PDGA Releases Proposed Rule Changes for 2026 Season

The Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) has released its proposed rule changes for the 2026 season, opening the public comment period for members until June 20, 2025. The comprehensive update includes modifications to the Official Rules of Disc Golf (ORDG), Competition Manual (CM), Tour Standards, and introduces several significant adjustments aimed at improving clarity, consistency, and fairness across all levels of competition.

Image: Kristjan Noormets, EDGL

Key Changes in the Official Rules of Disc Golf

One of the most notable changes is to rule 801.02 on enforcement. Under the new proposal, players would no longer vote on their own rulings when a disc's flight, position, or status is in question. The initial group vote will exclude the thrower, with the thrower only casting a vote in the event of a tie. This aims to eliminate lobbying and subjective interpretations of "benefit of the doubt," clarifying that decisions must be based solely on group consensus.

The updated timing rule (802.03) introduces more detailed definitions of when the 30- or 45-second shot clock starts, depending on the location of the lie. Players will have 30 seconds to throw from the teeing area, drop zones, or within 20 meters of the basket, and 45 seconds from other lies. The rule also formalizes when a player is considered to have addressed their lie, making time enforcement more precise.

Provisional throw procedures (809.02) have also been clarified to define when provisionals can and cannot be used, requiring players to clearly announce the reason for using a provisional and which throws apply to each potential outcome.

New Team Play Rules Introduced

A completely new Appendix G has been added to officially codify team play formats, expanding options for both singles and doubles team competitions. Tournament Directors will have flexibility to establish eligibility rules based on age, gender, or rating bands. Several scoring models for both team singles and team doubles are outlined to standardize formats across events.

Competition Manual Adjustments

The Competition Manual includes updates to group sizes, especially addressing how to proceed when groups fall below three players mid-round, offering clear steps for players and Tournament Directors to follow. Flex start events see expanded flexibility, including options to play through groups, multiple entries in the same event, and conditional alcohol policies.

Eligibility changes at Majors and Elite Series events raise the MPO minimum rating requirement from 935 to 950. Caddie bib requirements will now apply universally across these events, and courtesy warnings will carry over into playoffs for the first time.

A new “Monday Finish” procedure is introduced for Majors and Elite+ Series to ensure that champions are determined in the event of severe weather delays, extending competition into the following day if necessary.

Additional Clarifications and Minor Changes

Numerous clarifications address topics ranging from how out-of-bounds is determined (using vertical planes rather than physical contact), to defining what constitutes a casual obstacle, to providing Tournament Directors with more flexibility in distributing added cash.

Officials’ authority is more explicitly defined, confirming that Tournament Officials may overrule group decisions and disqualify players when authorized. Updated disqualification rules also specify that disqualified players may be excluded from event activities entirely without TD permission.

Public Comment Period Open

PDGA members are encouraged to review the full list of proposed changes and submit feedback to rules-feedback@pdga.com by June 20, 2025. All proposals are still subject to final adjustments based on member input before the 2026 rules take effect.