Section 1 - Tournament Procedures - Rules 1.1 - 1.11
1.1 Player Eligibility
A. All members in good standing of the PDGA are eligible to compete in any division for which they qualify based upon class (Professional or Amateur), age, gender, and player rating unless approved in advance by the PDGA Tour Manager. Please see Section 2: Division Qualification for more specific information on division eligibility.
B. Current PDGA Membership is required to compete in any Major, National Tour, or SuperTour (A Tier) event.
C. In all other PDGA sanctioned events, players who are not current members may compete by paying a non-member fee. This fee is required for all players except players competing in a Junior division.
1.2 Tournament Registration
A. Pre-registration is required for PDGA Major & National Tour events and strongly suggested for all other tier events.
B. A player is officially entered in the event when their entry fee is received at the tournament address.
C. All openings in the field of play will be filled on a first come-first serve basis, until the allocated places in each division have been filled.
D. The order of entries received will be according to the postmark of the package containing the entry fee payment.
E. Entries received via an on-line entry method shall be date and time-stamped based on the actual time the entry fee is received at the on-line entry point.
F. In the event that multiple entries are received simultaneously, the player with the lowest PDGA number shall have priority.
G. Posting of the pre-registration list on pdga.com is required for Major & National Tour events (see sanctioning agreement for details) and strongly suggested for all tier events.
1.3 Withdraws and Refunds
A. A player may officially withdraw only by contacting the Tournament Director.
B. Players must email or phone their withdrawals to the Tournament Director only at the contact information posted.
C. Discussions with persons other than the Tournament Director, including other tournament staff, shall not be considered official.
D. No refunds will be issued after the 7th day prior to the start of the event, but the player shall be sent a player's package if one was provided to event competitors.
E. Withdrawals made before the 7th day prior to the start of the event shall receive a 50% refund.
F. Withdrawals made 14 days prior to the start of the event shall be refunded 100 %, less postage and handling, which shall not exceed 10% of the entry fee.
G. These criteria may be relaxed at the discretion of the Tournament Director.
1.4 Event Check-In
A. Pre tournament check-in is required for Major & National Tour events and suggested for all other tier events.
B. Any player who does not check-in by the time specified by the TD shall forfeit their official place and entry fee. Exceptions will be made only at the sole discretion of the Tournament Director.
1.5 Practice Rounds and Tee Times
A. A player is 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 Tour Standards for details). The course or courses are closed to practice during the tournament and all other times designated by the Tournament Director.
B. Two types of starts will be used to begin competitive play:
(1) Shotgun Starts (rounds where several groups start simultaneously): At a scheduled time, scorecard(s) shall be distributed to the player listed first on each hole. After the cards have been distributed, groups shall be given adequate time to reach their assigned teeing areas. A loud noisemaker, such as an air horn, shall be used to indicate that there are two minutes remaining until tee off. This signal shall be a series of short blasts. At this time, players are to end practice and all practice shots and move promptly to their teeing areas. 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. After being warned, 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. An extended blast of the noisemaker begins the round and signals the scorekeepers to call the throwing orders. If a player is not present to throw when it is his or her turn, the scorekeeper shall allow 30 seconds. If the player has not thrown after the 30 seconds has elapsed, a score of par plus four is to be entered for that hole. This procedure continues on any subsequent holes for which a player is absent. No holes shall be replayed. If a complete round is missed, or if a player does not finish a round, the player may, at the discretion of the director, be disqualified.
(2) Staggered Starts (rounds where groups start one after another on a certain hole): The player
shall start at the time announced by the director. Players may practice until their group prepares to tee off provided their practice does not distract players on the course. If a player is not present to throw when it is his or her turn, the scorekeeper shall allow 30 seconds. If the player has not thrown by then, a score of par plus four is to be entered for that hole. This procedure continues on any subsequent tee offs for which a player is absent. No holes shall be replayed. If a complete round is missed, or if a player does not finish a round, the player may, at the discretion of the director, be disqualified.
