PDGA Disc Rules; reprinted by permission of the Professional Disc Golf Association

PDGA Technical Standards 

Guideline procedures for manufacturers to certify that equipment complies with PDGA Technical Standards

Rev. 3/9/02

(I) DISCS

(A) Identification

After a determination is made that a product meets the guidelines for Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) approval, the equipment manufacturer must uniquely identify each product. This can be accomplished by placing a distinguishing symbol or name on all products for sale. Indelible markers, hotstamps, or mold markings are all acceptable methods of marking discs.

(B) Test Samples

In order to have the production of a mold be approved for certification, the equipment manufacturer must submit at least three samples of the disc to the PDGA Technical Standards Committee Chair. At the same time, a $200.00 check is to be sent to the PDGA office. The check should be made payable to the PDGA. An additional fee is required for any disc assigned an entirely new name by the manufacturer, excluding custom hot stamped discs. If the status of a particular disc is in question, the Technical Standards Committee will make a final determination as to which discs are or are not custom discs). The PDGA may test any product at its own expense at any time.

(C) Testing Laboratory

The PDGA Technical Standards Committee is responsible for testing equipment submitted for PDGA approval. The needed tests are conducted either by an independent laboratory or by a committee member with the expertise and equipment necessary to measure the physical attributes.

(D) Notification and License

The equipment must comply with all applicable standards, and if approved, the Chair of the Technical Standards Committee will promptly notify the manufacturer, the PDGA Competition Director, the PDGA Oversight Director, the PDGA web site administrator, and the PDGA Administrator. An electronic press release noting the approval will also be sent to all publications that have requested such notification. Notification of approval or denial will be made within 15 calendar days of receipt of the completed certification form and required samples from the manufacturer's representative.

If the equipment is approved, the words "PDGA Approved" may be placed on the disc and it may be used in PDGA-sanctioned competition. After approval, the Technical Standards Committee Chair will issue formal permission to place "PDGA Approved" on the disc. If the disc is not approved, an explanation of the testing failure and a refund of the $100 approval fee will be sent to the manufacturer. All discs permitted for use in the annual PDGA Professional and Amateur World Championships must have been formally approved at least 30 calendar days prior to these events.

(E) Fee Payment Options

Manufacturers may pay individual fees for each disc submitted or may choose from several payment options:

-Payment of an annual fee of $1000 for up to 10 discs

-Payment of an annual fee of $2000 for up to 25 discs

All bulk payment fees are to be sent to the PDGA Office, payable to the PDGA.

(F) Test Methods for Discs

Metric measurements are employed in characterizing the physical properties of flying discs. All linear measurements are rounded to the nearest mm (0.1 cm); measurements ending in 0.5 mm are rounded up. Weight measurements are rounded to the nearest decigram (0.1 g); measurements ending in 0.5 dg are rounded up. The PDGA Technical Standards Committee is now recording the following attributes:

·  (1) Outside Disc Diameter - This attribute is recorded using a pair of calipers with a 40-cm measuring capacity. Measurements are taken from two transects at right angles to one another across the long axis of the disc, and then averaged. The outside disc diameter is used in calculating the maximum weight permitted in PDGA competition. The maximum weight may not exceed 8.3 g per cm of outside disc diameter.

(2) Height - This attribute is recorded using a pair of calipers. To measure height, a specialized large caliper such as a tree caliper is used.

(3) Rim Depth - This attribute is measured using a metric ruler. The rRim depth is defined as the distance between a straight edge placed across both rims and the point where the rim meets the flight plate of the disc. The ratio between the rim depth and the outside disc diameter must exceed five percent for the disc to be permitted in PDGA competition.

(4) Rim Thickness - This attribute is recorded using a vernier caliper. The rRim thickness is defined as the distance between the outermost and innermost edges of the rim.

(5) Inside Rim Diameter - This attribute is recorded using a pair of inside calipers. The inside rim diameter, equal to the outside disc diameter minus twice the rim thickness, defines the distance across the flight plate.

(6) Rim Configuration - The rim of the disc is held perpendicular to a contour gauge having 13 probes per cm (such as the Valued ST142). The rim of the disc is then pressed gradually into the gauge to a depth of 5 mm. The resulting movement of each affected probe is measured to the nearest 0.25 mm, and then totaled to produce the rim configuration rating. The ratings of three samples are determined, and the median score is used as the final rating. The minimum rim configuration rating must be 26.0 or greater.

(7) Leading Edge Radius - This attribute is evaluated using a 1/16-inch (1.6 mm) radius gauge. To pass this test, the leading edge of the disc must not come in contact with the gauge.

(8) Flexibility - The disc is held on its edge in a vertical position perpendicular to a scale with a precision of at least +/- 2 oz. (56.7 g). The upper rim of the disc is then gradually pressed down within a period of 5 seconds. The flexibility rating is determined at one of two points, depending on how the disc reacts to the application of pressure. For discs that buckle, the flexibility rating corresponds to the point when the maximum weight is registered on the scale. For discs that do not buckle, the rating refers to the weight at the point when the inside rim-to-rim distance is at 50 percent of the discs' diameter. The temperature of the disc is to be no higher than 25 degrees Centigrade (77 F) when the test is performed. The ratings of three samples are determined, and the median score is used as the final rating. Discs that are unable to be bent to 50% of their diameters fail the flexibility test. Manufacturers are required to send samples of the most rigid discs they want considered for PDGA approval.

