Harper Lin
Urban golf, also known as cross golf, street golf, or anarcho golf, is a sport derived from traditional golf. It was invented in the 1990s in Berlin, Germany, and has since spread across Europe and to other parts of the world. Urban golf is played without a traditional golf course, instead using street furniture, drains, and other urban features as obstacles and targets. Players can use various types of balls, such as leather, plastic, or tennis balls, and the game can be adapted to different locations like streets, parks, rooftops, or indoor venues. The rules can be flexible, with each group defining their targets, number of shots, and style of play. Urban golf offers a more relaxed and accessible version of the traditional game, attracting players who want to enjoy a less uptight form of golf in unconventional settings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Other Names | Cross Golf, Street Golf, Anarcho Golf |
| Origin | Invented in the 1990s in Berlin, Germany |
| Gameplay | Players hit balls at a hole or specified target |
| Balls | Leather balls, plastic golf balls, tennis balls, squash balls, Cayman balls, airflow balls, etc. |
| Clubs | Various clubs |
| Rules | Each group defines the target(s), the number of shots permitted, and the game can be played in a variety of ways |
| Course | Streets, industrial brownfields, sand pits, parks, rooftops, river banks, etc. |
| Popularity | Europe, New Zealand, the United States |
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What You'll Learn
Urban golf is a variation of traditional golf
Urban golf, also known as cross-golf, street golf, or anarcho golf, is a variation of traditional golf. It is a game based on the original game of golf, in which players hit a ball into a hole or at a specified target using various clubs. The primary difference between urban golf and traditional golf is the field on which the game is played. Traditional golf is played on large fields with natural hazards like bunkers, ponds, and trees, while urban golf is played without a traditional golf course, instead using street furniture, drains, and other urban features as obstacles and targets.
Urban golf can be played with a variety of balls, such as regular golf balls, leather balls, plastic golf balls, tennis balls, squash balls, Cayman balls, airflow balls, and other customized balls, depending on the location of the game. It can be played on synthetic grass, in the streets, in parks, or anywhere with obstacles that can be used as targets. The game usually has a distinct lack of nature and is played in urban environments, including building sites, rooftops, canals, hotel lobbies, school campuses, and industrial areas.
Urban golf started in the 1990s in Berlin, Germany, with the formation of the Natural Born Golfers group in Hamburg. It has since spread across Europe and to other parts of the world, gaining popularity in New Zealand and the United States. The European Urban Golf Cup has been held annually since 2013, showcasing the sport's popularity on the continent.
The rules of urban golf are flexible and can be defined by the players. Each group can set their own targets, the number of shots allowed, and the format of the game. This adaptability has made urban golf a popular and accessible variation of traditional golf, attracting players who appreciate its relaxed and informal nature.
Overall, urban golf offers a unique twist to the traditional game of golf by bringing the sport to urban settings and allowing players to define their own rules and targets. It provides an opportunity for golfers to showcase their skills in unconventional environments and enjoy a fun and social experience with friends.
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It can be played anywhere, with any type of ball
Urban golf, also known as cross-golf, street golf, or anarcho golf, is a game based on traditional golf. The primary difference between the two sports is the field on which they are played. Unlike traditional golf courses, which have large, natural hazards, urban golf can be played anywhere, on any type of surface, and with any type of ball. This means that urban golf courses can include streets, parks, synthetic grass, rooftops, canals, industrial areas, and even hotel lobbies.
The game typically involves players hitting a ball into a hole or target, using various clubs. While traditional golf balls are often used, players may also use leather balls, plastic golf balls, tennis balls, squash balls, Cayman balls, airflow balls, or other customized balls. The choice of ball will depend on the location and nature of the course.
Urban golf can be played with any number of holes or targets, and the player who completes the course with the fewest strokes wins. There are no defined rules in urban golf, and each group can define their own targets, number of shots, and style of play. This flexibility is part of the appeal of urban golf, as it allows players to be creative and adapt the game to their surroundings.
The sport is particularly popular in Europe, where it originated in the 1990s in Berlin, Germany. It has since spread to other parts of the world, including New Zealand and the United States, and continues to gain popularity. Urban golf offers a unique and accessible way to enjoy the game of golf, bringing the sport to new and diverse audiences.
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There are no rules, players decide on targets and shots
Urban golf, also known as cross golf, street golf, or anarcho golf, is a game based on traditional golf. However, unlike traditional golf, urban golf has no defined rules, and players have the freedom to decide on their targets and shots.
