Q: I would like to know the dimensions of a standard basket

A: This one surprised me, read on to see why. The basket must be no larger than 26 3/8 inches in diameter and must be at least 6 inches deep. The rim (aka, the top of the basket) must be 29 to 35 inches above the ground. If the basket has a deflection apparatus (eg., chains), it can be no wider than 28 inches.

Those are all of the rules, according to the PDGA, regarding basket sizes. There are no regulations regarding the height of the deflection apparatus. The deflection apparatus can be flexible or solid.

As Jeff Homburg, of the PDGA Rules Committee, informed me, "As you noticed, the target requirements are not very stringent, and that is on purpose, to allow for some creativity on the part of manufacturers. The rationale is to promote competition between manufacturers, with players having the ultimate choice of what targets we play on through their purchases and recommendations to park departments." Well done! Apply minimal rules to allow for maximum creativity - and in the long run, we all win.

I wonder if this approach would work with disc golf tournaments? Perhaps setting minimal rules and requirements for tournaments and letting the Tournament Director color in the tournament as they see fit would create an incentive for more well run, fun events to get PDGA sanctioning. Strip away the unnecessary rules, let TDs be creative. This would let the players decide which tournaments are best. At least the PDGA got it right with the baskets.

Sincerely,

Torque Novitski, Marshall Street

Our mission is simple: Grow the sport, grow the sport, keep growing the sport.