Significant PDGA Rules Additions and Changes Thru the Years
1978 Sign
1982
1986
1990
1997
2002
2006
38
5
41
11
47
15
All 50
17
All 50
21
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 Fore OK
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See 801.02
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permission to
throw first
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See 801.04A
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players mtg
Introduction
States
Countries
800
801
Definitions
Conduct of Players
801.01
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
801.02
A
B
Courtesy
Wait to throw and watch
No distractions
Must help according to rules
Responsible for caddie's actions
Littering is violation
Speed of play, no groups pass
Smoke not to disturb players
Benefit of the doubt to thrower
Anyone can warn then 1-throw
Order of Play
Scorecard order
Subsequent order based on scores
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C Away player throws next
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D No group plays thru
Player must play course correctly
E Out of turn is courtesy violation
801.03 Excessive Time
Max time 30 seconds
Warning: first offense, then 1-throw
801.04 Playing the Stipulated Course
A Player responsible to play it right
1
Wrong tee
2
Misplayed Mandatory
3
Wrong Target
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B1
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B2 unwind
B2 drop zone
B3
misplay penalty
practice throw,
just 1 thrown
B4
4
B
C
D
E
Out-of-Bounds Play
5
Non-Sequential Play
Group stays together to fix misplay
Penalty if found after hole completed
Penalty if found after round recorded
Penalty for deliberate misplay
B5
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Significant PDGA Rules Additions and Changes Thru the Years
1978 Sign
802
1982
1986
1990
1997
2002
2006
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declare to carry
penalty as below
1p per hole
1p per hole
2p total
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Equipment
802.01
A
B
C
D
E
F
802.02
A
802.03
A
802.04
A
B
803
Discs Used in Play
Meet Tech Standards
No cracks or perfs
No mods but wear & sanding OK
Director must approve if questioned
Penalty for carrying illegal disc
Discs must be uniquely marked
Mini Marker Discs
Size specified
Targets
Must meet Tech Specs
Artificial Devices to Teeing Off
No devices & long range distances
Penalty for carrying or using device
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any disc not used
in play
exclude
rangefinder
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Rules of Play
803.01
A
B
C
D
E
F
803.02
A
B
803.03
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
General
Description of Game
Practice Throws
Provisional Throws
Appeals
Warnings
Fairness
Teeing Off
Throw from teeing area or pad
Max dist. from line on non-pad throw
All supports on tee at release
Marking the Lie
Deciding on mark
Using mini marker required
Mini needed when repositioning
Get one meter from OB when IB
Verticality used to relocate near OB
Use largest piece if disc breaks
Disc in water at rest
Warning for marking violation
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Glossary
Glossary
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play where lies
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runup allowed
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12 inches
1 meter
2 meters
2 meters
2 meters
3 meters
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no closer to pin
perpendicular
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Can use
thrown disc
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Significant PDGA Rules Additions and Changes Thru the Years
803.04
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
803.05
A
Stance, Subsequent to Teeing Off
Release behind marker
Stepping past OK on release
No step thru for putts inside 10m
Stance that moves foliage least
Solid object relief
Violation called within 3 seconds
Rethrow when violation called
Can't get disc from fault except putt
Obstacles and Relief
To Stance or Throwing Motion
1978 Sign
1982
1986
1990
1997
2002
2006
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disc area
15cm & L / R
30cm & LOP
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only if putt made
always
 ex thrower
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 anyone
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can't move, part
in front of lie
 10 yds
factor in round
B Between Lie and Hole
C Casual Obstacles
Casual Obstacle Types
Relief options if obstacle can't move
Designate Relief Areas
D Get official if unclear
E Penalty for violation
F Penalty for purposeful damage
803.06 Unplayable Lie
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water/mud only
non-permanent
non-permanent
water/mud only
incl tee signs
add animals
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no closer to pin
no closer to pin
5m & no closer
5m back on LOP
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no closer to pin
no closer to pin
5m, no closer, 1p
1p
1p
or 2p no closer
where it lands
where it lands
contact pt if OB
where it lands
contact point
where it lands
contact point
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contact point
30sec if above
can move if OB
always replace
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can identify
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favorable lie
directly below
>2m above OB
only 1p penalty
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TD option
called Unsafe
Unplayable
5m on LOP, 1p
A Player decides / new lie options
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803.07 Interference
A Accidental
Intentional
B Disc at rest moved
C Player consciously moves disc
803.08 Disc Above The Playing Surface
directly below
A Lie marked below
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or prev lie, 1p
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rethrow option
also on target
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 6 feet
B Disc above two meters penalty
C No penalty if disc falls
D A player moves disc penalty
If uncertain, get group or official
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player arrives
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Significant PDGA Rules Additions and Changes Thru the Years
803.09 Out-of-Bounds
A OB when disc at rest OB
Boundary line: IB or OB?
1978 Sign
1982
1986
1990
1997
2002
2006
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IB
