A DISC GOLF CARD GAME
FINAL NINE is a compact and competitive card game based on the rules, equipment, features, design, and quirks of DISC GOLF. It's a game about making decisions, picking the best DISC, applying SKILL, avoiding TROUBLE [or CALLS], hoping for LUCK, and ultimately making the PUTT
FINAL NINE can be played over 9 HOLES, 18 HOLES, or Mega 3-6-9 HOLES. It can be played with STANDARD RULES or BATTLE RULES, at a REC, AM or PRO Level of Play. You can use half the cards or double packs, play as a single-player or up to 4 players per 18 HOLES
FINAL NINE is up to you. Play your Game!
THE CARDS
There are 3 categories of cards in FINAL NINE: HOLE cards, DISC cards, and ACTION cards. Within each category, there are different card types, features, abilities, and effects for each THROW you build and make
DISC cards include DRIVER cards, MID-RANGE cards, and PUTTER cards; each is Forehand and Backhand specific. ACTION cards include: SKILL cards, DEVIATION cards, LUCK cards, and CALL cards
DISC cards and ACTION cards are designed to interact with each other throughout the game [to change the FLIGHT and OUTCOME], though they are never shuffled together. The cards have been colour coded to make selection quicker and more accessible from your HAND, each with a corresponding card type ICON
HOLE CARDS
HOLE cards are the HOLES for the course. Each HOLE has the same features, configured so each HOLE is unique. There are Par 3s, 4s, and 5s throughout the course
Start from the TEE PAD GRID and THROW your way to the BASKET GRID using the play sequence outlined in the Game Play. Once you're within 2-3 GRIDS, PUTT to complete the HOLE, or try your LUCK further away 'From Distance'
The HOLE cards can be arranged in several layouts. Stack the HOLES in order, lay out the entire course, in a circle, or in lines as mega 3-6-9 HOLES
DISC CARDS
DISC cards are played first. Match the FLIGHT GRID pattern and direction to reach an intended GRID, up/down or across the HOLE card
DISC cards include DRIVER cards, MID-RANGE cards, and PUTTER cards; each is Forehand and Backhand specific
On the FLIGHT GRIDS, the ARROW is the current GRID position [eg TEE-PAD, or Landing] GRIDS up the card are Distance, [+] Fade is the direction and can be added to, [-] Fade removes GRIDS or moves the opposite direction. Some DISCS also have immunity to BUSHES or WIND
ACTION CARDS
ACTION cards initiate the THROW and alter the FLIGHT of a DISC, changing the OUTCOME
SKILL cards are applied before a THROW. DEVIATION and CALL cards are drawn and applied during a THROW, but not from a HAND [unless playing BATTLE]. LUCK can be applied after a THROW to add to a FLIGHT or nullify a DEVIATION or CALL drawn
SYMBOLS on certain cards determine when they can be applied. A cannot be applied during PUTTING, a can only be applied when PUTTING, and a can be applied INSTANTLY if drawn during a THROW
HOW TO PLAY
FINAL NINE is based on the same principle as physical DISC GOLF: get your DISC from the HOLE'S TEE PAD to its BASKET in the least number of THROWS, using SKILL, avoiding TROUBLE, and having LUCK
Game Play in FINAL NINE follows a sequence of ACTIONS, inside which you make your decisions. Each player has a HAND of 9 cards, made up of any number of DISC or ACTION cards. Play them to determine your FLIGHT, and landing GRID, for each THROW, up/down or across each HOLE card
To get from the TEE GRID to the BASKET GRID in FINAL NINE you must choose the DISC you want to use, add SKILL if you want, then THROW. Watch out for DEVIATIONS and CALLS though, as you may need to use some LUCK. Decide, THROW, and PUTT your way to finish each HOLE
SETUP
DO I HAVE TO TAKE OUT THE 'DOT ' CARDS?
No. You can play a game with the full pack or half pack. Statistically, for 1-2 players, it is better to remove the dot cards so that there is a good flow of different cards. Nobody wants all the PUTTERS! With all the dot cards removed, scoring will be easier. The full pack plays a little harder.