C. It is the sole responsibility of the player to be at the course, ready to play in time for the start of their round.
1.6 Grouping and Sectioning
A. Professional and Amateur players should not be grouped together, and players competing in different divisions should be segregated from each other during play as much as practicable.
B. All players within a division for the first round should be grouped via two methods:
(1) Random grouping; players within a division may be randomly grouped for the first round and grouped by cumulative score for each round there after.
(2) Player Rating grouping; players within a division may use player rating to set first round groups. Highest rated player starting on the lowest number hole, the second highest rated player starting on the following hole, etc. This process would continue until all starting holes have been filled.
C. To promote fairness, groups shall not be less than three players, except under extenuating circumstances, as deemed necessary by the director. In cases where fewer than three players are required to play together players, an official is required to accompany the group and may play as long as this does not interfere with the competing players.
D. Groups shall not be more than five players and should be limited to four players whenever possible.
E. When there are more entrants than can play together in one round, the field of competitors may be split into sections or pools.
F. If conditions differently affect play among sections, the director may consider using a sectioning procedure to determine advancement. Under this procedure, a proportionate number of advancing players would be taken from each section by score and their scores would not be carried forward.
1.7 Suspension of Play
A. If, in the opinion of the director, excessive rain or hazardous conditions exist that make it impractical or dangerous to continue play, the tournament shall be suspended. The signal to suspend play shall be the same as the signal to start.
B. Players shall immediately stop play and mark the lie of each member of the group. A natural object is sufficient to mark the approximate lie from which the player shall resume play. Players shall then return to the first teeing area, clubhouse, tournament central or area designated by the director.
C. Players shall resume play from their approximate lies as established when the round was halted. The approximate lie is determined by a majority of the group.
D. The director may allow players to take a break while waiting for weather to improve, but may require players to return at a time assigned by the director until play resumes or until the round is postponed.
E. The director may postpone the incomplete portion of the round for a later date if, in the director's opinion, the conditions will not improve or if darkness will fall prior to the projected finish time.
F. Partial round scores shall be carried forward to the completion of the round whenever the round is resumed.
G. A player who stops playing before a signal to stop has been given shall receive two penalty throws if, in the opinion of the director, the player stopped playing prematurely.
H. The Tournament Director will make every effort to complete all rounds of the tournament as scheduled.
(1) If a total of 54 holes or fewer holes are scheduled. All players must complete a minimum of 18 holes for the event to be considered official.
(2) If a total of 72 holes are scheduled. All players must complete a minimum of 36 holes for the event to be considered official.
(3) If these criteria are not met, all efforts will be made to reschedule the event. If rescheduling is impossible, a full refund will be issued minus player's package, PDGA, and other associated event fees.
I. Based upon course availability, and if less than one half of the field needs to complete a round necessary to declare the event official, the tournament may be completed the day after the final round was scheduled. All suspended rounds shall be completed, unless conditions exist that make it impossible. If such conditions exist, the results shall be final as of the last completed round as long as the necessary hole requirements are met.
J. The completion of a suspended round is a higher priority than a future round and thus future rounds shall be canceled in order to complete a suspended round.
1.8 Reduction of Field Size
A. The field may be cut for a semi finals or finals at the discretion of the Tournament Director, provided this is announced well in advance of the event.
B. Unless announced in advance by the Tournament Director all ties for a semi final or final cut will be broken by the use of a tiebreaker. (See Section 1.9).
C. Making the cut line at or above the cash line is highly recommended.
D. Any eligible player who chooses not to participate in a semi final or final shall receive cash or prizes equal to finishing last in the appropriate cut.
1.9 Tie Breakers
A. Between rounds when the groups are being reset, tied positions shall be broken. The player with the lowest score in the most recent round shall have the highest ranking when the scorecards/positions are reset. In the event of ties for lowest score, the ties shall be broken by the director through a consistently applied manner.
B. Final ties for first place in any division or for the reduction of field size must be broken by sudden death play. Sudden death play shall begin with hole number one unless a different hole or series of holes is designated by the Tournament Director prior to the start of the tournament.
