Basket placement - PDGA

Wes Hansen · #1 September 16th, 2010, 09:29 PM

I'm fairly sure there are rules governing what a PDGA approved basket is.
What about how it is placed on the course.
I have seen a basket hanging from a tree and one on a ridiculously long pole.
Isn't there a rule regarding how high off the ground the basket is?

Jester · #2 September 16th, 2010, 09:56 PM

Wes, What gives? Did you bogey #2 at the Grove?

Wes Hansen · #3 September 16th, 2010, 10:06 PM

No. As I remember, that placement got me a stroke on everyone on the card.
Or at least Sam. I can picture his putt going up and up and- oops, too low.
When a good putter misses a putt I often question why. The fact that I made my putt makes it even more suspect!

It's NOT about that hole, or who put it in. Or what course it's at.
It's about the rules and consistency.
I didn't like the one hanging in a tree either. On a hill, made of dirt.
I think I double-boged that.
But if #2 in CG is OK, why not a 4" pole and a hole on the ground?
Sincerely- isn't there a rule on that?
It's a fine line. The stump hole at Milo is on a natural element for added height.
A pole to do the same seems wrong though.
To me.
I just want to know if it's truly legal according to the rules.

And, because this forum is read by PDGA board members... if it ain't against the rules, why not?

Chuck Kennedy · #4 September 17th, 2010, 04:08 AM

The important dimension for consistency in disc golf targets is the height of the gap (Target Zone TZ) between the top of the basket tray and the bottom of the chain supports. What height the TZ is off the ground isn't nearly as important. Even if all baskets were exactly the same height off the ground, the ground itself varies so you would be throwing up or down at the TZ anyways. Some terrain is pretty flat and course designers are allowed to vary the height of the TZ in a way that produces an effect similar to being placed on a hill, ledge or in a hole by using longer or shorter poles or suspending the target.

tomw · #5 September 17th, 2010, 05:13 AM

What he said,
" course designers are allowed to vary the height of the TZ"
Thats the rule, broad based, but??????
Must aim for the TZ

Wes Hansen · #6 September 17th, 2010, 10:48 AM

Odd.
Thanks Chuck.

rockhound · #7 September 18th, 2010, 08:59 AM

I like when the tz is challanging, through tight trees, around blind courners, up hills, down hills. I love the challange,

crystal mountain #18, one of my favoite dg holes.

ChUcK · #8 September 18th, 2010, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wes Hansen

I didn't like the one hanging in a tree either. On a hill, made of dirt.

You sounded like Dr. Seuss right there.

I like an elevated basket, but only if it is achieved without a gimmick. Hanging from a tree sounds a little contrived. What would really make it awesome is if it had someone on the other end of the rope making the bucket go up and down like a pinata.

olydiscgolf · #9 September 19th, 2010, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChUcK

You sounded like Dr. Seuss right there.

I like an elevated basket, but only if it is achieved without a gimmick. Hanging from a tree sounds a little contrived. What would really make it awesome is if it had someone on the other end of the rope making the bucket go up and down like a pinata.

See Howliewood!

Sam · #10 September 20th, 2010, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChUcK

You sounded like Dr. Seuss right there.

I like an elevated basket, but only if it is achieved without a gimmick. Hanging from a tree sounds a little contrived. What would really make it awesome is if it had someone on the other end of the rope making the bucket go up and down like a pinata.

And disc golf's equivalent of Putt-Putt was born....

Chuck Kennedy · #11 September 21st, 2010, 06:20 PM

Quote:

And disc golf's equivalent of Putt-Putt was born....

If we could only have the success they've had over the years including live TV coverage.

CrazyDriver · #12 September 21st, 2010, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck Kennedy

The important dimension for consistency in disc golf targets is the height of the gap (Target Zone TZ) between the top of the basket tray and the bottom of the chain supports. What height the TZ is off the ground isn't nearly as important. Even if all baskets were exactly the same height off the ground, the ground itself varies so you would be throwing up or down at the TZ anyways. Some terrain is pretty flat and course designers are allowed to vary the height of the TZ in a way that produces an effect similar to being placed on a hill, ledge or in a hole by using longer or shorter poles or suspending the target.

