An Introduction to Disc Golf Rules

Disc golf is an exciting and accessible sport, but if you’re new to the game, learning the basic rules will help you enjoy your rounds and play with confidence. Whether you're stepping onto the tee pad for the first time or just need a quick refresher, here’s what you need to know about how to play disc golf properly and safely.

You can also head to the PDGA website to read the full, official rules of disc golf. But if you’re just starting out, this video will be the fastest way to get you confidently out on the course.

Before You Throw: Safety First

Disc golf courses are often in public parks, meaning other people may be walking or cycling nearby. Always check your surroundings before throwing. If there’s even a small chance of hitting someone, wait until the path is clear. A well-thrown disc can travel fast, and safety should always come first.

From the Tee to the Target

When you arrive at the course, you’ll want to find the first tee pad. UDisc can help you find a course and each tee area. It can also help you score your rounds. Each hole should have a clear tee pad or tee area to throw from. Your first throw on each hole must be made from within the designated tee area. Looking from the tee area, there will be a clear fairway to the basket.  This is your line to throw the disc. Holes can have some interesting features, and the fairway may bend around a corner, but the fairway will help guide the way to the basket. 

Mandatories and Out of Bounds

Some holes include extra challenges. You may see arrows on trees or signs to indicate a mandatory or “mando”. These are designated obstacles that your disc must pass on a specific side. Missing a mandatory results in a penalty stroke, and you must throw from a designated drop zone or rethrow from your previous lie.

Some holes will include out of bounds (OB) zones like water, walking paths, or marked areas. If your disc lands in an OB area, you take a one-stroke penalty and throw your next shot from where your disc passed out of bounds or a designated drop zone.

Throwing Order & Foot Faults

After teeing off, the player whose disc is farthest from the basket always throws next. Each player takes turns taking their next shot in order of who is farthest from the basket. 

When you throw, one foot must be directly behind the place your disc landed, called your lie. You can choose to mark your lie and pick up your disc before throwing. If your foot is not directly behind your lie when you throw, or you step completely past your lie before releasing the disc, it is a foot fault. Foot faults can result in penalty strokes if called by another player. 

When starting out, most players won’t call your foot faults but it is best to practice avoiding them from the beginning. 

Putting Rules

Inside 10 meters from the basket, you’re in the putting circle. When putting from inside the circle, you must maintain your balance while taking your shot. You cannot step past your lie until your disc has landed.

If you’re beyond 10 meters, called being outside the circle, you can jump or step past your lie while putting, as long as your throw is released before your foot lifts from the ground. This is called a jump putt or step putt. 

After you have landed your disc into the basket, remember to clear it out of the basket to allow the next player to throw.

Next Tee Order

Once the hole is complete, scores are recorded, and the player with the best score (fewest throws) on that hole throws first on the next tee pad. If two or more players had the same score, the order stays the same as the previous hole.

Par and Scoring Strokes

The goal of disc golf is to land your disc in the basket in the least number of throws. Each hole has a par, which is the number of throws the hole was designed to be completed in. Your score is based on how many throws it takes you to get your disc into the basket. If a hole is par 3 and you complete it in four throws, your score is +1 (bogey). If you finish it in two throws, it’s -1 (birdie). Don’t worry about playing over par when starting out. It takes a bit of practice to start scoring under par. We recommend focusing on enjoying your time on the course and getting a little better each round. 

Now Get Out and Play!

Now that you know the basic rules, you’re ready to hit the course with confidence. Disc golf is all about having fun, improving your skills, and enjoying the outdoors. Check out our beginner-friendly discs and disc golf starter sets to get started on your disc golf journey!

You can also check out our beginner tips video for tips on how to improve your form.