Rules Q & A: Building a Lie

The Rules Committee has issued a new Q & A. The text is contained below and is also available at www.pdga.com/rules/qa.php

Rule Question: Building a Lie
Question

A player’s shot lands in a creek that has been declared casual. Can she place a rock or a broken limb behind her mark, in order to keep her feet dry?

Important Note: Previously we had ruled that this was permitted. This opinion reverses that ruling.
Response

Applicable Rules:

* 803.01 (General)
* 803.05 (Obstacles and Relief) C
* 803.04 (Stance, Subsequent to Teeing Off)A.1

803.01 (General) A states “The game of disc golf consists of throwing a flying disc from the teeing area to a target by a throw or successive throws. Players shall play the course as they find it and play the disc where it lies unless allowed otherwise by the Rules.”

Rocks and broken limbs are obstacles on the course, which can not be moved except as specified under 803.05 (Obstacles and Relief) C, pursuant to a safe stance and run up.

Additionally, 803.04 (Stance, Subsequent to Teeing Off) A 1, requires that one “Have at least one supporting point that is in contact with the playing surface on the line of play and within 30 centimeters directly behind the marker disc”.

Conclusion: You take a stance in the mud or casual water just as you would in the fairway. One should never expect to be able to move obstacles, except as narrowly defined under “Obstacles and Relief”.

The PDGA Rules Committee

Carlton Howard, Chair
John Chapman
Conrad Damon
Harold Duvall
Joe Garcia
Jim Garnett
Rick Voakes