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This is NOT an April Fool's joke.
If you haven't seen this video yet, take a minute to watch it.
It is literally one minute long, but you're going to see golf like you've never seen it before.
Some say this is the fastest growing version of the game.
One thing's for sure:
You're either going to love it or hate it.
I doubt there will be any middle ground.
See for yourself...
This golf / soccer hybrid is called FootGolf, and it's been growing like wildfire since it was formalized as a sport (with rules and such) in 2009.
It came together in the Netherlands, spread across Europe and South America (some say it's the fastest growing sport in the UK), and it is now being played in 30 U.S. states and Canadian provinces (see below).
Yes, on existing golf courses, albeit on shortened holes, with a size five soccer ball and 21-inch diameter cups cut near, but not into, existing greens. The object is the same as golf; players try to get the ball into the hole using as few kicks as possible.
I'll be honest; I was ready to write this off as silly.
I've seen a lot of golf's player development initiatives come and go (mostly go).
But that's just it.
This is not a manufactured initiative to grow the game of golf.
This thing grew all by itself.
And as a devoted soccer player since age five, I'd be lying if I said it didn't look like fun.
Golf facilities, of course, see it as another revenue stream, and some well-known courses and resorts (Shanty Creek and Treetops resorts in Northern Michigan, Haggin Oaks in Sacramento, Calif., Crystal Springs in New Jersey) have started selling FootGolf tee times and tournaments.
Even PGA of America president Ted Bishop said on Golf Channel's Morning Drive that he was going to launch FootGolf at his Indiana golf club called The Legends.
Now, I don't know if FootGolf is going to reach critical mass or turn a meaningful number of soccer players into golfers, but if ever there was a prime year to market the sport, this would seem like a great one.
Why? The U.S. Open and the World Cup start on the exact same day (June 12).
What do you think about FootGolf? (Again, this is NOT an April Fool's joke -- it's for real.)
Please share your thoughts or read what others are saying below.
Comments (42)
Our non-profit DevelopingGolf.org is introducing FootGolf as a transition to golf for kids in developing country and island nations where soccer is all they play. They learn the rules of golf, etiquette, self discipline, and get interested in golf.
Im 57 and I love playing it! I love golf more, but this is fun and takes about 1/2 the time to play or less.
Dumbest thing I have ever seen!
Our non-profit DevelopingGolf.org is introducing FootGolf as a transition to golf for kids in developing country and island nations where soccer is all they play. They learn the rules of golf, etiquette, self discipline, and get interested in golf.
Im 57 and I love playing it! I love golf more, but this is fun and takes about 1/2 the time to play or less.
Dumbest thing I have ever seen!
Golf is golf and football is football and never the twain shall meet!!
Why not? It sounds like fun. Tennis people said the same thing about pickleball and Pickleball is becoming a rage all over the USA. I love to play pickleball! I am just a beginner golfer.I purchased my first set of golf clubs in December and I'm having so much fun with the game but I would like to try footgolf also. Its being outdoors on these beautiful courses and having a challenge that makes it so much fun.
Knut,I hope it meets a ton of resistance everywhere outside Europe.
What course in Kentucky has this? I want to try it, as I am a soccer and golf player
From the Superintendents point of view. No damage done to the golf course!!! You wear spikeless shoes (indoor soccer shoes or runners). The footgolfers do less damage than the golfer with their 18inch beaver pelts they take out of the fairways that rarely get replaced. The holes are off to the side of the regular greens so no damage is done on the greens. So there is no issue with the putter smash after the missed 3 foot putt.
Don't knock it until you try it! I have installed a footgolf course on my course here in Bracebridge Ontario. (first in Canada) I am a greenskeeper by trade and was a little hesitant to put this among the regular golf holes. We have had no issues with footgolfers interfering with regular "purists" as the one guy said. The game is a blast to play and better exercise than golf if you ask me. If we didn't build so many golf courses in the 80's and 90's we probably wouldn't be in this situation financially. Snowboarders saved the ski industry!!! Will footgolf save the golf business?? Not sure on that but the extra revenue doesn't hurt!! If golfers would stop buying their tee-times on golf now and their equipment at Golf Towns or Dicks we probably wouldn't have to install these on our courses. Just saying!
I can't believe this is even being discussed.Golf courses are for golfers.Purists.Period.If you give this mob an inch they'll take a yard.End of story.
This is played all over Europe. And it is a fantastic opportunity to make soccer training a lot more fun. It will help players to be able to become more accurate when it comes to different types of passes/shots. It will also appeal to the people who don`t play soccer, for the same reason golf appeal to a lot of people. It is fun, and you will always have the opportunity to compete against yourself as well against other people. You can easily play the same different tyes of games as you do in regular golf (scramble, forsome, stroke etc.). But probably you will meet a lot of resistance in USA, just the way regular soccer has.