I’ve wanted to write about this one for a long time …
To compete in sanctioned disc golf events, you don’t need to have memorized the PDGA’s rulebook. It certainly doesn’t hurt, but as long as you’ve got the basics down, you’re good.
Granted, there are a few KEY rules you’ll want in your back pocket:
- Rule No. 1 – You can always re-throw from your previous lie with a one-stroke penalty.
- Rule No. 2 – If you throw OB, take as much relief away from the basket as you like.
- Rule No. 3 – Know what a “provisional” is, because nobody else on your card will.
Furthermore, here’s one that’s not quite as useful, but is still cool to know …
It’s easy to understand, too.
The Situation: Should you find your disc nestled along the outskirts of a thick bush or tree, it can be tough to find solid footing for your next shot. And even if you can find it, surrounded by branches and thorns, any kind of backswing is all but impossible – the result is often a pitch-out.
* Note #1: The basket isn’t on the opposite side of the shrub, but the side closest to your lie.
The Solution: Using a mini, mark your lie as you normally would – this’ll give you a bit more wiggle room. Then, place one foot behind the mini, but your second in FRONT of the disc. Straddling your lie, putt or approach as you’d like, but at the moment of release …
Lift your front foot.
* Note #2: To clarify, this must take place outside of circle one – otherwise, it’s a foot fault.
Essentially, what you’re doing is a step putt – or approach. Even though the front foot starts ahead of the mini marker, it’s not touching the ground at the time the disc leaves your hand. So it’s a step putt or step approach, but without the actual step – the plant foot stays stationary.
It looks weird, but yes – it’s legit.
BTW, I’m not the genius who discovered this little nugget …
The entire thing stems from THIS Instagram post:
In general, when Barry Schultz speaks, you listen …
This is one of those times.
Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.
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For the sake of sport fans who want to take DG seriously, CHANGE THIS RULE.
A putt is our version of a free throw, and step-putts have the appearance of illegitamacy. I get the genesis, at the T-pad follow thur is allowed. Hence allowed for all shots to the target.
Barry’s not wrong, but I believe it clashes with ‘Spirit of the game”.
Foot faults from step/jump putts happen. Rule changes could eliminate the need for super slowmo video to settle arguments which slowdown play and worse.
This hack is wack.
Thanks for chiming in, Jeff!
As long as the PDGA says it’s a rule, it’s a valid hack …
But your concerns are certainly valid – should they do away with it, yeah …
Gonzo Alonzo.
*through, stickler!
Sorry, Bob …
Don’t quite follow – is there a typo somewhere in the post that we missed?
Would love to get it fixed – LMK!
Thanks 🙂
I think this is playing the Spirit of the game as the present rules allow. I agree with a rule change as you suggest but suggesting the intent of this hack is undermining the game seems an exaggeration. Fight for rule changes…at the professional level hacks within the rules is the Spirit of the game!
Couldn’t agree more …
It’s currently a rule, so might as well take advantage of it.
When (or if) it’s no longer a rule, by all means, play by the rules.
Unless I’m missing something (and as Barry says in the video) this is only legal if your lie is outside circle 1. This is not stated anywhere in the blog post. It might be worth amending the piece to clarify that so we don’t have people foot-faulting when they learn of / misunderstand this hack and try to use it inside the circle.
My two cents: step putts / jump putts are a great part of the game and produce some pretty incredible highlights. Just YouTube “Kevin Jones jump putt” for some examples.
Great feedback, Sam!
Taylor wrote this, but I edited it …
Figured that was obvious – the whole C1 vs. C2 thing, but another person commented on it …
CLEARLY a note needs to be added – I’ll take care of that right now!
Thanks for your help, brotha – appreciate it!
This is only allowed when outside the circle correct? Inside circle 1 and you couldn’t bring the foot down. Or at least not until the disc comes to rest. The way Barry shows it could bring in some confusion as to whether it was done legally or illegally. Of the foot was raised off the ground before the arm motion, your see a clear cut legal putt. When he did it you just don’t know if that foot was down or up when the disc was released.
That’s correct, yes …
Another reader pointed this out – going to add that to the post to avoid future confusion!
Figured it was self-explanatory, but my bad during the editing process …
Will that that tossed in there for Taylor – good eye!
I started back in 84′ . I know it was not legal back then so how can it be now ? You have to be behind the lie not in front of it.
Are you talking about the front foot?
It’s lifted off the ground at the time the disc leaves the hand …
As this is in reference to a C2 putt or approach, it’s the same thing as a step-putt.
It looks weird …
But again, it’s legit. Haha.
The only issue I assume is that you cannot back into your lie and unnaturally displace branches or obstacles in your attempt to get footing, correct?
You can back into your lie, yes …
That’s “natural” enough – you see it all the time.
What you can’t do, though, is start pushing branches out of the way and pruning the tree or bush, you know?
There’s a fine line there, but you should be good …
Back that booty up.
(sorry, had to do it)