Miles Bennett
Park golf is a sport invented in 1983 in Makubetsu, Japan, that combines golf and croquet and is played in parks. It is designed to be accessible to people of all ages and abilities, with simple rules and equipment. The aim of the game is to hit a ball into a hole with a club in the fewest strokes, with an emphasis on harmony with other players and the natural setting of the course. The sport has gained popularity in Japan, with over 5 million players, and has spread to other countries, including the United States, Canada, and Korea.
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What You'll Learn
History and origins of park golf
Park golf was invented in 1983 in the small town of Makubetsu, Hokkaido, Japan. The founders of the sport wanted to create a game that was easily accessible and playable for people of all ages while keeping the name, rules, and equipment as simple as possible. The name "park golf" reflects the fact that the sport is played in parks and resembles a game somewhere between golf and croquet.
The game quickly gained popularity in Japan, and by 2023, there were over 700,000 players (or "parkers") and more than 700 courses playing under the official rules set by the
The objective of park golf is similar to traditional golf: players aim to hit the ball into a hole with a club in the fewest strokes possible. However, park golf is designed to be more accessible and affordable, with shorter courses, simpler rules, and less physical strain. The equipment is also more basic, requiring only a single club and ball to play. The club is similar in appearance to a standard golf driver but with a thicker, shorter shaft and a flat head. The ball is made of durable plastic resin and is larger than a standard golf ball, with a diameter of 60 mm and a weight of around 3.5 ounces.
Since its inception in Japan, park golf has spread to other parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, China, Australia, Taiwan, and Central America. America's first park golf course, Destroyer Park Golf in New York, was introduced by professional wrestler Dick "The Destroyer" Beyer in 2013. The sport continues to grow in popularity, with new players joining daily and equipment manufacturers creating specialised gear for park golf.
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Rules and gameplay
Park golf is a sport that was invented in 1983 in Makubetsu, Hokkaido, Japan, with the aim of making golf more accessible to people of all ages. It is played in parks, as the name suggests, and combines elements of golf and croquet. The game uses terminology similar to golf, with words like par, bogey, eagle, birdie, and out of bounds.
Park golf is played with one club and one ball, and the objective is to hit the ball into a hole in the fewest strokes possible. The club is flat, and only the most skilled players can hit the ball in the air. The ball is made of durable plastic resin and is bright-coloured, measuring 60 mm in diameter and weighing less than 100 grams. It is larger than a standard golf ball, and some have likened it to the size of a billiard ball.
A standard round of park golf consists of 9 holes, with each hole no longer than 100 meters. The entire 9-hole course must be 500 meters or less. The playing field includes a green, semi-fairway, fairway, bunkers, rough, and out of bounds. If a ball lands out of bounds, it is replaced on the fairway at an equal distance from the hole, and the player takes two strokes as a penalty.
The initial shooting order is decided by drawing rods, and the group then chooses which course to play. Most parks offer 2-4 courses. During the game, if a player is struggling to finish a hole, they can choose to take eight as their score and move on. The person who shoots the lowest number of strokes on one hole goes first on the next hole, while the highest number of strokes goes last.
Park golf courses are shorter than traditional golf courses, and the game is designed to be affordable and accessible. The rules are simple, and the physical strain of the game is low, making it suitable for players of all ages and skill levels.
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Equipment and terminology
Park golf is a relaxed version of golf played in parks, with a focus on accessibility and simplicity. As such, the equipment required is minimal. A single ball and club are sufficient for a game of park golf. The ball is made of durable plastic resin and is bright-coloured so it can be easily spotted from a distance. It is 60mm in diameter, weighs about 3.5 ounces, and costs around $10. The club is similar in appearance to a standard golf driver but with a thicker, shorter shaft. The clubhead is rarely varied, but the length of the stick can change according to the height of the player. The clubface is flat, and only the most skilful players can hit the ball into the air.
There are various ball-carrying devices available, from a basic moulded length of stainless steel attached to the belt or shoelaces, to high-end leather fanny packs that can also hold personal items. Most players also invest in a scorecard holder to protect the scorecard from the elements.
The terminology used in park golf is similar to that of golf, with terms such as par, bogey, eagle, birdie, out of bounds, fairway, greens, bunkers, hazards, roughs, and hole-in-one.
