Section 3 - Player Code of Conduct - Rules 3.1 - 3.5
3.1 General
A. All tournament players must abide by the information given in the PDGA Competition Manual and the PDGA Rules of Play. Any player in non-compliance may be disqualified, or may not be allowed to participate in the tournament at any time.
B. All participants agree that the PDGA and its agents may publish photographs and other kinds of images of their participation at Tour events.
C. All players at PDGA National Tour and Major events are required to be available to any and all media while on site except during or within 30 minutes of the start of a competitive round.
D. Players are not permitted to have active cell phones or audible pagers on the course during any competitive round.
3.2 Pace of Play
A. All competitors shall play without undue delay and will make every effort to keep up with the group in front of them. Players are required to quickly move from the completion of one hole to the tee area of the next hole. Also, while advancing down the fairway, the player shall not unduly delay play by his or her actions.
B. A player causing undue delays may be issued an excessive time violation by tournament officials. Please see PDGA Rules of Play 801.03 Excessive Time regarding specific penalties.
3.3 Professional Misconduct
A. The PDGA adopts a strict policy of appropriate behavior and comments to the media. Any conduct deemed to be unprofessional is subject to disqualification by the Tournament Director, and may also be subject to suspension from PDGA events.
B. Players are expected to behave in a professional and sportsmanlike manner while participating in a PDGA sanctioned event. Actions that are in violation of this conduct include but are not limited to:
C. The use of illegal substances is forbidden from the two minute warning until the player's scorecard is submitted. Such use shall result in immediate disqualification.
D. Consumption of alcohol is expressly forbidden from the two minute warning until the player's scorecard is submitted. Such use shall result in immediate disqualification at a B Tier or higher event. (This rule is still in effect at C Tier events. However, the Tournament Director may elect to issue a warning to the offending player instead of immediately disqualifying them. If a player has been issued a warning, all subsequent violations shall result in immediate disqualification.)
E. Tournament Directors are required to report any disqualifications to the PDGA as quickly as possible.
F. Disqualified players shall forfeit any prize money or merchandise and shall not receive a refund of entry fees.
G. Players who commit Professional Misconduct may also be subject to disciplinary actions. To find out more information about the Disciplinary Process please visit www.pdga.com/discipline.
3.4 Dress Code
A. All competitors and staff are required to wear a shirt.
B. All competitors and staff are required to wear shoes or other foot coverings. Players will not be allowed to play in bare feet. Sandals or slides are allowed.
C. The following dress code for all competitors will be enforced at all PDGA National Tour and Major Events. The PDGA also recommends that this dress code be enforced at Super Tour and lower tier events, but this decision lies solely with the Tournament Director:
(1) All players in PDGA sanctioned competition and tournament staff are expected to dress appropriately and to maintain a clean and well-groomed appearance at all event sites and associated functions.
(2) All players must wear a shirt covering their upper chest area. A well-tailored shirt with a fold-down, mock turtle, v-neck, crew neck, Henley, or zippered collar, and with sleeves covering the part of the arm from the shoulder to the elbow (commonly known as the upper arm), shall be considered acceptable.
Women are also allowed to wear sleeveless shirts as designated above.
(3) No tee shirts will be allowed, except for competitors in the Junior and Amateur divisions during preliminary rounds only. Juniors and Amateurs shall not wear tee shirts during semifinal or final rounds. Crew neck or V-neck shirts made of high-performance or high-tech materials, such as Dry-Fit, Cool-Max, and others will be allowed.
(4) Shirts that hang down lower than the bottom hemline on the player’s shorts shall be tucked in.
(5) No ripped shirts, shorts, pants will be allowed on the course. This includes unhemmed, torn or cut vests at the shirt collar.
(6) No offensive, profane, or obscene slogans or logos shall be allowed on any clothing. Junior players may not wear slogans or logos referring to alcohol or tobacco.
(7) This dress code will be in effect from start to finish at each event, including all tournament rounds.
(8) Players who do not make a cut, but wish to remain on site through the duration of the tournament, will be considered spectators and will not be required to conform to the Tour's dress code.
3.5 Carts and Caddies
A. Players are required to walk during their tournament rounds at all PDGA events unless alternate transportation such as golf carts are provided to all competitors
B. Players will have the option to bring a caddie or carrying device during their round of play. A player's caddie is subject to all items with in the PDGA Rules of Play and the PDGA Competition Manual including all applicable dress codes.
C. Players choosing to use a caddie will be solely responsible for their caddie's conduct. Misconduct by a caddie may subject the player and caddy to disqualification and/or suspension.
D. Players must instruct their caddies to maintain a reasonable distance and not interfere with a competitor attempting his or her shot.
E. For those players wishing to use a carrying device, approved carrying devices include disc golf bags, foldable chairs and push cart companions. No animals, motor driven or bicycle type devices shall be allowed at all PDGA events.
A. All tournament players must abide by the information given in the PDGA Competition Manual and the PDGA Rules of Play. Any player in non-compliance may be disqualified, or may not be allowed to participate in the tournament at any time.
