The Rules of the Game - BASIC RULES OF PLAY

This and several posts from here on out are going to cover the Rules of Play as found at the Professional Disc Golf Association's website. I consider this an exercise for myself in acquiring a better understanding of the rules. Skipping the first few sections, I'll just go to the Basic Rules of Play. To folks who have played the game awhile, parts of these posts can be glossed over as you're probably well aware of the rules just through sheer play. But, and I'm likely to fall into this category, there will be rules I've not been following or following incorrectly.

802.01 TEEING OFF

Last updated: Wednesday, December 26, 2012 - 11:24.

A. Play begins on each hole with the player throwing from within the teeing area. When the disc is released, the player must have at least one supporting point in contact with the surface of the teeing area, and all supporting points must be in contact only with the surface of the teeing area. Supporting point contact outside the teeing area is allowed if it comes before or after, and not at, the moment the disc is released.

B. Any supporting point contact outside the teeing area at the time of release constitutes a stance violation and shall be handled in accordance with sections 802.04 E and F.

802.02 ESTABLISHING POSITION

Last updated: Wednesday, December 26, 2012 - 11:13.

A. The thrown disc establishes a position where it first comes to rest.

B. A disc is considered to be at rest once it is no longer moving as a result of the momentum imparted by the throw. A disc in water or foliage is considered to be at rest once it is moving only as a result of movement of the water, the foliage, or the wind.

C. If the disc first comes to rest above or below the playing surface, its position is on the playing surface directly below or above the disc.

D. If the thrown disc breaks into pieces, the largest piece is deemed to be the thrown disc.

E. If the thrown disc has moved after it first came to rest on the in-bounds playing surface, it shall be replaced to its approximate position. If it first came to rest elsewhere, the disc need not be replaced, and any determinations are made relative to where it first came to rest.

802.03 MARKING THE LIE

Last updated: Wednesday, December 26, 2012 - 11:19.

A. The position of a thrown disc on the in-bounds playing surface marks its lie.

B. Alternatively, a mini marker disc may be used to mark the lie by placing it on the playing surface, touching the front of the thrown disc on the line of play.

C. A player is required to mark the lie with a mini marker disc in the following situations:

1. Marking an approximate lie;
2. Marking a disc above or below the playing surface (see 802.02.C);
3. Relocating the lie within one meter of an out-of-bounds area (see 802.03.D);
4. Taking relief (see 803.01).

D. If the position of the thrown disc is in-bounds but within one meter of an out-of-bounds line, the lie may be marked by placing a mini marker disc on the playing surface at any point on a one-meter line that extends perpendicularly from the nearest point on the out-of-bounds line and passes through the center of the thrown disc, even if the direction takes the lie closer to the target. For the purpose of marking the lie, the out-of-bounds line represents a vertical plane.

E. If a large solid obstacle prevents the player from taking a legal stance behind the marker disc, the player may instead mark the lie by placing a mini marker disc on the playing surface immediately behind that obstacle on the line of play.

F. A marker disc that is moved prior to the ensuing throw shall be replaced to its original position to mark the approximate lie.

G. A player shall receive a warning for the first violation of a marking rule. One penalty throw shall be assessed for each subsequent violation of any marking rule during the round.

802.04 THROWING FROM A STANCE

Last updated: Saturday, December 29, 2012 - 07:24.

A. A player must choose the stance that will result in the least movement of any part of any obstacle that is a permanent or integral part of the course. Once a legal stance is taken, the player may not move an obstacle in any way in order to make room for a throwing motion. It is legal for a player's throwing motion to cause incidental movement of an obstacle.

B. When the disc is released, a player must:

1. Have at least one supporting point that is in contact with the lie; and,
2. Have no supporting point in contact with the marker disc or any object (including the playing surface) closer to the target than the rear edge of the marker disc; and,
3.Have all supporting points in-bounds.

C. Supporting point contact with or beyond the marker disc is permitted after the disc is released, except when putting.

D. Putting: Any throw from within 10 meters of the target, as measured from the rear of the marker disc to the base of the target, is a putt. Supporting point contact closer to the target than the rear edge of the marker disc after the disc has been released is a stance violation. The player must demonstrate full control of balance before advancing toward the target.

E. A player shall receive a warning for the first stance violation in the round. Subsequent stance violations in the same round shall incur a one-throw penalty. Stance violations may not be called or seconded by the thrower.

F. Any throw made from an illegal stance is disregarded. A re-throw must be taken from the original lie, prior to subsequent play by others in the group.

802.05 HOLING OUT

Last updated: Wednesday, December 26, 2012 - 11:26.

A. Basket Targets: In order to hole out, the thrower must release the disc and it must come to rest supported by the chains and/or the inner cylinder (bottom and inside wall) of the tray. It may be additionally supported by the pole. A disc that enters the target below the top of the tray or above the bottom of the chain support is not holed out.

B. Object Targets: In order to hole out, the thrower must release the disc and it must strike the marked target area on the object as specified by the Director.