Have you ever tried FootGolf? Well, until recently we hadn’t even heard of this sport, but the name is a bit of a giveaway as to what the game actually is; Play golf but with your foot as the golf club. Simples!

Footgolf can be played at the pitch and putt courses at Eaton Park and Mousehold Heath in Norwich. Each location has specific days/times when the game can be played so don’t just turn up there expecting to play.  We recently visited the Mousehold Heath course and really enjoyed the experience.

Here’s a few photos along with a few thoughts on the game.

Parents review

It’s understandable that most people who are decent at football think they’ll be good at footgolf, however, it doesn’t quite work like that. The boys play a lot of football and a bit of golf but this doesn’t necessarily help. Striking the ball in the same way you would a football can cause the ball to bend – not great when you’re trying to get it down the fairway. After a while it seemed the humble toe-poke was an effective method, though playing a lighter approach shot was also beneficial.

I must admit I really enjoyed playing footgolf. It’s always nice to go for a walk, and playing a game of footgolf with the family along the way was good fun. Yes, it helps that I won the game (with a tiny bit of gloating and just a little celebratory dance!) but even without the victory (which I look forward to repeating again soon!) it was highly enjoyable family fun.

Kids Review

Luke (12) – I’m going to win next time (gives me a serious look.) I know how to beat you, old man. (To paraphrase Star Wars) Today I was the learner, but I will be the master! Only a master of utter awesomeness! (And the happy grinning chap is back!) And for my review just put, erm, (giggles)…. FOUR! of us played footgolf, yet no-one was “Tee’d” off! Join the “club” and “drive” to Mousehold Heath (or Eaton Park). Playing footgolf “wood” be a “ball”. Don’t forget to wear two pairs of trousers in case you get a “hole in one”!    (Face/Palm. Apparently I helped him come up with this earlier.  No air-quotes were harmed in the making of this comment.)

Ben (8)  – FOUR! (swings imaginary club). Yeah, it was really good, but harder than I though it would be.  I was doing great to start with, hashtag “winning”, but the holes got harder.  Still, as I’m the littlest and youngest coming 2nd was okay. Besides, Dad was lucky with a few shots (nope, just got the skills!).

Duration of Stay

This can depend on the number of people in your group, the amount of groups ahead of you on the course, and the ability of all players too. There were four in our group (2 adult, 2 monkeys) and we were there maybe about an hour or so, and we then spent another couple of hours wandering around Mousehold Heath afterwards.

Field Notes

Don’t turn up wearing football boots – they would damage the putting greens and they wouldn’t really help you anyway. It’s also advisable to wear comfortable footwear suited to kicking a football repeatedly.

Occasionally the ball may go off the fairway in to the rough. There are a few nettles and brambles etc, and the occasional slope, so older players may need to assist younger ones when retrieving a wayward shot. Having belted my own ball off the fairway I can vouch for the benefit of wearing long trousers!

Make sure you know which colour flag you’re aiming for as the normal golf flag will be near the footgolf hole.

ABOVE: There’s a tree in my way!

Above: FOUR! Wellying the ball down the fairway.

Above: It’s the red flag you need to aim for!