Mini Marker
Definition: A mini marker, or mini marker disc, is a small disc used to mark a player’s lie before the next throw. The player places the mini on the playing surface directly in front of the thrown disc, touching its front edge and aligned with the line of play, and then removes the thrown disc. A mini marker is not thrown during play and, when used in sanctioned competition, must comply with applicable PDGA Technical Standards.
Why It Matters: A mini marker establishes the location from which a player must take a legal stance and make the next throw. Marking the lie allows the player to pick up the thrown disc, use that disc again, and gain a small amount of forward positioning without changing the lie improperly. A mini is required when a lie must be relocated or established under certain rules, including some out-of-bounds, relief, lost-disc, and above-ground situations. Incorrectly positioning the mini or moving the thrown disc before properly marking the lie may result in a marking violation.
Term Observations:
- A player may ordinarily leave the thrown disc in place as the marker rather than use a mini.
- The mini is placed against the edge of the thrown disc closest to the target on the line of play.
- Once the lie is marked with a mini, the player’s legal stance area is directly behind it.
- Minis are commonly decorated with tournament artwork, course logos, player names, or promotional designs.
- Not every small collectible disc necessarily satisfies the technical requirements for use as a regulation mini marker.
- A player receives a warning for the first marking violation during a round and one penalty throw for each subsequent marking violation during that round.
- A mini marker must be circular, 7–15 centimeters in diameter, and no more than 3 centimeters high. It may be made of plastic, metal, wood, or other materials.
