Hybrid sports, like disc golf and tennis polo, aren’t new. FootGolf, a sport that combines golf and soccer, came onto the scene around 2006, but didn’t arrive in Muncie until recently.
FootGolf uses basic golf rules. Players kick a soccer ball into large cups in the ground, said David Jordan, owner of Trailside Golf and FootGolf in Muncie. His course is located 16 minutes away from campus at 4813 U.S. Highway 35.
There are both 9- and 18-hole courses, with a par for each hole. Other golfing terms like birdies, bogies and eagles also come into play.
The sport now boasts tournaments and an international federation. For those interested, the closest tournament to Muncie takes place in Chicago.
Jordan jumped into the FootGolf business in August after hearing about the sport from a friend.
“I looked into [FootGolf], and it seemed to me like a great thing,” he said.
It’s family-friendly, he said. The game can be played at church outings, birthday parties and company picnics.
Trailside, like other golf courses that offer the sport, has a course around the same area as the golf course.
Its holes are placed in challenging spots, such as by hills or sand traps.There are markers for where each hole starts, and players are given maps so they know their path around the course.
The course’s proximity to golfers has caused some discord, however. Some have left Trailside for other courses because FootGolf interferes with their game.
“Golf can be a very serious game, and FootGolf isn’t,” Jordan said.
Tony Arthur is a golfer who started coming to Trailside around the time FootGolf became a part of the business. The challenge that golf proposes is his favorite part.
“It’s like fishing. Can you ever really master it?” he said.
Because golf is more of a hobby for Arthur, he hasn’t had many problems with FootGolf being on the same course.
“By the time [FootGolfers] come up behind me, I’m usually ready to sit down and rest,” he said.
While not a FootGolfer himself, Arthur agrees it’s a family-friendly sport and even plans to bring his grandchildren someday to try it.
There are currently nine Indiana FootGolf courses recognized by the American FootGolf League. In larger states, like California, there are more than 50. Jordan is convinced of FootGolf’s longevity.
“If players have their own attire, it’s not just a passing thing,” Jordan said.
Read More
Victims and survivors of sexual assault share their stories at ‘Take Back the Night’ event
By Maya Kim / 53 minutes agoThe ‘Take Back the Night’ event provided information about the history of sexual assault and what resources are available to Ball State students.
Wes-Del baseball defeats Wapahani in conference rivalry game
By David Moore / 2 hours ago“Right now our focus is being back and ready to play tomorrow,” Wes-Del head coach Daniel Hanson said. “We try not to look at the big picture, not look at the rankings, to the end of the year, none of that. Just getting in and getting better at focusing on what we can control.”
'We didn’t bring it today:' Ball State softball falls to Purdue in final non-MAC contest of 2024
By Zach Carter / 2 hours agoIn the loss to the Boilermakers, the Cardinals only recorded one hit, which was a solo home run from senior Kaitlyn Mathews. Ball State finished its 2024 non-conference season with a 13-14 record.