C. First place cash/prize must be awarded to the division winner and listed in the event results. Cash or prizes may not be evenly split between any players tied for 1st place.
D. Final ties for other ranks shall be officially recorded as ties. Prize money distribution to tied players (other than for first place) shall be determined by adding the total money allocated to the number of positions represented by the tied players and dividing that by the number of players tied. Trophy distribution for ties may be determined by sudden death play or by any related disc golf skill event determined by the director.
1.10 Distribution of Prizes
A. Any prizes (money or merchandise) declined by a player must pass down to the next finishing position. (Example: If a player placing third declines his prize, the player in fourth place will receive third place prize, the player in fifth will receive fourth place prize, etc.) Tournaments are allowed to retain prizes that have been declined by all players within a division only after the declined prizes have been passed through all finishing positions.
B. The usage of skins (and other similar formats) is permitted at PDGA events but scores are not allowed to determine a player's overall standing in the event and prizes are not credited towards a player's winnings.
C. Any prizes that a player has earned will be distributed at the completion of the event once the results have been tabulated and verified.
(1) Tournament Directors may award prizes earlier at their discretion.
(2) Players who leave before the official distribution of prizes do not relinquish their winnings but are responsible for any associated shipping costs.
1.11 Officials
A. To be eligible to serve as an official, an individual must be a current PDGA member and have demonstrated knowledge of the rules bypassing the PDGA Official's Exam. Upon significant changes to the Rules of Play, the PDGA Board of Directors may require officials to pass an updated Official's Exam to retain certification as an official.
B. Directors are required to pass the Official's Exam.
C. Each official must pass the PDGA Officials Exam, and must carry a copy of the rules.
D. Non-playing certified officials may actively make rulings during any tournament play that they witness. If an official competes in a tournament, he or she may not officiate for any ruling within his or her own division. The official's ruling supersedes the ruling of the group, but an appeal may be made to the tournament director. The director may empower non-certified officials to act as spotters for a specific purpose. The ruling of such a spotter supersedes the ruling of the group.
A. All members in good standing of the PDGA are eligible to compete in any division for which they qualify based upon class (Professional or Amateur), age, gender, and player rating unless approved in advance by the PDGA Tour Manager. Please see Section 2: Division Qualification for more specific information on division eligibility.
B. Current PDGA Membership is required to compete in any Major, National Tour, or SuperTour (A Tier) event.
C. In all other PDGA sanctioned events, players who are not current members may compete by paying a non-member fee. This fee is required for all players except players competing in a Junior division.
1.2 Tournament Registration
A. Pre-registration is required for PDGA Major & National Tour events and strongly suggested for all other tier events.
B. A player is officially entered in the event when their entry fee is received at the tournament address.
C. All openings in the field of play will be filled on a first come-first serve basis, until the allocated places in each division have been filled.
D. The order of entries received will be according to the postmark of the package containing the entry fee payment.
E. Entries received via an on-line entry method shall be date and time-stamped based on the actual time the entry fee is received at the on-line entry point.
F. In the event that multiple entries are received simultaneously, the player with the lowest PDGA number shall have priority.
G. Posting of the pre-registration list on pdga.com is required for Major & National Tour events (see sanctioning agreement for details) and strongly suggested for all tier events.
1.3 Withdraws and Refunds
A. A player may officially withdraw only by contacting the Tournament Director.
B. Players must email or phone their withdrawals to the Tournament Director only at the contact information posted.
C. Discussions with persons other than the Tournament Director, including other tournament staff, shall not be considered official.
D. No refunds will be issued after the 7th day prior to the start of the event, but the player shall be sent a player's package if one was provided to event competitors.
E. Withdrawals made before the 7th day prior to the start of the event shall receive a 50% refund.
F. Withdrawals made 14 days prior to the start of the event shall be refunded 100 %, less postage and handling, which shall not exceed 10% of the entry fee.