(G) Retesting

There are several circumstances under which a disc that has been previously approved is required to be submitted for a retesting procedure:

·  (1) Mold, Material or Production Technique Changes - If there are changes in a mold that has been producing an approved disc, the discs produced by the changed mold may have to be retested for approval. Not all such changes require approval. Retesting is only required if a mold includes the addition or removal of a new structural feature (e.g., bead, step edge, and Thumb Trac), or results in a measurement that appears to potentially violate any of the technical standards.

(2) Name Changes - If a disc that has previously been approved for PDGA competition is to be marketed under a different name, which does not include the name under which the mold has been previously approved, retesting is required.

Manufacturers are also encouraged to submit for retesting a previously-approved disc which is marketed under a new name which does include the name under which the mold has been previously approved. This process will result in the disc being separately listed on the PDGA approved-disc list. Three samples are required and normal retesting fees apply.(Note: This retesting has been waived for discs received through 12/31/02)

It is the responsibility of the manufacturer to notify the Technical Standards Committee Chair when the circumstances as described above dictate that a disc they are producing may need retesting. The Chair may also call for submission of a disc for retesting if he or she becomes aware or suspects that a manufacturer has been producing a disc that meets one or more of the circumstances that require retesting. Discs requested for retesting must be submitted to the Chair within 30 days to ensure PDGA approval is maintained.

The requirements, procedures, schedule, and fees of the retesting procedure are identical to that of the initial testing procedure outlined above. If it is demonstrated that the disc in question does, in fact, not meet the requirements for retesting there will be no fee due from the manufacturer.

(H) Guidelines for Discs Used in PDGA Competition

To be used in PDGA competition, discs must:

·  (1) have a saucer-like configuration with a flight plate unbroken by perforations and an inner rim depth which exceeds five percent of the outside disc diameter. The flight plate is defined as the upper (or dorsal) section of the disc;

(2) be made of solid, non-magnetic plastic material, without any inflatable components;

(3) not be less than 21 cm in outside disc diameter, nor exceed 40 cm in outside disc diameter;

(4) not exceed 8.3 g per cm in outside disc diameter;

(5) not exceed a maximum weight of 200 g;

(6) be essentially as produced, without any post-production modifications which affect the weight or flight characteristics;

(7) be of a production-type disc available commercially to the public in numbers of at least 1500 in the case of a new mold or 500 in the case of a renamed disc out of a previously approved mold;

(8) present no unreasonable and no unusual danger to players or spectators;

(9) have a rim configuration rating of 26.0 or greater;

(10) pass the leading edge radius test with a 1/16" (1.6 mm) radius gauge;

(11) have a flexibility rating no greater than 27 lb. (12.25 kg); and

(12) have been certified for competition by the PDGA Technical Standards Committee.

• 108 Test Methods For Discs: Metric measurements shall be employed in characterizing the physical properties of flying discs. All linear measurements shall be rounded to the nearest millimeter; measurements ending in 0.5 mm shall be rounded up. Weight measurements will be rounded to the nearest decigram; measurements ending in 0.5 dg shall be rounded up. The methods to be employed in testing shall be:
  • A. Establish The Outside Disc Diameter - This attribute will be recorded using a pair of calipers with a 40 cm measuring capacity. Measurements will be taken from two transects at right angles to one another across the long axis of the disc. By taking two measurements, any potential effects due to warpage are factored out. These measurements will then be averaged.
  • B. Establish The Rim Depth - The disc shall be laid on its top with the rim up. If the disc is warped the measurements shall be taken where the measurement will be the smallest after the disc has been laid flat to remove the effect of warpage as much a possible. A straight edge shall be laid across from rim to rim and measurements taken at the point where the rim meets the flight plate to the straight edge. This measurement shall be established is multiplied by the allowable minimum percentage of rim depth. The measured depth must be greater than or equal to the calculated minimum allowable.
  • C. Establish The Disc Weight - Multiply the previously established outside rim diameter by the maximum allowed weight per cm of diameter. The measured weight must be less than or equal to the calculated maximum allowable.
  • D. Establish Rim Configuration - The rim of the disc shall be held perpendicular to a contour gauge having 13 probes per cm (such as the Valued ST142). The rim of the disc shall then be pressed into the gauge to a depth of 5 mm. The resulting movement of probes is to be evaluated with the movement of each probe being measured to the nearest 0.25 mm. The measurements for all affected probes are then totaled to produce the rim configuration rating. The ratings of three examples shall be determined with the median score used.
  • E. Establish Leading Edge Radius - This attribute will be evaluated through the use of a 1/16 in (1.6 mm) radius gauge. To pass this test, the leading edge of the disc must not contact the gauge (see Fig. 1.1)Fig 1.1
  • F. Establish Disc Flexibility - The disc is to be held on its edge, in a vertical position, perpendicular to a weight scale with a measure plate placed on its inner rim (see Figure 1.2[A]). The scale shall have a precision of at least ± 2oz (56.7g) The height of the measure plate shall be 1/2 the outside disc diameter. The upper rim of the disc shall then be gradually pressed down within a period of 5 seconds. The flexibility rating is the maximum pressing force measured prior to when the upper rim touches the measure plate (see Figure 1.2[B]). The temperature of the disc is to be no higher than 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit) when the test is made. For approval of a specific model, the ratings of three examples shall be determined with the median score being used.