There I was, at the 2010 Boston Golf Expo, when what do I come across? Nope…not the newest and greatest, super lightweight, massive head, incredi-flex shaft, guaranteed to get a hole-in-one every time club known to man…that’s just too boring for me. Instead, what caught my eye is pictured to the left.
I know what you must be saying to yourself. “What the hell is that thing? It must be for decoration. You couldn’t actually hit a golf ball with that. Wait…is it even for golf?” Yup…it’s for golf. Just not the golf you and I are used to. This is Adirondack Golf.
What if I was to tell you that thing is a flop wedge? Well, that’s exactly what it is. But you wouldn’t take this wedge (or any of the other clubs in one of these sets) out to your local track. But you might just take it out to your own backyard.
In a way, Adirondack Golf is mini-golf. But not the mini-golf we all think of upon hearing the term. There are no windmills or circus animals. There are more clubs to use than just a putter. And it more closely resembles an actual game of golf – just scaled down.
Roughly 100 years ago, at a hunting and fishing club in the Adirondacks, this alternate to golf was invented. Due to the necessity of forests at a hunting club, the amount of trees which would need to be taken down in order to create a golf course was not feasible. So, one of the founders of the club came up with the idea to scale down the game itself. He started with hockey sticks and tennis balls so the game could be played in short distances. After experimenting with a few different alternatives, they had finally settled on over-sized wooden clubs and rubber balls. A nine-hole course full of hazards and obstacles was set-up, and the new sport became a hit with both club members and guests alike, and still continues to be played to this day.
Now, through a company called Heirloom Sports, Adirondack Golf sets can be purchased by anyone who wants to play. A set comes with four over-sized wooden clubs (a driver, two “irons” and a putter), a few 2.5″ rubber balls and some stakes to mark as the “holes.” The course can be set-up just about any way you would like, but obstacles and hazards are strongly encouraged (the more the merrier). The hole has to be at least 25 yards from the tee, but not more than 150 yards. Keep in mind, the driver only travels about 55-60 yards. Other than that, the game and it’s rules are very similar to an actual game of golf.
It’s amazing the lengths (or shrinking of them) to which people will go in order to create a golf-related game. Mini-golf, disc-golf and now I find Adirondack Golf. But I have to admit, this one certainly does appear to be fun. I wouldn’t mind getting my hands on a set of these for a while. I don’t think it will ever cause me to shift my interest away from golf itself in the way disc golf has done for many. But something about this one does seem entertaining. So if anyone over at Heirloom Sports happens to come across this post and has a spare set of these lying around just collecting dust…I’d be happy to take it off your hands.
For more information on Adirondack Golf check out the Heirloom Sports site: http://www.heirloomsports.com/
Interesting.
I live 20 miles from the Adirondack Park, but haven’t heard of this.
Guess I should get out more.