HOW DO I LAYOUT THE FULL COURSE?
To layout the full course, match the numbers on the (middle) sides of each HOLE card. If there is no number (just a circle), then it means it is an outer edge. Note: Every second row of cards are 180 degrees to the previous row.
WHEN REFILLING MY HAND DO I HAVE TO REDRAW FROM THE SAME STACK?
No. When refilling your HAND after discarding 2 cards at the beginning of a HOLE, or after playing cards, you can choose to redraw from either stack (e.g play a DISC, then redraw an ACTION or a DISC). You may choose to have 9 DISCS in your HAND if you want. Any combination of cards is allowed as long as there are 9.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I GET TO THE BOTTOM OF A DISC OR ACTION STACK?
Reshuffle the appropriate discard pile and re-stack it.
WHAT IF I FORGET TO REFILL BACK TO 9 CARDS DURING PLAY?
If you forget to refill your HAND and other players have already refilled, or played cards, then indicate you need to refill and draw the appropriate amount of cards from the DISC and/or ACTION stacks.
MOVEMENT
CAN I MOVE DIAGONALLY?
No. Play is only up and down, or across, a HOLE card, moving diagonally is not permitted. Potentially as a result of a THROW, you can end up diagonally from your starting GRID (e.g. 1 Distance and 2 Fade).
CAN I MOVE DOWN A HOLE CARD?
Yes. In the rulebook it states you can go 'up' the card, this was supposed to read as 'up/down' the card. Turn your chosen DISC card to indicate which direction you are travelling.
CAN I TEE-OFF SIDEWAYS?
Yes. Turn your chosen DISC card to indicate which direction you want to TEE-OFF. Beware of your DISC FLIGHT including ISLANDS, Out-of-Bounds, and MANDOS you may have to get around.
WHAT IF MY LANDING GRID IS OFF THE CARD?
If your landing GRID is off a card in a stack or full course layout, then your DISC is considered Out-of-Bounds (OB), and your next THROW is from the last safe (in-bound) GRID before you went OB, with a +1 penalty to your SCORE. If you can apply a 'Green Flag' LUCK card, then your next THROW is from the last safe (in-bound) GRID before you went OB, with no +1 penalty added.
WHAT IF I LAND ON A WATER OR STRUCTURE GRID?
Both of these areas are considered Out-of-Bounds (OB), so your next THROW is from the last safe (in-bound) GRID before you went OB, with a +1 penalty to your SCORE. If you can apply a 'Green Flag' LUCK card, then your next THROW is from the last safe (in-bound) GRID before you went OB, with no penalty.
WHAT IF THE FLIGHT OF THE DISC GOES OVER A STRUCTURE GRID?
If the FLIGHT of a DISC is determined to go over a GRID with an OB Structure then it will not be Out-of-Bounds. OB only happens when your DISC lands inside the GRID. Imagine you put enough height on your THROW to clear it.
WHAT IS A 'MANDO'?
MANDO stands for 'mandatory', as in an object that you must pass a certain way. Usually, it is an object your DISC must pass on a certain side, for safety or to not infringe onto another part of the course. Sometimes it is could also be an object you must go under.
For the sake of FINAL NINE, it is a GRID you must pass by on a certain corner. If you land before the corner (e.g. the GRID itself), or to the left or right (away) from the corner, you still then need to pass the corner correctly. It could take you about 2 THROWS to get back around, so try not to miss it!
WHAT HAPPENS IF I MISS AN ISLAND?
If you don't land inside an ISLAND area from the TEE-PAD GRID (missed) in 1 THROW, you have to place your MARKER on the Drop-Zone (DZ) for your next THROW, with a +1 penalty to your SCORE. The Island line then disappears, and you play the rest of the HOLE as normal, even if you go iff the original ISLAND.
WHAT IS A 'DROP-IN'?
When a DRIVER or MID-RANGE DISC lands on the BASKET GRID, and a 'From Distance' card is not applied (from a HAND or INSTANT), then the next THROW is considered a DROP-IN. The next THROW is counted on the SCORE, and a legal THROW (drawing the next ACTION card) is not required. You have completed the HOLE. This movement is considered a reward for an accurate THROW.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I LAND ON A BUSHES GRID?