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IB
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IB
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IB
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IB
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OB
playable lie
favorable lie
playable lie
1 meter
perpendicular
add previous lie &
drop zone
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B 1-throw penalty / next lie options
C
D
803.10
A
Verticality used to relocate near OB
If uncertain, get group or official
Throwing From Another Player’s Lie
Penalty: during hole
Penalty: after hole completed
Offender plays from where?
B Approx lie for player whose lie used
803.11 Lost Disc
A How long to look before declared lost
804
804.01
A
B
C
D
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2p per throw
2 throws
2p + bad throws
2 throws
2p per throw
2 throws
6 throws
2 throws
not stated
correct lie
correct lie
"wrong" lie
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2 minutes
2 minutes
3 minutes
playable lie, disc favorable lie, disc
last seen IB
last seen IB
B Next lie / 1-throw penalty
C Remove penalty if disc was taken
Player whose disc improperly used
D Lost marker replaced at approx lie
803.12 Mandatories
A Object that must be passed on 1 side
B Missed if disc beyond wrong side
C Either unwind or go to drop zone
Completed only when disc at rest?
Default Drop Zone location specified
D Mando is line of play if pin not in line
E Mando rule priority over OB, lost, 2m
803.13 Holing Out
A Failure to hole out & penalties
Intentionally not holing out
B Disc Entrapment Device
C Object Targets
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2 minutes
3 minutes
3 minutes
playable lie, disc
last seen IB
disc last seen, at
an IB lie
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not stated
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not stated
replays from lie
replays from lie
no replay
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previous lie
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unwind
unwind
unwind
unwind
unwind
drop zone
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yes
not required
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 players mtg
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Tournament Procedures
Special Conditions
Post or specify special condition rules
Drop zone with or without penalty
Two meter rule options
No rule can conflict with PDGA rules
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 X-tier
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Significant PDGA Rules Additions and Changes Thru the Years
1978 Sign
804.02 Beginning Play
Distribute scorecards
Noisemaker to launch round
Late penalty / Miss round
A Shotgun start procedures
B Staggered start procedures
804.03 Scoring
A First player starts, then proportional
B Call out name and record score
C Scorekeeper records scores on card
D Warnings & penalties noted on card
E Option to sign card at the end
F Penalties for late card
1982
6/hole / DQ
1986
6/hole / DQ
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required
required
addition error
2002
2006
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par+3 / DQ
par+4 / DQ
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only 2p if more to
correct
required
optional
25min, 2p
2p to correct
score
addition error
find errors - fix
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resume play
where marked
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none for addition none for addition
Score stands when turned in, exceptRain or Hazardous Conditions
TD suspends if deemed necessary
Stop play and return to HQ
Resume play when told
Break allowed with check back times
Partial round scores carry forward
1997
15min, 6p
3p/throw in favor
stands not favor
G Incorrect score penalties
G
804.04
A
B
C
D
E
1990
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must finish hole
yes
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restart <9 holes
restart <9 holes
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no partial scores
replay hole
replay hole
F Partial scores continue when resumed
G
804.05
A
B
C
804.06
A
B
C
D
E
Penalty for stopping early
Disqualification and Suspension
Reasons for DQ
DQ'd players: no prizes nor refunds
PDGA Drug & alcohol provisions
DQ'd players risk PDGA suspension
Grouping and Sectioning
Pros and Ams not grouped together
Random groups in R1 then by scores
Groups not less than 3 unless official
Large divisions can be split into pools
Method if different pool conditions
mark lie
not stated
2p/hole missed
2p/hole missed
2p & play holes
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no distinction
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scores restart
scores restart
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removed
see Comp Manual
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Significant PDGA Rules Additions and Changes Thru the Years
1978 Sign
804.07 Ties
A Lower previous scores for grouping
B Sudden death/life for 1st place
Breaking ties below 1st place
804.08 Classification of Players
Divisions can be restricted
Can't play in div below your level
Only enter one division per day
Professional divisions listed
Amateur divisions listed
Amateur status conditions
TD cannot restrict from entering div
Am Worlds eligibility
Request for reclassification
804.09 Officials
A Must pass Rules test & PDGA current
B TDs required to pass Rules test
C Officials carry rulebook
805
Note:
1982
1986
1990
1997
2002
2006

 death
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No, coin flip for
trophies
No, CTP or skill
for trophies
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 no card
 no card
more definitions
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more definitions
new Jr divs
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empower spotter
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see 802.01
see 802.01
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 life

No, playoff option
- trophies
TD option


divisions listed
Open Tour card
Adv Tour card
Regional pros,
no book
D Non-playing officials can make calls
Measurement Cross-Reference and
Equipment Technical Standards
Metric - English conversion table
Disc Standards
Red text indicates additions or significant changes.
Blue text indicates the rule changed from the previous version.
Solid blue areas mean the rule didn't exist in that version.
This section
moved to the
PDGA Comp.
Manual.