Since its creation in 2009, footgolf has been steadily gaining in popularity. The game is played much like golf, but with a soccer ball and your feet.
The kick hit in Footgolf together with your swing is important to your swing in golf. A kick is defined as one foot movement without ever stopping the ball.
Every movement of the ball is counted as one kick, and each kick equates to what would be called a shot in traditional golf.
So, just like traditional golf, the object of the game is to get your ball into the hole in the lowest amount of kicks (or shots) possible.
Just as there are different clubs for different situations in golf, there are different types of kicks in Footgolf. If you are a soccer/football player already, you will be in good stead to hit the Footgolf course running.
There are a variety of ways to kick the ball, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. Here are a few of the most common ways to kick a Footgolf ball.
What Kicks are Legal in Footgolf?
The following kicks are allowed during a Footgolf game:
- Top of the Foot Kick
- The Toe Kick (or Toe Punt)
- Back of the Foot Kick (or Backheal)
- Outside of the Foot Kick
- Inside of the Foot Kick
What Kicks are not Legal in Footgolf?
In a nutshell, any kick with the top or sides of your foot is legal in Footgolf. So you may not…
- Touch, tap, or roll the ball with the bottom of your foot.
A Breakdown of Each Footgolf Kick Type
Let’s dissect these kicks one by one and talk about when you might use each during a Footgolf round.
The Top of the Foot Kick
In soccer/football, this kick provides a player with increased power, speed, and distance. It is one of the main three areas to kick with the foot. It is often used during shot-making and if a player needs to clear the ball. However, with more power, you risk sacrificing accuracy.
In Footgolf, the same idea applies. This kick is what you use for your driver. You can use it off the teeing area and on long holes.
Just make sure that there aren’t any water hazards or out-of-bounds areas you could get into trouble with – as the ball does curve in the air and often rolls much further and longer than a golf ball.
The Toe Kick (or Toe Punt)
In soccer/football, the toe kick is often discouraged unless there is an urgent need to clear the ball. This kick is highly inaccurate and, especially in junior leagues, can cause unnecessary injury.
However, in Footgolf, the toe kick can be extremely useful in chipping and putting, as you can lift the ball with a toe kick, get some backspin, or you can punt it into the hole from a short distance.
Back of the Foot Kick (or Backheal)
In soccer/football, the back of the foot kick is used as a deception kick or pass, as you are often not looking at the ball as you kick.
In Footgolf, this kick can be used to avoid unmovable obstacles that might prevent a more standard kick such as if you are up against a tree, or on the edge of the water or bunker.
It also can be used as another way to putt if you feel more stable – just make sure to look where you kick!
Outside of the Foot Kick
In soccer, kicking with the outside of the foot is done with the intention of bending the ball around an obstacle, usually a player, by putting spin on it. This will cause the ball to intentionally curve in the air, and on the ground due to the spin.
In Footgolf, the same idea applies – use this shot if you need to bend the ball around an obstacle in front of you or in your shot line such as a tree or bunker.
Inside of the Foot Kick
In soccer, this kick is used for passing in a controlled way to a short or mid-to-short range target. While not as powerful as a top of the foot kick or even an external side kick, it is more accurate.
In Footgolf, the kicking with the inside of the foot is best used as a mid-range approach shot and when putting when close to the hole.
Kick Your Strategy Into Gear
Whatever kick you use, how you kick the ball in Footgolf is one of the most important aspects of the game but entirely up to your style. Like traditional golf, strategy, ball placement and leaving appropriate distance shots is the most important thing above all.
There are many different ways to kick a Footgolf ball. While some techniques work better than others, it is ultimately up to the player to find what works best for them. With a little practice, anyone can become a Footgolf champion. So get out there and start kicking!
Related Questions
How long is a game of footgolf? How long a game of footgolf lasts depends on the length of the course and the number of players. Generally, footgolf tournaments last between 18 and 36 holes, and most recreational games are completed in under two hours.
How many people play footgolf worldwide? Footgolf is a sport that is quickly gaining in popularity all over the world. Though it is not as popular as football or golf, the number of people who play footgolf every year is growing. There are now dozens of footgolf courses in the United States, and the sport is being played in countries all over the world. There is no exact count of how many people play footgolf each year, but it is estimated that there are millions of players worldwide. In the United States, there are now more than 50 footgolf courses, and the sport is growing in popularity every day.
What ball is used in Footgolf? Footgolf is a fairly new sport that is a mix of soccer and golf. It is played on a golf course, but with a soccer ball. The object of the game is to kick the ball into the hole in as few shots as possible. The ball used in footgolf is typically a size 5 soccer ball.