If you land on a BUSHES GRID, then your next THROW is from the same GRID, but your THROW will have -1 Distance applied unless your DISC has immunity to BUSHES (the line under the FLIGHT GRIDS). If you land on a GRID with a small TREE, these are not BUSHES, they are just decoration and do not affect FLIGHT. A CLUMP is also a BUSHES GRID, though it only takes up one GRID space.
SO THE '+' and '-' SYMBOLS ARE IMPORTANT?
Yes. The plus and minus symbols determine the direction of Fade for a DISC. They are important to note as that will be the direction you will go if a DEVIATION should occur, or if the WIND pushes your DISC that way. Keep note of what SKILL and LUCK cards you also have so you can add to or counter the movements in the Fade direction you need to go.
DISCS
HOW DO I PLAY A DISC ACROSS OR DOWN A CARD?
To play a DISC across a card, indicate your direction by playing the DISC on the discard pile facing the direction you wish to go, 90 degrees left or right. If you wish to play backwards or down, then turn the DISC 180 degrees.
WHAT ARE THE LINES AT THE BOTTOM + SIDE OF A FLIGHT GRID?
A line at the bottom of a FLIGHT GRID indicates that the DISC has immunity to BUSHES. It, therefore, isn't affected by the -1 Distance that BUSHES apply when making a THROW from them.
A line to the side (or end) of a FLIGHT GRID indicates that the DISC has immunity to WIND. The DISC isn't affected by any ACTION cards played that have the word 'wind' in the title (e.g. Strong Wind (DEVIATION), Head Wind (LUCK), etc.). The line on the end doesn't just mean it is resistant in that fade direction; it is immune to any WIND, including a PRO level game where the wind is determined before each hole.
WHAT IS A 'BOOM' OR 'NAIL'D IT' TYPE OF PUTTER?
The special types of PUTTERS that automatically go in (or are part of a Character Card ability) are played the same way that a GRID PUTTER is played (do not play another PUTTER first). If you are within the distance stated on the card, the PUTT is automatically in, but you still draw the next ACTION card as a THROW. If the PUTTER card states any immunity, then also apply that to the THROW. Usually, there is no effect on the THROW, because you nail'd it!
WHY DO I HAVE TO PERFORM A THROW IF I PLAY A 'BOOM'' TYPE PUTTER CARD?
A legal THROW must always be performed unless it is a DROP-IN. So if you play a 'Boom' or 'Yes' style PUTTER card, then you must finish the HOLE by performing the THROW. The card type indicates the PUTT is IN. The action of the THROW also aids in the cycling of the cards, which an important function of the game.
WHAT IF I AM IN THE BUSHES AND MY PUTTER HAS NO IMMUNITY TO BUSHES?
A PUTTER that has no immunity to BUSHES cannot progress from the BUSHES unless a SKILL or LUCK card is applied (e.g., +1 Distance). You can still play the non-immune PUTTER, but your next THROW will be from the same GRID again, with 1 THROW added to your SCORE. At least then you can draw a new DISC.
WHAT IF I DON'T HAVE A PUTTER, OR I HAVE A PUTTER THAT WON'T LAND ON THE BASKET?
If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of not having a PUTTER when you need to PUTT or have a PUTTER that won't land on the BASKET GRID, then you have found yourself in a 3 PUTT situation. These are not fun. Here are some solutions which may or may not be ideal:
[1] If you are playing 2-4 players, then TRADE another DISC for a PUTTER. It may come at a high cost.
[2] You can take a +1 penalty to your SCORE to draw a new DISC. Discard a DISC card and draw another. Do this as many times as you want, for the cost of +1 each.
[3] Play whatever DISC you can (including going backwards), then refill your HAND and hope you get a PUTTER.
[4] You may have to end up going OB. The BASKET may be right next to the OB, so then you can DROP-IN. If you have a 'Green Flag' LUCK card, use it.
Always remember that PUTTERS are important, and make sure you have one for those really tricky HOLES.
WHAT IF I DON'T HAVE A PUTTER AT THE START OF A HOLE?
