I hate unsanctioned tournament players....

[garublador]

The PDGA rules are simply the rules how to play the game of disc golf, not specifically rules for sanctioned events. Over the past decade, the PDGA has been separating the specific rules needed to just play the game, even by yourself, from the rules for competition which are now in the Competition Manual. So when someone says we're following PDGA rules, it's redundant because they're really just the RULES of disc golf.

Except that the PDGA can't do anything about someone not following their rules unless it's a sanctioned event. You can claim they're not specifically for sanctioned play, but without enforcement all that really means is the PDGA believes themselves to be more important than they really are. It's not like the disc golf police will arrest me if I don't mark my lie when playing alone. In that case the PDGA rules don't apply.

 

[ru4por]

I think you have to decide. I play in a couple events where courtesy rule violations are encouraged. They call it shenanigans. You are encouraged to yell and jump at players teeing off and putting. They are relaxed, fun events. Rules of actual play are followed. Maybe not for everyone, if not....don't play. I am one to think everybody should have the right to have fun, even when it is not definition of it.

 

[Nemmers]

Who's running these unsanctioned events you're playing in? While the rule non-followers are to blame for their own (bad?) behavior, certainly the TD bears a healthy portion of the blame because s/he didn't outline the expectations from the jump.

 

[teemkey]

There is probably a "usual suspects" group of players that turn up at these tournaments, and it's really their preferences that the TD caters to in order to populate the event. If that is the case there's not much that you can do about it.

Check out tourneys which are run by a different TD, club, and/or group of players (if you can find them).

 

[thrembo]

Except that the PDGA can't do anything about someone not following their rules unless it's a sanctioned event. You can claim they're not specifically for sanctioned play, but without enforcement all that really means is the PDGA believes themselves to be more important than they really are. It's not like the disc golf police will arrest me if I don't mark my lie when playing alone. In that case the PDGA rules don't apply.

Bravo:clap:

 

[JC17393]

Except that the PDGA can't do anything about someone not following their rules unless it's a sanctioned event. You can claim they're not specifically for sanctioned play, but without enforcement all that really means is the PDGA believes themselves to be more important than they really are. It's not like the disc golf police will arrest me if I don't mark my lie when playing alone. In that case the PDGA rules don't apply.

Who is claiming the PDGA can do anything about non-sanctioned events or what you do on your own time?

I think Chuck's point was less to do with PDGA authority and more to do with the fact that the rules of the game are what they are. The PDGA just happen to be the publishers of said rules. Like Hoyle publishes rules for card games or Robert publishes rules for parliamentary procedure. It's still up to the organizer of the event to determine how and how strictly said rules will be enforced at their event. That goes for PDGA sanctioned events and non-sanctioned events.

I think all people ask of non-sanctioned events is that any deviation from the understood rules of play (that happen to be published by the PDGA) be pointed out in advance so everyone is on the same page. It would certainly help alleviate conflicts on the course if that happened.

 

[TimSyl]

Coming from a golf background...we typically play by USGA rules even in a friendly weekend match. And, of course, ALWAYS play by USGA in tournaments. But, some handicapped leagues will play "preferred lies" (legalized cheating) in your own fairway, or everywhere. Or they'll play OB as a one shot where it went out instead of stroke and distance. The point is there needs to be some basic rules/guidelines to follow...just depends on how much of the "real" game you want to play. If the players don't want to follow the rules of the game, whether sanctioned or unsanctioned events, they probably shouldn't play in tournaments.

As far as others yelling or jumping at you or whatever, I doubt I would last more than a hole or two...just not my style.

 

[Cgkdisc]

Except that the PDGA can't do anything about someone not following their rules unless it's a sanctioned event. You can claim they're not specifically for sanctioned play, but without enforcement all that really means is the PDGA believes themselves to be more important than they really are. It's not like the disc golf police will arrest me if I don't mark my lie when playing alone. In that case the PDGA rules don't apply.

My point is that they are simply the standard rules of the game whenever you play. They just happen to be organized and shown on the PDGA site. Either you play by the rules of the game whenever you play or you're not actually playing "disc golf". I'm not saying people have to follow those rules to the letter. It's no badge of honor to not follow PDGA rules. It's simply not following THE rules but making up your own version.

It would interesting to come up with a casual set of rules hearing what people do in practice when playing casual rounds, sort of how ball golfers will use their "foot wedge" to re-position their ball from a divot to flat ground or even onto a tuft of grass, or allowing gimmes.

I'm thinking our version might include gimmes (how far out or group judgment call?), no OB penalties just re-position your lie following OB rule options, allowing sideways movement from casual obstacles including relief from prickers and poison ivy. I could see free relief from steep creek banks and more liberal allowances on foot placement on release of shots as long as foot plant or jump started behind the lie even if not right on the lie.

