Disc Golf Rules: A Simple Guide for New Players

Disc golf is wonderfully simple: get the disc in the basket in as few throws as possible. But a handful of rules and etiquette points will make you look like a regular on day one.

The basics

• Each hole starts from the tee pad and ends when your disc comes to rest in the basket (chains + cage).
• Your score is the number of throws it took. Lowest total wins.
• Like ball golf, holes have a par — the expected number of throws for a skilled player.

Order of play

• On the tee, the player with the best score on the previous hole throws first (this is "honors").
• After the tee, whoever's disc is farthest from the basket throws next.

Where do you throw from?

You throw from directly behind where your disc landed — your lie. Place a mini-marker disc at the front of your disc, then throw with a supporting point behind it.

Out-of-bounds (OB)

If your disc lands in a marked OB area (water, roads, past a line), you take a one-throw penalty and play from where it went out (or a drop zone). Always check the local OB rules on the tee sign.

Putting rule (inside the circle)

Within 10 meters (33 feet) of the basket, you can't follow through past your marker — no "jump putts." Keep your balance until the disc lands.

Etiquette that matters

• Stay still and quiet while others throw.
• Let faster groups play through.
• Don't throw until the group ahead is clear — safety first.
• Pack out your trash and respect the course.

The takeaway

You don't need to memorize a rulebook to start. Throw, find it, throw again, count your strokes, and be courteous. Track your rounds in Radius and the scoring takes care of itself.