What rules would you add (not really, but you might wish for)

[TurkeyVulture]

Cheaters will find a way to cheat, string or no string. Watch out for the guy who always gets to his lie before anyone else.

but remember, the rules actually state that OB is a group decision and if the player throws or calls himself safe before the card gets there, the card can collectively bring it up, and potentially swing the OB penalty. (This was a question on the officials exam also)

 

[cheesethin]

but remember, the rules actually state that OB is a group decision and if the player throws or calls himself safe before the card gets there, the card can collectively bring it up, and potentially swing the OB penalty. (This was a question on the officials exam also)

806.02 Out-of-Bounds
H. 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.

If a player moves their disc before the card gets there - they are done. OB all the way.

 

[BillFleming]

If a player moves their disc before the card gets there - they are done. OB all the way.

Exactly....per 806.02.h:

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.

 

[Evan27]

Personally I think they should limit the number of disc you can carry to say 7 (arbitrary but maybe even less). If you can't make most shots you need with that amount then you should have to improve your technique

 

[davetherocketguy]

Personally I think they should limit the number of disc you can carry to say 7 (arbitrary but maybe even less). If you can't make most shots you need with that amount then you should have to improve your technique

So is there an advantage to carrying more discs? I don't think there is so why limit the number of discs?

 

[paulw]

late/early

If you miss your tee time (pick a time -- 3min?) you're dq'd.

Matches the DQ rule for leaving early unless this rule has been changed. The par +4 is dumb.

If not -- then make it par +4 if you leave early also. I realize late happens and leaving early happens . . .. but at least make it the same.

My usual rant -- I realize that I'm alone being bugged by this -- just saying.

 

[Evan27]

I believe there is an advantage to more discs. I think disc golf was designed to be more about "how do I throw this shot" than "what disc do I throw". Since I started playing in the early 2000s disc technology has come a long way. (And I'm sure just as far from there back to the beginning) Much like ball golf had to limit the angle of club wedges a few years back because they were too powerful, I think disc golfers shouldn't have a different disc for 20 different situations. Plus that would help eliminate the aspect of paying a bunch of money for a variety of discs that a casual player or low income discer may not be able to afford

 

[davetherocketguy]

Plus that would help eliminate the aspect of paying a bunch of money for a variety of discs that a casual player or low income discer may not be able to afford

Disagree. Just because someone else can't afford plastic shouldn't mean I have to limit my plastic or equipment on the course. By comparison - if someone can only afford rent for a studio apartment I gotta sell my 4 bedroom home I've worked my butt off for so I have to live in a similar apartment? Yeah, no bueno.

Several years ago I ran a league night where I limited everyone to three discs. I had a rolling average of all their scores from previous weeks where they were toting around backpacks of discs. Guess what...no one really improved their score or really did markedly worse than their average. IMHO the advantage of carrying around a ton of discs is a level of comfort. Puts the round a little more at ease and frankly a lot more fun - at least for me.

 

[Steve West]

...that would help eliminate the aspect of paying a bunch of money for a variety of discs ...

Have you looked into the history of the very reason disc golf was invented?

 

[Evan27]

Disagree. Just because someone else can't afford plastic shouldn't mean I have to limit my plastic or equipment on the course. By comparison - if someone can only afford rent for a studio apartment I gotta sell my 4 bedroom home I've worked my butt off for so I have to live in a similar apartment? Yeah, no bueno.

That's fair, not going to argue this point. But I will add limiting discs could cut down on the demand for discs in general, which is already too high for some molds.

Several years ago I ran a league night where I limited everyone to three discs. I had a rolling average of all their scores from previous weeks where they were toting around backpacks of discs. Guess what...no one really improved their score or really did markedly worse than their average. IMHO the advantage of carrying around a ton of discs is a level of comfort. Puts the round a little more at ease and frankly a lot more fun - at least for me.

The comfort aspect is part of what I am getting at. Whether scores improve or not remains to be seen with more data. But in a big tournament, players should not have all that comfort. There should be a happy medium between achieving a throw from a variety of techniques (FH, BH, tomahawk, etc.) than having 20 slightly different discs for every single shot on the course because you know exactly how it's going to fly in that situation.

 

[krupicka]

Selecting the right disc is a skill.

 

[BillFleming]

If you miss your tee time (pick a time -- 3min?) you're dq'd.

Matches the DQ rule for leaving early unless this rule has been changed. The par +4 is dumb.

