How to Play Disc Golf: Rules, Gear and Scoring

How to play disc golf? Start at the tee, throw your disc toward the basket, then keep throwing from where your last throw landed until the disc rests in the basket or its chains. Count every throw, including penalties. The player with the fewest total throws over the round wins.

Below we cover the basic rules, the gear you need, scoring, etiquette and simple tips for your first round. Playing with friends or a league? See our disc golf shirts with custom names.

What are the basic rules of disc golf?

The rules are easy to learn. Northeast Texas Community College, which hosts a public course, summarizes them: "start at the tee, throw toward the basket, and continue throwing from where each previous throw came to rest. The goal is to complete each hole in the fewest throws" (NTCC, Disc Golf Rules & Etiquette).

• Tee off from the teeing area. Your first throw must be released from within the teeing area and behind its front edge.
• Play from your lie. After the first throw, you throw from the spot where your disc came to rest, called the lie. You can play from just behind the disc or mark it with a marker disc.
• Discs in trees. If a disc stops above the ground, its position is marked on the ground directly below it.
• Putting rules. A throw from within 10 meters (about 33 feet) of the basket is a putt. After releasing a putt you must show balance behind your lie before walking forward.
• Finishing the hole. The hole is complete when the disc rests in the basket tray or in the chains. NTCC notes that "a disc resting on top of the basket does not complete the hole."

How do you play disc golf for beginners?

1. Find a course

Many city parks and colleges have free public courses. Each hole has a tee and a basket, usually with a sign showing distance and par.

2. Get one or two discs

You can play a whole round with a single mid-range disc. Distance drivers are harder to control, so most beginners add a putter and a mid-range before buying a driver.

3. Throw, walk, repeat

Throw from the tee, walk to your disc, and throw again from your lie. The player farthest from the basket usually throws next.

4. Keep score

Write down the throws for each hole. Par is the expected number of throws (often 3). One under par is a birdie, one over is a bogey.

What equipment do I need to play disc golf?

What happens if you throw out of bounds?

Some courses mark areas as out-of-bounds (OB), such as water or roads. Per NTCC, a disc is OB "when it comes to rest completely surrounded by an OB area," and "an out-of-bounds throw adds one penalty throw to your score." You then usually play from the previous lie, near where the disc was last in bounds, or from a drop zone. Always follow the hole's posted rules.

Disc golf etiquette every player should know

• Never throw when people are within range; wait until the fairway and landing area are clear.
• Do not distract players while they are getting ready to throw.
• Let faster groups play through when you can.
• Respect trees, plants and course equipment, and pack out your trash.

For tournaments, the PDGA publishes simplified rules and the full official rules.

Is disc golf hard to play?

Disc golf is easy to start and hard to master. Anyone who can throw a frisbee can finish a round on day one, but long, accurate drives and consistent putting take practice. Start on a short course, focus on smooth form instead of power, and practice putting from 3 to 5 meters.

What should you wear to play disc golf?

Most courses have no dress code, so wear what lets you move and walk comfortably. Many leagues and doubles teams wear matching shirts. Our disc golf shirts come in styles such as Men Polo, Women Polo, Men Long Sleeve Polo and Women Sleeveless Polo (styles vary by design), with your name or team name printed on, from $29.99. Check each product page for the styles and sizes offered.

Browse all disc golf shirts, or see how ball golf compares in our golf course dress code guide.

FAQ

How do you play disc golf for beginners?

Find a local course, bring a mid-range disc or putter, throw from the tee toward the basket, throw again from where your disc lands, and count throws until the disc rests in the basket.

What are the basic rules of disc golf?

Tee off from the teeing area, play each throw from your lie, follow putting rules within 10 meters, add a penalty throw for out-of-bounds, and finish when the disc rests in the basket or chains.

Is disc golf hard to play?

It is easy to start but takes practice to master. Beginners can finish a round right away, while accurate drives and putting improve over time.

What equipment do I need to play disc golf?

At minimum one disc, ideally a mid-range or putter. Add a driver later, plus comfortable shoes and clothes for walking the course.