RULES CHANGES SUMMARY (provided by Terry Calhoun, PDGA Communications Director)

Summary of Rules Changes

This is a summary of the more important rules changes that were implemented with these new PDPA rules on January 1, 2002. This summary is information only, it is not a part of the official rules. Read and use the rules!

801.02: Speed of play: Someone who is not "away" may play out of turn. . . if the actual away player agrees.

802.01: A cracked or perforated disc is illegal but may be carried during the round if the player announces to the group, when it is damaged, that he will be carrying it through the round. Carrying an illegal disc is an immediate 2-stroke penalty and grounds for DQ if repeated. Unmarked discs may be carried but not thrown. A thrown unmarked disc is a warning the first time and one stroke thereafter.

Medical aids (such as knee and ankle braces) are specifically legal and permissible.

802.04: Range finders are illegal to use (or carry) during play.

803.00: The principle that the game is based upon the theory of "playing the disc where it winds up" is underscored. Players should essentially expect no relief in most situations. If it was there before you threw, then you should have avoided landing near it.

803.00: If there's a dispute and no official nearby, you can follow a majority decision or use provisional throws to reduce tension and get play going. This is preferred over sending for or waiting for an official. The player simply plays out two situations and scores are recorded for both. The TD decides which applies at the end of the round.

803.02: Mini-optional: use of a mini is optional except where one is needed to mark a lie, such as when taking relief or marking a lie after an OB throw.

803.04: NO RELIEF is granted from park equipment (picnic tables, trash cans, etc). The intent is to kill the idea of a "permanent" obstacle. If it was there before you threw and before the round began, then you'll have to deal with it.

803.08: Drop Zones are legal as spots to use once one has gone out-of-bounds.

803.08: When someone goes OB they can pick from where they play their next shot (if allowed by the TD: from where it was last over in-bounds, from their previous lie (the player or TD picks the "stroke and

distance" penalty), or from a Drop Zone (if so provided and allowed by the TD).

803.11: New mandatory rule. The drop zone is now used. No more unwinding. The TD must designate a drop zone for every hole on their course where there is a mando. Missing the mando/going to drop zone constitutes a 1-stroke penalty.

803.12: Leaving an event early for any reason constitutes withdrawal - DNF.

804.01: The Special Conditions rule gives TDs more flexibility and allows for more uses of Drop Zones.

804.03: Just makes clear now that an untotaled score card IS an incorrect score card and as such is subject to being penalized. Players must turn in a card that is totaled.

804.08: The rules now officially state that women can compete in "male" divisions if they choose to.

804.08: The divisional age breaks (40, 50, 60 & 70) are now officially listed in the rules.

804.08: More age breakdowns in the Junior Divisions: under 19, under 16,

under 13, and under 10. Junior eligibility is STILL based on the date of birth.

804.08: Age protected divisional eligibility is now based upon birth year . . . not birth date. If you turn 40 on any date in 2002, you are eligible to play in a Masters division.

804.08: If an Am plays in a professional division and turns down cash they CANNOT accept prizes in lieu of cash (in order that they may remain an amateur). If an AM plays pro and finishes in the money . . . they can

only accept a trophy to retain their amateur status. Declined prize money is passed down to the next pro, etc.

804.09: Certified Officials do not have to have an official's card on them in order to be legitimate. They now only need to have successfully completed the exam and have a copy of the rules on them. (Cards will

still be issued. This just makes it possible for an official to be "official" without having to have their card on hand.)

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