Nobody loves identifying foot faults more than Philo Brathwaite …
Better yet, he does it from the most public of places: the broadcast booth.
As a media member, though, what he says on the matter means nothing …
It’s a golfer’s cardmates who are tasked with raising their voices if something’s off.
In accordance with the PDGA’s current rules, once a foot fault has been committed, two players on the card must make the call: One to identify, and the other to second it. Should that take place, a penalty stroke is assessed and the guilty golfer continues play as normal – no rethrow needed.
* Note: Disc golfers can call foot faults on themselves. Still, the call will need to be seconded.
Usually, here’s what a foot fault looks like:
- Method No. 1 – The putter is released with both feet off the ground.
- Method No. 2 – The putter is released after a foot has landed in front of the mini.
- Method No. 3 – From a standstill or with a walk-up, a mini (or disc) is stepped on.
There’s another kind of foot fault that often creeps up on players, though …
The falling putt.
A falling putt occurs when a disc golfer steps (falls) past their mini or disc within 10 meters (33.3 feet) of the basket. Inside the circle, golfers must demonstrate balance and body control until a putter comes to rest either on the ground or inside the basket. Understandably, the purpose of this rule is to prevent disc golfers from “walking” a disc into the basket from close range.
Tread lightly, however, as “balance” and “body control” mean different things to different people. As such, resist the urge to merely hover and step or retrieve your disc too quickly.
Whether you putt from one foot or two, the best way to prevent falling putts is to get in the habit of touching your back foot to the ground behind your mini before bending down to pick it up. This might seem overwhelmingly simple, but it’s a good way to demonstrate balance.
Be mindful of falling putts …
Nobody wants to tack on an extra stroke within feet of the pin.
Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.
Editor’s Suggestions:
- Austin: Paige Pierce has her fire back
- Golf discs: Why a lack of consistency between runs isn’t awful
- Consider this when buying (and bagging) rare, expensive discs
Real quick, if you happen to buy something through a link in this article, there’s a chance we’ll get a small share of the sale. It’s how we keep the lights on. To learn more, click here.
The falling putt and demonstrating balance in C1 is one of the few rules I think the sport could do away with and most players would enjoy. This is especially true as courses get more technical and we often have to putt out of the rough or from an obstructed stance. There are instances where I am straddled or contorted in a weird way that I wouldn’t want to naturally maintain balance to get the perfect putt, but unfortunately have no choice. If removing the rule would cause more players to make a run at the basket instead of a layup, surely that would add more excitement to the game.
Yeah, but think of how much easier it’d be to putt from 22 feet if you could lunge towards the basket …
You know?
That 22-foot putt is now a 10-foot putt.
And 10-foot putts are easy.
In my opinion, foot faults & shot clock violations should be taken much more seriously. All other card mates need to be held accountable for calling them as well, and timing the shot at the same time. When they’re not called, it’s amateur behavior that shouldn’t be allowed. If it’s an intimidation thing? There should be zero tolerance. How is any of this still an issue when The Olympics are on the table? Other than the tee itself where our footing is mostly sure, maybe all other shots should be stand still?
You’re preaching to the choir, Mikey …
To avoid the social awkwardness of it all, officials are going to have to come into play at some point.
And unfortunately, I don’t see that happening any time soon.