What’s a ‘provisional’ in disc golf?

Heading into the new year, many disc golfers are looking to compete more …

If they’ve never done an event, they want to get involved in some capacity. If they’re on-and-off tournament participants, a bit more consistency would be nice. And if they’re genuinely gifted disc golfers, making a dent in the local MPO or FPO scene is the goal – maybe even more.

Whatever your motivation, knowing the basic rules of disc golf helps …

Let’s talk provisionals.

The interesting thing about provisionals is that most amateurs are at least familiar with the term. They’ve got enough hours of JomezPro under their belts to have some understanding of what one looks like. But when they’re brought up on a card during a sanctioned gig, crickets – that’s it.

Nobody knows what to do …

Let’s fix that.

A provisional is an additional throw that’s used for two reasons:

• Reason No. 1 – To save time in the event of a potential lost disc or OB throw.
• Reason No. 2 – To protect a player who disagrees with a card’s or official’s ruling.

For example, let’s say one of your cardmates launches a driver off the tee in the complete wrong direction: thick woods, stinging nettles, Sasquatch, etc. He thinks there’s a good chance it’s lost.

So as to save time walking back to the teepad and re-teeing after confirming what he already believes to be the case, he throws a provisional. Later on, he continues play either 1) from his original drive, if it’s found, or 2) from the provisional if his first disc is indeed Gonzo Alonzo.

Should he take his provisional, he’s throwing four.

Here’s another one …

Later on in the round, the same guy (he sucks) throws a drive that flirts with an OB line. Only, you and the rest of your card don’t think it’s “flirting” with the line – it’s 100% out of bounds. He disagrees, and there’s no official on-hand to help out – yet again, he opts for a provisional.

As such, he throws two approaches from his lie: The first as an OB shot, and the second as an inbounds provisional. From there, he plays out BOTH legs of the hole, noting the results of each on his scorecard. After the round is complete and an official ruling is made by the tournament director, only the correct series of throws is counted towards his final score – easy-peasy.

* Note #1: If you decide to throw a provisional, you have to notify your cardmates first.

* Note #2: Throwing a provisional doesn’t mean you get to pick the lie you like better – sorry.

And again, just to reiterate …

As previously mentioned, provisionals can be used to appeal a course official’s decision.

Paul McBeth did this once at Maple Hill back in 2020 – and won the appeal.

Check it out:

Yes, officials exist, but in large part, disc golfers govern themselves – this means you’re often at the mercy of idiots. Dear friends, THAT is why provisionals matter – they’re empowering.

Know ‘em. Use ‘em. Love ‘em.

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

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