According to the Disc Golf Target Specifications - PDGA Approved - February 2009 -- Rim Height above grade is supposed to be 82 +/- 6 cm. That works out to 29.9 to 34.6 inches. Is that a rule or a guideline?

http://www.pdga.com/files/documents/PDGATechStandards_61510.pdf

Bob Horning · #13 September 22nd, 2010, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrazyDriver

According to the Disc Golf Target Specifications - PDGA Approved - February 2009 -- Rim Height above grade is supposed to be 82 +/- 6 cm. That works out to 29.9 to 34.6 inches. Is that a rule or a guideline?

http://www.pdga.com/files/documents/PDGATechStandards_61510.pdf

considering that these are the only standards allowed on baskets that are in any PDGA A or B class sanctioned tournament, I would say the zone would have to be of that height also. Other targets that fall outside this guideline can not be used in a sanctioned tournament, except in a C class I believe.

Chuck Kennedy · #14 September 22nd, 2010, 05:45 AM

The Rim Height guideline is a spec for how targets are manufactured, not how they are installed on a course. The manufacturing guideline is for consistency in target production so buyers know what to expect for dimensions. The height they can be installed is a separate issue overseen by the Course Committee, not the Tech Standards group. I'm a member of both groups. The Course Committee doesn't have a problem with installing some targets at different heights. Committee members range from preferring no more than 3 up to no more than 6 at non-standard heights out of 18 holes.

Ol' Bob · #15 September 22nd, 2010, 09:12 AM

It all seems rather arbitrary on any topography other than a vast flat plane.

Tim · #16 September 22nd, 2010, 09:24 AM

I'm fine with elevated baskets for the most part. One sticky situation that I've seen mentioned though is if the basket is tall enough, and the 2 meter rule is in effect, you could be penalized for a DROT.

Adam Schneider · #17 September 22nd, 2010, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim

you could be penalized for a DROT.

Really?? Who's that much of an asshole?

Cornwall, Esq. · #18 September 22nd, 2010, 10:00 AM

At the now extinct (RIP) Mossy Roc, there was a basket on top of a huge stump, or maybe it was a broken in half tree, which itself was on a small 4 ft tall mound. This is much higher up than the Stump shot at Milo McIver. You were throwing at an angle roughly equivalent to the angle on Terrace Creek #2, if your in the circle below basket. I would routinely triple bogey this hole, going back and forth, overshooting my putt multiple times. However, it was a short hole, and I always felt as though I had the opportunity to ace it from the tee, which alleviated any sense of frustration regarding the extreme putting angle. So, I can see a place for the highly elevated basket, but certainly use it sparingly and with as much risk/reward as possible from tee. Also, high basket means there must be a way to reach any DROT discs.

Tim · #19 September 22nd, 2010, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Schneider

Really?? Who's that much of an asshole?

I'd be scared to ask.

It could happen though, is the point. Hopefully a TD would make an exemption in that case, but in the right situation, a player could legitimately be stroked for it.

Bob Horning · #20 September 22nd, 2010, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck Kennedy

The Rim Height guideline is a spec for how targets are manufactured, not how they are installed on a course. The manufacturing guideline is for consistency in target production so buyers know what to expect for dimensions. The height they can be installed is a separate issue overseen by the Course Committee, not the Tech Standards group. I'm a member of both groups. The Course Committee doesn't have a problem with installing some targets at different heights. Committee members range from preferring no more than 3 up to no more than 6 at non-standard heights out of 18 holes.

Question for you then, if the height of the basket does not matter and is only so that buyers know what to expect for dimensions, then why is only certain baskets complying with certain specs allowed to be used in certain tournaments? There are basic targets, suitable for league and x-tier events, standard targets suitable for up to B tier events and championship targets, which you must have for A tier events.