If you don't have a PUTTER at the start of a HOLE, don't worry. You can, of course, swap up to 2 cards at the beginning of the HOLE. If that doesn't yield a PUTTER, remember you will be playing and refilling DISCS + ACTIONS all the way to the BASKET. A PUTTER should turn up. If not, you can TRADE or take a +1 penalty to your SCORE to draw a new DISC.
CAN I MAKE A PUTT WITH A PUTTER BEYOND 3 GRIDS?
Yes. A PUTTER is like any other DISC. It can be modified to have more Distance or Fade. If you apply a +1 Distance to a 3 GRID PUTTER, then it becomes a 4 GRID PUTTER, and you can get to the BASKET GRID from farther away. Though, you cannot add SKILL or LUCK that has a 'Cross' SYMBOL.
SKILL
CAN I REALLY PLAY 'DRAW 2 NEW' AND 'DISC SWAP' ...ANYTIME?
Yes. These two SKILL cards are the exception to the rule of 'play before the THROW'. Play these cards whenever you want, to your advantage.
IF USING THE 'CHAMP' CARD, DO I FIND AND DRAW OUT THE SKILL CARD I WANT TO APPLY?
No. When playing the 'Champ' card, you can apply 1 SKILL effect you want without having the SKILL card you are copying. When playing the card announce the 1 effect you wish to use. You can even use it to apply a 'Draw 2 New' or 'Disc Swap' effect, though only before a THROW.
CAN I USE THE 'CHAMP' CARD TO DO A 'DISC SWAP' or 'DRAW 2 NEW'?
Yes. The 'Champ' card is a substitute card for any SKILL card, so a 'Disc Swap' or a 'Draw 2 New' can also be applied if desired.
WHERE DO I GET THE DISC FROM FOR THE 'DISC SWAP'?
Once you have discarded the 'Disc Swap' card, you then look through the DISC discard pile and take whatever DISC you want. You can play this card anytime, so you can even use it straight after playing your favourite DISC to retrieve it for another THROW.
HOW DO I PLAY A 'FLIP' OR 'SWITCH' CARD?
The effect of the 'Flip' or 'Switch' SKILL card is to mirror the FLIGHT GRIDS of the DISC played, along the line of the Distance FLIGHT GRIDS (up the DISC card). The Fade GRIDS (if any) switch to the other side of the Distance GRIDS, and the '+' and '-' switch sides. 'Switch' SKILL cards are specific to Backhand (BH) and Forehand (FH) DISCS, as indicated on the cards.
CAN I USE THE ROLLER SKILL CARD OVER WATER?
Yes. This may seem strange as Rollers don't tend to float very well. Don't take the card too literally; it is intended to be a +1 Distance based on a method of getting more distance in DISC GOLF.
IF USING THE 'CHAMP' CARD, WHAT ARE THE CURRENT SKILL CARDS?
FLIP : Mirror the Flight Direction of the Disc
SWITCH : Change Forehand to Backhand
SWITCH : Change Backhand to Forehand
CONTROL : +1 Distance or -1 Distance
FLEX SHOT : +1 Distance
ROLLER : +1 Distance
THUMBER : -1 Distance / Immune Bushes
INVERTED : -1 Distance
LAYUP : +1 Fade or -1 Fade
HYZER : +1 Fade / Immune Wind
ANHYZER : -1 Fade
OVERSTABLE : +1 Fade and Immune Wind
UNDERSTABLE : -1 Fade
DRAW 2 NEW : Discard this Card and another any time then Draw 2 Cards
DISC SWAP : Discard this Card at any time and Draw 1 Disc from the Discard Pile
LUCK
CAN I PLAY A LUCK CARD ON AN INSTANT?
Yes. An INSTANT occurs from a THROW, and LUCK is applied after the THROW. So even if you get a 'From Distance' during the THROW, you can apply a LUCK card to potentially complete the HOLE.
HOW DOES THE 'GREEN FLAG' CARD WORK?
