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Official Rules of Disc Golf

806.02 Out-of-Bounds

Last updated: Sunday, December 31, 2023 - 18:11

  1. An out-of-bounds (OB) area is an area designated by the Director from which a disc may not be played, and within which a stance may not be taken. The out-of-bounds line is part of the out-of-bounds area. Any area of the course that is not out-of-bounds is in-bounds.
  2. A disc is out-of-bounds if its position is clearly and completely surrounded by an out-of-bounds area.
  3. A disc that cannot be found is considered to be out-of-bounds if there is compelling evidence that the disc came to rest within an out-of-bounds area. In the absence of such evidence, the disc is considered lost and play proceeds according to 805.03.
  4. A player whose disc is out-of-bounds receives one penalty throw. The player may play the next throw from:
    1. The previous lie; or,
    2. A lie designated by a marker disc placed on the playing surface up to one meter away from the point where the disc was last in-bounds.

    The above options for an out-of-bounds area may be limited by the Director only with prior approval from the PDGA Director of Event Support. Whether or not prior approval has been granted, during tournament play players must still observe the course rules announced by the Director.

    At the Director's discretion, the player may additionally choose to play the next throw from:

    1. Within the designated drop zone; or,
    2. A lie designated by a marker disc placed on the playing surface up to one meter away from the point on the out-of-bounds line nearest the position of the disc.
  5. If the position of the thrown disc is in-bounds and within one meter of an out-of-bounds line, the lie may be relocated to a new lie at any point on a one meter line that extends perpendicularly from that point on the out-of-bounds line and passes through the thrown disc. Alternatively, when the thrown disc is within one meter of a corner, the lie may be relocated on a one meter line that extends from that corner through the thrown disc.
  6. The out-of-bounds line extends a vertical plane. When marking within one meter of the out-of-bounds line, the one meter relief may be taken from any point up or down on the vertical plane.
  7. If a drop zone has been provided for an out-of-bounds area, the Director may allow players to proceed directly to that drop zone at the cost of two penalty throws.
  8. The Director may announce relief greater than one meter for particular out-of-bounds areas on a hole.
  9. If the thrower moves the disc before a determination regarding its out-of-bounds status has been made, the disc is considered to be out-of-bounds.