FootGolf combines football (soccer) and golf. The rules largely correspond to those of golf. 

FootGolf Jamberoo are hosting a competition day on Sunday, October 23.

Sue Paul, Footgolf organiser at Jamberoo Golf Club said it will feature two events.

One is an 18-hole Championship course in 4BBB (‘four ball, better ball’) format. This is a two-person team event.

It has a 10am kick-off and entry fee is $30 per person.

The second event is a nine-hole, four-person Ambrose with a 9am kick-off.

This is especially aimed at families or groups of friends. Entry is $10 per person. 

FootGolf uses the same courses as regular golf, with FootGolf holes located away from the regular greens.

FootGolf was invented in the Netherlands in 2009.

It has been in Australia since 2014, and is supported by Golf Australia. 

“It’s definitely growing… It’s a big growing sport,” Mrs Paul said.

“It’s a skill-based soccer game.

“The people that really love it, they’re competitive and they love to get the best score.

“They want to beat their own score all the time, or their friends’ score.” 

However, she said there was an element of finesse to FootGolf.

“Pretty much anyone can get the ball up there, but as you get close… The ball has to fall in the hole, so you have to putt it just right.”

The inaugural Australian FootGolf Open took place at Jamberoo Golf Club in May.

Mrs Paul said it was “early days” for the sport at Jamberoo and the Illawarra overall.

She said the competition day was open to anyone interested in getting a taste of the sport. 

“We’ve only been going since January,” she said.

“It was set up to give us (the club) a secondary form of income, because we needed young people out on the course.

“The kids love it, and we’ve had a huge response. 

“We’ve had a lot of interested people wanting us to have a comp, so we decided to organise it.”

The Jamberoo event will feature more than $500 in prizes, as well as a barbecue, beverages and music. Spectators are welcome.

For bookings for the Jamberoo event, phone 4236 0404. 

Worldwide, FootGolf is regulated by the Federation for International FootGolf (FIFG).