A fun, new game has hit the ground in Ipswich.
FootGolf is golf like you have never seen it before.
It’s played at Ipswich City Golf at Leichhardt on a regular golf course but instead of hitting a golf ball with a club, you kick a soccer ball into giant holes.
A round of FootGolf can be played in 45 minutes, making it a more attractive option for the time poor, with the added benefit of still getting outdoors and being active.
The other factor is the cost, you don’t have to be a club member.
You can play a game for $15 and hire a soccer ball for $5 if you don’t bring your own.
Ipswich City Golf head golf professional David Lawrence said it could be the start of something big.
“It’s definitely the opportunity to be part of something that is growing,” Mr Lawrence said.
“We are giving people the option to get outdoors without having to spend all day away from their families and they can include their families as well.”
FootGolf explained
FootGolf is a mash up of soccer and golf.
It is played on golf courses and requires the players to kick a soccer ball along the fairway into larger sized holes.
Like golf, the aim is to take as few shots as possible to get the ball into the cup.
A FootGolf nine-hole course is approximately two kilometres long and can be completed in 45 minutes.
In FootGolf, each player is their “own referee” independently managing their own score card noting down the number of kicks per hole.
There is no age limit or limits on the number of players.
The dress code is the same as for golf – collared shirt and enclosed shoes.
But leave the soccer boots with tags at home. Futsal and indoor soccer shoes or normal running shoes are acceptable.
This weekend Ipswich City Golf will be hosting the Australian Open Series teeing off at 2.30pm on Saturday, 7 September and the very first State of Origin on Sunday, 8 September also teeing off at 2.30pm.
Queensland State of Origin team captain Steve Senyard encourages locals to come along and show your support, then play a game yourself.
“Even though we will be playing on home soil the NSW team have an advantage as they have been playing down there for up to four years. Our guys have mostly only started in the last year,” Mr Senyard said.
Queensland State of Origin team captain Steve Senyard
How long the game takes in minutes
players will be competing in the State of Origin
%
Soccer (football) players are 44 years or younger
Soccer is the most popular sport for boys under this age
“I would encourage anyone to give it a go, if you can kick a ball, you can play.
“You don’t have to be the best footballer to play this game well.
“Once you play it a couple of times, people do get hooked on it.”
Senyard likes the fact that you get to use all of your skills from power to accuracy.
“It is a competitive game and you are always trying to improve your score and improve on what you did last time,” he said.
“The biggest thing is just getting the community aware of it.”
FootGolf Australia director Leonardo Fernandez said the sport started in the Netherlands before starting in Australia in 2013.
“We have 32 courses accredited across Australia with Ipswich City Golf the only one in South East Queensland,” Mr Fernandez said.
“We want people to know about the social aspect, it’s great for birthday parties, corporate events, sporting club get-togethers.
“People say to me, we are sick of barefoot bowling, we want to do something different.
“It’s something you can do as a family right from grandparents down their children and grandchildren.”
Ipswich City Golf’s David Lawrence said there is no better place to launch this new activity.
“It’s an exercise to get more people to our venue. Our greens are known for being the best in South East Queensland, so having more people walking around the course and utilising the venue is our aim,” Mr Lawrence said.
“Plus if you are a plane watcher, you can enjoy seeing the super hornets and massive aircraft from Amberley flying around as they are our next door neighbour.”
Read also:
>>> Tenpin bowling makes a comeback in Ipswich
>>> When the Olympic Games come to town – what sports might be based in Ipswich?
Ipswich City Golf is open for FootGolf every day after 3.30pm. Bookings are essential so the course can be prepared.
Phone: 3812 0488 Email: [email protected]
1A Samford Road, Leichardt
Cost: $15 per player. Soccer ball hire is $5 or you can bring your own.
