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![Footgolf rules and regulations](https://golfshub.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Footgolf-rules-and-regulations-1024x681.jpg)
Footgolf is an excellent family-friendly sport: for that matter, it makes a very cool sport to learn and play along. It comes with a few advantages of football and a few golf and leaves out the two most common issues that may be a problem.
The first is that you don’t have to spend hours playing a full golf round. Since the play finishes early and for better reasons, it also costs you less. You need as little as a pair of sneakers and a football, the court you just need to rent, and off you go!
But there are downsides to it too, much rolling for the larger circumference and stuff like that. But once you take an interest in the game, you’ll learn to master these challenges. Let’s dig deeper into the world of footgolf.
What is Footgolf?
Footgolf is one of the few precision sports out there which combines two games in one. it’s easy to have an idea from the name, right? The term is an amalgamation of football and golf.
This football is what the Americans like to call soccer. The fact that it is called “footgolf” does not mean that there are golf balls that you will need to kick with your feet. Instead, there are association balls, which look exactly like regular no-nonsense footballs. Only the court on which you will be playing is not a football field, instead of a golf court. Also, the rules are closer to golf than football.
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The History of Footgolf
![Footgolf attire & dress code](https://golfshub.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Footgolf-attire-dress-code.jpg)
The history of footgolf dates back to the 1920s or the later decade and is said to have been started with what was called “codeball” at the time. The finding of footgolf isn’t attributed to one country, as it is said to be based upon or drawn from, or even linked to games of several countries simultaneously. As heard, Swiss players have played something similar in the 80s and Scandanavian players in the 90s.
If you wanted to know about the creators of the uniform, rules, and the organizers of the first tournament, that’s Bas Korsten and Michael Jansen for you. Korsten and Jansen had heard of it from Willen Korsten, a footballer of Tottenham Hotspur, back in the days. Some also argue from Juan Manuel Aensi, a player of Barcelona. So, things similar to footgolf were going on in the clubs as individual or group practice/training sessions, you could say.
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Footgolf Rules and Regulations to Remember
![Footgolf equipment](https://golfshub.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Footgolf-equipment-1.jpg)
There are some basic rules for footgolf that you’ll need to make sure you adhere to as you play.
- The first one is that you have to have the lowest number of kicks to get the ball into the cup.
- The kick-off starts on the pars 3s, 4s, or 5s, and the players need to keep their scorecard with them as they wait for their turn in the gameplay. There will be a referee to check if you are pertaining to the rules.
- Also, you cannot be tripping any players.
- You should be able to identify your ball from the rest of theirs.
- You’ll use single kicks, and when kicking, your foot should be away and not touching the ball previously. Your ball has to come to a standstill before you begin to play next. Even if there is a gust of wind, you start from where your ball stops.
- If your ball is stuck between two objects or say amidst your opponent’s balls and you can’t kick, it can be marked and removed for them to play, and yours can be placed back when your time comes.
- If your ball enters a watery body, wait for it to float and come to the edge to pick it up and play further.
- You can’t use the sole of your foot to roll the ball. Kicking and toe-ing are all right.
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Required Footgolf Attire & Dress Code
![Footgolf tournaments & World Cup](https://golfshub.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Footgolf-tournaments-World-Cup.jpg)
Now, there are things you need to know about footgolf shoes or Footgolf footwear; and also about Footgolf outfit or Footgolf tee to wear. It is not necessary to purchase a footgolf attire in some cases because they let you play with your regular golf gear in the courses. But if you are performing any official tournament, about which we will shortly discuss, you need to maintain the dress code. You will need:
- A flat cap/ a flat golf hat/driver’s cap
- Argyle socks measuring knee-high
- Collared Polo Shirts
- Khaki Golf shorts or slacks for men and skirts or shorts for women
- Indoor Soccer shoes or standard Tennis shoes, but no Soccer cleats
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Necessary Footgolf Equipment
![How long does a round of footgolf take](https://golfshub.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/How-long-does-a-round-of-footgolf-take.jpg)
There aren’t many footgolf supplies that you need to rack your brains for. The basic Footgolf kit is your attire and the Footgolf ball. Though there are plenty of balls that could be called the best ball for footgolf, they all come in one size, which is football’s number 5.
