Hillbilly Golf, also known as Ladder Golf, is a fun and easy-to-play game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. The game involves throwing bolas (two balls connected by a rope) at a ladder structure in order to score points. Here are the steps to make your own Hillbilly Golf set:
Materials:
- 2 PVC pipes (1 inch diameter, 5 feet long)
- 2 PVC pipes (1 inch diameter, 3 feet long)
- 6 PVC elbows (1 inch diameter)
- 6 PVC tees (1 inch diameter)
- 6 golf balls
- 12 feet of nylon rope
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Permanent marker
Instructions:
- Cut the PVC pipes into the following lengths:
- 2 pieces at 5 feet long
- 2 pieces at 3 feet long
- Connect the pieces together to form a ladder structure by using the PVC elbows and tees. The ladder should have 3 rungs, with the top rung being 5 feet off the ground.
- Use the measuring tape and permanent marker to mark the ladder rungs at the center point and on either side, about 6 inches apart.
- Cut the nylon rope into six 2-foot-long pieces.
- Tie each golf ball to the end of a rope, creating bolas.
- To play, set up the ladder structure and stand about 10-15 feet away from it. Players take turns tossing their bolas at the ladder, aiming to get them to wrap around the rungs. The top rung is worth 3 points, the middle rung is worth 2 points, and the bottom rung is worth 1 point. The first player to reach 21 points wins!
Additional Tips:
Here are some additional tips and variations to consider when making and playing Hillbilly Golf:
- For a more durable ladder structure, consider using metal or wooden poles instead of PVC pipes. You can also add rubber feet or stakes to secure the ladder to the ground and prevent it from tipping over during play.
- To make the game more challenging, you can increase the distance between the players and the ladder, or add obstacles in between, such as trees, bushes, or other objects.
- You can also modify the scoring system to suit your preferences. For example, you could make the top rung worth 5 points instead of 3, or allow players to cancel out each other’s points if they land their bolas on the same rung.
- Another variation is to play with teams instead of individuals. Each team can have two players who take turns throwing their bolas, and the team with the highest combined score wins.
- To make the game more festive or themed, you can decorate the ladder with colored ribbons, lights, or other decorations. You could also dress up in country or hillbilly attire, and play some country music in the background.
- Finally, always make sure to play Hillbilly Golf in a safe and responsible manner. Avoid playing near people, animals, or fragile objects, and don’t throw the bolas too hard or recklessly. Have fun, but stay aware of your surroundings and use common sense.
Materials needed
| Material | Quantity |
|---|---|
| PVC pipes (1-inch diameter) | 6 pieces, each 5 feet long |
| 90-degree PVC elbows | 6 pieces |
| PVC cement | 1 can |
| Bolo balls | 6 pieces |
| Nylon rope | 50 feet |
Tools required
| Tool |
|---|
| Measuring tape |
| PVC pipe cutter |
| Marker pen |
| Scissors |
| Hammer |
Steps to make the base
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Cut the PVC pipes into six 5-foot-long pieces |
| 2 | Attach a 90-degree elbow to each end of each PVC pipe |
| 3 | Connect two PVC pipes together with an elbow to form an X shape |
| 4 | Connect the remaining four PVC pipes to the X shape to form a cube |
| 5 | Secure the joints with PVC cement |
Steps to make the bolo balls
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Cut the nylon rope into six 8-foot-long pieces |
| 2 | Tie a knot at one end of each piece of rope |
| 3 | Thread two bolo balls onto each piece of rope |
| 4 | Tie a knot at the other end of each piece of rope |
| 5 | Trim any excess rope |
Game rules
| Rule | Description |
|---|---|
| Object of the game | To score exactly 21 points |
| Scoring | Each bolo ball that lands on a PVC pipe scores 1 point. The top PVC pipe is worth 3 points. The middle PVC pipe is worth 2 points. The bottom PVC pipe is worth 1 point. |
| Winning | The first player or team to score exactly 21 points wins. If a player or team goes over 21 points, their score resets to 13 points. |
| Tossing the bolo balls | Players must toss their bolo balls underhand from behind the base. They must stand at least 5 feet away from the base. |
| Other rules | Players must wait until all bolo balls have come to rest before counting their score. If a bolo ball falls off the base, it does not count. If a bolo ball lands on the ground before hitting the base, it does not count. |
That’s it! With just a few materials and some simple instructions, you can make your very own Hillbilly Golf set and start enjoying this fun outdoor game with family and friends.
