Ladder golf

LADDER GOLF:
The goal is to throw bolas (golf balls connected by a cord) towards a standing ladder to score as many points as possible. The aim is to throw the bola so that it wraps around one of the ladder’s rungs and stays hanging.

Before the game starts, mark a throwing line about 5 steps from the ladder. Children may stand a bit closer. The game is played in rounds of 3 throws: each player throws their three bolas one at a time before the next player takes their turn. The throwing technique is up to the player, but the bola must not touch the ground during the throw.

The winner of a round throws first in the next round.

Scoring in Ladder Golf

• 3 points if the bola stays on the top rung
• 2 points on the middle rung
• 1 point on the bottom rung

Bonus points

• 1 bonus point: if all 3 bolas in the round hang on the same rung
• 1 bonus point: if all 3 bolas hang on three different rungs

The highest possible score in a round is 10 points, i.e. all three bolas hang on the top rung.

How to win Ladder Golf
Players compete to be the first to reach exactly 21 points. For example, a player with 18 points needs 3 more to win. If they score more than they need on their next three throws, those points do not count, and they start the next round still with 18 points.

If one player alone reaches exactly 21 points, they win the game regardless of the other players’ scores. If two or more players tie at 21 points, extra rounds are played until one player scores 2 points more than their competitor at the end of an extra round. This 2-point rule applies only in extra rounds.

Only bolas that are still hanging on the ladder rungs after all three throws in a round count for points. Bolas that fall off during the round do not count. It is allowed to try to knock off opponents’ bolas using your own throws.

It is also allowed to try to distract the thrower with comments, jokes or other remarks to break their concentration during their throws. However, it is not allowed to touch the player or approach the ladder before the round is over.

Team play
You can play two teams with several players on each team, taking turns throwing for their team each round. You can also buy extra bolas if you want more individual players in the same game.