The players should maintain this and find a means of identifying their ball through marking. The ball may be a little damaged, scratched, discolored or have dirt and mud on it. That does not make the ball inappropriate. But if any of this is undeniably a lot and has changed the shape and structure of the ball, it will be deemed inappropriate.
A rule for a damaged ball that you suspect happened in the game is that you can stop and pick it up to inspect, but not before letting others know and putting a mark from where you lifted it if you don’t want penalties coming your way.
Others can check its validity for you too. But you can’t clean it after raising it. If necessary, you can replace it. A second rule is that if you puncture it by kicking, your kick isn’t considered, you have to replace the ball and re-kick.
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FootGolf Tournaments & World Cup
![How to play footgolf](https://golfshub.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/How-to-play-footgolf.jpg)
The first tournament was in the Netherlands, back in 2008, arranged by Jansen and Korsten. Since then, many leagues, nations, associations, events, etc. have been linked with organizing and playing the game. The 1st Footgolf World Cup-2012 was held in Hungary in June, where eight countries participated. The most recent one was the third one, held in December 2018 in Morocco.
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How Long Does a Round of Footgolf Take?
The duration of this game depends on the pace of the play. If you play full 18-holes, you will need 2 hours or 2.5 hours at the most. If you play the front-9 or bak-9, you can be done with the game in 1.5 hours or less.
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How to Play Footgolf?
The Footgolf game is pretty easy to play. If we forget everything else (but you can’t do that since these are the rules, so hypothetically considering), your goal is as simple as getting the ball straight or in breaks to the hole, starting from the teeing ground. Also, by kicking it the least times.
Firstly, to tee off, making sure that your kick doesn’t interfere with those of others, you can start at a distance of two yards behind the marked area. Without pushing the ball with the top or bottom of your foot, with single kicks, get your ball through. Wait for your next shot until the ball stops. Play it from there or mark it, check and play. Don’t kick if your ball comes on the golf greens, move it and play ball. And adhere to the previous rules to be safe from penalties.
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Top 10 Footgolf Courses of the World
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We have top 10 Footgolf locations that our friends suggested from Las Vegas and Los Angeles:
From Las Vegas, we would like to point out the likes of:
Read: Top 3 Footgolf Courses In Las Vegas
From LA, we think:
- Rancho Park Golf Course
- Van Nuys Golf Course
- Arcadia Golf Course
- El Dorado Park Golf Course and
- Heartwell Golf Course make some good ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is kick golf?
This is another name given to footgolf, where you have to golf but by kicking the ball.
- What is a round of FootGolf?
A footgolf round starts with and ends by players trying to get the ball into a cup in the smallest number of kicks.
- Who invented FootGolf?
Jansen and Korsten, as mostly known.
- What is the penalty for hitting a golf ball out of bounds?
You get a one-stroke penalty if your ball goes beyond OB or the white stakes.
- When did FootGolf become an official sport?
Since 2008, as it started to be recognized by associations and played in events.
- How long are footgolf holes?
21 inches in diameter.
Conclusion…
We hope the footgolf tips and information were useful to you! Thanks to this seemingly and simple game, those who wanted to enjoy the fun of golf could do it at a much lesser cost, in a modified way and a new way.
Also, this game helped to support a lot of dying golf courses financially. So this game not only helps you discover a new game you are good at but also helps the courses thrive when so many people take enjoyment from it. A good match, don’t you think?
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Daisy is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Golfs Hub. She is associated with Golf for more than 20 years. She got the inspiration from her father. She is a very private person & doesn't like to be photographed. She's worked in nearly every job in the golf industry from club fitting to instruction to writing and speaking. Now she is enjoying her retirement from day job... but not from Golf! Daisy lives in southeasternmost part of New York state with her family.