Foot Golf Cancel The title field is required!

1. Clay Putnam

   

   33 posts
   
   12/4/2013 8:12 PM

   Was introduced to this concept today by a golf pro chap. Sounds crazy but after some thought, watching the video, and a conversation with my teenage son my opinion is changing. In this age of golf courses looking for ways to improve revenue and drive interest in the sport this could be a nice supplement to golf courses especially with the younger crowd.
   
   Set up looks easy. Teeing area at the beginning of the fairway and cup & pin in the approach. Easily played around by the "normal" golfers. I asked my son (age 15) to watch the video and asked him if he would; 1) play foot golf and 2) would he and his friends rather play foot golf or "normal" golf. His answers were yes and foot golf.
   
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=451j2UhCI6Q

   
   
   
   
2. Peter Bowman

   

   11 posts
   
   12/4/2013 8:12 PM

   A couple courses in Sacramento are already doing it.
   
   I played (golf) on a 9-hole par-3 course in Stockton Sunday afternoon. The course was also set up for foot golfers, although I didn't see anyone playing while I was there.
   
   Could get expensive if you hook a couple in the drink and the wind ain't blowing.

   
   
   
   
3. Clay Putnam

   

   33 posts
   
   12/5/2013 5:12 AM

   Peter Bowman, CGCS said:
   
   Could get expensive if you hook a couple in the drink and the wind ain't blowing.

   
   
   True. A really big long ball retriever? Gives new meaning to ball hawking.

   
   
   
   
4. Douglas Eggert

   

   1 posts
   
   12/5/2013 9:12 AM

   How big of a cup cutter do you need?
   
   Think divots and ball marks are bad now?
   
   How much labor is needed to install holes on the course? Carts driving over the holes? Equipment driving over the holes?
   
   Just a few thoughts....

   
   
   
   
5. Wahlin Scott B

   
   12/5/2013 10:12 AM

   We need to find a way to get people to pay to play real golf. The industry is so completely changed since I got into it decades ago. And I think that is across the board from very high end private clubs to munis. People refrain from playing golf now if it is windy. What is up with that! It is not windy on linksland where they invented the sport? If you want to get outside and walk around in open spaces, you can play frisbee golf for free. In Florida anyway, there are frisbee golf courses everywhere.

   
   
   
   
6. Clay Putnam

   

   33 posts
   
   12/5/2013 10:12 AM

   Douglas Eggert said: How big of a cup cutter do you need?
   
   Think divots and ball marks are bad now?
   
   How much labor is needed to install holes on the course? Carts driving over the holes? Equipment driving over the holes?
   
   Just a few thoughts....

   
   
   Doug,
   
   I believe the cup is 20" and I believe there is a cover for the cup when not in use. The cover looks like a larger version of the standard sized cup cap. I have no idea what a cart or mower would do to the cover, if anything.
   
   Install appears to be done with a shovel then backfill around the cup. From what I gather, the cups are placed in the fairway so as not to damage to the green and the teeing ground can be from anywhere such rough, fairway, etc. I have to believe the cups would be fairly permanent so not much need to move them around.
   
   I really don't see divots being that big of an issue. I used to volunteer with maintaining the local soccer fields and divots weren't the problem. Although the goalie box was whole different maintenance headache.

   
   
   
   
7. James Smith

   

   112 posts
   
   12/7/2013 6:12 AM

   I really like this idea, while I may be too beat up to play I can see many others trying it out and getting more people on the course can give you a chance of possibly converting them into regular golfers.

   
   
   
   
8. David Brandenburg

   

   3 posts
   
   12/8/2013 7:12 PM

   I think it is a idea that is a novelty and occasional tournament thing if it is going to be on your regular course because you could not have golfers and foot golfers playing the same holes or intermixed with each other due to the time difference.
   
   It is similar to Frisbee golf or frolf. It is a nice activity but it would not equal golf revenue as many courses are offered for free or just a couple dollars per round so why pay green fees to play on a regular golf course when you can go to a park and play for free.
   
   In my opinion and experience you are not going to build golf business by having foot or Frisbee golf at your golf course any more than a miniature golf course will.

   
   
   
   
9. McDonagh Patrick

   
   12/12/2013 12:12 PM

   It does look like it would be fun especially in P.E. class.
   I don't think people would be willing to pay to play a game they could set up in a park.

   
   
   
   
10. Christopher Thuer

    

    101 posts
    
    8/25/2015 4:08 PM

    Looking for round counts, revenue, fees charged, problems, etc.
    
    Anyone have a dedicated foot golf course in an area around the course, not incorporated into the course itself? We have several unmaintained acres surrounding our driving range that we are considering installing a foot golf course and maybe combining with disc golf. The design of our golf course does not lend itself to incorporating foot golf into the existing course. I have been to a few courses that do have foot golf and have experienced both the look of the extra flags as well as the distraction that people kicking soccer balls creates. Thus, the pro and I don't feel our traditional golfing customers would like seeing a bunch of extra flags around the course and related distractions.
    
