Footgolf
What is footgolf?
Footgolf is a relatively new sport that is gaining traction around the world. The goal is to kick a regular football into a hole in the ground in as few kicks as possible.
The rules and courses are very similar to regular golf. The holes are of course bigger (50-52 centimeters in diameter), and the distance from tee to green is shorter.
Par 3 holes are usually 50-100 meters, Par 4 usually 100-200 meters and par 5 usually around 150-250 meters.
How do I try footgolf?
Grab a friend and find a course near you! Most courses are open at all times and do not require booking in advance, but it might be a good idea to check with your course before you go there.
If you need any help to find a course or have further questions, contact us at webmaster@footgolfsweden.com. We can probably also put you in contact with the local footgolf community at your course, if you want to play a round and get some tips from more experienced players.
What equipment do I need to play?
You need a pair of shoes and a regular size 5 football. Most courses have balls available for loan or rent. Shoes should have good grip and be suitable for kicking a ball. Regular trainers or sand/turf football boots is fine. Most courses do not accept football boots with grass cleats, since they might do damage to the course.
How much does it cost?
Greenfee for 18 holes of footgolf is usually around 100-200 SEK.
Most courses have some kind of yearly membership to play as much as you like. Those are usually in the 500 to 1500 SEK range.
Football boots range from 500 to 1000 SEK.
A budget football costs around 250 SEK. Better footballs around 500 SEK and great balls 1000 SEK or more.
How does footgolf compare to footballgolf?
It is essentially the same sport. The rules are very similar and the equipment is the same. The main difference is that footgolf is played almost exclusively on courses built on top of regular golf courses and the holes are usually longer and wider.
Footballgolf is played on dedicated, specially built, courses. The design is usually shorter and more technical. Many, but not all, courses have built obstacles where the ball have to go around or through.
Footgolf is governed by Federation for International Footgolf (FIFG) and footballgolf is governed by World Footballgolf Association (WFGA). Each federation have their own rules, championships and tours. Many of the active tournament players in Sweden play both styles.
Find out more at fgolf.se.
How do I play a tournament?
Sign up, pay the fee and show up! There are no tests to pass or requirements of club membership like in regular golf.
You will need to bring your own ball to a tournament. If you don't have one, contact us at webmaster@footgolfsweden.com and we will make sure someone will bring an extra ball to lend you.
Make sure you read the beginners guide to the official rules.
How long does it take to play?
Usually, 18 holes takes around 1.5-2 hours to play for a group of 3 people. Plus/minutes 30 minutes if you are 2 or 4 people in the group.
Can I play even if I've never played football before?
Yes! Of course you will not shoot as far (or straight) in the beginning as those with experience kicking a ball.
But, reading greens, playing smart and planning ahead is required to get a good score. People with experience of playing golf can outperform someone with football experience by playing smarter.
Having experience with both golf and football is of course a really good combination!
How big is footgolf in Sweden?
We have no numbers, but an estimate would be somewhere around 20 000 rounds played every year.
There are around 100 players who competes on the national tour every year.
My golf club is interested in building a course
That is great! Our mission is to grow the sport and we will try to help all courses interested. Please email us at webmaster@footgolfsweden.com if you have any questions.
At the very minimum you will need some form of tee markers and cups for the holes. A cup with a flag costs around 1000-1500 SEK. So, approximately 20 000 to 30 000 SEK for the equipment, for a 18 hole course.