PDGA Makes A Controversial Rule Change For 2026

This Week In Disc Golf the PDGA annoucnes the rule changes for the 2026 disc golf season, Kristin Latt gives update on her season, Nate Heinhold speaks out before The Ledgestone Open this weekend and so much more ONLY ON the Disc Golf Golf World

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We got PDGA rule changes amid its president announcing they will not be running for reelection. Kristen’s time off is an extended one. And not too much more this weekend disc golf. And we’re back disgenerates with another installment of this weekend disc golf. I’m Swiss Cheese, the one with all the holes. And most importantly, I’m just one half of the disc golf world. the uncle of a nephew and uncle duo that has changed the game by killing coverage with our fast-paced scripted style, poor taste in humor, even worse video titles, and of course by refusing to apologize for the feathers we may ruffle along the way. And for all the droves heading over to Leadstone to play or spectate, trust the disc golf world will be there. Of course, just fashionably late. And really, would you guys expect anything more of us? But the two of us are locked in for Saturday and Sunday. And sure, we still might be in search of a miracle cuz we don’t have tickets, but we’re not worried cuz we got ourselves in a box full of Peoria Disc Golf World merch with shirts, some Stamped Wizards, and even more. So, if you’re interested and want to pick up any of them, be on the lookout to catch us on the course, Saturday’s Fly Mart, or just hit our socials for more info and meeting up. And for the ones that are listening that can afford a spare ticket, in need of a caddy, or you got one of those coveted friends and family passes, make sure to hit us up also. And for the pros that are listening, don’t worry, we’re not going to tell the DGBT where we got them. And trust us, we’ll be on our best behavior like we do always. We’re not even planning on filming. Now, it may not have happened this week, but it occurred too late to cover in last week’s twig. So, let’s just dive into the PDGA’s approval of the five major rule proposals that were on the table. And sure, there was some worded revisions, but all saw that approval. For a reminder, let’s cover them and refresh your memory as some of these were panned by the public when the proposals were first made. The funniest just might have been the thrower no longer being part of the ruling or vote. And what seemed to be more meant to clarify the benefit of the doubt excuses used by most players and instead forced them to actually vote. But instead, the proposal was heavily criticized for not allowing the thrower a chance to argue their case or vote at all. And it was that exact feedback that caused the PDGA to issue a change in wording and ruling. And what I feel for the worse, cuz alls they really changed was to allow the thrower to have a brief opinion statement, but arbitrarily says they are not allowed to argue or lobby, creating even more of a gray area and a ruling on not a well enough defined rule. And for the Ganon Burr stopwatch viewers, they’ll need to adjust the time. Well, that’s at least when he’s on the fairway or off the tea and putting green as the PDGA’s extended the 30 second to a 45se secondond during those throws. This rule also includes player time extensions only for elite series events and higher and the heavily debated especially by Brody and Julie of issuing player warnings. Julie being part of the players committee which was included in this rule proposal feels players are more likely to issue warnings with this current structure while Brody and others feel it’s simply performative of the PDGA as that responsibility should be on the TD or marshals and not be placed on the player whatsoever which will only result in further no calls. Add Ganon saying that he’ll never make a call along with other pros. I, like many others, question if this will result in more warning calls at all, but we’ll all need to wait and see until next year when these rules go into full effect. A muchneeded change to help with enforcement as the players are now required to keep score and show them if requested and if they refuse can be disqualified from the event altogether. They also clarified the provisional procedures and definition. Provisionals are no longer allowed for mismandatories or abandoned throws. And yes, there’s more verbiage there, but it’s pretty much just as boring, so I’m really not going to waste your time on it. And the final major rule impacting more college disc golf than anything else is the codifying of team play and the procedures that follow. Splitting the team play into two sections, hopefully encouraging more tournaments to possibly run events in the same format. Along with the rules change, PDGA President Nate Heinhold made like Taylor Swift by jumping on a favorable podcast to promote Legstone. I’m not really gonna go as far as to say a rehearsed, but maybe not so much of an unanticipated announcement on his future with the PDGA while on the Staggered Stance podcast. I can run one more year with our term limits, but I’m done. I’m I’m not going to run for reelection. I don’t even think I’ve said that anywhere, but I’m like this is my last year on the board starting in September. Nate even doubled down from there while on the upshot. Also, this is my last year on the board, you know. I could I can run one more term. You know, I’m not going to um this is my last year. Uh you starting in September. Um at the end of the day, my conscious is very clear. Hinold is one of the most polarizing beings in disc golf and has plenty in the community celebrating this latest news. While there are others that are concerned with the void that he leaves, Hynold will complete his third term in September 2026, finishing what will be nine years spent on the board, assisting in shaping and ushering the modern disc golf era. As Hynold’s leadership spanned the COVID boom, quote, “Modernize the PDGA through technological investments to assist TDs and players