Rules & Etiquette

Out-of-Bounds Relief

Take OB relief correctly and avoid extra penalties.

Why it matters

Out of bounds is the most common penalty in the game and the one most often taken incorrectly — usually in the player’s own favour by accident. Knowing it properly costs nothing and saves the two awkward conversations that otherwise happen: where exactly the disc went out, and what it costs.

How to do it

An out-of-bounds throw costs one penalty throw (PDGA 806.02).
Your next lie is within one metre of the point where the disc LAST crossed into out of bounds, measured perpendicular from the line, and no closer to the target.
You may instead play from your previous lie, which still carries the same one penalty throw. Sometimes that is the better option.
A disc is out of bounds only when it comes to rest out of bounds. Passing over OB ground and landing in bounds is fine.
Check the local OB lines before you tee — many courses mark paths, roads or water as OB, and they vary hole by hole.

Common mistakes

Playing from where the disc came to rest rather than where it last crossed the line.The crossing point is what matters, and it is often a long way back. Agree it with the group before anybody moves.

Assuming a throw that flew over OB is penalised.Only where it comes to rest counts. Over and back in is no penalty at all.

Forgetting that the previous lie is an option.Same penalty either way. From a bad crossing point, going back is sometimes the cheaper shot.

Not knowing the local OB before teeing.Read the sign. OB varies by hole and by event and it is the most common source of an avoidable stroke.

Key points

OB is one penalty throw.
Play from where it last crossed, within one meter in-bounds.
Know local OB lines before you tee.

The drill

Drill · Walk the line — 1 round, identifying every OB line before teeing on all holes. For one round, before each tee shot, say out loud where the OB is on that hole and which side the safe miss is. By the end you will know your home course’s OB properly, which is worth more over a season than almost any technical work.

Watch: Disc Golf Rules School - Episode 6: Out-of-Bounds — PDGA