It's hard to believe that it's been five years since disc golf exploded in popularity and the PDGA began adjusting to a new normal. In that time, we have seen the game spread to new areas of the globe and capture the hearts and imaginations of thousands of new players and flying disc enthusiasts. This has brought both amazing opportunities and new challenges, not the least of which is how we can make the rules of disc golf as accessible as possible.

Ongoing efforts in this area include the introduction of the Adaptive Rules of Disc Golf and the incorporation of the Tour Standards into the Competition Manual for Disc Golf Events. In 2024, we did a deep dive on the feasibility of translating the Official Rules of Disc Golf into more languages, and we asked ourselves: what if there was a shorter, simpler ruleset that was easy to translate? What would that look like, and how would players use it?

Answering these questions led to the creation of the Simplified Rules of Disc Golf. This does not replace the Official Rules of Disc Golf, which remains the default set of rules for the sport and for PDGA play. Instead, the Simplified Rules are designed for developmental events, such as those detailed in the Competition Endowment Program, that target new global regions or new player bases, and for more casual events like unsanctioned club monthlies.

Read the Simplified Rules of Disc Golf >>

What are the Simplified Rules of Disc Golf?

The Simplified Rules break the sport down to the basic rules of competition. Penalties that don't result from gameplay, such as turning in an inaccurate scorecard or having stickers on a disc, are largely eliminated. The outline-based structure and statutory-style language of the Official Rules is not present. Instead, the Simplified Rules describe gameplay and rules in easy-to-read prose.

Why create the Simplified Rules of Disc Golf?

Currently, the Official Rules of Disc Golf are translated into 18 languages, with changes and edits every year creating a large amount of work just to keep up. In countries or linguistic groups with relatively few PDGA members and events, the Simplified Rules can be far more easily translated and, because they are distilled to the basic rule operations, will not need to be updated as frequently.

Further, the Simplified Rules are intended to be a teaching tool at events that are introducing players to disc golf or introducing casual players to organized tournament play. As a shorter, less legalistic, less intimidating rule set, the Simplified Rules are ideal for getting players to master the basics of disc golf's rules and get comfortable with them before proceeding to events that use the full Official Rules of Disc Golf.

How and when should we use the Simplified Rules of Disc Golf?

PDGA-sanctioned events, by default, use the Official Rules of Disc Golf. Only sanctioned events that have approval from PDGA Event Support, primarily by applying for Developmental status through the Competition Endowment Program, may use the Simplified Rules. Those events must clearly advertise the use of the Simplified Rules, and will carry an X designation under Competition Manual 5.10.A.5. Most sanctioned events using the Simplified Rules will receive round ratings that accrue to the participants' Player Ratings.

For non-sanctioned events or more casual play, the Simplified Rules of Disc Golf are an ideal way to keep all your players on the same competitive footing without learning the entirety of the Official Rules of Disc Golf, and we encourage PDGA Clubs and other groups to use the Simplified Rules for those types of events.

What's in (and not in) the Simplified Rules of Disc Golf?

Most of the rules you're familiar with from the Official Rules of Disc Golf are also in the Simplified Rules, with a few exceptions. There's no option for the two-meter rule, no penalty for an incorrect scorecard (the score gets corrected), provisional throws are not included in the ruleset, and there's no penalty for stickers or other materials on discs.

What if I have questions?

For assistance in using the Simplified Rules of Disc Golf at your event, please contact PDGA Event Support. For questions or feedback about the Simplified Rules themselves, please contact the Rules & Regulations Advisory Committee.