In late 2015, Dan “Stork” Roddick – PDGA #3 – challenged the PDGA Board of Directors and staff to create a disc golf “code of conduct.” Among the reasons for his charge were the “positively viral” rate of growth disc golf was experiencing at the time. Active membership in the PDGA was at an all-time high of just over 30,000.

Little did Stork, or anyone else, know what was on the horizon. 

By January 1, 2019, active members numbered 46,457. Then… BOOM.

At the close of 2021, active membership approached 110,000 disc golfers, and it’s already clear that 2022 will set a new record for number of disc golf events.

All before Daylight Saving kicks in for 2022. With so many new to the sport and more daylight hours in which to play, disc golf courses – many of which are in multi-use parks – will certainly be crowded in the coming weeks. 

And, although disc golf can attribute it’s growth in popularity to many factors such as pro tour media coverage, for most people, introduction to the sport happens in-the-moment, when amateur players cross paths with curious passers-by in the park.

So, as a representative of the sport, regardless of your ability level… do you know the code?

The Disc Golfers’ Code is not limited to tournament play. It does not apply only when every throw counts. Whether the rules are being followed to the letter, or mulligans are the only rule of the day, the Code matters.

The Code, in fact, was developed in part, because the rule book would be impossible to commit to memory. 

Because casual disc golf is still disc golf.

And, because every player is disc golf’s greatest ambassador in relationships with other players, park goers, and Parks & Rec departments. 

The Disc Golfers’ Code has been around long enough that those earliest signs on fence posts at local courses have probably faded somewhat (and should be replaced!).The Code’s simplicity helps it stand the test of time, and it remains a conversation-starter about competition, camaraderie and conduct.

Given the stratospheric growth of disc golf, how would you add to the conversation?