Jackson Reid
Ladder golf, also known as ladder ball or ladder toss, is a lawn game played by throwing bolas (two golf balls connected by a string) onto a ladder. The game was patented in 2002 by Pennsylvanian Robert G. Reid, a postman who had played the game with his family for decades. The objective of the game is to be the first team or player to reach 21 points. The game is played with two ladders and six bolas, with each ladder consisting of three rungs. Players or teams of two stand on opposite sides of the ladder and take turns throwing their bolas, aiming to wrap them around the rungs to score points. The higher the rung, the more points are earned.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players | 2 or 4, representing two teams |
| Bola composition | 2 golf balls attached by paracord or rope |
| Objective | Be the first team to reach exactly 21 points |
| Distance between ladders | 15 feet |
| Number of bolas per player/team | 3 |
| Throwing style | Underhand |
| Bonus points | 'Knocker', 'banger', 'dropper', 'grounder', 'knock-dropper', 'twiddler', 'gapper' |
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What You'll Learn
Bola construction: Two golf balls attached by rope
To make bolas for a game of ladder golf, you will need two golf balls and a length of rope. The rope should be about 18" long, but you can trim it later if needed.
The first step is to drill a 1/4" hole in each golf ball. This will allow you to thread the rope through the balls. It is easier to paint the golf balls before you thread them if you want to add colour. Paint is more likely to adhere to a rough surface, so used or scuffed golf balls are ideal. Once the paint is dry, you can varnish the balls to help them last longer.
When threading the rope through the balls, leave about 11" between them. You will need a few extra inches of rope to go through the balls, and a couple more inches for knots. If you are using nylon rope, you can melt the ends with a lighter to prevent fraying.
Once you have constructed your bolas, you can play ladder golf. The aim of the game is to throw the bolas onto the rungs of a ladder to earn points. The game is usually played with two players or teams of two, with each player or team having three bolas of their colour. The ladders are placed about 15 feet apart, and players stand behind the ladder they are throwing at. Each player or team takes turns throwing their bolas at the ladder, aiming for the rungs. Points are scored for each rung, with the top rung usually worth one point, the middle worth two, and the bottom worth three. The first player or team to reach 21 points wins.
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Game setup: Two ladders, 15 feet apart, three rungs each
To set up a game of ladder golf, you will need two ladders and an open space. The ladders should be placed 15 feet apart from each other, ensuring there is ample room for players to throw comfortably. Each ladder should have three rungs, evenly spaced. The bottom rung should be about a foot off the ground, with the next two rungs spaced at one-foot intervals above it. This setup creates the targets for the game.
The game is often played on grass, but any flat surface will work. If playing on grass, ensure the ladders are stable and secure, pushing the ends of the ladder slightly into the ground for stability. If playing on concrete or another hard surface, consider using weights or sandbags to hold the ladders in place, as the impact of the bolas could cause the ladders to shift.
The bolas, or rope and ball sets, are tossed or gently thrown towards the ladders, so ensure there is enough space behind the ladders to allow for players to throw without obstruction. Players should stand behind a designated line, usually marked by a string or chalk line, which is measured to be about 5 paces (approximately 10 feet) from the ladder.
With the ladders set up and the throwing line established, the game is ready to begin. Players will take turns attempting to wrap their bolas around the rungs, earning points for each successful wrap. The game continues until one player or team reaches a predetermined score, typically 21 points.
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Scoring: Points for each bola on a rung; 21 points to win
Ladder golf, also known as ladder ball, is a fun outdoor game that can be played by two players or two teams of two. The objective is to be the first to reach 21 points. Each player or team gets three bolas of their colour to throw every turn. The bolas are two balls connected by a string, and they must be thrown one at a time and tossed underhand.
Scoring is done by hanging bolas on the ladder rungs. Each rung has a different point value, with the top rung typically worth three points, the middle worth two, and the bottom worth one. However, some players may prefer to switch up the scoring, making the top rung worth one point, the middle worth two, and the bottom worth three.
Players receive points for each bola that remains on a rung at the end of a round. If a player goes over 21 points in a round, those points do not count, and they must try again in the next round.
There are also optional bonus points. For example, you can get five bonus points for a full house (one bola on each rung) and three bonus points for a triple (three bolas on one rung).
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Throwing technique: Underhand toss, one bola at a time
Ladder golf, also known as ladder ball or ladder toss, is a fun yard game that can be played by anyone, regardless of their golf skills. The game involves throwing bolas, which are two golf balls attached by a rope or paracord, at a ladder placed a certain distance away. The objective is to wrap the bolas around the rungs of the ladder to score points.
When it comes to the throwing technique, players have the freedom to choose any type of underhand toss that works for them. The key is to throw the bola with an underhand motion, one bola at a time, aiming for the rungs of the ladder. Each player gets to throw all three bolas at the ladder before the next player takes their turn. It's important to remember that the bolas must be tossed individually and that players should not cross the uprights, which are the vertical posts of the ladder, when throwing.
To ensure a fair game, there are a few rules to keep in mind. Players must keep their feet behind the vertical parts of the ladder during the entire game to avoid penalties. Additionally, if a bola crosses the uprights during a throw, it won't count for any points. The game is typically played with two players or teams of two, and each player or team is given three bolas of their designated colour.
While the throwing technique itself is straightforward, players can employ different strategies to aim for specific rungs and accumulate points. The higher the rung, the more points it is worth. For example, in one variation, the top rung is worth 3 points, the middle rung is worth 2 points, and the bottom rung is worth 1 point. Players can also incorporate bonus points for adding challenges and making the game more exciting.
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Bonus points: 'Knocker', 'banger', 'dropper', 'grounder', etc
Ladder golf, also known as ladder ball or ladder toss, is a fun outdoor game. It involves throwing bolas (two balls connected by a string) onto a ladder. The game can be played by two people or in teams of two. Each player or team is assigned a set of bolas of a particular colour.
There are several ways to earn bonus points in ladder golf. Here are some examples:
Knocker
This occurs when the balls of the bola hit each other.
Banger
This happens when the balls of the bola hit the rack.
Dropper
This is when the bola initially lands on a rung but then drops to a lower rung.
Grounder
This is when the bola hits the ground before reaching the rungs.
These bonus points can be combined. For example, a "knock-dropper" would score two bonus points.
Other named shots include the "twiddler", where the bola makes multiple spins around the rung, and the "gapper", which involves going cleanly through a gap.
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