In urban golf, players hit synthetic balls at improvised targets using a variety of clubs. The targets can be anything, from street furniture to drains, and the game can be played in various locations, including streets, parks, and even indoors. The balls used can also vary, with players opting for leather balls, plastic golf balls, tennis balls, or other customized balls suitable for the playing area.
Since there are no set rules, each group of players can define their own targets, the number of shots allowed, and the specific game format. This flexibility in rules and settings makes urban golf a unique and exciting variation of traditional golf, often considered "less uptight" by its players, who are usually in their 20s.
The absence of rules and the use of diverse targets and locations in urban golf create a dynamic and unpredictable gaming experience. Players can constantly create new challenges and explore different environments, making each game feel fresh and engaging. This adaptability is a significant part of the sport's appeal, attracting players who want a more relaxed and creative approach to the traditional game of golf.
While the fundamental objective of hitting the ball into a target or hole remains, urban golf players can continuously innovate and personalize their gaming experience by defining their own rules and targets. This player-driven customization is a key characteristic of urban golf, fostering a sense of ownership and creativity within the sport.
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It started in Germany in the 1990s
Urban golf, also known as cross golf, street golf, or anarcho golf, was invented in Germany in the 1990s. It started in Berlin in 1992 when German golfer Torsten Schilling started the Natural Born Golfers group in Hamburg.
The game is based on traditional golf but is played without a golf course. Instead, players hit synthetic balls at improvised targets, using a variety of clubs. The targets can be anything, from street furniture to drains, and the game can be played in the streets, in a park, or even inside a building.
Urban golf can be played with a variety of balls, including regular golf balls, squash balls, tennis balls, Cayman balls, airflow balls, and other customized balls, depending on the location. For example, a player might use a tennis ball if playing in a park to avoid damaging the grass.
The rules of urban golf are flexible and can be defined by the players. There may be a fixed number of holes or targets, with a pre-assigned par for each hole, and the player who finishes the course with the lowest number of strokes wins. Alternatively, players might define a specific target to aim for and set a limit on the number of shots permitted.
Since its inception in Germany in the 1990s, urban golf has spread across Europe and to other countries like New Zealand and the United States, particularly in cities like Portland, Oregon, and San Francisco. It has become a popular alternative to traditional golf, offering a more relaxed and accessible form of the sport that can be played almost anywhere.
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It's popular in Europe and gaining traction in the US
Urban golf, also known as cross-golf or street golf, is a game based on traditional golf. It can be played on synthetic grass, in the streets, in the city, or in a park. The game usually features a distinct lack of nature, with hazards and bunkers taking the form of items such as drains and street furniture.
Urban golf started being widely played in 1992 when German golfer Torsten Schilling started the Natural Born Golfers group in Hamburg. It is particularly popular in Europe, where the European Urban Golf Cup has taken place annually since 2013. It is also gaining popularity in the United States, specifically in Portland, Oregon, and San Francisco. The game has also spread to New Zealand.
The primary difference between urban golf and traditional golf is the field on which the game is played. Unlike golf, where the fields are large and have natural hazards, urban golf can be played anywhere, and anything can be used as an obstacle. Cross-golf, a variation of urban golf, utilizes disused urban environments, building sites, rooftops, canals, hotel lobbies, school campuses, and industrial areas as courses.
Urban golf can be played with a variety of balls, including regular golf balls, squash balls, tennis balls, Cayman balls, airflow balls, and other customized balls, depending on where the game is played. The game is played for a fixed number of holes or targets, with a pre-assigned par for each hole, and the player who finishes the course with the lowest number of strokes is the winner.
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Frequently asked questions
Urban golf, also known as cross golf, street golf or anarcho golf, is a game based on traditional golf. It is played without a traditional golf course, instead using street furniture as obstacles and targets. It can be played with a variety of balls, including regular golf balls, squash balls, tennis balls, Cayman balls, airflow balls, and other customised balls.
Urban golf can be played anywhere, including the streets, the city, parks, and even indoors. It is commonly played in Europe, where the European Urban Golf Cup has taken place annually since 2013. It is also gaining popularity in the United States, particularly in Portland, Oregon, and San Francisco.
There are no defined rules in urban golf. Each group defines the target(s) to aim for and the number of shots permitted. The game is played for a fixed number of holes or targets, with a pre-assigned par for each hole, and the player who finishes the course with the lowest number of strokes wins.
