Excessive time: Wind is not a ‘distraction’ in disc golf

Excessive time.

This is a topic disc golfers love.

Well, it’s not that they love the topic, but they love bashing on its lack of enforcement – it’s the beef that never tenderizes. As a fan, watching the likes of Nikko Locastro and Gannon Buhr take an eternity to putt or throw has become commonplace. They’re hardly the only touring pros guilty of snail’s-pace play, but like it or not, they’ve become the poster children for it.

But you know what’s WAY worse than watching excessive-time violations on television? Experiencing them first-hand on hole after hole (after hole) during a disc golf tournament.

That’s right, you’re a victim.

Flaunt it.

However, today, I don’t simply want to focus on the 30 seconds a disc golfer has to execute a shot. Instead, I’d like to take a closer look at a (perceived) loophole far too many brain-dead disc golfers feel magically grants them more time to putt or throw than they actually have. And more specifically, one act of God that is outright NOT protected by said (perceived) loophole …

Wind.

Here’s PDGA Rule No. 802.03A:

“A player has taken excessive time if they are present and have not thrown within 30 seconds: 1. After the previous player has thrown; and, 2. After they have had a reasonable amount of time to arrive at and determine the lie; and, 3. After they are next in the throwing order; and, 4. During which the playing area remains clear.”

Re-read that last part again:

“During which the playing area remains clear.”

Years ago, that final tidbit read as follows:

“The playing area is clear and free of distractions.”

The change was needed.

Obviously, an unclear area isn’t safe to throw in. If pets, fans, officials or streakers are in the way, take some time to reset, clear your mind and go for it. It should go without saying that throwing within 30 seconds isn’t worth scalping someone with a FAF Champion Firebird.

Still, whether aware of the PDGA’s years-old change in verbiage or not, there are problematic disc golfers who argue a windy playing area isn’t, in fact, “clear.” No, wind might not be visible to the naked eye, but the evidence of it certainly is – limbs, leaves and garbage move like mad. 

Just so we’re clear. You don’t get to reset your 30 seconds if there is movement behind the basket.

— Short Arm Golfer (@Trex530) March 17, 2024

This kind of entitlement usually manifests itself as follows:

• A disc golfer addresses his lie.
• The very same disc golfer begins his routine.
• Halfway through, he pauses, stands up straight and relaxes.
• When the wind dies back down, he starts over – his 30 seconds do, too.

Not cool, man.

Enjoy your excessive-time warning.

* Note: The second excessive-time warning leads to a penalty stroke, if you didn’t know.

Back around 2012, with the word “distraction” in the rulebook, I still would’ve hit you with a warning, but you would’ve at least had more of a legal foothold to stand on when arguing it. 

Without cracking a smile, there’s not a sane person on Earth who can put forth even a semi-compelling argument for wind as a preventer of a “clear” playing area.

Forget about it.

Listen, I get that disc golf having to police itself comes with its fair share of problems, but I like to think most competitive disc golfers have enough sense about them to not put up with this kind of mental gymnastics out on the course. Unless someone (or something) suddenly prevents you from throwing safely, put on your big-boy pants, address your lie, go through your routine …

And put the disc in play.

Wind be darned.

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