partnerships and also by changing the world championship and disc approval process, actually removing those approvals from the hands of the board and into separate committees. This resulted in PDGA live and recent contracts with majors and worlds attached that we saw in the announcement with Estonia and the disc golf festival advancement in TD pay percentage and even overseeing rule changes and streamlining those also with correction all needed to help usher this sport to new heights. Yet it has been one of the most tumultuous ones also. There’s been plenty of calls for further transparency despite opening the books and sharing meeting minutes. The conflict of interest claims have been present over the entire span of those nine years and even have some in the comment section holding a Subway sandwich and taking it to the streets. All this even helped shape the most recent PDGA board election just this past month. There was the debated trans issue and subsequent handling of that by the PDGA that Nate oversaw. A decision that led to lawsuits that cost the PDGA financially. So much so it caused a reversal and settlement, creating a divide still felt in our sport today. As that ruling may have appeared to be too rushed. And though Heinhold still will be part of the community and influencing the sport with his TD efforts, his Ledgestone brand and only running the largest tournament every year, no matter your opinion, his departure leaves the sports governing body with a lot of question marks and an even more important election coming next year. And only time will really tell just how Nate’s leadership run will be viewed for years to come. There were plenty of questions on just how long exactly Kristen Lot’s break would be. That was all cleared up this week, even though it might be for the worse. As Kristen laid out her future tour schedule after shockingly dropping from Worlds and just following her representing her nation at last week’s World’s Games, it actually turns out the break is a substantial one, electing not to return till the end of the season. Going on to state in the post, I’ll be taking a step back from the hustle for a bit. My goal is to return for throw pink and the DGBT championship. But before then, it’s time to rest, heal my injuries, and regain some strength and clarity. Now, in all total, it has her missing five events. Two of which being plus, and even more importantly, two playoff events also, which also includes some of the highest paydays on the season, including the highest one this week at Legstone. Add this is her final year of her current contract. electing to take an extended break at this current moment should go to show the severity of Kristine’s fatigue, physical, and mental health for that matter. Also, choosing to prioritize that at this point is certainly admirable, but still does bring into question, could her latest performance and lengthy break possibly affect her current contract negotiations with House of Disc or possibly other future sponsorship offers from other brands? And I guess we’ll just have to wait and see, but I for one can’t see it at this point. Kristen is still one of the most popular players and one of the best FPO performers even with her latest woes and even with a possible fandom survey dip still holds plenty of House of Disc market share and sales and advertising for the company and add all major brands wanting to further expand into the growing European market. There’s no reason for any of them not to at least kick the tires on a possible Christristen contract. And now let’s get into some different quick hitters. Everyone on feature card made lead card for day two at Ledgestone in the MO. Anthony Bella shot the hot round of the group. That was despite getting razed mid putt by some [ __ ] people considered country music made by the Moonshine Bandit. [ __ ] Cottoney Joe is even better than that trash. AB released a new jersey in what looks like a Grip collab. The youngster movement continued even here in the States with teenage Allison Woodard falling just outside a lead card after day one. Evidently, Haley King’s putt was so bad that she’s hoping someone has it on coverage. The lots might not have been able to celebrate a medal at the World’s Games, but did celebrate a one-year anniversary this week. While the now Girthies just started the countdown to theirs, as Garrett and Jessica tied the knot this week, also now the sunglasses are just too easy to target, but it’s that vest that’s made out of the same fabric of your grandma’s front room sofa with the wood accent that no one ever really sits in. Jokes aside, congratulations to both them and the lots. Kale Visca capped off 20 consecutive years with a win at an A tier or higher. One other note from the Hinhold press tour that was just too good not to highlight was him going on record of the European world and it impacting his next year world’s infrastructure budget. I mean, our infrastructure spend will be more than double theirs. And I kind of have a ballpark of what theirs was. So, and what does that mean exactly? We’re talking about double-decker, you know, like you’d see at a PGA tour event structures. We’re talking about glass atrium tents. Um, we’re talking about we’ll have the same amount of video boards. I think I’ll have four or five at tobacan. Um, we’re talking about stadium seating on five locations. So, we’ll definitely have more infrastructure. I think only because I was I I I was planning on a lot and then I increased the budget after seeing worlds. as the bar has certainly been risen by Jussi and the team and should make for an even more exciting worlds in Milford, Michigan. Interesting to see where this all lays out on an often difficult terrain. And guys, that wraps up this week in disc golf. Shout out to those on the Patreon and to all of you that stayed not that long for me to thank you. And like always, if you’ve enjoyed and not subscribed, make sure to do so. It helps the channel and helps us make even more better content. 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