FootGolf drives soccer skills to golf courses

Global Business

What do you get when you combine footballers kicking skills with a golfer’s sense of distance? The answer: one of the fastest growing sports in America called FootGolf. And organizers of the sport are out to prove that the game has staying power and should be coming to a course near you.

Officially launched in Holland in 2009, the once fledgling sport is now played at 400 golf courses in the United States and 1000 worldwide. Golf courses like Monarch Bay in San Leandro, California say implementing a FootGolf course has been a wise investment.

It costs just a few thousand dollars to make the adjustments to the existing golf course. And after only a few months, around 100 footgolfers per week now pay green fees to play at this course.

The bigger picture includes other revenue streams like soccer ball rentals and increased spending at the golf club. Supporters believe the young sport can do for golf, what snowboarding did for ski resorts.

With 33,000 golf courses in existence around the world, FootGolfers believe they’re only scratching the surface with soccer players, golfers and families all prospective candidates to enjoy the game.

Mark Niu reported from San Leandro, California.