 

[simpletwist]

When in Rome...

Lighten up Francis. Like others said if you don't like the rules or lack thereof, simple, don't play.

 

[Matt B.]

I disagree, if you are playing for money, play by the rules. Around here that is the case with unsanctioned events with the exception of the social rules (drinking, etc).

Exactly. Disc golf rules, ie PDGA rules of play -YES, of course. Otherwise what is the competition? It's still an entry fee and payout tournament.

Unsanctioned typically means a little more casual around other stuff.

 

[SonicGuy]

My point is that they are simply the standard rules of the game whenever you play. They just happen to be organized and shown on the PDGA site. Either you play by the rules of the game whenever you play or you're not actually playing "disc golf". I'm not saying people have to follow those rules to the letter. It's no badge of honor to not follow PDGA rules. It's simply not following THE rules but making up your own version.

Ridiculous insanity. Not playing disc golf unless playing by PDGA rules? Hogwash. That is the equivalent of saying college basketball is not real basketball because it doesn't follow NBA rules. Just a pathetic point of view.

 

[Jay Dub]

Ridiculous insanity. Not playing disc golf unless playing by PDGA rules? Hogwash. That is the equivalent of saying college basketball is not real basketball because it doesn't follow NBA rules. Just a pathetic point of view.

What rules do you play by?

 

[smarkquart]

It's silly sometimes that the notion of playing by the rules of the game equates to not having fun.

In essence, this sums it up right there.

With that being said, however, things can be stretched for the sake of fun like mulligans, preferred lies, OB lines and drop zones, and changes that "alter" the course it is not the same as every other round ever played there.

However to that, at any point where money or prizes are on the line (assumed because it was a tournament), what is the point if there is not a common set of rules that makes sure that such money and prizes are handed out fairly to those who meet the requirement of earning such prizes?

 

[SonicGuy]

What rules do you play by?

I play PDGA except for I put my foot where the disc is regardless of height. If it is in a tree I put my foot into the gal darn tree or take a stroke.

Not really the point though. PDGA rules are NOT the exclusive rules of the sport of disc golf. So College Football isn't football because they don't have NFL style overtime? Ludicrous.

 

[TimSyl]

SonicGuy...all levels of basketball and football have rules...I think the OP was commenting on NOT playing by the rules of the sport.

 

[JC17393]

I play PDGA except for I put my foot where the disc is regardless of height. If it is in a tree I put my foot into the gal darn tree or take a stroke.

Not really the point though. PDGA rules are NOT the exclusive rules of the sport of disc golf. So College Football isn't football because they don't have NFL style overtime? Ludicrous.

I think you're too hung up on the label of "PDGA rules". Regardless of who publishes the rules, they are the generally accepted rules of the game. People can relax them or adjust them for a given round (casual or competitive) or tournament, but the basics tend to stay the same regardless.

Put it this way, if you were to join a pick-up game of basketball, you'd assume that the other players would observe the basic rules of the game like dribbling, in-bounds/out-of-bounds, etc. So if the guy you were guarding suddenly picked up his dribble, dropped his shoulder and plowed you over like he was a running back going through a linebacker, you'd be taken aback, wouldn't you? Want to call him for traveling or an offensive foul or something, right? I mean, if such a thing were allowed in this game by these players, you'd have wanted to know ahead of time that dribbling and charging weren't observed. Them saying "we don't play by NBA rules here" wouldn't hold much water, would it?

 

[The Happy Gilmore]

You should run up to the basket on every hole and drop your disc in and call it an ace. If people argue or say that's illegal, just say "well you weren't following the rules so why should I?" Then maybe people will be so mad they will start to follow the rules.

 

[Jay Dub]

I play PDGA except for I put my foot where the disc is regardless of height. If it is in a tree I put my foot into the gal darn tree or take a stroke.

Not really the point though. PDGA rules are NOT the exclusive rules of the sport of disc golf. So College Football isn't football because they don't have NFL style overtime? Ludicrous.

What's "ludicrous" is the hair you're splitting. :doh:

 

[Future_Primitive]

Ridiculous insanity. Not playing disc golf unless playing by PDGA rules? Hogwash. That is the equivalent of saying college basketball is not real basketball because it doesn't follow NBA rules. Just a pathetic point of view.

Standard rules of play vs specific Tournament/League rules is a completely different discussion. Your point of view is not even pathetic, it is just flat out wrong. :doh:

 

[SonicGuy]

Chuck Kennedy went out of his way to say if you are not abiding by the PDGA rules in their entirety you are not playing disc golf. That is the comment I am responding to. According to Chuck if I play without vertical relief I am not playing disc golf but some other sport I have invented. Which is dumbfounding.