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What is a Disc Golf Mini Marker Disc for?

area behind the mini marker

What is a Disc Golf Mini Marker Disc for?

What is a Disc Golf Mini Marker Disc for? When we first started playing disc golf, my brother and I had questions about the rules, particularly regarding the proper placement of our foot when throwing from a tee or during a fairway throw. We initially thought that the best practice was to place our foot close to where the last disc landed, which is a common assumption among beginners.

However, understanding the proper usage of a mini marker disc is crucial for ensuring fair play and adherence to the rules. The mini marker disc is specifically designed for this purpose. Here’s why it’s important:

1. Marking Your Lie: In disc golf, your “lie” is the spot where your disc comes to rest after a throw. The mini marker disc allows you to accurately mark this position. According to the rules, you must throw from a point directly behind the mini marker where your last disc landed. This helps define your starting position for your next throw.

2. Standardization: Using a mini makes the game clearer for everyone. All players should understand that the mini is a way to visibly indicate your lie, avoiding confusion about where to throw from. This is especially important in casual games where players may not be as familiar with the rules.

3. Rules Compliance: The World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF) and the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) have specific guidelines regarding the use of marker discs. When approaching your lie, the marker must stay in place until you complete your stroke, ensuring that the next player has a clear view of the location of your previous throw.

4. Convenience and Portability: Mini markers are typically small and lightweight, making them easy to carry in your pocket or disc bag. Their convenience means you’ll always have one on hand, promoting consistent gameplay.

5. Enhancing Strategy: By using a mini marker, you can take more precise measurements for your next throw. This can be especially helpful when planning your strategy for the upcoming shot, as you’ll have a defined reference point to work from.

while it may seem like a minor accessory, the mini marker disc plays a vital role in the game of disc golf. It not only helps maintain the rules but also enhances the overall experience for you and your fellow players.

Might Mini

the might mini

A mini marker is a miniature version of a disc that players use to mark their lie. A lie is defined as the place on the playing surface upon which the player takes a stance in order to throw. The lie for the first throw on a hole is the tee box. A drop zone is also a lie. A drop zone is a designated area for throwing under certain specified situations.

Other than the tee box and drop zone, the lie is an area 20cm x 30cm, or roughly the size of an 8 ½ x 11 sheet of paper, which is directly behind the mini marker or disc.

mark tee pad disc

Let’s say a player is playing hole #1. His first throw is from the tee pad. He does not need to mark his lie on a tee pad. His drive lands in the middle of the fairway. He now has a choice: he can leave his disc where it’s at and throw in the 20cm x 30cm area behind the disc, or he can place his mini marker in front of his disc, pick up his disc, and throw in the area behind the mini marker.

area behind the mini marker

The player will continue to mark his lie until he completes the hole by landing in the basket. The only exception is if he misses a mandatory (a designated direction that a disc must pass an obstacle) that has a drop zone. Players do not need to mark their lie at a Drop Zone.

What does a mini marker look like?

As mentioned above, a mini marker basically looks like a miniature disc. There are dimension standards set by the PDGA that must be met for a mini to be ‘legal’ to use. Here are the standards:

Mini Marker discs must have a circular shape, with a diameter ranging from 7 cm to 15 cm and a height not exceeding 3 cm. Mini marker discs can be made from a variety of materials (e.g. plastic, metal, wood). The Mini Disc Golf Federation officially defines mini discs suitable for mini golf competition ( via http://minidiscgolf.com/rules/).

When is a mini marker necessary?

While you have the option to use the last disc you threw to mark your lie, this does not mean a mini marker is always unnecessary. In most casual play situations, a mini may not be required. However, in PDGA-sanctioned tournaments, if your disc goes out of bounds, you must use a mini marker to properly indicate your lie. Without a mini, you cannot proceed according to the rules.

In unsanctioned tournaments or casual league play, it is common for players to flip their disc to mark their lie. While this practice is acceptable in non-sanctioned events, it is important to note that it is considered illegal in PDGA competitions. Therefore, having a mini marker is essential for adhering to the official rules in sanctioned play.

 

flipping a discs

If you plan on playing sanctioned tournaments, it is a good idea to use a mini marker in casual rounds. Then you make a habit of using it, and won’t during a sanctioned tournament.

Here are the PDGA rules regarding mini markers and their use:

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About Joshua Christensen

I am an ultimate frisbee player turned disc golfer. I have been playing disc golf for a few years now and have fallen in love with the sport and love to do what I can to further its growth!