G. These criteria may be relaxed at the discretion of the Tournament Director.
1.4 Event Check-In
A. Pre tournament check-in is required for Major & National Tour events and suggested for all other tier events.
B. Any player who does not check-in by the time specified by the TD shall forfeit their official place and entry fee. Exceptions will be made only at the sole discretion of the Tournament Director.
1.5 Practice Rounds and Tee Times
A. A player is 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 Tour Standards for details). The course or courses are closed to practice during the tournament and all other times designated by the Tournament Director.
B. Two types of starts will be used to begin competitive play:
(1) Shotgun Starts (rounds where several groups start simultaneously): At a scheduled time, scorecard(s) shall be distributed to the player listed first on each hole. After the cards have been distributed, groups shall be given adequate time to reach their assigned teeing areas. A loud noisemaker, such as an air horn, shall be used to indicate that there are two minutes remaining until tee off. This signal shall be a series of short blasts. At this time, players are to end practice and all practice shots and move promptly to their teeing areas. 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. After being warned, 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. An extended blast of the noisemaker begins the round and signals the scorekeepers to call the throwing orders. If a player is not present to throw when it is his or her turn, the scorekeeper shall allow 30 seconds. If the player has not thrown after the 30 seconds has elapsed, a score of par plus four is to be entered for that hole. This procedure continues on any subsequent holes for which a player is absent. No holes shall be replayed. If a complete round is missed, or if a player does not finish a round, the player may, at the discretion of the director, be disqualified.
(2) Staggered Starts (rounds where groups start one after another on a certain hole): The player
shall start at the time announced by the director. Players may practice until their group prepares to tee off provided their practice does not distract players on the course. If a player is not present to throw when it is his or her turn, the scorekeeper shall allow 30 seconds. If the player has not thrown by then, a score of par plus four is to be entered for that hole. This procedure continues on any subsequent tee offs for which a player is absent. No holes shall be replayed. If a complete round is missed, or if a player does not finish a round, the player may, at the discretion of the director, be disqualified.
C. It is the sole responsibility of the player to be at the course, ready to play in time for the start of their round.
1.6 Grouping and Sectioning
A. Professional and Amateur players should not be grouped together, and players competing in different divisions should be segregated from each other during play as much as practicable.
B. All players within a division for the first round should be grouped via two methods:
(1) Random grouping; players within a division may be randomly grouped for the first round and grouped by cumulative score for each round there after.
(2) Player Rating grouping; players within a division may use player rating to set first round groups. Highest rated player starting on the lowest number hole, the second highest rated player starting on the following hole, etc. This process would continue until all starting holes have been filled.
C. To promote fairness, groups shall not be less than three players, except under extenuating circumstances, as deemed necessary by the director. In cases where fewer than three players are required to play together players, an official is required to accompany the group and may play as long as this does not interfere with the competing players.
D. Groups shall not be more than five players and should be limited to four players whenever possible.
E. When there are more entrants than can play together in one round, the field of competitors may be split into sections or pools.
F. If conditions differently affect play among sections, the director may consider using a sectioning procedure to determine advancement. Under this procedure, a proportionate number of advancing players would be taken from each section by score and their scores would not be carried forward.
1.7 Suspension of Play
A. If, in the opinion of the director, excessive rain or hazardous conditions exist that make it impractical or dangerous to continue play, the tournament shall be suspended. The signal to suspend play shall be the same as the signal to start.
B. Players shall immediately stop play and mark the lie of each member of the group. A natural object is sufficient to mark the approximate lie from which the player shall resume play. Players shall then return to the first teeing area, clubhouse, tournament central or area designated by the director.
C. Players shall resume play from their approximate lies as established when the round was halted. The approximate lie is determined by a majority of the group.
D. The director may allow players to take a break while waiting for weather to improve, but may require players to return at a time assigned by the director until play resumes or until the round is postponed.
E. The director may postpone the incomplete portion of the round for a later date if, in the director's opinion, the conditions will not improve or if darkness will fall prior to the projected finish time.
