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Competition Manual for Disc Golf Events

1.05 Practice Rounds, Beginning Play, Late Arrivals

Last updated: Thursday, April 9, 2026 - 22:21
  1. Players are responsible for scheduling their practice rounds prior to the event. Availability of the course and its tournament set-up for practice rounds may vary (see 5.03, 5.05, 5.08, and 5.09). The course or courses are closed to practice during the tournament and at all other times designated by the Tournament Director.
  2. Three types of starts are used to begin competitive play:

    1. Shotgun start

      At a shotgun start, groups are assigned to begin play on different holes simultaneously.

      1. The two-minute signal is a notification to all players that practice has ceased and that all PDGA rules and regulations are in force, and that the Tournament Director intends to begin play in two minutes.
        1. The two-minute signal shall be sounded by the Tournament Director or designated Tournament Official by a method that informs all players on the course.
        2. If a horn is used, the signal is sounded by two blasts.
      2. The start signal is a notification to all players that play has begun.
        1. The start signal shall be sounded by the Tournament Director or designated Tournament Official by a method that informs all players on the course.
        2. If a horn is used, the signal is sounded by one long blast.
      3. The course or courses are closed to practice while competitive rounds are in progress and at all other times designated by the Tournament Director.

    2. Staggered start

      At a staggered start, also known as a tee time start, groups start one after another on a certain hole.

      1. Groups shall start at the time announced by the Tournament Director and check in with the starter as required by 1.04.
      2. Players may practice in any area designated by the Tournament Director until the starter indicates the two-minute signal for their group.
      3. The course or courses are closed to practice while competitive rounds are in progress unless the Tournament Director specifies otherwise.

    3. Flex start

      At a flex start, players may choose their own starting time, their own playing group, or both. The Tournament Director may adjust starting times and playing groups as needed. Flex starts are staggered start events except as specified in 1.15.

  3. A throw by a player between the two-minute signal and the start of the round shall receive a warning if observed by two or more players or an official. Subsequent throws by the player during this period, if observed by two or more players or an official, shall result in one penalty throw added to the player’s score, regardless of the number of throws.
  4. It is the sole responsibility of the player to know the course rules, be at their starting hole, and be ready to play in time for the start of their round.
  5. Players who are absent for their starting hole or any subsequent hole have committed a misplay (see 811.F.4, Absent). If a complete round is missed, or if a player does not finish a round, the player may, at the discretion of the Tournament Director, be disqualified.
  6. Late-arriving players, for either Shotgun or Tee Time rounds, are responsible for checking with the TD, Tournament Central, or the Tee Time Starter to learn their correct starting group and are solely responsible for starting play with that playing group or the group created by the TD due to the player’s absence. Failure to do so is a misplay (see 811.F.10, Misplay).
  7. The Tournament Director is responsible for declaring the official method of scoring (digital or physical scorecards) for the event.
  8. The Tournament Director must provide a scorecard to each player in the group. These scorecards may be digital or physical, so long as they meet the requirements in 808, Scoring.If an event is not using digital scoring, the Tournament Director must provide paper scorecards to each player. If digital scoring is used, paper scorecards must be provided to players who request them at least 48 hours prior to the start of the event. Players who do not request a paper scorecard within 48 hours of the event will be responsible for providing their own scorecard. Provided scorecards must meet the requirements in 808, Scoring. See 6.03.D.1 for events outside the United States and Canada.
  9. Paper scorecards must always be made available to each playing group, regardless of what the Tournament Director has declared to be the official method of scoring. The Tournament Director will designate a location to return paper scorecards at the conclusion of the round.If paper scorecards are used at an event, the Tournament Director will designate a location where players must return their paper scorecards at the conclusion of the round.

Outline of Contents

Disc Golf Rules and Standards