Trevor Ng
Ladder Golf, also known as Ladder Toss or Ladder Ball, is a lawn game played by throwing bolas (two balls connected by a string) onto a ladder. The game is believed to have been created in the early 1990s by Robert G. Reid, a postman from Pennsylvania who wanted to create a new game for his family's camping trips. The game involves players taking turns tossing their bolas at the ladder, aiming to wrap them around one of the three rungs, with each rung having a different point value. While the exact origin of the game may vary, with some claiming it dates back to ancient times, Ladder Golf as we know it today was patented in 2002 and has since become a popular outdoor game for people of all ages.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Invention | Summer of 2003 |
| Inventor | Brent Doud |
| Place of Invention | Campground in San Diego Bay |
| Other Names | Ladder Toss, Ladder Ball |
| Game Description | Throwing bolas (two balls connected by a string) onto a ladder |
| Number of Players | 2 or more |
| Number of Teams | 2 |
| Number of Balls | 3 golf ball bolas per player |
| Distance Between Ladders | 15 feet |
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What You'll Learn
The game was patented in 2002 by Robert G. Reid
The game of Ladder Golf, also known as Ladder Toss or Ladder Ball, was patented in 2002 by Robert G. Reid, a postman from Pennsylvania. Reid had played the game with his family for decades and created it in the early 1990s to make his family camping trips more enjoyable. The game involves throwing bolas (two balls connected by a string or rope) onto a ladder. The balls in the bolas are often golf balls, but they can also be tennis balls, plastic balls, rubber balls, or even monkey's fist knots.
Reid fashioned a set of ladders from PVC pipes and created the bolas by attaching golf balls to short lengths of rope. The game quickly gained popularity among his friends and family, who enjoyed its simplicity and competitiveness. Each player has three golf ball bolas, and the object of the game is to wrap the bolas around the steps of the ladder. The ladder consists of three steps—top, middle, and bottom—each with a different point value. The top step is worth three points, the middle step is worth two, and the bottom step is worth one.
Ladder Golf can be played with two or more players or teams. The game is played in rounds, with each player tossing their three bolas before the next player takes their turn. Players can also knock off their opponents' bolas during the game, adding a strategic element to the gameplay. The first team to reach exactly 21 points wins, and if a team exceeds this number, their score resets to 15.
In November 1999, Reid decided to file for a patent, which he was granted in 2002. He then sold the patent to Ladder Golf LLC in March 2005, and the company began manufacturing the game commercially. The company sponsored a tournament in San Diego in April 2005, with 32 teams participating. Ladder Golf has since become a popular game at outdoor gatherings, tailgating parties, and beach outings, with tens of thousands of games sold worldwide.
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Reid sold the patent in 2005
The history of Ladder Golf, also known as Ladder Toss or Ladder Ball, can be traced back to the early 1990s. Robert G. Reid, a postman from Pennsylvania, is credited with creating the game. Reid's intention was to develop a new game for his family camping trips. He created a set of ladders from PVC pipes and golf balls attached to short lengths of rope, known as bolas. The game quickly gained popularity among friends and family, who enjoyed its simplicity and competitive nature.
In November 1999, after playing the game with his family for decades, Reid decided to file for a patent. He was eventually granted the patent in 2002, with some sources stating that he patented the design in 2001. As Ladder Toss grew in popularity, it caught the attention of game manufacturers.
However, in 2005, Reid sold the patent to Ladder Golf LLC. This transaction was recorded in the patent office in March 2005. The company then began manufacturing the game commercially. The same year, in April, Ladder Golf LLC sponsored a tournament in San Diego, featuring 32 teams.
The sale of the patent to Ladder Golf LLC marked a significant turning point in the history of Ladder Golf. With the commercial manufacturing and distribution of the game, it gained even more popularity and reached a wider audience. Ladder Golf has since become a beloved outdoor game, enjoyed by people of all ages due to its simple yet engaging nature. The game has sold tens of thousands of copies worldwide and is well-known in the outdoor game industry.
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The game was played with bolas
The game of Ladder Golf, also known as Ladder Toss or Ladder Ball, involves throwing bolas—two balls connected by a string or rope—onto a ladder. The game was created in the summer of 2003 during a camping trip in San Diego, California, though similar games have been played since ancient times.
The most widely accepted story of Ladder Golf's invention credits Robert G. Reid, a postman from Pennsylvania, with creating the game in the early 1990s. According to Reid, he wanted to develop a new game for his family's camping trips, so he made ladders from PVC pipes and created bolas by attaching golf balls to short lengths of rope. The game quickly became popular with friends and family, who enjoyed its simplicity and competitiveness. Reid initially called the game "Ladder Golf," and he eventually patented the design in 2001 (some sources say 2002).
