Are you looking for a fun, low-stress way to get the kids off the tablet? Do you want a family sports activity you can do in your own backyard? Do you like Soccer AND Golf? Well have we got the sports for you! That’s right, not one, but two new and creative sports that won’t break the budget and will provide hours of fun for the whole family.
As you may have guessed from the title, we are speaking of Footgolf and Disc Golf, two hybrid sports that have gained popularity in recent years. Usually played at parks and in recreation centers, these novel sports activities are meant to be creative twists on the traditional and frankly, boring, game of golf. Combining dynamic movement and a surprising amount of strategy, Footgolf and Disc Golf are means to appeal to people of all ages. If your child is a fan of soccer, a lover of frisbee, or just wants to run around outside, then these accessible sports might be the easy answer you’ve been seeking.
In this article, we will dive headfirst into the Footgolf and Disc Golf basics. We will discuss their invention, their innovation, and what makes them so kid-friendly. Finally, we will help you locate courses near you, so that you too can join in the fun!
What the Heck is a Footgolf?
Footgolf, being a loose combination of soccer and golf, is aptly named for this purpose. It is basically golf that one plays with ones feet, rather than using a club. The ball is large enough for this purpose, of course, and resembles more of a soccer ball than a golf ball. This is by design, as it would be relatively hard an d dangerous to try and fight over of kick a golf ball the same way one does a soccer ball.
The aim is for the players to kick the footgolf ball (soccer ball) down a modified golf course, eventually getting it to fall into a 21-inch-diameter cup. There is an added, golflike rule to all this, however. as players are expected to get the ball into the cup in as few kicks as possible; similar to getting the least strokes in a game of golf.
From there, the game follows many of the same rules as traditional golf—such as keeping score, playing through multiple holes, and respecting pace of play. The main difference lies in the equipment and mechanics, which are much more accessible for children than those found in your average golf bag.
Speaking of equipment, players need only bring a standard, size 5 soccer ball, comfortable sneakers or turf shoes, and comfortable activewear. Note that some courses allow players to rent balls, if you don’t have a soccer ball lying around at home. The course itself is basically a modified golf course of between 9 and 18 holes. Each hole has a varying degree of difficulty, but are designed to be tough, not impossible.
The other good thing about the sport is that courses are sometimes located alongside normal golf courses, they just use different fairways to separate play. In any case, that should make finding a course fairly easy.
What in the World is Disc Golf?
Disc Golf, on the other hand….is kind of similar. Sometimes known as frisbee golf, this sport combines the strategy of golf with the fun of throwing around a frisbee. It is played similar to golf in that there are separate holes, each with some differing degree of difficulty. Players complete by throwing a disc from a tee into the metal basket or “hole” in as few throws as possible.
Interestingly enough, disc golf is not a novel sport. It has actually been around since the 1970s. It is only in the last decade that the sport has kind of amped up in popularity. Today, public courses can be find dotted throughout recreation center and local parks. There are some aspects of the sport that beginners should take note of, however.
Equipment-wise, players will need to utilize a small array of specialized flying discs. These tend to be smaller and heavier than your average plastic frisbee and are designed to fit into the baskets dotted throughout the 9 to 18 hole disc golf course. The three types of discs are named, appropriately, for the golf clubs of the base sport and include a driver, putter, and mid-range disc. Players will need to wear athletic shoes and clothing and should probably have a backback or disc bag to hold their equipment as they round the course.
The game is not particularly difficult, though trees, poles, and other obstacles around the baskets are meant to make it a little more challenging as holes go up. Nevertheless, the somewhat understated nature of the game makes it suitable for nearly all ages and fitness levels.
Why Hybrid Sports Are Perfect for Kids
Footgolf and Disc Golf are not only fun because they are different, energetic, and family-friendly, they are also an excellent way that children can glean developmental and social benefits; not to mention valuable athletic skills they can use in other, more organized sports.
Low-Pressure and Non-Contact
Unlike many traditional youth sports and more competitive owns, the inherent silliness of Footgolf and Disc golf means that the expectations are relatively low. For one thing, both of these sports non-contact and self-paced, so kids don’t have to feel rushed or pressured to “succeed.” Because of these factors, children are better able to keep their focus on technique, strategy, and fun without worrying about succumbing to the pressures of direct competition.
Inclusive for All Skill Levels
Like most backyard-level sports, Footgolf and Disc golf are easy to pick up and play, even for beginners. This means that whether your kid is the athletic type or just exploring movement-based play, they can quickly grasp the rules and will enjoy participating. Children with special needs, meaning even those with physical or cognitive differences may also find these sports more accessible than traditional team youth sports. They could very well become the catalyst for them wanting to try more advanced forms of play.
Promotes Outdoor Play
In these days of tablets, TV, and the ever-intrusive internet, parents will do anything to get their children out into the real world. The best thing about both these sports is that they are exclusively played in outdoor environments like parks, meadows, or golf courses. This encourages not only physical activity, but can promote much-needed vitamin D exposure, and help foster a meaningful connection with nature that some children are sorely missing.
Builds Fundamental Skills
Footgolf and Disc Golf are excellent for helping to develop a child’s balance, coordination, and gross motor skills. They can help kids to learn self-control, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills. Though it doesn’t require teamwork, kids can learn to play better with others, learning about sportsmanship and etiquette as well. All-in-all, these represent vital life skills that children will undoubtedly use long after the game has ended.
A Growing Movement
Disc Golf and Foot golf are both becoming staple activities in many youth recreation programs, day camps, and sleep away camps. In addition, some schools have even begun adding them to PE curriculums, introducing students to the sport during the school day and giving them the lessons they need to play it even on the weekend! In any case, it’s easy to see why coaches and teachers choose to introduce these games to kids. Indeed, any game that encourages movement, exploration, and creativity is a boon to a child’s development. It doesn’t hurt that it’s also relatively inexpensive and adaptable to those with special needs.
Cultured Athlete Says…
As you can see, Footgolf and Disc Golf are more than just passing fancies—though they are quite fanciful when compared to other, more serious youth sports. These sports represent a bridge between what a child can play on the schoolyard and what they can play during family recreation time. As hybrids, the sports combine elements of golf, soccer, and frisbee into neat, adaptable, highly-enjoyable packages that are quite easy to learn. In addition, they provide children the chance to engage in outdoor play and skill-building in a format that doesn’t require any overly-expensive gear, extensive training, or unnecessary athletic pressure. As with all sports, Footgolf and Disc golf offer children a chance to explore movement through creative play. Meanwhile, parents reap the benefits of a budget-friendly, very fun way to stay active and make memories together, as a family.
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