Wiffle Golf - How To Play

How To Play

Wiffle Golf uses the stroke play rules of traditional golf. Players begin at an assigned teeing ground for each hole and attempt to hit a preassigned object or hole in as few strokes as possible. Players play a predetermined number of holes, each of which is assigned a par (score) value. After the first hole is selected, the player with the fewest strokes on that hole will select the subsequent hole. As in traditional golf, players' scores are generally expressed as a number either under or over par for each hole or for the course. At the end of a game of Wiffle golf, the player with the lowest score wins.

Players may use many different hitting methods in Wiffle golf. If a player misses the ball with his or her swing, the swing counts as a stroke.

The most popular driving method involves throwing the ball up into the air and swinging at it as it falls. A player may have one or both hands on the bat for this swing.

As players get closer to holes, other types of swings tend to be more popular. One of the more popular chip shots involves the player holding the ball in front of his/herself in one hand and striking it with the top of the bat using the other hand, gripping the bat near where the ball will be struck. This tends to give a much less powerful but more accurate shot.

Another popular shot involves leaving the ball on the ground and striking it by pushing the bat towards it along the ground. This shot is generally used when the ball is on level ground and is very close to the hole.

Another shot involves leaving the ball on the ground, holding the bat upright behind the ball and kicking the bat into the ball using the player's foot. The shot has proved surprisingly accurate and achieves the best distance of any shot which leaves the ball on the ground. Another "bunting" or putting method involves turning the bat upside down and using the knob of the bat to flick the ball towards the hole. Beware! The consequences of an errant flick will usually leave the ball just as far or farther away from the hole on the opposite side.

Players may also utilize a typical golf swing in which a player holds the bat much like a golf club and strikes the ball lying on the ground. However, this swing can be difficult to pull off due to the sizes of the bat and ball, making it difficult to control unless the ball is tapped lightly. In addition, the shot is susceptible to changes in terrain (i.e. terrain with holes, bumps, uneven terrain). A more accurate "bunting" method involves standing directly over the ball, lining up the shot and striking it in "croquet" fashion with the bat. The golf shot "bunt" has become outdated and is only attempted by unknowing novices. The "kick shot" or croquet style "bunt" are the most accurate shots for ground strokes. The kick shot seems to remain popular as a form of bragging rights for the players that can use it well and make "bunts" with this "skill shot".