There’s this guy at Milo McIver \u2014 I’ve seen him probably six or seven times over the years \u2014 and every time I see him he’s doing something that makes me want to scream. Last time he was playing music out loud from his phone speaker. Not headphones, not a quiet bluetooth speaker, just his phone at max volume playing what I can only describe as aggressively mediocre EDM. And he’s just strolling along, oblivious, like this is his personal soundtrack and everyone else on the course should be grateful for the ambiance.
I didn’t say anything to him because I’m conflict-averse and also I wasn’t 100% sure it was against any actual rule. But it got me thinking about how much disc golf etiquette is unwritten. Like, nobody hands you a manual when you start playing. You’re just supposed to figure it out through context clues and occasional glares from other players. Which seems unfair to people who are new and genuinely don’t know better.
So here’s the stuff that everyone assumes you know but nobody actually tells you. The social contract of disc golf, basically.
The Three Things That Actually Matter
I’m gonna start with the non-negotiables because everything else is kind of flexible depending on the situation, but these three things are universal and you will genuinely upset people if you violate them.
First: don’t throw into people. This sounds obvious but I see close calls constantly. If there’s any chance your disc could reach someone \u2014 like even a 5% chance if you really crush it \u2014 wait until they’re clear. Discs are hard plastic traveling fast. I’ve seen someone get hit in the leg from 200 feet out and they had a bruise for two weeks. Head shots could be way worse. Just wait. Always wait. The extra thirty seconds isn’t going to ruin your round.
Second: let faster groups play through. If you’re playing slow and someone is behind you waiting, wave them up between holes. Step aside, let them tee off, continue your round. It’s not an insult to your pace \u2014 some people play fast, some people play slow, it’s fine either way. What’s not fine is making people wait behind you for eighteen holes because you refuse to acknowledge they exist.
Third: leave the course better than you found it. Don’t litter. Pick up trash even if it’s not yours. Don’t break branches or damage trees. Don’t carve your name into tee signs. Basic stuff, but you’d be surprised how often I see garbage on courses that someone just left there. Pack out what you pack in. We don’t have a grounds crew cleaning up after us.
Everything else is negotiable to some degree. These three things are not.
The Music Thing
Okay so back to speaker guy. The general consensus in the disc golf community is: headphones are fine, speakers are a gray area, loud speakers are obnoxious.
If you want to listen to something while you play, use earbuds. One earbud if you want to stay aware of your surroundings. Nobody cares what you’re listening to privately.
Small bluetooth speakers at low volume are technically okay in a lot of casual contexts, but you have to read the room. Some people find it distracting. Some people came to the course specifically to get away from noise. If you’re in a group and everyone’s cool with it, fine. If you’re playing near strangers, probably keep it off.
Loud music from your phone speaker? Just don’t. I don’t know why this needs to be said but apparently it does. Nobody wants to hear your playlist echoing through the woods while they’re trying to focus on a putt.
Order of Play
When you’re on the tee starting a hole, whoever had the best score on the previous hole throws first. This is called “having honors.” If you’re starting the round, it’s usually whoever’s ready first, or you can do random order, doesn’t really matter.
After everyone’s thrown from the tee, whoever is farthest from the basket throws next. Then the next farthest. And so on until everyone’s holed out. This keeps things efficient and means people aren’t dodging each other’s throws constantly.
In casual rounds with friends, this all goes out the window. You throw when you’re ready, you don’t wait for strict order, whatever. But in leagues or with strangers, follow the order thing. It’s just how it’s done.
The Quiet Thing
Don’t talk or move around when someone is in their stance about to throw. Same as golf. You don’t have to be library-silent, but active distraction while someone’s mid-throw is rude.
I learned this one the hard way when I first started. Was playing with a group at Pier Park and I said something \u2014 don’t even remember what \u2014 right as this guy was starting his run-up. He stopped, looked at me, didn’t say anything, but his expression was enough. Nobody had told me about the quiet thing. Now I’m telling you so you don’t have to experience that look.
Lost Disc Protocol
The rules say you get three minutes to look for a lost disc before you have to move on. In practice, on casual rounds, people usually take as long as they need within reason. But if there’s a group behind you waiting, don’t spend fifteen minutes searching. Give it a solid effort, mark where you think it went, move on. You can come back later.
If you find someone else’s disc, the etiquette varies. A lot of discs have phone numbers written on the back \u2014 if it does, text them. Some people post found discs on local disc golf Facebook groups. Some courses have lost and found boxes. At minimum, don’t just keep it without trying to return it. That disc might have sentimental value to someone.
I’ve lost discs I really liked and had people text me from across town saying they found it. That feels great. Be that person for someone else.
Sharing the Course
Most disc golf courses are in public parks, which means you’re sharing space with hikers, dog walkers, families, random people who don’t know what disc golf is. Be cool about it.
If someone walks onto the fairway who’s not playing, wait. Don’t yell at them, don’t get annoyed that they don’t know, just wait until they’re clear. They have as much right to be in that park as you do. Some of them don’t even know what those basket things are. I’ve had people ask me if I’m playing “that frisbee golf thing” and they’re always curious and friendly when you explain it.
If you’re playing a hole that crosses a walking path, extra caution. I’ve seen too many near-misses where someone drives without checking and almost hits a jogger. Be aware of your surroundings. The throw can wait.
Cart Path / Walking Path Stuff
If your disc lands on a path or road that crosses the course, you can usually move it to the side without penalty. Different courses have different rules about this but the general idea is you shouldn’t have to throw from pavement. Just move it perpendicular to your line, one disc-width off the path, and throw from there.
Ask locals if you’re not sure. Some courses have specific drop zones or OB rules. Some don’t.
Group Size
Most courses expect groups of four or fewer. Five or six people playing together slows things down significantly and you’ll have people stacking up behind you. If you’ve got a big group, consider splitting into two cards and playing separately.
For leagues and tournaments there are strict rules about this. For casual play it’s more flexible. But just be aware that bigger groups mean slower pace and more potential frustration for everyone around you.
The Stuff Nobody Actually Cares About
Things people worry about that don’t actually matter: what discs you throw, how good you are, whether you know all the terminology, whether you’re keeping score. Nobody is judging you for being new. Nobody cares if you throw a putter off the tee. Nobody is tracking your score to compare it to theirs unless you’re in a tournament.
The etiquette stuff I’ve described is about being a decent person in a shared space. Everything else \u2014 skill level, gear, whatever \u2014 is irrelevant. Just be considerate, be safe, and pick up your trash.
And for the love of god, use headphones.