Disc golf: What happens if a legal stance is impossible?

By: Taylor Larsen

Let me make something clear …

This almost never happens.

You could go your entire disc golf career without this situation ever arising. Because even if something looks like a legal stance isn’t possible, this is (probably) doable. Still, as unlikely as it might be, let’s go over what’d make a legal stance impossible – and how you’d respond, as well.

First, if you don’t know what constitutes a “legal stance,” click here.

It’s a two-minute read.

Next, should a solid, unmovable object prevent a legal stance from happening, without a penalty stroke, you’re allowed to take relief along the line of play until a legal stance can be taken. You can’t go back as far as you like, though. Once a legal stance is doable, you’ve got to take it.

Courtesy of UDisc, here’s a hypothetical lie in which a legal stance can’t happen …

UDisc: Disc Golf Rules Explained – Relief

Ridiculous, right?

Again, this does NOT happen often.

The overhang prevents a stance with all supporting points behind the disc or mini marker. And while not required, even if you wanted to climb atop the structure, it’s a statue – please don’t. At this point, you know the drill: Relief, line of play, legal stance, new lie – that’s all there is to it.

Furthermore, I hate to burst your bubble …

But this kind of relief is ONLY allowed when a stance is impossible – not annoying. Assuming you can make a legal stance happen, you might have to battle signs, limbs, bushes, puddles, etc.

DGPT: Ricky Wysocki

Also, one more thing to be aware of …

You can’t be forced to use a mini.

So even if a legal stance can only be taken with the use of a mini marker, it doesn’t have to be. Use this knowledge to your advantage, should the penalty-free relief yield the better lie.

I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again …

The more you know.

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

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Taylor Larsen

Taylor Larsen is a staff writer for Green Splatter. He uses disc golf to self-reflect, pondering questions like, "Where the heck did I throw that?" and "What happens if the disc lands on top of the basket?" He resides in Utah with his dog, Banks, who loves to chase frisbees of all sorts.

4 thoughts on “Disc golf: What happens if a legal stance is impossible?”

  1. Disc golf needs a useful less subjective unplayable lie rule.

    I’m older and bigger and that difference between “possible” vs “sane” becomes larger the older and less athletic you are. Which is more a me problem but the rules don’t seem to address the “I could maybe possibly play from there but I really don’t want to hurt myself on iffy footing or rip myself and my clothes to shreds” situations.

    My idea is that you take one penalty stroke and do one of the following:

    1) Play from the last lie (stroke and distance)
    2) Go back as far as you like keeping the last lie between you and the hole
    3) Move the disc three meters in any direction with these being chainable. If you need seven meters to get to a lie you like then it would be two strokes, etc.

    Obviously (3) would see the most use. It’s basically an assumed pitch out that saves time and sometimes blood.

    This would remove all subjectivity, provide effective and substantial relief, and give some incentive to not take relief due to the stroke penalty.

    Reply

    • Wait …

      You don’t want to climb atop rocks, stumps and statues to throw?

      BTW, I’m getting older, too …

      What you’ve outlined is certainly helpful 🙂

      Reply

  2. During a recent round, one of my buddies’ disc came to rest under a RV that was parked along side the course next to a road that was OB. Taking relief along the line of play would have meant he would have been OB, which is forbidden. I say he should move the disc to the closest point of relief, no closer to the basket, and proceed. No penalty stroke. Another player said if he moved his disc off the line of play, regardless of the situation, it was a penalty stoke. We’re still arguing about it

    Reply

    • Holy crap …

      I don’t even want to consider the mental gymnastics that goes into this one …

      Haha.

      I have to ask, though …

      What did you guys decide to do in the heat of the moment?

      Reply

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