Disc golf: Where is your lie if your disc shatters?

Have you ever shattered a disc before?

I’ve done it a few times.

Three, to be exact.

Each time it was a KC Pro Aviar off the band or cage of the basket in temperatures that easily should’ve indicated to my brain it was time to switch to JK Pro Aviar-Xs for the colder months. One happened during a tag round. The other two were in the backyard at the practice basket.

In all sorts of weather and with all sorts of discs, I’ve witnessed other disc golfers shatter their frisbees, too. If the basket wasn’t to blame, it was usually a tree – and the trash toss that caused the collision in the first place. However, regardless of the culprit, one question won’t go away:

If your disc shatters …

Where is your lie?

With a disc intact, the answer’s obvious:

• Stand behind the disc you threw for your previous shot.
• Or, place a mini directly in front of the disc you just threw.

Then, continue with the hole.

But with a vaporized disc, the answer’s not so obvious …

Fortunately, there’s an on-the-books rule for this exact situation.

Here’s PDGA Rule No. 805.01D:

“If a thrown disc breaks into pieces, its position is that of the largest piece.”

There you have it.

As for what the “largest piece” is, that’s determined by the card. For example, should the disc appear to crack and part straight down the middle, the card would need to come together to agree on the piece that’s biggest. From there, the lie would be identified and play would resume.

And here’s another one for you …

Straight from Reddit, in fact.

Let’s say the rim of an overmold disc pops off upon coming into contact with a tree. Somehow, the flight plate remains in one piece, as well. Which is bigger? By volume, it’s the flight plate. But by diameter and circumference, it’s the rim. There’s no PDGA-backed verbiage in the rulebook to account for this scene. If at a loss for what to do, remember the following:

1. As is always the case, the card makes the call.
2. When in doubt, the benefit goes to the player.

Good advice for us all.

Fortunately, you’re unlikely to encounter this on the course.

And if you do, I beg of you …

Reference this post when pleading your case.

Any press is good press.

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