In 2003, a group of friends, including the game's inventor Brent Doud, came across a similar game while camping in San Diego Bay. Their neighbouring campers had set up a structure made from PVC pipes, and the game involved tossing tennis balls connected by rope at this structure. Doud and his friends became hooked on the game and started playing it themselves, opting for golf balls instead of tennis balls.
The game consists of two ladder structures, each with three rungs, and a set of bolas (two golf balls connected by a rope or string). The ladders are placed about 15 feet apart. Players divide into two teams, with each team having three bolas of a distinct colour. Players take turns tossing their bolas at the ladder, aiming to wrap them around one of the rungs. 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 knock their opponents' bolas off the ladder.
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Brent Doud claims he invented it in 2003
Several origin stories exist for the game of Ladder Golf, also known as Ladder Toss or Ladder Ball. One of the most widely accepted stories credits Robert G. Reid, a Pennsylvanian postman, with creating the game in the early 1990s. Reid played the game with his family for decades before deciding to file for a patent in November 1999, which he received in 2001 or 2002. However, Brent Doud claims he invented Ladder Golf in 2003.
According to Doud, he was introduced to a bola tossing game during a camping trip with friends at San Diego Bay in the summer of 2003. Their neighbouring campers had set up a game structure made from PVC pipes, and the game involved tossing tennis balls connected by rope at this structure. Doud and his friends tried the game and became instantly hooked. When their neighbours left, Doud purchased his own PVC pipes and rope, opting for golf balls instead of tennis balls. He named his new game Ladder Golf.
Over the following months, Doud and his father created a wooden design for the game, which is still used today. Doud and his brother-in-law, Bill, played numerous games to establish the official rules. Doud then set up an online business centred around Ladder Golf, starting small with everything handmade in a garage before expanding into a small office and warehouse as demand grew. Today, tens of thousands of games have been sold worldwide, and Ladder Golf is well-known in the outdoor game industry.
While Doud's story places the creation of Ladder Golf in 2003, it is important to note that Reid sold his patent to Ladder Golf LLC, which was recorded in the patent office in March 2005. This suggests that Doud may have been inspired by Reid's patented game, which was already in existence by the early 2000s. However, Doud's story highlights the grassroots nature of Ladder Golf and how it quickly gained popularity through word-of-mouth and small-scale production before becoming a commercial success.
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It's inspired by ancient tossing games
The game of Ladder Golf, also known as Ladder Toss or Ladder Ball, is believed to have been created in the early 1990s, with one source citing the summer of 2003 as the exact timeframe. It is said to have been invented by Robert G. Reid, a postman from Pennsylvania, who created the game for his family camping trips. The game involves throwing bolas (two balls connected by a string or rope) at a ladder structure, aiming for the rungs to earn points. While Reid is credited with creating this specific version of the game, the broader category of tossing games has a much longer history, dating back to ancient civilizations.
One of the earliest known tossing games dates back to ancient Egypt around 2000 BCE. This game, called "knucklebones," involved tossing small bones and catching them in various configurations. Other ancient civilizations also played similar games, often involving throwing objects at a target for leisure and competition. These games showcase the longstanding human desire for fun and friendly competition, which has evolved and adapted over time.
The appeal of Ladder Toss lies in its simplicity and accessibility. The game requires minimal equipment and can be easily set up with PVC pipes or other readily available materials. The rules are straightforward, making it suitable for players of all ages and skill levels. This simplicity, combined with the element of competition, has contributed to the widespread popularity of Ladder Golf.
The game has also inspired variations, such as using different types of balls like tennis balls or even monkey's fist knots. Additionally, the number of players or teams can vary, adding to the flexibility and inclusivity of the game. The scoring system, which assigns different point values to each rung, introduces a strategic element that engages players and keeps the game exciting.
Ladder Golf, with its roots in ancient tossing games, exemplifies how games evolve and persist over time, adapting to modern tastes while retaining their fundamental appeal of providing entertainment and fostering social interaction. Its commercial success and widespread adoption at gatherings, parties, and outings underscore its resonance with players of all ages.
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Frequently asked questions
Ladder Golf was invented in the early 1990s by Robert G. Reid, a postman from Pennsylvania.
Reid was inspired to create a new game for his family camping trips. He created ladders from PVC pipes and golf balls attached to short lengths of rope.
Ladder Golf gained traction among Reid's friends and family, who enjoyed its simplicity and competitiveness. Reid patented the game in 2001, and it was later sold to Ladder Golf LLC in March 2005, leading to its commercial manufacturing and wider popularity.
Ladder Golf is played with two or more players or teams. Each player has three golf ball bolas (two golf balls attached by a rope). The objective is to toss the bolas and wrap them around the steps of the ladder, with each step having a different point value.
Yes, Ladder Golf has several variations, including the use of different types of balls such as tennis balls, plastic balls, or rubber balls. The ladders can also be made from various materials, including plastic pipes or wood.
