
Archery golf is a sport that combines the skills of archery and golf. It was developed in 1922 at the Mayfield Country Club in Cleveland, Ohio, as a winter sport for club members. The game is played with a bow and arrow, with archers aiming to shoot targets designed to look like a golf green. The targets are set up at varying distances, with hazards such as rocks and trees, and the aim is to knock the targets down in as few shots as possible. Archery golf can be played on a regular golf course or at an indoor range, and it is a social activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of origin | 1922 |
| Equipment | Bow and arrow |
| Playing style | Played individually or in groups |
| Scoring | Count the number of shots to hit the target |
| Target | 5" diameter ball |
| Distance | 100 to 350 yards |
| Hazards | Rocks and trees |
| Rules | No blind or dogleg holes |
| Variants | Target version and outdoor course version |
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What You'll Learn

Archery golf rules
Archery golf is played like golf but with a bow and arrows. The rules vary, but most people play one of two versions of archery golf.
In the first version, archers shoot targets designed to look like a golf green. Each target has rings, with the centre being the bullseye. Each archer shoots one arrow per target, and they earn the score shown on the target. For example, if they shoot the centre, they have hit a hole-in-one and receive one stroke. But if they hit the outermost ring, they score five strokes. The winner is the archer with the lowest total score.
In the second version, archers play on a golf course, with a target at each hole. The goal is to hit the target in as few shots as possible. Instead of counting strokes, you count the number of arrows it takes to reach the target.
Some archery golf targets don’t have rings, but rather water hazards and sand traps, with a specific point designation.
- No archer shall tee off until the previous group is done and away from the green.
- The tee-off shot should be made from any feasible position on an imaginary line, perpendicular to the tee, running through the tee-off yardage marker.
- A maximum of 5 minutes is allowed to search for a lost arrow.
- In case of a lost arrow, the group must reach a consensus on the position for the next shot. A penalty shot will be assessed for the lost arrow.
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Archery golf equipment
Archery golf is played with a bow and arrow, with the aim of the game being to shoot a 5" diameter ball off a ball-stand from a distance of 100 to 350 yards. There are two main versions of the game. In the first, archers shoot targets designed to look like a golf green. Each target has a series of rings, with the centre representing a hole-in-one and the outermost ring scoring five strokes. In the second version, there are no rings, but rather water hazards and sand traps, with a specific point designation. This version is usually played outdoors, on a golf course, with a target at each hole.
The equipment for archery golf is similar to that of regular archery, with some adaptations for the golf element of the game.
Bows
Traditional bows are perfect for archery golf, with compound shooters tending to find the game more challenging. This is because they use arrows and vanes that are so small and fast that they disappear in flight.
Arrows
Arrows are an essential piece of equipment for archery golf. When playing the game, it is important to have a good supply of arrows, as they can occasionally be lost or broken.
Targets
Targets for archery golf are designed to look like a golf green, with a series of rings. These targets are usually placed at each hole on a golf course. They can also be set up as "pucks" at different distances with surrounding hazards such as rocks and trees. These pucks can be made out of cardboard carpet rolls and are about 5" in diameter and 12" tall.
Ball-stands
For the version of the game where the aim is to shoot a ball off a stand, a ball-stand is required. The ball used is usually a 5" diameter ball.
Range-finding equipment
Binoculars, rangefinders, and pacing are allowed in archery golf, as long as they are used in a timely manner.
Other equipment
Other equipment that can be useful for archery golf includes a flag pole, which is used when searching for lost arrows, and a donation envelope, as some archery golf courses operate on a donation basis.
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Archery golf scoring
Archery golf is played like golf but with a bow and arrows. There are two main versions of the game. In the first, archers shoot targets designed to look like a golf green. In the second, targets are set up at each hole on a golf course.
In the first version, each archer shoots one arrow per target and earns the score shown on the target. For example, if they shoot the centre, they score a hole-in-one and receive one stroke. If they hit the outermost ring, they score five strokes.
In the second version, archers shoot from the tee and the goal is to hit the target in as few shots as possible. The number of arrows it takes to reach the target is counted. This version is typically played outdoors because it requires more space.
In both versions, the winner is the archer with the lowest total score. In the event of a tie, the winner is decided by the following criteria:
- Most holes won
- The highest number of 1s, then 2s, then 3s, and so on
- Score card sudden death
- A pre-selected tie-breaker hole
Archery golf was developed in 1922 at the Mayfield Country Club in Cleveland, Ohio, as a way to entertain club members during the winter. It is considered a good winter sport because arrows are not affected by snow.
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Archery golf history
Archery golf, a sport that combines the skills of archery and golf, dates back to 1922. It was developed and promoted at the Mayfield Country Club in Cleveland, Ohio, as a way to entertain club members during the winter months. Over 150 golf clubs across the country started offering archery golf as a winter sport, alongside other activities such as trapshooting, tobogganing, ice skating, and skiing.
The sport became profitable for golf clubs, as they rented archery equipment to participants, who often later bought the equipment. Archery golf was also promoted as an ideal winter sport because arrows are not affected by snow and participants can dress warmly. Additionally, all archers can tee off at the same time, allowing for a quicker completion time of under two hours.
The basic idea of archery golf is to set up target "pucks" at different distances with surrounding hazards such as rocks and trees, and then count the number of shots it takes to hit or knock over each puck. The goal is to hit the target in as few shots as possible, counting the number of arrows used instead of strokes. This version of archery golf is typically played outdoors as it requires more space.
There is also an indoor version of archery golf, where targets are set up with water hazards and sand traps, each with a specific point value. This version does not involve shooting at targets from a distance but rather focuses on accuracy and strategy in navigating the hazards.
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Archery golf courses
Archery golf is a sport that combines the skills of archery with the gameplay of golf. It was developed in 1922 at the Mayfield Country Club in Cleveland, Ohio, as a winter activity for club members.
There are two main ways to play. In the first version, archers aim to shoot targets designed to look like a golf green. Each target has a series of rings, with the centre representing a hole-in-one and the outermost ring scoring five strokes. In the second version, archers play on an actual golf course, shooting arrows at a target at each hole. The aim is to hit the target in as few shots as possible.
When designing a course, it's important to focus on safety. For example, it's recommended to avoid blind or dogleg holes so that archers can see when the group in front of them clears the green.
One example of an archery golf course is at The Forge: Lemont Quarries in Illinois. This course is located in the woods and uses soft, foam-tipped arrows to ensure safety. The course offers nine "holes" of play, with targets scattered throughout the trails.
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Frequently asked questions
Archery Golf is a sport that combines the rules of golf with the equipment of archery. It was developed in 1922 as a winter sport for country clubs.
The rules vary, but most people play one of two versions. In the first version, archers shoot targets designed to look like a golf green. Each archer shoots one arrow per target, and they earn the score shown on the target. In the second version, the game is set up like a golf course, with a target at each hole. Competitors shoot from the tee and count the number of arrows it takes to reach the target.
The rules of Archery Golf are similar to the rules of golf, with some modifications. For example, in Archery Golf, there are no blind or dogleg holes, and archers must wait for the previous group to finish the hole before teeing off. Additionally, there is a time limit of 5 minutes for searching for lost arrows, and the champion is determined by the lowest total score.
Archery Golf requires a bow and arrow, as well as targets or "pucks" to aim at. Traditional bows are typically used, as compound shooters tend to have a tougher time with the game. Some companies offer Archery Golf kits, which include arrows and targets designed specifically for the game.
Archery Golf can be played on a regular golf course or at an indoor range using special targets and rules. In the past, Wisconsin was known to have Archery Golf courses, and some cities in Wisconsin may still have them.











































