Forward Momentum (Day 14 of 365)
Let's get caught up on 2025 PDGA Rules changes
We are involved in a lot of PDGA events. Like a lot. Keeping up to date with the new rules is part of the job. There are some changes I have been aware of but many of these I don't really "know" until the new scenario comes in an event this year.
You can read all the updates here:
Let's hope this topic isn't too boring for everyone. I know there's a few topics I really want to talk about.
My approach to todays blog is to "live react" and write out my raw thoughts. What you are about to read is my initial thoughts and I'm sure I won't be right about some of it. It's a hot take kind of blog! I won't cover all the rules, and will try to focus on the rule changes that I expect to encounter the most.
I know there are some rules that affect technology standards(discs, baskets, printing, etc). I won't cover those here. Mainly focused on competition stuff as I read through it.
So let's get started!
1.12 Tournament Officials - Expand the use of video evidence to course markings
H. Video evidence or other media is not allowed for the purpose of making rulings for sanctioned play. Such evidence can only be used to document player misconduct (as defined in 3.03). Photo or video evidence may only be used by the Tournament Director or a Tournament Official to:
1. Clarify the meaning of course markings that indicate teeing areas under 802.04.A, restricted routes under 804.01, regulated areas under 806, or drop zones. This includes clarifying that a marking on the course is not relevant to competition.
2. Make rulings related to player misconduct (as defined in 3.03). This evidence may be provided by anyone present who witnessed the misconduct. Evidence of player misconduct may also be evaluated at any time by the PDGA Disciplinary Committee.
My thoughts: This is a step forward. It's a nice way to test out using video evidence. Every single tournament someone comes up and shows me a photo. In the past the TD was restricted from using any video or photo evidence. Personally I'd like to see this totally opened up to help TD's make rulings on as much as possible.
2.02 Qualifications - Require TDs to hold underserved divisions with fewer than four players
L. A Tournament Director may limit the divisions they wish to offer at their event by listing only the divisions they plan to offer on their registration form.
1. If a division is offered and at least four eligible players register for that division, that division must be held.
2. If a division is underserved as defined in 1.02.C.2.c, the division must be held if at least one player registers for the division.
3. In all other cases, it is at the Tournament Director's discretion whether to hold the division or not (see 1.03.H for refund policy in that case).
5.02 Divisions and Reclassification - Require divisional availability
C. If mixed divisions are offered at an event, Tournament Directors must offer the corresponding women's division (e.g., if MA40 is offered, FA40 must also be offered). After one week of early registration as detailed in Competition Manual 1.02.C.2.c or one week of open registration, the TD may cease offering the division as long as Competition Manual 2.02.L permits it.
My thoughts on both of these rules: Love this. I have always allowed 1 person divisions to exist. Usually we offer them trophies too. The big change in this rule is #2. These are the divisions that need growth and opportunity. Wildflower Disc Golf Tour is a perfect example of what can happen when you cater to underserved divisions. Making us offer the corresponding divisions are a step in the right direction too.
I'd even like to see the PDGA work on incentives for the players to sign up for these divisions. Right now this rule still puts all the burden on the player and TD. Maybe offer more national rankings for the Women's divisions like we do for Masters. I don't think discounted fees/divisions are the right incentive as players would just abuse this to avoid costs. We can track stats pretty well now in this sport, let's go all in on that to help these underserved divisions.
5.03 Preparing the Course - Require restrooms at C-Tier and above
G. At PDGA-sanctioned events, bathrooms are now required.
1. The event must have either a permanent bathroom or temporary bathroom on site at each venue that is:
a. accessible to all players;
b. stocked and serviced and in working order;
c. available no less than 60 minutes prior to the first tee time of the day; and
d. available for the duration of the event schedule and all event-related activities at the course(s) being played; and
e. a reasonable walking distance from the course(s) being played.
2. Tournament Directors who must rent facilities to comply with this are allowed to use the bathroom pass-through fee (see 5.04.A.3.d) to offset costs.
3. This provision does not apply to Leagues.
4. This provision does not apply to flex starts (see 1.05.B.3 above). The TD must notify players in pre-registration materials if no bathroom will be available at a flex start.
5. Please consult the PDGA Water and Bathroom Recommendations for best practices regarding bathrooms.
My Thoughts: Eh...this new 60 minutes rule I am not excited about. If you've run events...then you know what types of problems bathrooms present. For most events this is 100% fine. But things happen...the dude with the keys doesn't wake up, the parks department forgets about the reservation or someone vandalizes the porta-potty. I've had all of this happen. Don't get me wrong here, Bathrooms are 100% needed at every event. Even Flex Starts and Leagues. Same for water. As the PDGA has shift some rules into "gray areas" to allow for more lenient rulings on things like foot faults, this time restriction just doesn't make sense. It's also pretty much unenforceable.