    We have an ownership meeting in a couple of weeks and I am helping generate new revenue ideas to present to our owners.

    
    Chris Thuer, CGCS, Bear Slide Golf Club, Cicero, IN
    
    
11. Melvin Waldron

    

    43 posts
    
    8/25/2015 9:08 PM

    Our pro is in to speed golf.
    
    Mel

    
    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
    
    
12. David Brandenburg

    

    3 posts
    
    8/26/2015 12:08 PM

    I have not seen a stand alone foot golf and not that you could not do it on your own but to be a accredited foot goof facility the holes have to follow golf holes not just be off in the rough.
    
    We opened 9 holes of foot golf late last fall and have 18 holes this year. We have had about 600 rounds so less than we hoped but more than nothing. So far we have seen more young adults but not much middle aged play we had hoped for.
    
    Maintenance has been easy on the holes etc. our challenge has been foot golfers and golfers want to play during the same time frame so we have tried to educate the public on trying to play during the shoulder times. Also with 27 holes every third week the foot golf 9 is our turn side so it is nearly impossible to take tee times during the day.
    
    It is a work in progress.

    
    
    
    
13. Stephen Ravenkamp

    

    1 posts
    
    8/27/2015 3:08 PM

    David,
    I've been investigating the possibility of a foot golf course. One of the first things I questioned was the distribution of tee times. I was told that the pace of play for foot golf is about the same as for regular golf so they should not be disruptive. Theoretically, if you can play a round of foot golf in 2 hrs and 15 minutes (18 holes), and if you have 18 holes of foot golf on 9 golf holes, foot golfers should be able to play at the same time as golfers without disrupting pace of play.
    
    What is your experience?
    
    Steve Ravenkamp, CGCS
    Apache Stronghold Golf Resort
    San Carlos, AZ

    
    
    
    
14. Kevin Fateley

    

    5 posts
    
    8/29/2015 8:08 AM

    Chris,
    
    I brought up your course on Google Earth and it does look like you have room for 9 holes around your driving range.
    Also, is that you dragging in top dressing on the range tee?
    An interesting question came up in the forum about a Footgolf course being accredited if it is at a golf course but not actually within the existing golf course routing. I am going to pose that question to our Board of Directors of
    the United States FootGolf Association which I serve as an Advisor. The USFGA goal "pardon the pun" is to have all FootGolf courses on golf courses. As for pace of play Foot Golfers are actually quicker due to the following reasons:
    No range finder use
    No club selection
    No practice swings
    No looking for balls
    At our course we have had no issues with pace of play. If you want to get more info from the Indiana area contact Dan and he might be able to help you out with owner discussions.
    As a Golf course owner I am thrilled with Footgolf revenue!
    
    Indiana Footgolf Association
    IndianaFootGolf.com
    Dan Kapsalis
    Email: info@indianafootgolf.com
    
    Kevin Fateley
    Wildcat Creek Fun & Fitness
    Manhattan Ks

    
    
    
    
15. David Brandenburg

    

    3 posts
    
    8/31/2015 1:08 PM

    Steve,
    
    It was our original intention to have foot golf times and golf times but we have had many days where golfers and footgolfers are following each other without issue and at the same pace. For most people footgolf is quicker because you do not have the putting, but most par 4 golf holes have two foot golf holes on them so it somewhat evens out.
    
    So overall it works but you can have a slow group of golfers, or footgolfers or a foursome in front of a twosome. No different than any day with just regular golfers.
    
    One challenge is to train the footgolfers who have never played golf or been on a golf course to follow the golfers and not pass them without being waved through.
    
    
    

    Stephen Ravenkamp, CGCS said: David,
    I've been investigating the possibility of a foot golf course. One of the first things I questioned was the distribution of tee times. I was told that the pace of play for foot golf is about the same as for regular golf so they should not be disruptive. Theoretically, if you can play a round of foot golf in 2 hrs and 15 minutes (18 holes), and if you have 18 holes of foot golf on 9 golf holes, foot golfers should be able to play at the same time as golfers without disrupting pace of play.
    
    What is your experience?
    
    Steve Ravenkamp, CGCS
    Apache Stronghold Golf Resort
    San Carlos, AZ

    
    
    
    
16. Stephen Ravenkamp

    

    1 posts
    
    8/31/2015 3:08 PM

    David,
    Thanks. Never thought about the "training" issue.
    Steve Ravenkamp, CGCS, CFM
    Apache Stronghold Golf Resort
    San Carlos, AZ

    
    
    
    
17. Christopher Thuer

    

    101 posts
    
    8/31/2015 6:08 PM

    Kevin,
    
    I have been in contact with Dan several times and he lives close. Intermixing foot golf on our course is out of the question. I did see in the info he sent a non golf course site would not be accredited.
    
