There is American football, there is golf, and there is the original football, which Americans call soccer. Now there is FootGolf – a combination of soccer and golf. The only place to play it in West Virginia is at Pipestem Resort State Park.
“It’s another fun outdoor activity at the park,” said Kim Hawkins, Pipestem’s activities coordinator. “This year, park visitors and guests have enjoyed GaGa Ball, Slack Lining, Remote Controlled Car tracks, Murbles and now, FootGolf.”
FootGolf is played with a regulation #5 soccer ball at a golf course facility on shortened holes with 21-inch diameter cups. The rules are basically the rules of golf except that players use their feet instead of clubs.
Concord University men’s and women’s soccer teams are assessing the new game and will try the course layout at 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, 2014.
Pipestem’s Par 3 golf course is used for the FootGolf course site. FootGolf may be played after 4 p.m. Saturdays and after 2 p.m. the other days of the week when traditional golf play typically is light. The cost is $6 for adults and $3 for youth 18 and younger or with college identification. Ball rental is $2 but requires a $5 deposit, or players may bring their own #5 soccer ball. The attire is standard golf apparel which includes a collared shirt.
The Par 3 course is typically a par 27 for 9-hole play for the game of golf. FootGolf is a par 35 for nine holes. FootGolf players share the course with traditional golf play.
“FootGolf can be a new way of introducing the game of golf using soccer techniques,” said Bob Biroscak, golf professional at Pipestem Resort. “It’s played like golf, but there are differences, of course. The tees for FootGolf are orange. The cup is 21 inches in diameter. A single player can play the game in an hour. Players who enjoy golf will welcome FootGolf as a nice alternative because it’s faster than golf.”
Players may wear tennis shoes or indoor turf shoes, but metal or soccer cleats are not allowed on the course. There is a scorecard, and yes, cart rental for FootGolf is possible, “but it tends to defeat the purpose because the game is about the feet,” Biroscak said.
Hawkins is excited to have another outdoor game to add to the many things to do at Pipestem. “I have played the course; it’s good exercise and fun. I think it can re-energize golf play and all golfers can agree that keeping the game of golf interesting and promoting it to younger players is a win for the game. If it takes a soccer ball to make it happen, we’re the place to get it started in West Virginia.”
About FootGolf
FootGolf is a game played throughout the world in many different forms, but as a sport, it is regulated by the Federation for International FootGolf (FIFG). The American FootGolf League (AFGL) is the exclusive member of the FIFG and governing body for the sport of FootGolf in the United States. The AFGL is organizing tournaments throughout the country, working with golf courses to bring FootGolf to their clubs as another avenue for revenue and to develop the game further.
