Section 4: Players & Officials
Players
Disc golf is an individual sport played in groups (cards) of typically four players. The composition of each card and the order of play within each card is determined by the Tournament Director, often with reference to standings or random draw.
Throw Order
- On the first hole of a round, throw order is the order players appear on the scorecard
- On subsequent tees, throw order is by score on the previous hole, lowest first ("honor")
- On the fairway, throw order is by lie distance from the target — the lie farthest from the target throws first
Major and Elite Series Rating Eligibility
Competition Manual Rule 4.02 (Eligibility) sets minimum PDGA player ratings, measured at the time of registration, for entry into the Open (MPO) and Open Women (FPO) divisions at PDGA Majors and Elite Series events. For the 2026 season, the MPO minimum rating was raised to 950 (up from 935), and the FPO minimum rating was raised to 850 (up from 825), with the exception of the United States Women's Disc Golf Championship, where the FPO floor remains 800. No other division carries a minimum-rating eligibility requirement for Majors or Elite Series events under Rule 4.02, and event-specific eligibility detail for Majors and Elite Series is further addressed in Competition Manual Rule 5.08 (Major and Elite Series Requirements).
Scorekeeping
The card's designated scorekeeper records all throws taken by each player and any penalties applied. The scorekeeper announces each player's running score on completion of each hole. Each player is responsible for verifying their own score before the card is turned in at the end of the round.
Tournament Director and Officials
The Tournament Director (TD) has overall authority over the event, including OB definition, mandatory placement, drop-zone designation, weather and play decisions, and rulings on matters not explicitly addressed in the Official Rules. PDGA-certified officials may be assigned to cards, may roam between cards, and may be summoned by players to render rulings on disputes.
Spectators and Caddies
- Spectators may follow play but must not influence the result; spectators do not call rules infractions
- Caddies may carry the bag, retrieve discs, and offer information that any player on the card could obtain (e.g., distance to a basket if obtained from a permitted source)
- Caddies must conform to the same conduct standards as players
- Under Competition Manual Rule 3.05 (Carts, Caddies and Groups), caddie bibs are mandatory at all PDGA Majors and Elite Series events for 2026: a caddie must wear the event-issued bib at all times while on the course, and while in other player-only areas must either wear the bib or display a caddie credential. Where no bib or credential has been issued or is available, the player must identify their caddie to the group before the round begins, and a Tournament Official may deny that person permission to caddie