Footgolf: The Coolest New Sport to Hit the City

If you haven’t heard about the new soccer and golf combo sport, “footgolf,” it’s only a matter of time before it makes its way into your weekend. This activity is growing in popularity across the country, and it’s something both kids and adults are going to be pretty excited about. Read on for all the details on how to play, what to know, and where to go.

How To Play
Soccer skills are probably more important in this game than golf skills, although understanding golf etiquette is crucial since the footgolf course is built into the golf course. This means you play alongside people playing golf (literally on the same course: there is one hole for footgolf balls and one hole for golf balls).

The idea is the same as golf, only with a soccer ball. You “kick off” (much like “teeing off”) and try to get your soccer ball into the footgolf hole in as few kicks as possible, taking turns based on the ball farthest from the hole.

Insider Tips
We found this sport is ideal for kiddos ages 6 and older. The course is 18 holes and some of them are over 200 yards long. This means great exercise (parents, bring your Fitbit!) but it is about a 3-hour activity. Check out these helpful tips to get your family ready for their first game of footgolf:

• The key to playing well is not trying to strike the ball to hard. It’s much like golf, when you try to hit a ball to hard you make greater mistakes. The ball rolls out quite a bit, so being around the greens requires a bit of touch.
• Bring a towel to wipe down your ball. Sometimes the grass is wet or the holes have water in them, and it’s much easier to kick a dry soccer ball than a wet one.
• Dress like you’re playing golf, as you’re on a golf course.
• While facilities want footgolfers to have fun, playing loud music and being rowdy isn’t allowed. Remember to follow normal golf etiquette.

San Diego Footgolf Locations
There are footgolf courses in north, central and south San Diego areas:

Welk Resort
8860 Lawrence Welk Dr.
Escondido, Ca
760-749-3225
Online: welkresorts.com/san-diego-golf/foot-golf/
Cost: adults are $15/person; kids ages 17 & under are $10/person

Tecolote Canyon
2755 Snead Ave.
San Diego, Ca
858-279-1600
Online: tecolotecanyon.com/footgolf
Cost: adults are $15/person; kids ages 16 & under are $10/person

National City
1439 Sweetwater Rd.
National City, Ca
619-474-1400
Online: nationalcitygc.com/footgolf
Cost: Monday-Friday is $12/person; Saturday & Sunday is $15/person

Does footgolf look like something your family would enjoy? If you’ve played the game, tell us what you think.

— Ginger Anderson (photos too)