    Same with those around here who run the local disc golf assn. They even proposed us being a host site for a national disc golf and intl. disc golf championship they are hosting next summer.
    
    Ideally I would like to put in a ball golf par 3 course around our range. Par 3 courses are becoming quite popular in our area, even at the higher end clubs, but that expense is out of the question right now.

    
    Chris Thuer, CGCS, Bear Slide Golf Club, Cicero, IN
    
    
18. Peter Bowman

    

    11 posts
    
    9/1/2015 8:09 AM

    Foot Golf, the magazine
    www.thisisfootgolf.com

    
    
    
    
19. Bryan Taylor

    

    0 posts
    
    9/14/2015 2:09 PM

    Kevin Fateley said: Chris,
    
    I brought up your course on Google Earth and it does look like you have room for 9 holes around your driving range.
    Also, is that you dragging in top dressing on the range tee?
    An interesting question came up in the forum about a Footgolf course being accredited if it is at a golf course but not actually within the existing golf course routing. I am going to pose that question to our Board of Directors of
    the United States FootGolf Association which I serve as an Advisor. The USFGA goal "pardon the pun" is to have all FootGolf courses on golf courses. As for pace of play Foot Golfers are actually quicker due to the following reasons:
    No range finder use
    No club selection
    No practice swings
    No looking for balls
    At our course we have had no issues with pace of play. If you want to get more info from the Indiana area contact Dan and he might be able to help you out with owner discussions.
    As a Golf course owner I am thrilled with Footgolf revenue!
    
    Indiana Footgolf Association
    IndianaFootGolf.com
    Dan Kapsalis
    Email: info@indianafootgolf.com
    
    Kevin Fateley
    Wildcat Creek Fun & Fitness
    Manhattan Ks

    
    
    Kevin,
    
    I played Footgolf for the first time at your place last week. Sorry I missed you but it was really good to get out and see what it was all about. I had a good time and even made one birdie and couple pars. It was good to catch up with Cliff and McCain too.
    
    Well done,
    Bryan Taylor
    The Golf Club at Newcastle

    
    
    
    
20. Terry Negen

    

    0 posts
    
    9/17/2015 9:09 AM

    Where is the best place to purchase a starter set of cups for foot golf, we are thinking of starting with 9 holes. How do you install the cups?
    
    Terry Negen, Superintendent
    Marshall Golf Club
    Marshall, MN

    
    
    
    
21. Christian Pekarek

    

    0 posts
    
    9/18/2015 6:09 AM

    Hi Terry,
    
    We got our equipment from the American FootGolf League. There are a few groups that are trying to get in on footgolf to make money but the AFGL is the original group and the sanctioned body for footgolf. They were very helpful.
    
    American FootGolf League
    777 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way - Suite 200
    Palm Springs, CA 92262
    Telephone +1 760.501.0100
    Fax +1 866.702.1667
    e-Mail info@afgl.us

    
    
    
    
22. Kevin Fateley

    

    5 posts
    
    9/18/2015 9:09 AM

    Terry,
    
    The United States FootGolf Association USFGA is an Affiliate member of the the GCSAA and also can provide the cups, support and help with lay out. I posted Dan Kapsalis' info above in a previous post. I suggest you compare organizations. I can't go into much detail since I serve on the USFGA advisory board and that might violate forum policies.
    
    Kevin

    
    
    
    
23. Christian Pekarek

    

    0 posts
    
    9/18/2015 11:09 AM

    Kevin,
    
    I don't know much about the various groups associated with footgolf but I know 2 things.
    
    (1) The AFGL was founded in 2011, the American FootGolf League (AFGL) is the U.S. exclusive member of the Federation for International FootGolf (FIFG). Also, founding member of the North American FootGolf Alliance (NAFGA) and governing body for the sport of FootGolf in the United States of America since July 2012. So the AFGL is to footgolf as the USGA is to golf.
    
    (2) When I tried to by equipment from the USFGA last year in Illinois, I was told it would take several months because they were trying to work out some things to 'monetize' their group. Here are the USFGA fees in Illinois:
    Facility Certification $2,200-$3,600
    Course Layout $700-$1,200
    Course Rating $350
    Mapping $800
    Scorecards $0-$1,245
    Cups and Lids $1,500-$2,925
    Flags $187.92-$350.82
    Membership $250
    
    These are some pretty hefty fees for a 'non-profit' group.
    
    As you know, all it takes to be an affiliate member of the GCSAA is paying them a fee.

    
    
    
    
24. David Brandenburg

    

    3 posts
    
    9/18/2015 1:09 PM

    Our stuff is from the AFGL or American Footgolf League. I have nothing against the USFGL but the AFGL was the original and is recognized by the Golf Course Owners Association as the leading association.
    
    We got our cups, covers and flags from them but in future years will get replacement flags from our normal flag vendor. The quality will be better and the price lower. The AFGL has provided a lot of promotional material and items to share with our customers.