How To Play Disc Golf
Disc Golf rules are easy to learn - disc golf is similar to traditional golf, throwing disc golf discs instead of using balls and clubs. It's free, fun, and anyone can play!
Objective of the Game
The goal is to play each hole in the fewest strokes possible. One throw (stroke) is counted each time the disc is thrown and when a penalty is incurred. The player with the lowest total strokes for the entire course wins. The hole is completed when the disc comes to rest in the disc golf basket or chains.
Safety First
Never throw when players or other park users are within range; wait until players in front of you are out of range. Always give park users the right of way. Yell "Fore!" if there's a chance people are in the flight path of your disc. Always be aware of your surroundings and environment.
Equipment
Disc golf is played with specific disc golf discs, which can include putters, mid-range, fairway drivers, and distance drivers. Beginners can start with either a putt & approach or a mid-range disc. A good quality throwing disc, like those used for Ultimate, can also be used.
More information on choosing discs here.
Tee Throws
Each hole begins with a tee throw. Tee throws must be completed within or behind the designated tee area. A run-up and normal follow-through after release is allowed on tee shots.
Lie
The lie is the spot where the player’s previous throw, where the disc has landed. Mark each lie with a mini marker disc, the thrown disc, another disc, or any suitable object to mark the spot. The player’s subsequent throw is made from directly behind the marked lie.
Throwing Order
After all players have teed off, the player whose disc is farthest from the hole always throws first. The player with the least number of strokes on the previous hole is the first to tee off on the next hole.
Fairway Throws
Fairway throws must be made from directly behind the lie. A run-up and normal follow-through after release is allowed, unless the lie is within 10 meters of the target. Any shot within 10 meters of the target requires that the player maintain balance and not move past the lie until the disc comes to rest (hopefully in the basket!); falling forward to keep your balance after a putt is not allowed.
Mandatory
A mandatory, or “mando”, is one or more designated trees or poles in the fairway that must be passed to the correct side as indicated by an arrow. If the disc passes to the wrong side of mandatory, either play from the previous lie or from a marked drop zone area if applicable and add a one-throw penalty.
Completion Of Hole
A disc that comes to rest in the disc golf basket or suspended in the chains constitutes the successful completion of that hole.
Out Of Bounds (O.B.)
Permanent water hazards, public roads, and park boundaries are out of bounds. Observe the boundaries carefully and try to stay out. If any area of O.B. is visible between the disc and O.B. line, then the disc is considered O.B. A throw that lands out of bounds, must be played from a point up to 1 meter in bounds from where the disc crossed over the out-of-bounds line. Please be careful of natural vegetation.
Water hazards are to be avoided because your disc will sink! If, however, you have been so unfortunate as to land in the water, play it like you do the “out-of-bounds” throw, and don’t forget to take a one throw penalty.
