802.01 Discs Used in Play
A. Discs used in play must meet all of the conditions set forth in the Official PDGA Technical Standards Document. See section 805 B for disc technical standards.

B. A disc which is cracked or perforated is illegal. See sections 802.01 D, E and F. A disc which is cracked during a round may be carried by the player, but not used, for the balance of the tournament. The player must immediately declare his intention to carry the newly cracked or broken disc to the group or be subject to penalty under 802.01 E.

C. Players may not make post-production modification of discs which alter their original flight characteristics. This rule does not forbid inevitable wear and tear from usage during play or the moderate sanding of discs to smooth molding imperfections or scrape marks. Discs excessively sanded or painted with a material of detectable thickness are illegal. See sections 802.01 D, E and F.

D. Discs must be specifically approved by the director if questioned by another player or an official, but in no case shall the disc be approved if it violates any of the above specifications. Any specifically non-approved disc (per the director) shall be considered illegal, and the player shall be penalized in accordance with 802.01 E.

E. A player who carries an illegal disc during play shall receive two penalty throws, without a warning, if observed by two or more players of the group or an official. A player who repeatedly throws an illegal disc during the round may be subject to disqualification in accordance with 804.05 A (3).

F. All discs used in play, except mini marker discs, must be uniquely marked in ink or pigment-based marking which has no detectable thickness. A player shall receive a warning for the first instance of throwing an unmarked disc if observed by two or more players of the group or an official. After the warning has been given, each subsequent throw by the player with an unmarked disc shall incur one penalty throw if observed by two or more players of the group or an official. D. Discs must be specifically approved by the director if questioned by another player or an official, but in no case shall the disc be approved if it violates any of the above specifications. Any specifically non-approved disc (per the director) shall be considered illegal, and the player shall be penalized in accordance with 802.01 E. E. A player who carries an illegal disc during play shall receive two penalty throws, without a warning, if observed by two or more players of the group or an official. A player who repeatedly throws an illegal disc during the round may be subject to disqualification in accordance with 804.05 A (3).

The answer is no.... note the statement in F:

All discs used in play, except mini marker discs, must be uniquely marked

If the disc is legal by the other clauses (not cracked, perforated, etc.), is sitting in your bag (not in play) it is a legal disc.

Yes it is illegal...but no action will be taken if you don't throw it

One thing to note is that we are talking two different things. An illegal disc is one that is cracked, perforated, split, post modified, etc. An unmarked disc is not an illegal disc, it is simply an unmarked disc and the penalties are different for unmarked versus illegal discs. Unmarked discs cannot gain you a competitive advantage where a modified disc (illegal) possibly could. This is why there are two seperate definitions.

There is no penalty for carrying an unmarked disc only for throwing it.

Not to get in an argument with you, but no it is not an illegal disc, it is an unmarked disc that will result in a penality only if you throw it.


Yes it is illegal...but no action will be taken if you don't throw it

"uniquely marked in ink or pigment-based marking"

Does a stamp or dye count? Sounds like it would...

i would think a dye to be "unique" and a hot stamp to not be "unique".

I think you could argue either are unique and that neither are unique. I know one player that simply circles the nipple.

You can actually use somebody else's disc if you wanted to, as long as it is uniquely marked. This came up in a National Doubles event in the late 90's and Houck cleared it up for everyone.

" I know one player that simply circles the nipple. "

on putters only :cool:

I generally take an ink pen and write a number on the bottom, close to the center. It's usually a number between 168 and 180.

Well crap, I guess I have a whole bag full of your discs. :p


I generally take an ink pen and write a number on the bottom, close to the center. It's usually a number between 168 and 180.

I have a friend who let his kids paint his initials on the top of his discs (multiple times) with nail polish at a most detectable thickness... I told him that it was illegal and he didn't believe me until I showed him the rule, man that stuff is hard to take off!

Nail polish remover? Acetone. ;)

i thought the disc's weight in ink on the back made it legal. i read that somewhere but i have no idea if its credible.

It is a vague rule. I tend to put a seven, a check or an L on my discs anymore. My friends know what I have in my bag. I don't need to have some punk call me to tell me I won't get my disc back. Unique is pretty much not an option. Although ball golfers will use the dimples to mark patterns and colors to mark their golf balls.

I have a disc that i've thrown so much the coloring wore off the stamp...but the imprint is still there and you can see it at a certain angle. If you can prove it was once there, and others can see what your showing... then it is legal.