How to Level Up Your Disc Golf Skills? A Quick Guide

You have been playing Disc Golf with your friends for so long, and now if you feel this is the time to upgrade your skills and get tagged as a Disc Golfer, then this post will be your guiding tool.

When we play a game mostly for rejuvenation, we tend to ignore certain rules and regulations of the game and amend them according to our convenience because our sole purpose is to enjoy our time with our friends. But, when it comes to playing the game on a professional front, the scenario changes, and we have to be aware of the rules, regulations, behavior, and updates about the game.

Become A PDGA Member!

In the case of Disc Golf, the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) is the regulatory body that decides the rules and regulations of the game. It makes changes for the sustainable development of the game, not just in the US but throughout the world. Furthermore, the PDGA organizes championships and tournaments, develops courses, marks the standards, and promotes the game through media, sponsorships, public education, and outreach. Therefore, if you want to begin your career in Disc Golf, the first step is to become a member of PDGA. Once you become a member, you can get access to various tournaments and championships, Disc Golf courses, and get regular updates about the game that you cannot know about otherwise. In addition, you can participate in Champions Cup, Disc Golf pro tours, elite series events, and other types of tournaments that offer great monetary prices. For instance, the DGOT tour championship offered a $20,000 top player prize, whereas the United Disc Golf Championship offered a $10,000 top purse. Additionally, there are prizes for other positions and top rankers. So, this is your chance to shine as a Disc Golfer.

Furthermore, PDGA sets the standards for the equipment, i.e., the Disc Golf discs and baskets and other accessories, so when you go to buy them, look for a Disc Golf store that offers PDGA-approved equipment.

Other than being a member of PDGA, there are certain key factors that you should follow to enhance your Disc Golf skills.

Absorb the Proper Etiquette to Maintain Decorum on the Course:

Sports and games keep us physically active but also help in our overall development. Therefore, taking up a sport as a profession will help you enhance your personality and increase your monetary status.

So, here are the key points of etiquette that you need to develop to become a Disc Golfer:

Learn to Maintain Your Calm: Most of the time, in the heat of the moment and pumped-up competitive spirit, we tend to lose our temper, for which we may face consequences. Most of the time, players are given warnings, and in extreme cases, players may get penalty strokes or other consequences. Therefore, you should start working on your temper from the beginning so that when you move to the Disc Golf field, you do not lose your calm but remain patient. Moreover, maintaining your calm will also help you better focus on your target.

Here are the things you should restrain yourself from doing on a Disc Golf course:

• Avoid kicking the trees, Disc Golf Bags, and throwing multiple discs at the basket in frustration.
• Do not make nasty spit-outs.
• Do not scream or throw any mini tantrums.

So, control your anger and maintain your calm while playing the Disc Golf game.

Keep Up the Pace: Practice your shots and manage your timing because faster throws avoid penalties. According to PDGA rules, a Disc Golfer gets 30 seconds to make a move on their turn. So, practice your shots routinely and note down your time.

Do Not Distract Others: Players need complete focus and no distractions to make a throw on point; therefore, avoid distracting your fellow players. So, avoid moving around the player making the turn, do not talk or fidget with your bag/discs, and always be aware of your surroundings. Imagine yourself in the same situation to understand the importance of maintaining decorum.

Say Something and Clear Up Your Confusion: In the beginning, no matter how much we know about the game theoretically, when it comes to playing the game on the course, things are completely different. So, ask other players whenever you feel confused about anything on the field. Also, keep a keen eye on their moves and learn from their behavior to sharpen your Disc Golf skills. To start as a Disc Golfer, you can join a local club to improve your skills.

Follow the Rules: Rules lay the foundation of any game, so before you enter the course, you should know about all the important rules of the game. You can refer to the PDGA rules to have clear and correct information on the rules and regulations of the game.

Keep Yourself Updated with the New Rules: The PDGA keeps changing the rules and regulations to enhance the game. So, keep an eye out for any updates or changes in the rules. And most of the time, changes are made before any big tournament or championship, so stay alert and look out for any changes in the rules.

Here are Some of the New Rules as Per January 2022:

There were some significant changes to the PDGA rulebook for the year 2022. We have listed some of the rules in this section to help you strengthen your game:

• Before you begin playing as a professional, the first thing is to check your eligibility. According to the new rule, you need to have a current PDGA membership for playing in sanctioned B- tier or higher events, including A-tiers and elite series tournaments.
• Also, when it comes to checking your eligibility to receive a cash prize in a professional division of a PDGA-sanctioned tournament, except for leagues, the player must have a PDGA number even if you do not have an active membership. 
• The players whose disc comes to rest out-of-bounds now have more flexibility as they can take their shot in any direction from where the disc was last in bounds. Players can make their move in any direction in a semicircle irrespective of the distance from the basket. This change will help players make strategies and move away from any obstacle, such as a tree trunk or a bush. However, the rules on penalty strokes remain the same.
• When it comes to misplay that leads to penalty strokes, PDGA has made its rules clear on issues such as when a player should be considered absent from their assigned group at the beginning of the round. Also, if any hole is missed by a player in their assigned starting group or on their assigned holes, a score of par plus four will be accessed.

Thus, you need to learn good etiquette and keep yourself aware of any updates regarding the rules and regulations to enhance your skills to become a Disc Golfer.

This is a paid guest post.