Soccer + Golf = FootGolf
FootGolf: The Sport Where You Kick Your Way Around 18 Holes
FootGolf is real golf, played with your feet. Swap the clubs for a soccer ball, keep the same scorecard, and play one of the fastest-growing sports in the country — on courses you already know.
2008
Year FootGolf was formalized in the Netherlands
18
Holes per round, just like traditional golf
FIFG
International governing federation
AFGL
Official US league & tour
What Is FootGolf?
FootGolf takes the layout, etiquette, and scoring of golf and swaps the clubs and small ball for a soccer ball and your feet. Players kick from a tee box toward a 21-inch hole cut into the green, using the same par, bunkers, hazards, and 18-hole structure as traditional golf.
Organized FootGolf is widely credited to Bas Korsten and Michiel Jansen, who ran the first official tournament in the Netherlands in 2008. The sport has since spread to dozens of countries and is now governed internationally by the Federation for International FootGolf (FIFG), with the American FootGolf League (AFGL) overseeing sanctioned courses and tournaments across the United States.
Read the full history and explanation →FootGolf at a glance
- ⚽ Played with a size 5 soccer ball, no clubs required
- 🏌️ Uses real golf courses with dedicated FootGolf holes
- 🎯 Holes are roughly 21 inches (53 cm) in diameter
- 📋 Same scoring system as golf — par, birdie, bogey, eagle
- 👕 Golf-style dress code: collared shirts, no cleats
Why People Are Falling For FootGolf
Easy To Learn
If you can kick a ball, you can play. There's no swing to master, which makes FootGolf approachable for total beginners and families alike.
A Real Workout
An 18-hole round means miles of walking plus the balance and accuracy of a controlled kick — good cardio dressed up as a laid-back afternoon.
Genuine Competition
Behind the casual vibe is a real competitive scene, with sanctioned AFGL tour stops, national rankings, and an annual FIFG World Cup.
The basics of a round
- 1. Tee off — kick from between the designated FootGolf tee markers.
- 2. Play it as it lies — keep kicking from wherever the ball stops.
- 3. Mind the flag — remove the flag once your ball is within about 20 feet of the hole.
- 4. Hole out — the round ends when the ball drops into the cup; write down your score.
How To Play FootGolf
FootGolf follows the same flow as a round of golf: play in groups of up to four, one group per hole, moving through all 18 in order. Full rules, scoring, group etiquette, and technique tips for your first round are covered in our complete guide.
See the full rules & scoring guide →What To Wear & Bring
Most FootGolf courses enforce the same dress code as their golf side: collared shirts, golf shorts or pants, and turf or indoor soccer shoes instead of cleats. Bring your own approved ball if you have one, a towel, and sunscreen for a full 18.
Full equipment & dress code guide →Quick packing list
- ✅ Collared shirt
- ✅ Golf shorts/pants or skirt
- ✅ Turf or indoor soccer shoes
- ✅ Approved size 5 FootGolf ball
- ✅ Knee-high socks (some clubs)
- ✅ Towel & water
Find FootGolf Courses Near You
FootGolf courses now operate in nearly every US region, from dedicated FootGolf facilities to traditional golf courses that added a FootGolf layout. We break down exactly how to find a sanctioned course near you, what to check before you book, and how AFGL affiliation works.
Start your course search →Popular searches
- FootGolf near me
- FootGolf courses in my state
- AFGL sanctioned courses
- Indoor FootGolf options
Common Questions
What is FootGolf?
FootGolf is a hybrid sport that combines soccer and golf. Players kick a soccer ball around a golf course and try to get it into an oversized hole in as few kicks as possible, using standard golf scoring (par, birdie, bogey, etc.).
Is FootGolf a real, organized sport?
Yes. FootGolf is organized internationally by the Federation for International FootGolf (FIFG) and in the United States by the American FootGolf League (AFGL), which run sanctioned tournaments and maintain official rules.
Do I need special equipment to play FootGolf?
You need a size 5 soccer ball approved for FootGolf play and comfortable athletic or turf shoes. Most courses provide or sell approved balls, so equipment costs to get started are minimal.
Ready to play your first round?
Get the full rulebook, find a course, and gear up — everything you need to tee (kick) off starts here.