Footgolf breathes new life into the Dunsborough golf scene

An exciting new sport has made its way to the South West.

The Dunsborough and Districts Country Club has introduced both Footgolf and Speedgolf, a version of golf that aims to cater to all ages, abilities and fitness levels.

Footgolf is a combination of golf and soccer in which players ‘putt’ soccer balls across the golf course into their respective holes.

Speedgolf is a more fitness-orientated version of the traditional game in which a player’s final score is dictated by both strokes played as well as minutes taken, encouraging players to move around the green as fast as possible.

DDCC golf club committee member Doug Gilchrist said they breathed new life into a dying sport.

“People are time-constrained these days; they’re just not interested in 18 holes anymore because it takes up most of your day,” he said.

“It’s a fitness activity and is at all levels of fitness. People can come out, grandparents can bring their grandchildren, parents can bring their children, people who are here on holidays, they can come up here and do a quick nine holes.”

The club will host an official launch of footgolf on Sunday, December 12, at 3pm, with free rounds of footgolf.

Teams of four are encouraged to attend and try the new game.

As the second accredited footgolf course in WA and one of only 33 across the nation, Mr Gilchrist hopes the new attraction will help show off the club’s facilities.

“I thought we need to do something to better utilise the course because it’s a beautiful 18-hole golf course,” he said.

“It’s pristine, you know, and we’ve got a 34-hectare golf course which has spectacular, scenic, wide fairways.

“It’s perfect for this sort of activity, panoramic views and all that sorts.”