Welcome to the PDGA rules school. I'm Brian Earhart here to help you
learn the basics of the official rules of disc golf. Welcome to Rules School episode number eight: obstacles and relief in disc golf,
we are always hoping for a lie that is clear, flat and generally provides
good footing for our next throw. Unfortunately, we are sometimes left
with lies that are less than optimal on the side of the slippery, muddy
slope in a ditch under a rock and so on. Let's talk about
when we can move obstacles and when we can move our lie
because of obstacles. first of all, you can move
casual obstacles that are on the playing surface where
you can legally place a supporting point when taking your stance.
Casual obstacles are pieces of debris
like leaves, sticks, branches, stones and rocks. You can move these items even if they
extend in part in front of your lie. There are certain situations where the position of the thrown disc
means we get casual relief. There are obstacles on or behind the lie, physically preventing you
from taking a stance. There are potentially harmful insects
or animals like wasps, rattlesnakes or anything else designated by the tournament director
where casual relief is available. You can mark a new lie back along the line of play
at the nearest point that provides relief. If, on the other hand,
the lie is, say, difficult but casual relief is not available,
you may choose to take optional relief at any time as far back from your lie
as you care to go on the line of play by adding one penalty,
throw to your score on the hole.
You can also take optional relief
after receiving a penalty throw for a disc that is out of bounds or above two meters without taking an additional penalty
throw. Players may also take relief
if their disc lands within one meter of an out-of-bounds line, in which case they mark a new lie
anywhere along the one meter line, extending from the point
where the disc was last in bounds. Note that this means the player may actually move their lie closer
to the OB line if they wish. If you are unsure
whether or not casual relief or optional relief are available,
consult with your group. If the group decision is not clear
or if you disagree with the group's ruling, consider playing a provisional shot from both locations
and asking a tournament official to make a ruling
when it's convenient to do so. For more information
on obstacles and relief, including more specific
examples, visit PDGA.com/rules