Perth Disc Golf Club Incorporated takes pride in the quality of its players, host facilities and broad community involvement at each event it organise or participates in. In order to continue making our events enjoyable for everyone we require all members/players to adhere to a set of guidelines known as the Code of Conduct. Its purpose is to create a safe environment for members and to instill a sense of professionalism that will project a positive image of our sport to the broader community and to potential sponsors. The Code of Conduct is to be adhered to for the duration of the applicants membership, or the event being played if not a PDGC member.

Health and Safety

Personal Conduct

  • Members and players are expected to demonstrate respect for other members, park users, tournament participants, spectators, tournament officials, volunteers and all others by exhibiting decorum consistent with the expectations of the Perth Disc Golf Club Inc. Committee.
  • Violations include abusive language; abuse of the golf course or golf property; cheating; bag kicking; vandalism; display of bad temper; overtly aggressive and/or intimidatory behaviour; disrespect of fellow competitors, spectators, volunteers and officials and other conduct that is considered detrimental to the best interests of the game.
  • Use of alcohol by a player or caddie during an official or tournament round is prohibited.
  • Use of illicit drugs by a player or caddie during a official or tournament round is prohibited.
  • Cell phones and audible beepers are prohibited during competition, and in terms of etiquette should be set to vibrate or silent during all other rounds.
  • Players must take due care when throwing a disc that their throw will not threaten another person’s safety or property.
  • If a disc throwing situation presents a threat to another person’s safety or property, then the thrower must take steps to eliminate the threat or wait until the threat is no longer.
  • If in doubt, don’t throw the disc.
  • Whilst out on any disc golf course, players should be aware that there are natural and man-made hazards that can cause injury if a player shows a lack of care and attention. Examples of these hazards are, but not limited to, rabbit holes, snakes, spiders, rocks, over hanging branches, slippery ground, fences and water hazards.
  • Players are advised to wear footwear that will protect and support the foot and ankle, and to stretch and warm up adequately before throwing.
  • If there is private property obstructing hole/s on the course, players are to skip the hole and return at the end of their round to play the hole if the obstacle has been cleared. If still unable to play safely, the group affected note the obstacle on the card and the Tournament Director will make a ruling on how the hole is to be scored for the affected group/s.
  • If a players disc lands in private property and cannot be retrieved without trespassing, the player must seek permission from the property owner before retrieving his/her disc.  If unable to do so within the PDGA time limit, the player must continue their round with the appropriate penalty and return to retrieve the disc upon the completion of their round.

Cheating

Cheating is defined as a wilful attempt to circumvent the rules of play. All tournaments use the latest edition of the P.D.G.A. rulebook. It is each members responsibility to know the rules of play and abide by them in both tournament and casual rounds.

Drug and Alcohol Usage

As stated in the Personal Conduct above, use of drugs and/or alcohol during an official or tournament round is prohibited. Players may responsibly consume alcohol prior to or upon completion of their round(s) for the particular day. However, abuse of alcohol after play and on course property is considered professional misconduct and is subject to disciplinary action at the discretion of the Perth Disc Golf Club committee and/or Tournament Director.

Dress Code

Full members are encouraged to wear their club shirts during all official rounds, tournament rounds and any events that the Club is officially participating in.  Neat casual dress will apply to all tournaments, Tournament Directors can stipulate any dress code requirements for individual tournaments.

Violations of the Code of Conduct

If a violation occurs prior to or during an event, the individual must immediately comply with the code. This must be done without undue delay and the code must thereafter be maintained. The committee and/or Tournament Director may assess a penalty depending on the severity of the violation.

Penalties

Here is an excerpt of rule 804.05 the P.D.G.A. rulebook:

  1. A player shall be disqualified by the director for meeting any of the necessary conditions of disqualification as set forth in the rules, or for any of the following:
    1. Unsportsmanlike conduct, such as; loud cursing, throwing things in anger (other than discs in play), or overt rudeness to anyone present.
    2. Wilful and overt destruction or abuse of plant life, course hardware, or any other property considered part of the disc golf course or the park.
    3. Cheating: a wilful attempt to circumvent the rules of play.
    4. Activities which are in violation of the law or park regulations or disc golf course rules, including the illegal consumption of drugs or alcohol. Directors are granted the discretion to penalise or disqualify a player based on the severity of the offending conduct. An official warning of disqualification may be issued by PDGC Committee or a director where appropriate.
  2. Disqualified players shall forfeit any tournament prize money and shall not receive a refund of entry fees or member dues.
  3. A player in violation of any section under 804.05A is also subject to suspension from the PDGA Tour. Suspension from the PDGA Tour may only be assigned by the PDGA Commissioner. A player may appeal his or her suspension to the PDGA Board of Directors. The determination to suspend, and the length of the suspension, shall be based on the severity of the action and the extent to which the player may have committed repeated violations.

The Perth Disc Golf Club committee reserves the right to apply any sanction/punishment/s to any PDGC member or event participant for a breach of any of the above. The ruling/s of the Committee will be based on the severity of the breach and will be immediately enforced.