Ladder golf and golf have little in common other than golf balls. But if you’re looking for an easy-to- build backyard game that’s fun for all ages, ladder golf will suit your needs to a tee. Made from 3/4-in. CPVC supply tubing and fittings, the ladderlike goal presents three scoring opportunities for players who toss and wrap a bola around one of the horizontal scoring rungs. Made from two golf balls and rope, the bolas function like the primitive weapons of the same name. For easy storage and transportation, solvent-weld the parts of the ladder into three separate units: the ladder and two standards. Because the ladder is made with slip fittings (not threaded ones), you can slide the three parts together to set up the goal and then disassemble them when you’re done. The three horizontal rungs have specific point values, although some controversy exists as to which rung should be most valuable. I went with the apparent majority and valued the top rung at three points, the middle at two and the bottom at one. I used strips of colored electrical tape to indicate the values on each rung.
When setting up the game, position the goals 15 ft. apart. The trickiest (and most dangerous) part of building this project is making the bolas. If you have some familiarity with golf, you already know that golf balls have two basic constructions: one with a solid center and another with a wound center and a liquid core. Because you will need to drill a hole through the ball, use only solid-core golf balls to make the bolas. And for the sake of scoring, try to find colored balls. They’re not as common as they were a few years ago, but yellow balls are not hard to find today. Use 3/8-in. nylon rope to make the and Ladder Golf, go to For complete rules to Washer Toss bolas. You’ll need three bolas of each color. Drill a 3/8-in.-dia. hole through the center of the golf ball; then string the rope through. Tie knots at the ends of the rope so the golf balls are 13 in. apart. Then trim and singe the ends of the rope to keep them from unraveling.
Ladder golf is also easy to take apart and transport, making it easy to transport to your next backyard or tailgate party.
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