F. Partial round scores shall be carried forward to the completion of the round whenever the round is resumed.
G. A player who stops playing before a signal to stop has been given shall receive two penalty throws if, in the opinion of the director, the player stopped playing prematurely.
H. The Tournament Director will make every effort to complete all rounds of the tournament as scheduled.
(1) If a total of 54 holes or fewer holes are scheduled. All players must complete a minimum of 18 holes for the event to be considered official.
(2) If a total of 72 holes are scheduled. All players must complete a minimum of 36 holes for the event to be considered official.
(3) If these criteria are not met, all efforts will be made to reschedule the event. If rescheduling is impossible, a full refund will be issued minus player's package, PDGA, and other associated event fees.
I. Based upon course availability, and if less than one half of the field needs to complete a round necessary to declare the event official, the tournament may be completed the day after the final round was scheduled. All suspended rounds shall be completed, unless conditions exist that make it impossible. If such conditions exist, the results shall be final as of the last completed round as long as the necessary hole requirements are met.
J. The completion of a suspended round is a higher priority than a future round and thus future rounds shall be canceled in order to complete a suspended round.
1.8 Reduction of Field Size
A. The field may be cut for a semi finals or finals at the discretion of the Tournament Director, provided this is announced well in advance of the event.
B. Unless announced in advance by the Tournament Director all ties for a semi final or final cut will be broken by the use of a tiebreaker. (See Section 1.9).
C. Making the cut line at or above the cash line is highly recommended.
D. Any eligible player who chooses not to participate in a semi final or final shall receive cash or prizes equal to finishing last in the appropriate cut.
1.9 Tie Breakers
A. Between rounds when the groups are being reset, tied positions shall be broken. The player with the lowest score in the most recent round shall have the highest ranking when the scorecards/positions are reset. In the event of ties for lowest score, the ties shall be broken by the director through a consistently applied manner.
B. Final ties for first place in any division or for the reduction of field size must be broken by sudden death play. Sudden death play shall begin with hole number one unless a different hole or series of holes is designated by the Tournament Director prior to the start of the tournament.
C. First place cash/prize must be awarded to the division winner and listed in the event results. Cash or prizes may not be evenly split between any players tied for 1st place.
D. Final ties for other ranks shall be officially recorded as ties. Prize money distribution to tied players (other than for first place) shall be determined by adding the total money allocated to the number of positions represented by the tied players and dividing that by the number of players tied. Trophy distribution for ties may be determined by sudden death play or by any related disc golf skill event determined by the director.
1.10 Distribution of Prizes
A. Any prizes (money or merchandise) declined by a player must pass down to the next finishing position. (Example: If a player placing third declines his prize, the player in fourth place will receive third place prize, the player in fifth will receive fourth place prize, etc.) Tournaments are allowed to retain prizes that have been declined by all players within a division only after the declined prizes have been passed through all finishing positions.
B. The usage of skins (and other similar formats) is permitted at PDGA events but scores are not allowed to determine a player's overall standing in the event and prizes are not credited towards a player's winnings.
C. Any prizes that a player has earned will be distributed at the completion of the event once the results have been tabulated and verified.
(1) Tournament Directors may award prizes earlier at their discretion.
(2) Players who leave before the official distribution of prizes do not relinquish their winnings but are responsible for any associated shipping costs.
1.11 Officials
A. To be eligible to serve as an official, an individual must be a current PDGA member and have demonstrated knowledge of the rules bypassing the PDGA Official's Exam. Upon significant changes to the Rules of Play, the PDGA Board of Directors may require officials to pass an updated Official's Exam to retain certification as an official.
B. Directors are required to pass the Official's Exam.
C. Each official must pass the PDGA Officials Exam, and must carry a copy of the rules.
D. Non-playing certified officials may actively make rulings during any tournament play that they witness. If an official competes in a tournament, he or she may not officiate for any ruling within his or her own division. The official's ruling supersedes the ruling of the group, but an appeal may be made to the tournament director. The director may empower non-certified officials to act as spotters for a specific purpose. The ruling of such a spotter supersedes the ruling of the group.
