Effective: May 28th 2020                                                     

All Australian disc golf competitions including local leagues and national tour events have been cancelled since March. However, as government restrictions on participation in recreation and sport are currently easing, it is now time to prepare for the resumption of competition.

Given that Disc Golf is a non-contact sport played outdoors using a player’s discs and that play occurs in small groups of 3-5 players per hole, these guidelines outline the steps needed to start leagues and tournaments again. As each state is easing restrictions at a different rate, the main requirement is that events are run in accordance with local government orders.

Sanctioning the event

ADG is considering application for event sanctioning in areas where restrictions have been eased to allow sport to resume. Sanctioning will not be approved until restrictions are lifted in the area the event is to be held. TDs wishing to run an event should follow the steps outlined in the Checklist for TDs in order to have their event sanctioned. Where sanctioning is provided for an event it is important to still be prepared to respond to changes in your area due to the need to manage a local outbreak. The event proceeding will depend on restrictions in place on the day of the event.  

Requirements for Participation

Players, officials and spectators must not attend an event if they:

• have a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19
• have been in contact with a known or suspected case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
• have been told to self-isolate by a medical authority
• are unwell or had any flu-like symptoms in the last 14 days.

Participants must be:

• ADG members with up to date contact details recorded.
• willing to work with contact tracers should they be diagnosed with COVID-19 following the event.

Before attending the event, participants should assess their own risk considering their age, medical conditions, situation and contacts.

Strategies to minimise the risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19

The following strategies are to be followed by participants (players, officials and spectators) at the event. TDs can also download our social distancing rules for disc golf and distribute this to all participants prior to the event.

• Maintain group size below limits set by State Government directives. This includes before, during and after play.
• Take a “get in – play – get out” approach
• Practice social distancing of 1.5 m
• Wash or sanitise hands on arrival and departure from event.
• Keep a record of who you play with.
• Minimise physical contact with the Disc Golf Basket
• Avoid touching other participants equipment including but not limited to discs, minis, towels, drinks, food, stools, bags or prams (sorry, carts)
• Remove your disc from the basket prior to other players holing out.
• Ensure tee box is clear before entering.
• Follow hygiene measures- cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing with tissue or elbow, wash hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer, avoid touching your face, avoid touching others eg no high fives and avoid touching others things.
• Carry your own hand sanitiser, water and food. Public water fountains and shared water coolers should not be available.
• Check event website or facebook site to keep up to date on how the event will run
• Review PDGA COVID recommendations and best practices.

Running COVID-Safe event

Some changes are needed to the way events are run to ensure they are safe.

• TD to retain a record of names and contact details of all participants (players, officials and spectators), including player groupings eg via Disc golf metrix.
• TD to have hand sanitizer available for players to use when they arrive and prior to leaving.
• Use Tee-times, flex start or ‘go straight to your hole’ shotgun starts to avoid entrants gathering.
• Avoid gatherings of participants
  • Move players meetings to an online format (eg facebook live) where practicable.
  • Post tee times, hole assignments and scores online
  • Move award ceremony to an online format where practicable.
• Use electronic scoring systems.
• Collect payment and registrations online
• Consider using electronic vouchers as prizes and doing payouts by electronic transfer.
• Ensure any toilet facilities have soap or sanitizer available.
• Minimise spectator numbers
• Align with PDGA COVID recommendations and best practices, unless the State Government is more onerous.
• Communicate with players about how the event will run, using the event website, facebook page or mailing lists. TD’s may wish to use our social distancing rules of play to spread this message.

As a self-refereed sport disc golfers are experienced at knowing the rules and playing by them. We expect these new steps to be upheld in the same way in order to protect our diverse community.

Please contact us at secretary@australiandiscgolf.com if you have any questions.