If your landing GRID is off a card or on a water or structure GRID, then your DISC is considered Out-of-Bounds (OB), and your next THROW is from the last safe (in-bound) GRID before you went OB, with a +1 penalty to your SCORE. If you apply a 'Green Flag' LUCK card, then your next THROW is from the last safe (in-bound) GRID before you went OB, with no penalty. The card will not save you from missing an ISLAND though; you have to go to the Drop-Zone (DZ) if you miss, with a +1 penalty to your SCORE.
CAN I PLAY A LUCK CARD WITH A CROSS SYMBOL WITH A 'FROM DISTANCE', IF IT GOES IN?
A DRIVER or MID-RANGE DISC that goes in the BASKET using a 'From Distance' LUCK card is not considered a true PUTT, so therefore the Cross and Circle SYMBOLS are not in effect and can be applied.
DEVIATIONS
WHY CAN'T I PLAY DEVIATIONS FROM MY HAND DURING STANDARD PLAY?
DEVIATIONS are one of the disrupters to the success of a THROW in FINAL NINE. Their function is to change the course of your THROW once you have released the DISC. When refilling your HAND or switching cards, you may pick up a DEVIATION (or 2) which now takes up space and can't be used, leaving you with a harder HAND to play. The DEVIATION has now successfully disrupted your plans again, making you think about how you play your cards, how you refill, and what to switch.
Just remember though, if DEVIATIONS are in your HAND, they aren't in the stack ready to disrupt your THROW. Therefore, the odds of a successful THROW are better.
When it comes to playing BATTLE, this is when DEVIATIONS can be played from your HAND. You now become the disrupter to the plans of other players.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I THROW A PUTTER AND GET A 'STRONG WIND' DEVIATION CARD?
If you draw a 'Strong Wind' or 'Close Tree Hit' DEVIATION card during a THROW, and you played a 2 GRID PUTTER, then the landing GRID will be to the side of the starting GRID. The side it lands depends on the DEVIATION drawn and the Fade direction of the PUTTER. If you threw a 2 GRID PUTTER with a Fade, then that Fade is also included to the side. Be careful what you THROW and when.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DRAW A 'MISS PUTT' DEVIATION CARD?
If you draw a 'Miss Putt' type of DEVIATION card (e.g. Clang) when you are not PUTTING, it does not affect your THROW; it lands safely.
If you draw a 'Miss Putt' type of DEVIATION when you are PUTTING (landing on the BASKET GRID), your PUTTER lands under the basket and your next THROW is a DROP-IN.
If you are using a corner PUTTER (e.g. Swarm) and it is not going to land on the BASKET GRID, then a 'Miss Putt' card does not affect it.
CALLS
WHY CAN'T I PLAY CALLS FROM MY HAND DURING STANDARD PLAY?
As with DEVIATIONS explained above, CALLS are cards that are there to disrupt your best-laid plans. They can disrupt your THROW, and they can disrupt your HAND. When you play BATTLE, that is when you can disrupt other players best-laid plans to your advantage.
WHAT IS A 'CALL' IN DISC GOLF?
A 'Call' is when another player believes you are not playing by the rules and regulations of DISC GOLF, and says out loud to the group the infringement that occurred (e.g. Foot Fault, Falling Putt). The 'Call' needs to be made immediately after the offence and seconded by another player who also saw the offence. Once a 'Call' has been made (and confirmed) the THROW or PUTT result stays the same, but a +1 penalty is added to the offending player's SCORE.
WHY DOES A 'RED FLAG' CARD NOT RELATE TO OB?
The term 'Red Flag' in the game of FINAL NINE doesn't relate to landing Out-of-Bounds, simply for the sake of adding interest to the game, as well as trying to keep the term 'Red Flag'. If drawn from a THROW or applied during BATTLE RULES, play the effect written on the card. Draw and discard the next ACTION card and resolve it, though no LUCK card can be applied from an INSTANT or your HAND.
WHAT IF I GET 'NICED'?
Sometimes when you make a good THROW in DISC GOLF, another player may comment "nice" or "nice throw". Inevitably (due to superstition) straight after said comment your DISC tends to hit a tree or get hit by a bad wind.
