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PDGA Community Guidelines and Discipline Process

By: PDGA Media
Wednesday, May 10, 2023 - 17:39

The following was originally published August 18, 2022, and revised May 10, 2023.

Inclusivity and the Professional Disc Golf Association

The Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) recognizes the value of diversity and inclusion for the sport of disc golf. The PDGA also supports the right of all members of the disc golf community to live as their authentic selves. Hate speech or harassment of players will not be tolerated, whether online, as governed by these Community Guidelines, or in person at an event, as governed by the PDGA Disciplinary Policy and Process. In the event that players are being harassed at an event, TDs should use their best judgement and involve local law enforcement as needed to ensure the safety of all competitors.

Community Guidelines

The PDGA community may actively engage in healthy debate in PDGA social spaces (defined as any space, virtual, physical, etc. related to PDGA properties, activities, events, etc.) on a variety of topics. However, maintaining a welcoming space for all disc golfers is a priority. Therefore, the PDGA does not condone any hate speech or any language that is libelous, defamatory, obscene, threatening, offensive, demeaning, derogatory, disparaging, or abusive, or posting links to content that contains any of this language.

Any language shared on PDGA platforms, including at PDGA events, that can be considered hate speech on the basis of a person’s race, color, religion, sex (sexual orientation or gender identity), national origin, age, or disability, may result in disciplinary action. Hate speech is defined as offensive discourse targeting a group or an individual based on inherent characteristics - such as race, religion or gender - and that may threaten social peace.

Individuals may also be restricted or removed from social spaces, have their comments deleted, or otherwise become subject to discipline if they engage in any behavior including but not limited to the following:

  • Inappropriate language - including but not limited to use of profanity
  • Inflammatory and targeted hateful language - including but not limited to:
    • Attacking or making inappropriate comments regarding a person’s race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, or other classification.
    • Purposely misgender any person (player, commentator, organizer, etc.) or suggest that their gender identity is not valid. Calling a transgender woman a man or calling a transgender man a woman is a violation of this standard.
    • Use of language that is libelous, defamatory, obscene, threatening, offensive, demeaning, derogatory, disparaging, or abusive, or posting links to content that contains any of this language
  • Spam - including but not limited to: 
    • Posting commercial messages
    • Posting unauthorized links
    • Posting unauthorized fundraisers
    • Making remarks that are off topic
    • Writing lengthy comments beyond the scope of the original post

These community standards are in place for all PDGA platforms, properties, and events, and exist alongside all other applicable rules, regulations, and processes.

Disciplinary Process

The PDGA, without limitation, reserves the right to reject or remove comments or posts that do not abide by these community guidelines.

Any deletion of a comment that is not within these community guidelines should be taken as a warning by the author. Subsequent comments are grounds for the author receiving a ban from the PDGA’s social spaces for a period no shorter than 30 days up to a permanent ban.

Any bans or removal from the PDGA’s social spaces will be recorded and timestamped. Any social media user has the right to appeal their suspension within 10 business days by emailing [email protected].

More Information

For further information, you may review the PDGA’s existing policies and statements, including but not limited to:

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