The ADG tournament committee has just approved updated tournament guidelines for 2025. The PDGA have also made big updates to the Official Rules of Disc Golf, the Competition Manual for Disc Golf Events and the International Program Guide. Both players and organisers need to familiarise themselves with these changes. Read the ADG Tournament Directors Guide in full for more details and read on for a quick summary.

_{📷Kingsley Flett}

The following summarises some (but not all) of the major changes applicable to the running of ADG sanctioned events in 2025 compared to previous years. It is intended to highlight significant aspects of which players and organisers should be aware but is not a substitute for reading the updated guide in full. The PDGA have also provided a helpful summary of their changes.

Here are some of the highlights of changes specifically for ADG sanctioned events.

• In general, language has been significantly expanded to provide much more detail and clarify several areas that had caused misunderstandings previously or that frequently resulted in questions from organisers.
• Submitting an event for sanctioning must now go through an online form which provides better validation of the required information.
• Recommended PDGA A-Tier minimum for ADGC and B-tier for ADGTour Majors. Will become mandatory from 2026.
• Minimum pro purses of AUD5000 for ADGC, AUD1500 for ADGTour Major and AUD250 for ADGTour events.
• Payout cutline at 33% (top 40% recommended, required from 2026) at ADGC, 33% at ADGTour Major events and 20% at ADGTour events.
• Minimum percentage of net entry fees paid out for Pro/Am of 85% (100% recommended, required from 2026) at ADGC, 85% at ADGTour Majors and 33% at ADGTour events. This must be at least 75% of gross entry fee for ADGC, 50% for ADGTour Major and 33% ADGTour events.
• FP40, FA50 and FA3 now added as ADGTour divisions and required to be offered for at least 1 week of general registration or pre-registration. This is to comply with new PDGA requirements in 2025 regarding mirroring access to mixed and gender protected divisions.
• Underserved divisions (Women’s, Junior and age 50+ divisions) must be run if at least 1 player is registered in that division per new PDGA requirements in 2025.
• In line with gender protected division normalisation FA4 is no longer an ADGTour points bearing division similar to MA4. It must still be offered at all ADGTour events with the exception of ADGC.
• Grouping and sectioning exceptions in the International Program are removed for all ADGTour events and must follow standard PDGA rules. Non-ADG tour events are not affected.
• Added official clarification that organisers are permitted to offer a reduced number of rounds to junior divisions if desired.
• ADG registration system has been updated to check if players are minors when registering to go along with language added to the TD guide.
• Timing restrictions on ADGTour events changed to only prevent events on the same weekend as an ADGTour Major in the same state (rather than country wide) or ADGC in any state.
• Toilets and water requirements for ADGC and ADGTour Majors, recommended for all other events.
• Note that in general, events that wish to access the full range of exceptions in the PDGA International Program guide should now be sanctioned as Non-tour events since as noted above, higher minimum standards are imposed at ADGTour series events.
• Unique basket requirement for ADGTour events that are not ADGTour Majors or ADGC reduced to 9 baskets to allow more courses to qualify for running ADGTour events.
• Sanctioning deadlines for ADGTour Major and ADGC events have been increased to allow earlier announcement.
• Clarified what information needs to be submitted to ADG after events in the different formats are completed as this was a common question.
• Added language on safety and weather policies.
• Checklist for organisers added to run through before, during and after their events.
• Detailed section added on additional requirements and considerations for ADGC and Majors which have a substantially higher expectation on quality and consistency.
• A full description of the ADGTour points formula is now included to clarify how tour points are calculated. States may also use this formula as a basis for state tours if they wish.

It has been a huge year for disc golf in Australia and the ADG board has been kept very busy guiding record participation and supporting a large number of tournaments and big events. The 2024 ADG annual report outlines what the board has been up to and some of the highlights from the year of disc golf in Australia. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered their time to help run a club, TD an event, support a TD, or assisted in growing the sport.

The end of 2024 also brings with it a change at ADG. A heartfelt thanks to outgoing board and committee members (Dave Kynaston, Sam Ockerby, Brian Clevenger and Nicole McPherson), including long-serving chairperson Luke Turnbull, whose decade of leadership has seen us through challenging times. We now welcome Jeremiah Flickinger as Chairperson and Chris Finn as Vice Chair. With a team of returning and new board and committee members we are ready for a great 2025.

