack the objective of the game and how it differs the traditional golf.
The Objective of the Game
Disc golf, as the name suggests, is played with discs instead of balls, and that is what makes it different from traditional golf. There is a golf disc basket, that catches your discs, and each time your disc enters the basket, a hole is completed
So, what’s the goal of the game, how do you win? The goal is to hit the basket with minimal strokes. The one with the least number of strokes in the whole course wins the play.
Evolution of Disc Golf
Disc golf is an evolved sport, and is a side-shoot of several games. In the era of frisbee, people are now loving disc golf, which is no doubt procreated by the frisbee craze taken to yet another level.
What led to the evolution of disc golf and how it became a much-loved sport? The credit goes to the frisbee-crazy community; the game evolved when people started aiming frisbee at different targets. These targets started from trees and pipes and were not even limited to trash cans.
This targeted frisbee throwing brought us the sport we call “Disc Golf” today. Now that our novice players know the proper background and objective of the game, let’s move to the disc golf rules for both tournaments and recreational plays.
Playing Disc Golf in Tournaments: A Basic Guide
Disc Golf Association has devised disc golf into different categories or divisions. Each division is then explained in their guide telling who falls under which division. The divisions are made to depict the competition among players based on their level of grip on the game.
How would you know, if you are ready to play disc golf? Well, it’s pretty simple. Just conduct a little test for yourself by answering the questions given below, and by the end of it, you’ll know if you’ve got it or not.
Can I play with the pace devised for tournament plays?
Recreational plays and tournament plays are different in terms of pace and efficiency. Therefore, the set of rules is different for either of them. While for other games; the pace is fast for tournament plays, Disc Golf is played at a much slower pace. What’s more, is that you cannot surpass slower players. If you cannot cope with that, you’re not ready to play it in competition yet.
Am I Ready to Shoot the Goal Every Time?
Every throw must make a hole, or you won’t stay much in the game. Disc golf is a game that doesn’t give you several chances to prove yourself in the game. So, if you’re not ready to goal on the first throw, are you even ready to play in the tournaments?
Am I Familiar with the Real Rules and Regulations of the Game?
One of the most crucial questions that one needs to answer before giving tournaments a shot is knowing the rules. Following only the basic set of principles when playing with peer groups and family doesn’t escape you from the fact that the Formal Disc Golf Association has set the rules for formal or competitive disc golf plays. Before you enter a tournament, it is important to know all the rules to avoid fouls and penalties.
This little question-and-answer section will help you with your decision of whether you’re ready or not. If you are, let’s not waste a second, and know the types of tournaments;
A-tier Disc Golf Tournament
A-tier events are conducted by the experienced director of the Formal Disc Golf Association. It is the highest level in the tournament series, and only members of the FDGA can participate. This membership is given to elite players and comes with a yearly fee. Heavy prizes are set and the competition is tough!
B-tier Disc Golf Tournament
A bit relaxed from the A-tier, B-tier also allows players, who are members of FDGA. It is not as tough as the A-tier; however, prize amounts are big and the game offers a solid competition to players.
C-tier Disc Golf Tournament
C-tier games are both relaxed and comfortably played, even by novice players or first-timers in formal disc golf play. The prize money is not as attractive as it is in the other two tiers; however, it is good enough to encourage the new players to feel the competition. This tier is not restricted to FDGA members, and anyone can play it.
Let’s move on to the last and most crucial thing in any game; the rules and regulations;
Set of Rules and Principles to Play Disc Golf
The set of etiquette and rules to play disc golf is;
Order of Play on Greens and Fairways
On greens, the player standing farthest from the basket throws the disc first.
Order of Play on Tees
On tees, the first round is played by the sequence given on the digital sheet, and for the second hole of the second round, the player with the highest score gets to throw the disc first. In case of a draw, or players having the same scores, the player who went first in the last round goes first.
How the Scoreboard Works
The score is manually recorded off-field by someone, after the completion of each hole. Players help with the recordings by giving the number of throws they took to complete the hole.
Ruling on Searching of Disks
Every player is given three minutes to find the disc on their turn. You have to keep your eyes on the disc when your opponents are playing. Losing sight of the disc can cause you a penalty if you cannot find it in 3 minutes. Group members can help each other in searching for the disc during plays.
The Field does not go as per your wishes
You cannot change the position of anything coming in the way when you’re throwing. Twigs, rocks, plants, etc. are not to be touched while playing.
Leg Stances Matter in the FDG Competitions
How you stand, or your overall stance while throwing the disc matters a lot in formal disc golf games. Foot, knee, and leg positions are noted, and you cannot throw in your comfortable position.
These were the basic set of rules followed by both the recreational and formal game plays of disc golf.
Over to You!
Disc golf rules and principles are not that complex, but a simple set of regulations to make the game more organized and introduce the competition factor in it. These rules might not be as simple as they look, as a minor mistake can bring you to suffer penalties and lose the game!