B. All participants agree that the PDGA and its agents may publish photographs and other kinds of images of their participation at Tour events.
C. All players at PDGA National Tour and Major events are required to be available to any and all media while on site except during or within 30 minutes of the start of a competitive round.
D. Players are not permitted to have active cell phones or audible pagers on the course during any competitive round.
3.2 Pace of Play
A. All competitors shall play without undue delay and will make every effort to keep up with the group in front of them. Players are required to quickly move from the completion of one hole to the tee area of the next hole. Also, while advancing down the fairway, the player shall not unduly delay play by his or her actions.
B. A player causing undue delays may be issued an excessive time violation by tournament officials. Please see PDGA Rules of Play 801.03 Excessive Time regarding specific penalties.
3.3 Professional Misconduct
A. The PDGA adopts a strict policy of appropriate behavior and comments to the media. Any conduct deemed to be unprofessional is subject to disqualification by the Tournament Director, and may also be subject to suspension from PDGA events.
B. Players are expected to behave in a professional and sportsmanlike manner while participating in a PDGA sanctioned event. Actions that are in violation of this conduct include but are not limited to:
- Loud cursing
- Throwing items in anger (other than discs in play)
- Overt rudeness
- Destruction, abuse or vandalism of property, including animals, and plant life
- Cheating or willful attempt to circumvent the rules of play
- Physical attacks or threatening behavior.
- Any activities which are in violation of Federal, State, local laws or ordinances and park regulations.
- Excessive use of alcohol or the use of illegal substances at the tournament site.
- Underage drinking
C. The use of illegal substances is forbidden from the two minute warning until the player's scorecard is submitted. Such use shall result in immediate disqualification.
D. Consumption of alcohol is expressly forbidden from the two minute warning until the player's scorecard is submitted. Such use shall result in immediate disqualification at a B Tier or higher event. (This rule is still in effect at C Tier events. However, the Tournament Director may elect to issue a warning to the offending player instead of immediately disqualifying them. If a player has been issued a warning, all subsequent violations shall result in immediate disqualification.)
E. Tournament Directors are required to report any disqualifications to the PDGA as quickly as possible.
F. Disqualified players shall forfeit any prize money or merchandise and shall not receive a refund of entry fees.
G. Players who commit Professional Misconduct may also be subject to disciplinary actions. To find out more information about the Disciplinary Process please visit www.pdga.com/discipline.
3.4 Dress Code
A. All competitors and staff are required to wear a shirt.
B. All competitors and staff are required to wear shoes or other foot coverings. Players will not be allowed to play in bare feet. Sandals or slides are allowed.
C. The following dress code for all competitors will be enforced at all PDGA National Tour and Major Events. The PDGA also recommends that this dress code be enforced at Super Tour and lower tier events, but this decision lies solely with the Tournament Director:
(1) All players in PDGA sanctioned competition and tournament staff are expected to dress appropriately and to maintain a clean and well-groomed appearance at all event sites and associated functions.
(2) All players must wear a shirt covering their upper chest area. A well-tailored shirt with a fold-down, mock turtle, v-neck, crew neck, Henley, or zippered collar, and with sleeves covering the part of the arm from the shoulder to the elbow (commonly known as the upper arm), shall be considered acceptable.
Women are also allowed to wear sleeveless shirts as designated above.
(3) No tee shirts will be allowed, except for competitors in the Junior and Amateur divisions during preliminary rounds only. Juniors and Amateurs shall not wear tee shirts during semifinal or final rounds. Crew neck or V-neck shirts made of high-performance or high-tech materials, such as Dry-Fit, Cool-Max, and others will be allowed.
(4) Shirts that hang down lower than the bottom hemline on the player’s shorts shall be tucked in.
(5) No ripped shirts, shorts, pants will be allowed on the course. This includes unhemmed, torn or cut vests at the shirt collar.
(6) No offensive, profane, or obscene slogans or logos shall be allowed on any clothing. Junior players may not wear slogans or logos referring to alcohol or tobacco.
(7) This dress code will be in effect from start to finish at each event, including all tournament rounds.
(8) Players who do not make a cut, but wish to remain on site through the duration of the tournament, will be considered spectators and will not be required to conform to the Tour's dress code.
3.5 Carts and Caddies
A. Players are required to walk during their tournament rounds at all PDGA events unless alternate transportation such as golf carts are provided to all competitors
B. Players will have the option to bring a caddie or carrying device during their round of play. A player's caddie is subject to all items with in the PDGA Rules of Play and the PDGA Competition Manual including all applicable dress codes.
C. Players choosing to use a caddie will be solely responsible for their caddie's conduct. Misconduct by a caddie may subject the player and caddy to disqualification and/or suspension.
D. Players must instruct their caddies to maintain a reasonable distance and not interfere with a competitor attempting his or her shot.
E. For those players wishing to use a carrying device, approved carrying devices include disc golf bags, foldable chairs and push cart companions. No animals, motor driven or bicycle type devices shall be allowed at all PDGA events.
