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Official Rules of Disc Golf

811 Misplay

Last updated: Wednesday, December 4, 2024 - 18:34
  1. It is the responsibility of the player to play the course correctly. Before play begins, players are expected to attend the players' meeting in order to learn about any special conditions that may exist on the course, including extra holes, alternate teeing areas, alternate hole placements, out-of-bounds areas, mandatories, and drop zones.
  2. A misplay has occurred if the player either has failed to complete every hole on the course correctly and in the proper order or has played from an incorrect lie for any throw.
  3. If a misplay is discovered after the scorecard has been turned in, the player receives the penalty throws applicable to the misplay.
  4. A misplay is not a stance violation, nor is it a practice throw.
  5. A player who deliberately misplays the course to gain competitive advantage may be disqualified in accordance with Section 3.03 of the Competition Manual.
  6. Types of misplay:
    1. Incorrect Lie. The player has played from a lie that is not the correct lie. For example, the player has:
      1. Teed off from a teeing area that is not the correct teeing area for the current hole; or,
      2. Thrown from a lie other than that established by the thrown disc; or,
      3. Played an out-of-bounds disc as if it were in-bounds; or,
      4. Thrown from a lie established by a previous throw which missed a mandatory; or,
      5. Played a disc in a relief area as if it were not in a relief area.

      If no subsequent throws have been made after the misplayed throw, that throw is disregarded. The player plays from the correct lie and receives one penalty throw for the misplay. If an additional throw has been made after the misplayed throw, the player continues play and receives two penalty throws for the misplay.

    2. Failure to Complete a Hole. The player has finished the round or thrown on a hole without having completed a previous hole. The score for the misplayed hole is the number of throws made, plus one for completing the hole, plus two penalty throws for the misplay. Intentionally failing to complete a hole constitutes withdrawal from competition.
    3. Non-Sequential Play. The player has completed play on a hole in the wrong order. The player continues to play the course in its proper order. Regardless of the number of holes played in the wrong order during the round, a total of two penalty throws is added to the player's total score for the misplay. The score for any completed hole stands.
    4. Absent. If a player is not present at the start of the round for their assigned group, the player is considered absent and does not play the hole. A player is also considered absent if the player has not played the previous hole and is not present when their group is ready to start on a hole. The absent player receives a score of par plus four on each hole not played. Par is determined by the Director.
    5. Missing. If a player was present with the group and is now missing when it is their turn to throw, the player is given 30 seconds to rejoin the group. If the player remains missing for that time, then the player is considered absent for the hole and receives a score of par plus four on the hole. See 802.03.C for exception to this rule.
    6. Omitted Hole. The round has been completed, and the player has neglected to play one or more holes. The player receives a score of par plus four on each unplayed hole.
    7. Incorrect Hole. The player has completed a hole that is not part of the course for that round, in place of a hole that is part of the course for the round. Two penalty throws are added to the player's score for the hole.
    8. Extra Hole. The player has completed a hole that is not part of the course for that round. Two penalty throws are added to the player's total score. Throws made on the extra hole are not counted.
    9. Wrong Starting Group. The player has begun play in a group other than the one to which they were assigned. The player must find their assigned group to begin play. Any throws made by a player in the wrong group are disregarded. The player is subject to penalties for being absent from their assigned group.
    10. Wrong Starting Hole. The group has begun play on a hole other than the one to which they were assigned. If any player in the group makes more than one throw on the hole, the entire group has misplayed the hole. The group completes the hole, and each player adds two penalty throws to their score for the hole. Otherwise, the players who have made a single throw each receive one penalty throw and the misplayed throw is disregarded. The group then proceeds to the correct hole to begin their round.

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Disc Golf Rules and Standards