Is there a rule that says the disc has to be taken out of the basket before the next person putts, or that it can't be? Or is this simply a matter of preference? I ask because some people are crazy about running up and grabbing their disc before the next person goes, and some people just leave it there. I personally don't have a preference, but I was wondering if there was a rule. Thanks!

-Doug

The rule for holing out states that a disc is not "holed out" until it is removed from the basket.

This leads to 2 reasons for removing your putt before someone else throws.

1) The wording implies that if the disc does not stay in the entrapment section until removed, it does not count as holed out, and must be putted again to finish the hole.

2) The wording implies that removing the disc is an integral part of holing out, and therefore considered the last step in a successful putt. In other words, a successful putt is not finished until the disc is removed from the basket.

I believe it is up to the individuals involved. It is my understanding that you may leave it in when another putts if no one has a problem with it. If you are asked to remove it, you have to. If it is not removed and another disc hits it and makes it come out of the basket it would be replaced back in the basket. If another disc hits it and that disc bounces out tough luck for the thrower that is why most would want it removed prior to making their putt. It is the courteous thing to do but if someone says "leave it" I have no problem leaving it in there. This is an excellent question I look forward to others chiming in.

i think this is primarily a courtesy issue, but i have several points that i think make sense...

mr. sherwood (sharky) knows that i'm the better putter so i'm certain he agrees with what i'm saying here.

-during tourney play, always remove your disc unless directed by the next player in turn to leave it.
-don't ask, "can i leave it?" during tourney play.
-unless the putts are absolute gimmes (headbangers), always assume you should remove your disc.
-it's better to assume you should remove it, than assume others don't want it removed.
-ALWAYS remove your putt if it is hanging in the chains.

are you guys taliking about removing it if it's in the bottom of the basket? Or hanging in the chains?

To me if it's hanging it should always be removed, but if it's in the basket I would rather it be left alone. Mainly because I don't like extra time to stand around and think about the putt. I would rather just shoot.

If it is not removed and another disc hits it and makes it come out of the basket it would be replaced back in the basket.

Are you sure? Suggest you check the Rules Q&A re: Disc Knocked out of Tree and ponder implications where any disc at rest above the playing surface (including on/in a basket) subsequently moved by a thrown disc is played.

That is a very good question, unless the basket is a playing surface, there is no rule that allows for it to be replaced if it gets knocked out. Be safe and always pull your plastic.

On a side track, since removal of the disc is part of holing out, the putt can be considered not complete until the disc is removed. It should be up to the player with a disc in the basket if another putter can use the speed of play rules to putt before he is finished with his shot.

B. Disc Entrapment Devices: In order to hole out, the thrower must release the disc and it must come to rest supported by the chains or within one of the entrapment sections. This includes a disc wedged into or hanging from the lower entrapment section but excludes a disc resting on top of, or hanging outside of, the upper entrapment section. The disc must also remain within the chains or entrapment sections until removed.

Use of the word "remove" strongly infers (to me) that the player making a successful shot then needs to take the disc out of the basket. If a disc subsequently hits a disc out of the basket, this would be displacement, not removal. A semantic issue, but it seems DGRZs are often embroiled in such discussions.

In a different thread, there was some discussion about the appropriate order of play, and who was "away." I believe GNDuke pointed out that if you do not pull the successful shot out of the basket, you have not holed out, and thus not finished your shot, and therefore cannot be considered CTP. Not sure if that came out right. My point is this: I agree that after a successful shot at the basket, the thrower should clear it--that person needs to complete the hole and finish the play (i.e. hole out) before the next away player can shoot. I understand others wanting to get on with their own putt/shot, but I feel that the short wait outwieighs the potential headaches that can arise from discs interacting with one another in/on the basket.

Cheers,
Steve

Here's someting that happened to me. A guy made his putt, and acted like he was going to leave it there while I putted. I started to putt, and right when I was about to let it go the retard walked over to remove his disc. The imbusile walked right in front of me, causing me to miss my putt. Then he copped an attitude "You threw it" he said, as if it was MY FAULT that the moroon walked in front of me.

The moral of the story is, never putt until the last guy removed his disc.

During the final round at the COTO this year, on #5 (three oaks) I made a nice putt for a 2 and took A SECOND to look skyward and do a minor fist pump before jogging up to clear the basket. Just as I hop up on the stone and grab, I see the guy to my right who was behind the tree letting go of his putt, which OF COURSE he shanks. Glares at me. Now I feel HORRIBLE but I told him, "I had to clear my s**t dude, sorry." While we're walking to the next hole he actually says to me "I guess you're lucky I'm playing so poorly, or else I"d be really (angry) about that."

I don't really have anything constructive to add, just wanted to vent. :confused:

Unless you tell the other player to leave his disc and receive confirmation, always assume they are going to clear. If they don't, ask them to. At least until everyone is within 6 feet of the basket.

Just an observation...but it seems like the folks who are most distractable are the ones who begin their putting ritual before 'things' have calmed down. Why not just wait a couple/few extra seconds for folks to come to 'their' senses and offer 'their etiquette'...instead of them being in the process of walking away and then having to become statues with thier back to the basket.

God, grant me patience...and grant it to me NOW!!!

Circle 2 said what I was going to say. Distraction is the main reason, I wouldn't want to putt while there is a disc hanging in the chains, I would sub-consciously try to knock it out, thus creating a mental distraction. I've done the same thing with drives and people walking by. I know I don't what to hit them but....


Or, just like flushing the toilet after using it. Would you want to use the toilet while something is floating, looking up at you. Get that turd out of the basket :)