Disc Golf

01

Match format

Scoring: stroke play — count every throw from tee to basket; lowest total wins.
Par: each hole has a par; your score is often called relative to par (e.g. +2, −1).
Round: typically 9 or 18 holes; tournament rounds and card size are set by the event.
Groups: singles play in groups (cards); agree on order off the tee, then play by lie for the rest of the hole.

02

Tee area: throw from within the teeing area (tee pad or marked lines); release point must be behind the front line.
Lie: after the tee shot, your lie is where the disc came to rest — mark with a mini marker disc directly behind the disc, then pick up your thrown disc.
Order: on the first throw of a hole, the player with the fewest strokes on the previous hole throws first (ties: order from the previous hole stands).

03

After the tee: the player whose disc is farthest from the target throws next — “away” player is always up.
Ties for lie: if lies are equally distant, throw in the order agreed for that hole or by lot.
Ready golf: casual rounds often speed up with “ready” throws when safe; in competition, follow PDGA order unless the director allows otherwise.

04

OB line: if any part of the disc is on or past the OB line when at rest, the throw is out of bounds.
Penalty: one throw added; play from the last in-bounds lie (often marked 1 m / ~3 ft in from the OB line where the disc crossed).
Relief: take optional 1 m relief from OB along the line of play where permitted; dropped zones or island holes use signage on the course.

05

Mando: a mandatory route (e.g. pass the wrong side of a tree) — miss it and take the penalty throw and lie stated on the sign (often +1 and re-tee or drop zone).
Lost disc: if not found within 3 minutes (competition) or agreed casual time, treat as lost — penalty throw and throw again from the previous lie (or OB relief if applicable).
Casual relief: casual water, ground under repair, and dangerous lies may allow free relief per rule or director — call it before you throw when possible.

06

Putt: a throw from within 10 m (~30 ft) of the target where you do not run past your lie after release.
Falling putt: inside the circle, you must demonstrate balance behind your lie until the disc comes to rest — stepping through early is a falling putt penalty (+1).
Completion: the hole is complete when the disc is supported by the basket or chains (tray under the basket counts in modern targets).

07

OB / lost / mando miss: typically +1 stroke and throw from the designated lie.
Foot fault: releasing while not legally behind your lie — +1 (practice falling putts and teeing-area foot faults).
Interference: moving your disc or another player’s in play, or being hit by a thrown disc — relief and penalties depend on who caused it; stop and resolve before continuing.

08

Legal disc: PDGA-approved disc golf discs only in sanctioned play; no ball golf discs or modified sharp edges.
Mini marker: must mark your lie before picking up your thrown disc for the next shot.
Courtesy: stay quiet and still during others’ throws; do not walk ahead of the away player; let faster groups play through when practical.
Casual vs tournament: local “house” rules (mulligans, gimmes) are fine casually — tournaments follow PDGA rules and the director’s rulings.