I am curious what even caused this rule change to come up. Was it a problem? It reminds me of last years rule with making players show up 5-minutes early to PDGA events. Players hated that, and a lot of TD's were lenient with it because guess what...the players pay our bills. It also added a lot work for staff at PDGA events. We were forced to have extra staff to handle that rule. Now I have to make sure someone checks the bathroom door more than an hour before the round in case we have problems.
Also what's the punishment for TDs that don't follow this? Maybe we could give TDs a public rating to hold to encourage better events? That seems more useful than setting time limits on bathrooms.
801.02 Enforcement and 801.03 Appeals - Automatic provisional from spotter's call
801.02.G. A Tournament Spotter is an individual empowered by the Director for a specific spotting purpose without authorizing them to act as a Tournament Official.
801.03.D. If, upon arriving at the thrown disc, the group determines a Tournament Spotter's ruling was incorrect, the player continues play from a lie based on the ruling of the group. The sequence of throws based on the spotter's incorrect signal is disregarded. A player may appeal the group's ruling and continue the original sequence with a provisional sequence of throws.
My Thoughts: This is pretty good. I think we'll need to see how it plays out but I can think of a few holes where players get punished in scenarios like this. It feels like this basically gives a provisional and appeal option. A lot of players get flustered(because of the bad shot) and don't always call provisional in scenarios where like this where they should.
805.03 Lost Disc and 806.02 Out of Bounds - Clarify the intersection of these two rules
805.03.G. Section 805.03 does not apply if a disc is considered to be out-of-bounds (see 806.02.C).
806.02.C. If there is compelling evidence that a disc came to rest within an out-of-bounds area, the disc is considered to be out-of-bounds and does not need to be located.
My thoughts: Amazing. Sorta. I had this scenario come up a handful of times last year. With courses like the Ranch, Met Center and Sprinkle Valley on HOTT this was a common issue. It was pretty confusing for players and resulted in a few misplays. This rule gets rid of the "lost disc" scenario.
The big lynch pin here for me is the definition for "compelling evidence". Is visual proof it flew there enough? I feel like there might have ways to abuse it that we can't think of yet. I think the intent of the rule change was to not make players have to re-throw the last lie(if "lost"). There is a common issue at events where a disc will be thrown into OB, the players search for it and can't find it. So they declare it OB and the player throws from the new lie, only to find it in bounds later. This results in a misplay.
So does "compelling evidence" now override that misplay potential? I guess I'll have to ask the PDGA. I'd love to hear everyone else thoughts on this too.
1.04 Event Check-In and 4.05 Registration, Checking In, and Beginning Play - Improve procedures and enforceability
1.04.A. Pre-tournament check-in is required for players in Players are required to check in with the Tournament Director or designated tournament staff member at A- and B-Tier events. and This is suggested for all other Tiers
B. The Tournament Director cannot require in-person pre-tournament check-in on any day prior to the start of competition but may offer it as a convenience to players.
C. B. Any player who does not check in by the time(s) specified by the Tournament Director shall forfeit their official place and entry fee.
1. As detailed in 1.03.F, such day-of drops will not receive a refund even if a waitlister takes their place.
2. Exceptions will be made only at the sole discretion of the Tournament Director
My thoughts: Hey Pro players in Texas. Here is your reminder to CHECK THE FUCK IN. See section 1.04.C in this rule. This can result in your forfeiting your spot and entry.
1.10 Distribution of Prizes - Require notice of how Amateur payout will be handled.
G.4. If a TD uses merchandise vouchers for Amateur payout, they must be redeemable at the event or afterwards via online fulfillment. The TD must specify how payout will be handled in their pre-registration materials.
My thoughts: This is good. It set's a nice standard across the word. We already do this for our events so not a big change for us. It will impact new TD's who don't read the rules(happens a lot with projected payout too). Not sure it can really be enforced unless they start ranking TDs publicly.
That's all I got.
I skipped over a lot of other rules. Make sure to read through them if you want. I'm sure many won't hah.
You can read all the updates here:
I’ve often thought there should be a grading system for TDs based on factors like the number and tier of tournaments run and if a TD consistently goes above and beyond the tier requirement, but I have a hard time thinking of other criteria that would both make sense and don’t open up the opportunity for abuse. Like you said, the players pay the bills, and if you start to include tournament feedback into a TD grade/rating, players with an axe to grind could review-bomb them and I don’t think the PDGA has the resources to deal with a situation like that.
You could also use amenities like on-site facilities, quality of course set up, included lunch, spotters on holes that need them, etc. in this system. It would take work and input from TDs and players to set up, but it would go a long way toward ensuring higher-tier events are run by qualified individuals/groups and provide a path for beginning TDs to get their feet wet and progress as tournament officials
I am a big fan of 1.04.B
Sometimes travel sucks, or getting in late the night before or morning of is the only way a person can make it to a tournament, with work, family, etc.
I think the PDGA said this in their initial rules outlay as well, but 805.03 changes also mean if someone throws their disc into the nastiest, thorniest, potentially off-property OB possible, I as a player am not compelled (forced?) to go help them look for it for 3 minutes. If its OB, it’s OB, and it doesn’t have to be located for play to continued.