Footgolf Stag Do

Footgolf is golf for people who can’t play golf. Instead of a club and a tiny ball, you kick a size 5 football round a shortened course and try to get it into a big hole on each green. Fewest kicks wins. It’s simple, it’s surprisingly competitive, and a footgolf stag do is one of the easiest ways to get a mixed group out in the fresh air without anyone feeling left out.

Many golf clubs now have footgolf courses alongside their normal one, so you get the proper golf club feel, flags on the greens and a clubhouse at the end, without spending hours hunting for balls in the rough.

Anyone can play. If you can kick a ball, you’re in. That covers the lad who plays Sunday league, the uncle who hasn’t run for a bus in years and the stag who insists he’d have gone pro if it wasn’t for his knee.

It also hits a sweet spot between sport and a stroll. You’re outside and moving, but it’s gentle enough to chat between holes. It’s far quicker to pick up than real golf, and nobody is going to lose a ball on every hole and hold up the group behind.

The scoring keeps it honest, too. Footgolf is scored like golf, so there’s a scorecard, a winner and a very clear loser. I’d make the loser buy the first round in the clubhouse. I’d also make sure the stag keeps the scorecard, so everyone can accuse him of cheating.

• Trainers. Flat-soled trainers are your best bet. Clubs tend not to want studs on their greens, so ask before anyone packs his football boots.
• Golf gear, for the laughs. Argyle socks, flat caps and loud trousers aren’t compulsory, but they really should be. Some clubs have a dress code, so check before you turn up looking like a 1970s pro.
• A waterproof. It’s a British golf course. Enough said.

• Group size and tee times. Groups usually go round in small flights, so a big stag may be split across a few tee times. Ask the club how they handle groups and turn it into a team contest.
• The booze rule. A pint in the clubhouse afterwards is the dream. Turning up worse for wear is not, and clubs can turn you away. Play first, drink after.
• How long it takes. It’s quicker than a full round of golf, but check how many holes the course has and how long a round usually takes.
• The balls. Some courses provide footballs, some expect you to bring your own. Worth a quick check.

If the stag fancies the real thing, a golf stag do is the obvious upgrade, and crazy golf or Topgolf makes a great evening follow-up. Footgolf in the day and crazy golf at night gives you a gloriously silly golf-themed Saturday. If the lads would rather kick each other than a ball, bubble football is the rougher option.

For a base, a city with countryside close by works well, so you can play in the day and be back in town for the night out. Have a look at Nottingham or Bristol.