Disc golf is easy to pick up. You can play alone or with others, and for a casual round with friends you can happily make up your own rules. If you want to play tournaments, or just learn the game properly from the start, here are the rules that matter most, and the etiquette that makes the course work for everyone.
How disc golf is played
A disc golf course is made up of a number of holes. Each hole has a tee, where you start, and a basket with chains, which is the target. You throw from the tee, walk to your disc and throw again from there, until the disc is in the basket. You count every throw, and the player with the fewest throws over the whole course wins.
Each hole usually has its own tee and its own basket, but on some courses two holes share a tee or a basket.
The most important rules
- Count every throw. Each player throws their own disc and counts every throw, penalty throws included. The lowest score wins.
- A hole is finished when the disc is in the basket. The disc has to come to rest in the basket or hang in the chains. If it hits the basket and falls out, or lands on top of the basket, the hole is not finished.
- Throwing order. On the first tee, you throw in the order you are listed on the scorecard. On the following holes, the player with the lowest score on the previous hole goes first. Out on the hole, the player whose disc is farthest from the basket throws next, and everyone else stands behind the thrower.
- Throw from where your disc landed. If you pick your disc up, mark the spot with a mini marker directly in front of it. When you release your next throw, you need at least one foot inside an area of 20 × 30 cm directly behind the marker, on the line to the basket. That is roughly a sheet of A4 paper. You are free to take a run-up and to switch to another disc. If your disc is stuck in a tree or a bush, mark the spot directly below it.
- The 10 meter rule. Any throw from within 10 meters of the basket is a putt. After a putt, you have to show that you are in balance behind your marker before you move toward the basket. So no falling or jumping forward while you putt. Otherwise you get a penalty throw.
- Play the course as you find it. You may not break or bend branches or move obstacles to make room for your throw.
Local rules on the course
Many courses have their own rules that keep play safe and moving. They are usually posted on the information board by the first tee or on the sign at each hole. Always follow the course rules.
- Out of bounds (OB). An OB area is not part of the course. It can be marked with rope or paint, or be a path, a lake or a stream. Your disc is OB when it comes to rest completely surrounded by OB. If even a small part of it is in bounds, it is not OB, and it may fly over or roll through an OB area. If you land OB, you take a penalty throw and play again either from your previous throw or up to one meter from where the disc was last in bounds. Some courses have a drop zone instead. If your disc lies close to the OB line, you may always move up to one meter away from the line.
- Mandatory (mando). The disc has to pass an obstacle on a specific side, for example to the right of a tree. It is usually shown on the tee sign and with an arrow on the obstacle. If you miss it, you get a penalty throw.
- Hazard. If your disc lands in a hazard area, you get a penalty throw, but you play on from where it lies.
Which tee should I choose?
Many courses have several tees on each hole, often marked red, yellow and white. There is no rule about which one to use, but pick the one that suits your level. It makes the round more fun for you and keeps things moving for the players behind you.
- The red tee is the shortest and the natural place to start when you are new.
- The yellow tee is where most people play from. On many courses it challenges both distance and technique.
- The white tee is the longest and hardest, and is often used by the strongest players in tournaments.
A good rule of thumb: once you can play a round at par from one tee, try the next one.
Good etiquette on the course
Besides the written rules, disc golf has a few unwritten ones. They are about safety, consideration and making sure everyone has a good round.
- Safety first. Never throw if you could hit someone. If you cannot see where your disc will land, make sure the area is clear. If your disc is heading toward someone, shout "FORE!" as loud as you can.
- Be considerate of others nearby. Courses are often in parks and green spaces that many people use. Give them room, and wait a moment rather than rush.
- Stand still while others throw. Stay still and quiet while others in your group throw and putt.
- Let faster groups play through. A group of two is almost always faster than a group of five. If a faster group comes up behind you, ask if they want to play through and let them take the next hole ahead of you. Then you can carry on at your own pace.
- Take your disc out of the basket right away, so it is not in the way of the others' putts.
- Clean up after yourself. Most courses are free to play and kept up by volunteers. Take your rubbish with you, cigarette butts and snus pouches too, and respect any ban on smoking or alcohol.
- Help new players. Everyone was new once. Explain the rules if someone is unsure.
The official rules
The rules of disc golf are published by the PDGA (Professional Disc Golf Association) and are used at all PDGA events. You can read the current rules on the PDGA website. At a tournament, the tournament director, often called the TD, can add special rules for the day, and the TD has the final say.
Enjoy your round
Whether you are heading to your first tournament or out for a round with friends and family, you are now well prepared to get out on the course.