Disc Golf Mando: Everything You Need to Know

If you’ve played disc golf for long, you’ve most likely encountered a “mando” at one point or another. If you haven’t yet, don’t worry you will know the pain and frustration soon enough! Most seasoned disc golfers have enjoyed the satisfaction of releasing that perfect drive only to see it miss the mando by a yard and sail into the unknown.

Either way, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I’ll cover the ins and outs of mandos. Including, what they are, why they exist, and what to do if you’ve “missed a mando”. It won’t make mados any less frustrating, but it will at least make you sound sophisticated as you expound on the intricacies of the mando while fishing your disc out of the woods.

What is a mando (mandatory) in disc golf?

Technically speaking, a mando (short for mandatory) indicates how a disc golfer’s disc can pass an obstacle as they throw toward the basket. Since mandatory is defined as something that’s “required by a law or rule”, this definition makes sense when you think about it.

More practically speaking, a mando is just an obstacle you have to throw the disc past on the way to the basket.

Often, the obstacle is in the form of a tree or pole with a sign indicating which side is off-limits. However, two mandos can mark a corridor making players “thread the needle” down the middle so to speak.

The area marked off-limits by the mando is called the restricted space. When you throw your disc on the wrong side of the mando and into the restricted space you’ve “missed the mando (congrats!). Now, you add one penalty stroke to your score. If you miss a mando multiple times, either on the same hole or later on the course, add one penalty stroke for each miss.

Defining the restricted space can be difficult to do and it is often somewhat ambiguous. However, it is generally thought of as an imaginary wall blocking the path to the basket. This illustration below from the PDGA (Professional Disc Golf Association) really helps me to visualize this!

An illustration for the PDGA showing what a mando is in disc golf — Illustration from the PDGA Explaining Restricted Space

In tournament or professional play a tournament director (or TD) is available to clarify any questions about the restricted space.

Mandos with a single tree (or poll) with a sign are single mandos, whereas two mandos working together makes a double mando. While not very common, triple mandos, do exist and usually mark an opening that players must throw their disc through such as two trees with a rope or beam stretching between the two.

Here’s a great video by the PDGA for those of your who are more visual learners.

What does it mean to miss a mando in disc golf?

Knowing when exactly you’ve missed a mando can be tricky. It will help to keep in mind that the mando creates an imaginary wall extending in the opposite direction of where the mando indicates you should throw. If at any point your disc passes (or even touches) that imaginary wall, you have missed the mando because your disc has entered restricted space.

It does not matter if your disc flies past the mando and somehow comes back into play. For instance, if your disc lands in restricted space and rolls back out of the restricted space. If at any point your disc enters the restricted space you have missed the mando.

So, if at any point your disc touches the imaginary wall defining the restricted space, you have missed the mando. Even if just the tinny tinniest edge of your disc is touching!

Seem harsh? Read the official rule on the PDGA website if you don’t believe me!

What to do if you miss a mando in disc golf?

1. Throw from a drop zone

The drop zone is the area players throw from if they miss the mando. Normally there is a sign, separate tee, or something similar that is clearly marked as being the drop zone. If the hole has a sign at the tee pad it will usually indicate the location of the drop zone, if it exists.

So, if you miss a mando and the hole has a drop zone, you would add one penalty stroke to your score. Then you would take the walk of shame and take your next throw from the drop zone. Keep in mind that not all courses or holes use drop zones. In that case, you would go with option #2 below.

2. Rethrow from your last position

If the hole doesn’t have a drop zone and you miss the mando, you would take your next throw from the same spot you just threw from before missing the mando. Even if a drop zone is present you may choose to abandon your throw and throw from your previous position. This can be advantageous if the drop zone is not in an ideal location or your last throw was closer to the basket. Plus you avoid the walk of shame…

In either case, you would add a penalty stroke to your score before throwing again from your previous position.

Tips to avoid missing the mando

Ah yes, I hear you asking, “if missing the mando is such a frustrating and painful experience, how do I avoid doing that?” Well, with some practice and luck, you can dial in the throw to avoid missing the mando.

1, Aim twice as far to the side of the mando as you think you should

For instance, say there is a mando that you need to throw to the right of. If you’re like me, you think you can aim 10 ft to the right of the mando and be ok. Hint: you won’t be ok. Aim twice as far to the side of the mando as you think you should to be safe. It may not put you in the ideal spot for your next throw, but at least you won’t be picking up extra strikes for missing the mando.

2. Use the right disc

Understand the flight numbers of your discs so you can choose the best one to avoid missing the mando. Need to thread the needle between a double mando? Use a disc that has a straight flight path, like a midrange. Need a throw to curve around the mando? Try an overstable distance driver.

3. Don’t overthink it

From my experience, overthinking is one of the main reasons I make bad throws. There are dozens of scarred-up trees out there to attest to that fact. At the end of the day, sometimes it’s best to step up to the tee, take a deep breath, and take the shot.

Why do we have mandos in disc golf?

1. To Encourage Safety

Course designers or tournament directors use mandos to discourage players from taking unsafe or risky throws. This could be because of a nearby parking lot, spectators, or even cross-traffic from another hole. Mandos can be a good solution on tight courses to keep people and property out of harm’s way.

2. To Create New Challenges

A well-placed mando can take an easy hole and transform it into a highly difficult and technical one. This can be a good solution if the course is located in a more open area without natural obstacles to make holes challenging.

Mandos can also be added by tournament directors to make an otherwise easy hole more appropriate for the level of play at the tournament.

3. To discourage players from losing discs

I’ve spent longer than I’d like to admit searching for lost discs while the group behind me has to wait. It’s annoying, embarrassing, and avoidable That’s why some course designers use mandos to discourage players from trying to throw over areas of heavy brush or water hazards and losing discs. This leads to less time spent looking for discs and keeps the round going smoothly.

Interestingly, the PDGA discourages course designers from using mandos. However, they are often in place for good reason, even if as a last resort.

Mandos in casual play

Let’s be honest… in disc golf sometimes it’s more important to have a good time than to be a stickler for the rules. So, in the typical casual round, it’s more important to just make sure everyone is in agreement on the mando instead of trying to establish the “official” mando for the hole. If a hole has a mando sign make sure to point it out to all everyone in the group before the first player throws. That way if someone misses the mando everyone will be in agreement.

If someone misses a mando and losses a disc in the brush it’s always better to lend a hand than to stand by explaining that they missed the mando – no matter how educated you may feel after reading this article. Tournament play is another matter, but it’s still important to be understanding and use your better judgment before whipping out your copy of the official PDGA rulebook.

A Note About The Official PDGA Rule

Speaking of the PDGA rules, you can read more on what they have to say about mandos and more here. if you’re new to disc golf and just learning the rules of the game you came to the right place! Take a minute to look at some of our other articles and let us know if you have any questions! We’re always happy to help!