If not -- then make it par +4 if you leave early also. I realize late happens and leaving early happens . . .. but at least make it the same.

My usual rant -- I realize that I'm alone being bugged by this -- just saying.

The only reason I would be against the DQ is that I know of cases where someone signed up for a multi-day tournament and then was unable to make one day. If they were DQ'd, they would be out the entire tournament. The +4 a hole still allows them to play in the tournament.

 

[JuanA]

If you hit a tree on the un-fairway you get a punch on your 'Unlucky Card', your disc is moved to where it would have landed and you not assessed a penalty.

After 5 punches, your 'Unlucky Card' can be redeemed for a 'Get out of OB free' card.

Since OB is designed to punish the unlucky player, and a fully punched 'Unlucky Card' makes you the unluckiest player on the course, it's the only fair thing to do.

 

[Cgkdisc]

Score capping, initially at par+4. The rules have already assigned the worst score a player can get on a hole because being late on a hole or missing it is par+4. Why not just make par+4 the max score you can get on a hole? Speed up play and not be able to sandbag your rating. Ball golf has a max score allowed for handicap purposes at Net Double Bogey which is par+2+any handicap strokes you're allowed on that hole. They now allow the Maximum Score format as a legitimate alternate form of play but not yet used for elite level play.

 

[azplaya25]

Penalty strokes for littering

 

[krupicka]

Penalty strokes for littering

You mean like this: https://www.pdga.com/rules/official-rules-disc-golf/812

 

[BillFleming]

Score capping, initially at par+4. The rules have already assigned the worst score a player can get on a hole because being late on a hole or missing it is par+4. Why not just make par+4 the max score you can get on a hole? Speed up play and not be able to sandbag your rating. Ball golf has a max score allowed for handicap purposes at Net Double Bogey which is par+2+any handicap strokes you're allowed on that hole. They now allow the Maximum Score format as a legitimate alternate form of play but not yet used for elite level play.

OOOOOOOOO, how I wish that was a rule! My score would be so much better.

 

[BillFleming]

I believe there is an advantage to more discs. I think disc golf was designed to be more about "how do I throw this shot" than "what disc do I throw". Since I started playing in the early 2000s disc technology has come a long way. (And I'm sure just as far from there back to the beginning) Much like ball golf had to limit the angle of club wedges a few years back because they were too powerful, I think disc golfers shouldn't have a different disc for 20 different situations. Plus that would help eliminate the aspect of paying a bunch of money for a variety of discs that a casual player or low income discer may not be able to afford

Since you made the comparison to ball golf.

Ball golf limits it to 14 clubs.
You can carry as many balls as you want (but by the rules they have to be the same).
So while each ball has to have the same flight, different clubs can be used for different distances/flights (example: you can have two different drivers...one with a 9 degree loft and one with a 12 degree loft). You can change your grip and change the flight of the ball (similar to changing the angle of your hand and putting the disc on hyzer or anhyzer).

So, in ball golf...with fourteen clubs, you can have way more different options.

In disc golf, one reason to carry multiple discs is in case one is lost (that's why ball golfers carry extra balls). Since ball golf is played on open fairways and disc golf isn't, you really need different discs for different throws - one disc might be good for forehands, but not thumbers.

I personally don't see a reason to limit discs. The player just needs to be quick making their disc selection.

Once we start limiting discs as a rule....what is the next rule? Starter packs only?

 

[zontar]

starter pack tournament would be awesome!

 

[Answers to Lucky]

I'm new to DG and have never played any organized DG. But I'm not new to sports or competition, or even disc sports (tons of Ultimate in the 80s and 90s). But while all these rule proposals have a DG flavor, their application is universal.

Whether you're putting or teeing, your throw is not measured in inches. If you really think your follow through has to carry you outside the tee box or past the mini, you deserve a penalty stroke for being such a jerk. Give up that 6" on your drive and deal with your shortcomings on your own time. Jump putts? Land (and stay) behind your mini and I don't give a damn if you cartwheel putt. Enjoy yourself and don't foot fault.

The 2 meter rule is a ground rules issue. Either lay up and play it safe, or go for it. Whether it's a particularly hungry tree or a water hazard, the effect is the same.

Don't limit the number of discs. "Starter pack", "putters only" or "only molds from the first half of the alphabet" would be fun gimmicky competitions, but overall, let having to carry a heavier bag be the only penalty for having tons of discs.