Arman

Why would anybody decide that it would be a good idea to put soccer players on the golf course?

FootGolf is a trend being played at golf courses nationwide. A precision sport, FootGolf requires players try to kick a soccer ball into a proportionally sized hole in as few shots as possible. It is essentially golf played with a soccer ball instead of a golf ball.  

From a golfer’s perspective, FootGolf adds an unwanted factor into golf course management. It is chaotic to allow both FootGolf players and actual golf players on the same course at the same time.

Simply put, golfers and FootGolfers are two different types of people.

Golfers are on the course to try to improve their game. Sure, it is an enjoyable pastime, but focus is still required to play to the best of one’s abilities.

Then there are FootGolfers. They are obnoxiously loud people who inadvertently distract actual golfers. They make it their goal to kick their soccer balls in wrong directions and pressure golfers to move faster.

When I played FootGolf at Pruneridge Golf Club recently, despite seemingly hitting every tree and sand trap on the course, I often found myself waiting at every hole for the slower golfers in front of me. Not only was my pace of play messed up, I also could not help but kick the soccer ball in the completely wrong direction. I was frustrated, but the golfers on the receiving end of my kicked balls seemed to be even more frustrated.

To most players, it is extremely difficult to make par on a hole because not many players can kick the ball far enough to get anywhere near the hole in a few shots. Also, the size of the hole is too small.

The ball has to be barely moving right at the edge of the hole to actually go in; if not, the ball goes right over the hole, adding to the frustration.

Despite my futile attempts to play decently, my inability to kick a soccer ball and basic lack of foot-eye coordination resulted in not only a bad score, but also soreness in my legs that persisted for many days following.

Golf’s leading officials thought that they would be able to increase participation in the game of golf by having foot golfers participate on the course. However, FootGolf has already actually caused problems at many golf courses due to differences in pace of play and complaints from golfers. It is also detrimental to golf courses, since FootGolf players tear up the grass when they play.

In order to gain popularity, FootGolf should follow frisbee golf’s lead and play in spaces specifically designed for it rather than taking up space at real golf courses. Until then, FootGolf will continue to disrupt golf courses until the activity is consolidated to its own space or simply fades away.

Fiona

As a soccer player, I found FootGolf mildly amusing. It requires minimal technical skill, as one only needs to kick the ball with the proper pace and accuracy. While the element of fun plays a large role in the lure of FootGolf, it offers virtually no player development for aspiring golf or soccer players to improve their respective games.

Additionally, it baffles me why one would ever pay to play soccer on a designated golf course.

This hybrid of two sports, sharing little in common other than the grassy surface on which they are played, attempts to bridge the gap between popular culture and a sport that is perceived as a pastime of the upper class.

When I played FootGolf at Pruneridge Golf Club, I found that it barely resembled golf and was basically target practice for soccer. Luckily, I avoided hitting any sand traps, trees or bodies of water. However, one drawback was the long delays because of the inexperienced FootGolfers in front of me, and their slowness ruined the pace and continuity of my own game.

Although FootGolf probably won’t gain much more of a foothold (no pun intended) in the sports world, it is an innocuous pastime that provides amusement and comic relief.

Yes, FootGolf is undeniably ludicrous. Yet as an avid soccer player and fan, I must say that it is pretty entertaining, although it definitely isn’t the optimal endeavour for serious training.