The 2024 Annual General Meeting of Australian Disc Golf (inc) will be held online on

Tuesday 10th Dec, 8:30pm AEDT.

The AGM is open to all ADG members and is a great opportunity to ask questions of the board, provide feedback and discuss what disc golf in Australia should look like.

Further details including the link to join, agenda, and documents can be found here.

At the meeting we will be electing the ADG board for 2024. If you are interested in nominating
for a position on the ADG board, Tournament committee or State Representative Body please read the positions descriptions found here and complete the linked formed by 8pm AEDT Friday 15th November. If there is someone you think should apply please let them know you will support their application. We welcome applicants from diverse gender and cultural backgrounds.

On Aussie Disc Golf Day we launched our Play It Forward program. This program is all about getting discs to new players. With the help of RPM Discs, ADG got 700 “Play It Forward” discs and sent them all around the country. These discs will be given to established players who can then pass them on to people they think would like to play. That person can then use it for as long as they like then pass it on.  

We’ve all been on our local course and been approached by someone who is curious about the game. They’ll usually ask where they can get their hands on a disc; and this is where the RPM Play It Forward disc comes in. It’s not necessarily for you to throw, but to press into the hands of someone who is Disc Golf curious. Let’s call it a gateway disc to a healthy lifelong addiction.

The discs are RPM Tui’s with an Alex Brindle designed Play it forward logo. On the back is a QR code that links to our “Play It forward” page filled with good info on disc golf, how to contact their local club and how to find their local courses.

The program has been modelled on the successful initiative started by Jeff Brunsting of the Melbourne Disc Golf Club.

2024 is the fifth year of the Aussie Disc Golf Day. The nationwide event was born in a crisis that turned into an opportunity which introduced hundreds of new players to our game and brought the Aussie Disc Golf community closer together.

This year’s event saw 455 players compete across 13 events all around the country from Townsvlle, QLD to Burnie, TAS and Newcastle, NSW to Perth, WA.

Thanks to all the TDs, clubs and volunteers helping to make these events happen. Congratulations to those claiming bragging rights in the 15 divisions. The top 3 in each division will receive a special ADGD mini. Find the full list of results at https://www.pdga.com/aussiediscgolfday/results/2024

20 years ago ADG formed and a graphic designer was employed to design a logo for the new organisation.

From those humble beginnings we have developed into an enterprise that has grown exponentially and faced challenges those pioneers could never have envisaged.

We are now on the cusp of an era where disc golf is established on the sporting and recreation landscape in Australia, where our players compete on the global stage and we host major international tournaments. From the discussions we had last year for the creation of our strategic plan, it was clear that we were about to embark on a distinctly new era. So when player Alex Brindle approached us with a new logo concept we saw an opportunity to enter the new era with a new look. Over the next little while you will see us transition to this new logo. Our original logo served us well and it will forever be associated with that pioneering era of establishing this new sport in Australia. But now we look forward. 

ADG want to capture all the stories and highlights of the festival that is the Australian Disc Golf Championships (ADGC) being held in November in Molong, NSW.

• ADGC Div 1: Fri 22^nd -Sun 24^th Nov
• ADGC Div 2: Fri 29^th – Sun 1^st Dec
• ADGC Doubles: Wed 27^th Nov

We are seeking proposals to provide media coverage through video, photography and/or stories. If you are interested in applying please read the PDF and provide a proposal addressing each point.  Proposals will be evaluated based on the coverage provided, costs and requirements. Proposals and questions should be submitted to secretary@australiandiscgolf.com by 5pm AEST 30^th August.

📷 Reece Vellios

The biggest event on the Australian disc golf calendar each year, the Australian Disc Golf championships, is heading to Molong, NSW. RPM Discs New Zealand have generously stepped up as title sponsors to elevate what will be the largest disc golf event in Australian history to an even higher standard. Hosted by Central West Disc Golf, TDs Kevin and Sharon will be bring us 2 big weekends of disc golf, with doubles in the middle and on site camping.

Registration opens for all divisions on Sunday 26^th May at 8pm AEST.

Division 1 (MPO, FPO, MP40, MA1, FA1, MA40) – Fri 22nd November to Sun 24th November 2024.

This group will compete on a championship-level 18-hole course at the Molong Golf Course and Showground. (PDGA A tier). The FPO and MPO champions will qualify to receive invitations to the PDGA Champions Cup.

