PDGA Rule Changes in 2022

There are only two rules in life; death and taxes. Unless you play disc golf. Love them or hate them, rules create an even playing field and we must abide by their influence. Whether it’s a foot fault, missing a mando, or throwing into the drink we ALL must take a stroke. This is understood. Check out this video for memorable foot faults throughout the history of the sport.

Every off-season the PDGA listens to its members and tweaks certain rules. In this off-season, the PDGA implemented bigger than usual changes to their official rules. Many of these are minor tweaks but there are a few that will certainly show up in your competitive rounds. As a result, I have taken the most impactful rules changes and broken them down for you below. The layout of this article is as follows; specific synopsis in bold, the actual rule as it appears in the PDGA handbook in italics, and finally a breakdown in layman’s terms. Check out the official PDGA release for the entire rundown of changes as well as the entire list of rules from the PDGA website.

Relief From Out of Bounds (OB) May Be Taken in Any Direction

Rule 806.02.D: A player whose disc is out-of-bounds receives one penalty throw. The player may play the next throw from:

1. 1. The previous lie; or,
2. 2. A lie designated by a marker disc placed on the playing surface up to one meter away from the point where the disc was last in-bounds.

Previously a player had to take their one meter of relief perpendicular to the OB line. This now gives players more options in case of bad footing, angles, etc. One thing to note; this rule only applies to discs that land OB. If a disc is in bounds but close enough to OB to take relief the play must take this relief perpendicular to the OB line.

Discs Are Considered Holed Out if They Are Supported in Any Way by the Basket or Chains

Rule 807.B: In order to complete a hole with a basket target, the thrower must release the disc and it must come to rest supported by the tray or the chains below the chain support.

This rule was amended to simplify the holing out process, especially for shots that were blind for the players. It is more generous to players as now, a disc is considered holed out if it is wedged in the tray. Of note, discs are not considered holed out if the disc comes to rest on top of the basket.

Minimum Age for Caddies Is 13

Rule 3.05.B: A caddie must be at least 13 years of age and must comply with the same Official Rules of Disc Golf and Competition Manual their player must follow, including the dress code, although a caddie need not be a PDGA member nor Certified Official.

According to the PDGA, “This change sets a minimum age for caddies, which is the same minimum age for minors to compete without an accompanying adult.”

30 Second Shot Clock and Bathroom Breaks Clarifications

802.03.A: A player has taken excessive time if they are present and have not thrown within 30 seconds.

1. 4. During which the playing area is clear.
2. C. A player may request extra time from the group to take a bathroom break. If the player does not return in a reasonable time, the player is considered missing for the hole and receives a score of par plus 4 for the hole

According to the PDGA, “This revision does two significant things. First, it eliminates the “free of distractions” language, which was broad enough to render the rule essentially unenforceable. Instead, the primary concern is safety: the playing area must be clear. Second, it allows a reasonable amount of time for bathroom breaks.

Mandatory Updates

804.01 MANDATORY ROUTES AND OBJECTS

1. A. A mandatory route restricts the path the disc may take to the target.
2. B. The restricted space is a vertical plane marked by one or more objects or other markers which define the edges of the space.
3. C. If a throw clearly and completely enters a restricted space, the player receives one penalty throw. The lie for the next throw is the drop zone for that mandatory. If no drop zone has been designated, the lie for the next throw is the previous lie.

This rule clarifies mandatory rules and gives Tournament Directors more responsibility to clearly define the boundaries of mando’s. According to the PDGA, “the instant the disc passes into the restricted space, the outcome is clear: the player has missed the mandatory. In addition, this revision recognizes that tournament directors define the edges of the restricted space with different types of mandatory objects, such as poles or trees. Tournament directors need to be clear on what defines the edges of the restricted space in their course rules.”

Players Must Be PDGA Members to Compete in B Tiers and Above

1.01.B.2: Current PDGA Membership is required to compete in any Major, Elite Series, A-Tier, or B-Tier event.

The PDGA is giving priority to PDGA members for entering more prestigious tournaments as it has been increasingly more difficult to gain access to certain tournaments. In reality, most B tiers and above are already played by a vast majority of PDGA members. According to the PDGA, “Beginning in 2022, we provide an additional benefit to our current members by limiting B-Tier participation only to current members. For many PDGA members, their local B-Tier is the biggest event of their competitive season. Now, those members are no longer engaged in a click-race with players who are not current members.”

A Player Must Have a PDGA Membership (Does Not Have To Be Current) To Accept Cash

1.10.A: Any player accepting cash in a Pro division at a PDGA-sanctioned event (except Leagues, see 1.14.C.2) must have a PDGA number for tracking purposes prior to the start of the event (players receiving a PDGA number after event registration must alert the TD prior to the event). Non-PDGA-numbered players are only eligible for trophies, and any cash payouts at or below that place would move down one place causing an additional place to be paid.

According to the PDGA, “In short, it means people cannot take cash, subsequently join the PDGA as an Amateur, and then compete in Amateur divisions for which they would not qualify, had they accepted cash while having a PDGA number. It does not require current membership, only that the person has a PDGA number.”

Bringing It All Together

Rules are a dynamic aspect of disc golf. Based on the technology and the volume of players they continue to evolve to suit the modern-day game. For the complete rundown of rule changes check out this PDGA Release. And after you’re finished why not head out to your local course to try out these new rules! The season is near…

Let us know what you think of the rule changes in the comments below!