Disc golf: The simple solution for ‘excessive time’ violations

Issues of “excessive time” are a problem in disc golf. With players required to govern themselves, infractions are rarely called. To speak up when a violation occurs is to instantly make things awkward – to disrupt the “good vibes” competitive disc golfers seek to maintain.

The sport’s mental.

It makes sense.

If excessive time is a new concept for you, here’s the skinny of it: During PDGA-sanctioned rounds of disc golf, players have 30 seconds to throw a shot. That goes for everything: a distance drive, fairway drive, short approach and putt. You’ve got 30 seconds to toss – end of story.

* Note: To read the exact language the PDGA uses to define the rule, click here.

The problem?

Many players take more.

WAY more.

Year after year, proposals for the excessive-time dilemma are put forth, as it’s a problem that’s not going away anytime soon. Recently, the 2024 DGPT season saw the topic resurface during the Memorial Championship in Scottsdale, Arizona. During coverage of the event, Terry Miller repeatedly filmed Jacob “Cupcake” Courtis taking well over the allotted 30 seconds to putt.

It was hard to watch.

So here …

Watch it.

It was in response to this that I saw one of the most brilliant remedies proposed on Twitter.

Or X, if you prefer.

Check it out:

Create a mini with a 30 second timer that turns on when you set it down and lights up brightly at the 30sec mark. Then the mini is calling out players not card mates…. Problem Solved!

— CooperMan (@Coop_MTU) March 9, 2024

I’ve used the B-word once, but I’ll gladly go back to it again …

Brilliant.

I understand that this is an idea that would require some intentional forethought and planning to make happen. To date, this kind of mini marker doesn’t exist. Concepts, designs, prototypes and manufacturing take time – and money, too. But making this a reality would hardly require the expertise of Tony Stark. Sit-down eateries have been using restaurant pagers for decades …

This is essentially the same thing.

Only this time, the vibration and flashing lights indicate that your time’s up to putt – not that “Smith, party of six” now has a clean table and a fresh basket of bread waiting for them.

This plan is ingenious for a few reasons:

• No official is needed.
• Players don’t make the call.
• Rounds will run more smoothly.
• Disc golf can bury the issue – and for good.

No, not all issues …

But THIS issue, at least.

The only downside that comes to mind is that, excluding tap-ins, disc golfers would be required to use a mini at all times. Gone would be the days of Hailey King or Paul McBeth simply putting from behind an original lie. Still, this would be a simple adjustment to make – and well worth it.

The 24-second shot clock saved the NBA in 1954.

This could do the same thing for disc golf.

I can see it now …

Did you somehow qualify for a Tour Card and all the perks one has to offer? Congrats: When it arrives in the mail a few days later, automatically, your egg-timer mini should be in there, too.

Good to go.

I love out-of-the-box solutions for complex problems.

This feels like one.

Make it happen, Jeff Spring.

Have anything to add? Take to X to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.

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