Rules Committee Publishes Two New Q&A Items

The PDGA Rules Committee has published two new/updated items in the Questions and Answers section of the Official Rules of Disc Golf. The Q&A section of the rules is not intended to introduce any new rules or interpretations of existing rules; it is only meant to provide clarity for certain scenarios under the existing rules. 

New: QA-EQU-6

Q: Can I take my disc, tuck the rim into itself, and throw it like a ball?

A: No, this is a post-production modification which alters the original flight characteristics (813.01.C.1). The disc is no longer in a round, saucer-like configuration required by the Technical Standards. Even though the modification may be temporary, it is illegal to throw the disc while in this configuration.

• This item clarifies the existing interpretation that folding a disc into a ball places it in violation of the PDGA Technical Standards that require a thrown disc to be in a flat, saucer-like configuration. Throwing a disc while it is balled up constitutes an illegal disc under 813.01.G and shall be penalized with two penalty throws. 

Updated: QA-OB-4

Q: My disc went OB. Can I use the optional relief rule to mark my lie back along the line of play, instead of one meter from OB?

A: Optional relief is available for free (without adding a penalty throw) after a throw that results in a penalty throw and that requires placement of a lie (such as OB or above two meters). First relief is taken as specified in 806.02.D, then optional relief is taken straight back on the line of play (803.02.D,E). A player may not take one meter of relief from OB after taking optional relief even if the relocated lie is near an OB line.

• This item addresses a frequently asked question about taking a meter from the OB line after taking relief on the line of play. Per 806.02.E, if your thrown disc is in bounds, you may take up to a meter of relief from the OB line only if the thrown disc itself comes to rest within a meter of the OB line. If you take relief that relocates your lie within a meter of an OB line, you are not entitled to relief from the OB line under 806.02.E.