Division 2 (MA2, FA2, MA3, FA4, MA50, FA40, FJ15, MJ15) – Fri 29th November to Sun 1st December 2024.

This group will compete on a competition-level 24-hole layout which runs primarily through the wooded tree lines throughout the grounds of the Molong Golf Course. (PDGA B tier).

For more information check out www.adgc.com.au

and make sure you are following https://www.facebook.com/AustralianDGC

ADG is seeking a registration coordinator for ADGC 2024. The work involved includes setting up and monitoring online registrations, replying to player enquiries and setting up player groupings during the event.

• ADGC Div 1: Fri 22^nd  – Sun 24^th Nov
• ADGC Div 2: Fri 29^th Nov- Sun 1^st Dec

If you are interested in learning more or applying for the position please read the PDF and provide a detailed proposal addressing each point. Proposals will be evaluated based on experience, availability and costs. Proposals and any questions should be submitted to secretary@australiandiscgolf.com by 5pm AEDT Sat 30th March 2024.

At the inaugural Asia-Oceania Team Disc Golf Championships held Dec 2023 in Chinese Taipei

By Jason Browne

Jason Browne tees off

I’ve always been a team sports kinda guy. Growing up in Perth in the 1980’s, my sporting endeavours followed the same well-worn path as so many boys before me: AFL football in the winter and cricket in the summer. I tried a season of little athletics once but it wasn’t for me. There’s something about the camaraderie that comes with team sports that I have generally gravitated to.

Once I got to the age where team sport opportunities meant keeping up with those much younger than me and the risk of injury became larger due to the physical nature of these sports, I started to look at other options in the sporting world. At age 40, I discovered disc golf. While it is mostly an individual sport, the amount of support and camaraderie that you receive from your card mates (and opponents) gives the sport the feeling you’re still playing in a team.

I would never have imagined that this “niche” sport would give me the opportunity to represent my country. And in the best scenario possible for me, it led to playing in the Australian Disc Golf Team.

There is something special about being a part of a team that are all working together to achieve a common goal. In local sports, players have their own agendas which don’t always align as a team. As the level of competition increases, stakes grow higher and the people involved share more common beliefs and goals.

Jason Browne and Sharon Costa compete in a doubles match against Thailand

A small team of nine players was assembled from all parts of Australia to compete at the first WFDF Asia-Oceania Teams Disc Golf Championships. Due to the last minute nature of the event organisation, the team was assembled rather quickly, from players with a range of experience and with little opportunity to familiarise ourselves with each other and hone our skills together. This presented a challenge to combine a group of people, some of whom had never met, into a cohesive unit ready to take on higher rated opposition from around the region. A small team of near-strangers in a foreign country coming together for the first time can easily feel disjointed – and for a group hastily assembled for an event, it can be easily forgotten that you are representing your country. Kudos to team captain Aaron Moreton, who took the time to instil a feeling of gravitas to the occasion and inject a sense of pride in the team and the jerseys we were wearing: this helped everyone to realise that we were part of something truly unique and special.

Aaron’s message was simple: the shirt we were wearing gave us the permission to play at the highest level possible. It was not a burden to carry, but instead it was an access key to unlocking each player’s potential.

As the tournament went on, this potential began to be unlocked in many players on the team: matching and beating higher ranked opponents through sound tactics, practised skills and steely determination. Team players realised the potential to take their individual and team play to a new level. Matches that, on paper, looked like an easy win to our opponents, became (at the very least) a tight tussle up until the last two holes, or an unexpected victory to the underdogs.

In the end, the Team came home with a hard fought bronze medal, but we came within two holes of featuring in the playoff for gold. While a little disappointed that we could not quite take that extra step up the podium, I think the near-strangers that met only two days before the start of the tournament can be well proud of their achievements.

Competing at this level with a highly motivated group of team mates is an addictive feeling. Once you experience it, you want to experience it again.

After the tournament was complete and we turned our attention to heading home, questions started being asked about how we could be a part of something like this again… when can we next get to feel that endorphin rush of elite team competition?

If anybody is on the fence about whether you want to try out to be a part of the Australian Disc Golf Team, don’t hesitate. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime that you will not regret and will leave you hungry for more.

Team Australia receive their Bronze medals