How to Play Ladder Golf

Despite many hours of scouring the Internet, and the harnessing of a couple of the latest Artificial Intelligence (AI) Search Engines, it appears to be an unalienable truth that there are NO Official Rules for Ladder Golf.

Each manufacturer of Ladder Golf equipment seems to decide upon their own version of the ‘Rules’ quite arbitrarily depending on the dimensions of the ladder frames they are going to supply, and the intended audience they are designed for. A Ladder Golf set aimed at the younger end of the spectrum will invariably be of plastic construction, easily assembled by a child, with lighter materials and Bolas that are unlikely to inflict injury to the players if misused. Conversely, a set of ladder frames and Bolas for adult use are generally more robust and weighty. Often real golf balls are used in the construction of the Bolas, and are only suitable for small children under supervision.

The Equipment

As you would expect there is a requirement for a target, the Ladders, and something to throw at them, the Bolas.

The dimensions of all the equipment varies, but is generally suggested to be around the following scale:

Ladder Frames: Typically stand around 3ft high, and 2ft wide. There are three rungs, each coloured differently just to add a bit of style. The top rung is positioned near the top of the ladder frame, and the spacing between the rungs is approximately 13″

Bolas: Two regulation sized golf balls, 1.68″ in diameter, joined together with 4mm braided cord so that the distance between the two balls is roughly 20″.

Playing Area

Ladders should be placed in a position where the playing of the game is unlikely to cause damage of injury, as two ballistic golf balls in the gift of an enthusiastic player might easily stray beyond the bounds of the ladder golf court. The players should throw from behind a designated line, which is typically 15 ft from the frame, but can be adjusted to suit the ability of the players, the location of the game play, and the safety of onlookers. Formal, or Tournament play should follow whatever agreed distance is decided upon. For practical purposes teams that play regularly might be encouraged to vary the distance from the Throw Line to the Ladder Frame so that they become familiar with the different characteristics resulting from the adjustments.

Throwing Techniques

It is generally accepted, and really sensible, to restrict all throwing techniques to underarm styles. This allows for a reasonably good chance of landing your Bolas within walking distance of the intended target, i.e. the ladder frame, and may be easier to control when attempting to achieve a scoring throw which connects with the rungs of the frame. It is strongly recommended that any overarm technique be discouraged. It should not be necessary to experiment with that style as most people would accept that collateral damage to furnishings, fittings, and humans would undoubtedly ensue. Damage to cats is acceptable, as I’m not fond of them.

Experience over a number of years of regularly playing has shown that there can be an advantage gained by bouncing the bolas off the floor in front of the ladder frame when aiming at the lower rungs. This has varying levels of success dependent upon the ground surface. Bolas do not bounce well on a beach of sand or shingle, but do respond to hard surfaces with a satisfactory bang which is somewhat similar to a firearm being discharged. Grass has an indifferent effect on the bounce and will depend upon the length of the grass and the firmness of the ground. Consequently bouncing the Bolas off the floor is generally accepted, but not so for similar ricochets from walls and ceilings.

Game Play Etiquette

Casual play usually includes the facility for each contestant to make as many remarks, sounds or movements possible during play in order to distract the player currently at the Throwing Line. It is frowned upon for any contestant to make physical contact with the throwing player before or during the throw, and the commonly known “Goose” interaction is not permitted until after the player has loosed their Bolas and the resultant score or miss cannot be affected. During Tournament play it is generally thought to be unsporting to use distraction techniques during game play, unless you’re sneaky and can definitely get away with it.

Scoring

After all players have tossed each of their three Bolas scoring is determined by the number of Bolas remaining on the rungs. Players can knock off opponents Bolas from the Frame during play, and sometimes unintentionally knock off their own or their partners Bolas if playing as a team. Removing the opponents Bolas is encouraged as a tactic when playing defensively or aggressively. Bolas that are knocked off, or do not remain on the Frame are not counted in the score total.

Points are determined by which rung the Bolas land on. Three points are awarded to Bolas on the top rung, Two points for the middle rung, and One point for the bottom rung. Some manufacturers suggest that their Ladder Golf games award the three points to the bottom rung and one to the top rung, but this is another point of game play that must be agreed amongst the players during casual or tournament play.

Three Bolas from the same player that land and remain on a rung during that players turn is called a “Full House” and attracts an extra point. Therefore if all three Bolas from one player land on the top rung the score will be 3 X 3 points, plus 1 extra for the “Full House”, making 10 points. Similarly it would result in 7 points for 3 Bolas on the second rung, and 4 points for 3 Bolas on the lower rung.

Should a player manage to get one Bolas on each rung during their go this will be a “Spread House” and will also attract an extra point, making a score of 7 in total.