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Courses and their design
Park golf is a more relaxed version of traditional golf, designed to be played in a park setting. It was invented in Makubetsu, Hokkaido, Japan in 1983 and has since gained popularity in Japan and the United States. The objective of the game is similar to golf: players aim to hit a ball into a hole with a club in the fewest strokes possible.
Park golf courses are typically shorter in length than traditional golf courses, with each 9-hole segment not exceeding 500 meters (500 yards) in total. The longest hole on a park golf course is no longer than 100 meters (100 yards), with individual holes ranging from 20 to 100 meters (22 to 110 yards) in length. These holes can be Par-3 to Par-5. A full round of park golf consists of 18 holes, with a par of 66 (or a par of 33 for a 9-hole half-round).
The design of park golf courses takes advantage of their natural settings, often incorporating features like fairways, greens, bunkers, hazards, and out-of-bounds areas. The holes are larger than those on a traditional golf course to accommodate the larger ball used in park golf. Park golf courses can be found in a variety of locations, from small corners of parks to the fringes of parking lots, and some parks may even offer multiple course options, ranging from 2 to 4 courses.
The equipment used in park golf also differs slightly from traditional golf. Park golf clubs are similar in appearance to standard golf drivers but with thicker and shorter shafts. The clubheads typically do not vary, but the length of the stick can be adjusted according to the player's height. The balls used in park golf are made of durable plastic resin and are brightly coloured for easy visibility. These balls have a diameter of 60 mm and weigh less than 100 grams.
Park golf courses are designed to be accessible and affordable for people of all ages and skill levels. The shorter course length and lower physical strain make it a suitable activity for families and those looking for a casual outdoor experience. The rules of park golf are also kept simple, and the cost of playing is relatively low.
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Park golf's global popularity
Park golf is a sport that was invented in 1983 in Makubetsu, Hokkaido, Japan. It is a form of golf played in a park, designed to be accessible and playable for people of all ages, with simple rules and equipment. The objective of the game is to hit a ball into a hole using the fewest strokes, with an emphasis on harmony with other players and the natural setting of the course.
Since its inception, park golf has gained popularity in Japan, with over 5 million players (or "parkers") and over 700 courses following the official rules set by the International Park Golf Association (IPGA). The sport has also seen rapid growth in South Korea since its introduction in 1995, with the number of courses and players nearly doubling each year.
In recent years, park golf has been introduced to other countries, including the United States, Canada, China, Australia, Taiwan, and Central America. In the United States, the sport was popularized by professional wrestler Dick "The Destroyer" Beyer, who opened the first park golf course in Akron, New York, in 2013. The game has also gained recognition from major golf equipment manufacturers such as Callaway, Mizuno, and Honma, who have started producing equipment specifically for park golf.
The accessibility, affordability, and health benefits of park golf have contributed to its growing global popularity. The sport requires minimal equipment, has low entry barriers in terms of cost and physical strain, and can be played on shorter courses that are easier to find space for than traditional golf courses. Park golf's simplicity and resemblance to traditional golf, while offering a unique and challenging experience, have made it appealing to people of all ages and abilities.
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Frequently asked questions
Park Golf is a form of golf played in parks that was invented in Makubetsu, Hokkaido, Japan in 1983. It is played with one club and one ball, and the goal is to get the ball into the hole in the fewest strokes.
You only need one club and one ball to play Park Golf. The club is similar to a standard golf driver but with a thicker, shorter shaft and a flat head. The ball is made of durable plastic resin and is bright-coloured, with a diameter of 60mm and a weight of around 3.5 ounces.
The rules of Park Golf are similar to traditional golf, with terms like "par", "bogey", "eagle", and "out of bounds". A round is typically 9 holes, with each hole no longer than 100 meters. The player with the fewest strokes at the end of the course wins.
Park Golf is designed to be more accessible and playable for people of all ages. The courses are shorter and less physically demanding, and the rules are simpler. It also emphasizes harmony with other players and the natural setting of the course.
Park Golf has gained popularity since its inception and is now played in over 18 countries, including the United States, Canada, China, Australia, Taiwan, and Central America. You can search for official Park Golf courses online or check with your local parks to see if they offer it.