In FINAL NINE if you get the 'Niced' card from a THROW, then all SKILL cards you may have played are nullified (eliminated) and removed from the OUTCOME of the DISC FLIGHT. A LUCK card can still be applied to adjust the OUTCOME again.
SCORING
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE 'SCORE TRACKER' AND THE 'SCORECARD'?
The SCORE Tracker card is used to track your overall SCORE as you progress through the game. After each HOLE you can move your MARKER dependant on how you scored (e.g. Move to -1 from 0 if you scored a BIRDIE, or +1 from 0 if you scored a Bogey). Don't move your MARKER if you scored a PAR.
The SCORE card is used for reference for the overall course, and it's PARS. It is a permanent way of finding out how you played on each HOLE. You can choose to write on the card, though you can only do that once. If you want to print your own, download them HERE.
BATTLE RULES
HOW DO I USE A 'FLIP' OR 'SWITCH' SKILL CARD IN BATTLE RULES?
If applying from your HAND, then apply as normal on the ACTION discard pile. If drawn during a THROW, and you wish to apply it, then you can mirror the DISC FLIGHT including any DEVIATIONS applied by another player. Check first which 'Switch' card you draw, is it BH or FH?
HOW DO I USE A 'DRAW 2 NEW' SKILL CARD IF DRAWN DURING A THROW?
If you draw a 'Draw 2 New' during a THROW, then you can apply it if desired. Since the 'Draw 2 New' card has already been discarded, you can swap another card. Place the unwanted card on its respective discard pile and draw 2 new cards from the DISC and/or ACTION stacks.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DRAW A 'DISC SWAP' SKILL CARD DURING A THROW?
If you draw a 'Disc Swap' during a THROW, then you can apply it if desired. Since the 'Disc Swap' card has already been discarded, find and draw a DISC from the discard pile. You may then not need to refill your HAND, but make sure you don't have more than 9 cards in your HAND when done.
HOW DOES A'RED FLAG' CALL CARD WORK WHEN PLAYED?
If a 'Red Flag' CALL card is played before a THROW, it makes the player it was played on THROW as normal (only turn one card), but they cannot apply any LUCK cards during or after the THROW (INSTANT or from your HAND).
HOW DO I USE LUCK CARDS IN BATTLE RULES?
LUCK cards can be applied if you draw one during a THROW and/or from your HAND after a THROW. Apply as many as desired.
WHAT HAPPENS IF A 'MISS PUTT' CARD IS PLAYED ON ME?
If another player plays a 'Miss Putt' card on you, it will only take effect if you are PUTTING. If so, the only way to nullify it is to draw a 'Legend' during the THROW or play one from your HAND after the THROW.
HOW DO WE REFILL BACK TO 9 CARDS AFTER A THROW?
The player who was THROWING refills first, followed by the player who played a DEVIATION or CALL card.
LEVELS OF PLAY
DOES WIND IN PRO LEVEL ALSO EFFECT PUTTING?
Yes. When playing, PRO level WIND effects all DISCS in all situations, unless it has immunity to WIND. PRO level is supposed to be hard, so you have to think about where to land your DISC for the PUTT.
WHAT IF PUTTING IS TOO DIFFICULT IN PRO LEVEL?
If you find that PUTTING is too difficult in PRO level, try adjusting the rules to suit your needs. You could change the rules that once within 2 GRIDS (in the circle) then WIND does not apply.
WHAT IF I USE A 2 GRID PUTTER IN THE WIND?
When using a PUTTER into the WIND, it has a -1 Distance applied. It will therefore not advance from the GRID you are on unless you use SKILL or LUCK. With the WIND a PUTTER will have +1 Distance applied. It is the same if you allow for Fade. Sometimes a PUTTER can go sideways. Strange yes, but correct under the Rules and Game Play.
WHAT IF IN PRO LEVEL AN OPPOSITE WIND CARD IS APPLIED?
If for example, you are playing PRO level with a Head WIND (-1 Distance or Fade into the WIND) and a Tail WIND card is applied (+1 Distance or Fade with the WIND) then the two WINDS nullify each other, and the DISC flight will remain as THROWN (unless it has immunity to WIND).