Disc Golf Rules Explained: The Official Rules of Play

Whether you’re new to the sport or sharpening your competitive edge, understanding the official rules of disc golf keeps the game fair and fun. Here’s a clear breakdown of the rules that matter most on the course. (Never played at all? Read our how to play disc golf guide first.)

The Object of the Game

Throw a disc from a tee area to a target (metal basket) in as few throws as possible. Complete all holes in the course, and the player with the lowest total stroke count wins.

Tee Throws

A tee throw is your first shot on each hole, taken from the marked tee area with at least one foot behind the front edge of the pad.

• Players tee off in order of lowest score on the previous hole
• On hole 1, order is determined by draw or mutual agreement
• The tee area is marked — at least one foot must be behind the front edge of the tee pad during your throwing motion
• If your tee shot goes OB, you re-tee with a one-stroke penalty (or use the drop zone if marked)

Fairway Play

After your tee shot, every throw is taken from your lie — the spot directly behind where your disc came to rest on the line of play.

• Your lie is the spot directly behind where your disc came to rest, on the line of play
• You must take a stance with at least one foot on or behind your lie before throwing
• You cannot move your lie to gain an advantage
• If your disc is embedded in the ground (trunk, soft earth), you may mark the disc and lift it, placing it directly behind where it was embedded

Out of Bounds (OB)

Out of bounds (OB) is any marked area where your disc can’t legally come to rest — landing there adds a one-stroke penalty. OB areas are marked with white stakes, lines, or natural boundaries (roads, water, fences).

• Penalty: One stroke added to your score
• Next throw: From the last in-bounds point on the line of play where the disc crossed going out, or from a designated drop zone
• Provisional throw: If you’re unsure whether a disc is OB, you may throw a provisional to save time, then resolve the ruling later

Mandatories (Mandos)

A mandatory is a marked obstacle that your disc must pass on a specified side (left or right, or above/below).

• Penalty for missing: One stroke, and you re-throw from the tee or designated drop zone
• Mandos are marked with arrows or signage on the course

Casual Obstacles and Relief

Casual relief lets you move your lie without penalty when your disc lands in temporary interference — puddles, sticks, or trash.

• Casual relief: You may take relief without penalty from casual water (puddles), casual obstacles (sticks, trash), or ground under repair
• Mark your lie, pick up the obstacle, and throw from the new position on the line of play behind your lie
• You cannot move permanent natural objects (trees, rocks) that are in your stance or line of play

Penalties Summary

Violation	Penalty
OB throw	+1 stroke, re-throw from last lie or drop zone
Missing a mando	+1 stroke, re-throw from tee or drop zone
Foot fault (stance violation)	+1 stroke if called by another player
Courtesy violation	Warning first, then +1 stroke per occurrence
Exceeding time limit	+1 stroke (30 seconds to throw once it’s your turn)

Putting

Putting is the throw that finishes the hole — your disc counts as “in” only when it comes to rest in the basket or chains.

• A disc is “in” when it comes to rest in the basket or chains
• A disc resting on top of the basket or wedged in the chains but not in the basket is not in — you must hole out
• You may putt from any stance on or behind your lie within 10 meters (33 feet) of the target
• Beyond 10 meters, a “jump putt” or “step putt” is allowed — you may not putt from a stanced position and follow through past your lie

(Confused by par, birdie, and bogey? Our disc golf scoring guide explains every term.)

Courtesy and Sportsmanship

Courtesy rules keep play safe and fair — stay quiet and still during others’ throws, and let faster groups play through.

• Stay quiet and still when another player is throwing
• Do not stand where you might distract the thrower
• If your group is holding up the group behind, invite them to play through
• Help look for lost discs — everyone benefits

Put the Rules Into Practice

Knowing the rules is one thing — getting out and playing is another. Use our disc golf course finder to find a course near you, or start with a city guide:

• Disc golf in Austin, TX — beginner-friendly and free to play
• Disc golf in Chicago, IL — open park courses great for learning the OB rules
• Disc golf in Raleigh, NC — a growing scene with forgiving first-round layouts

Once you’re comfortable with the rules, our disc golf scoring guide will help you keep score the right way.