Can I play golf on a dartboard? Yes, you absolutely can play golf on a dartboard! This fun game, often called pub golf darts or simply dartboard golf, translates the basic concepts of traditional golf onto the smaller surface of a dartboard. What is golf on a dartboard? It is a game where players aim to hit specific sections of the dartboard in sequence, trying to achieve the lowest score possible over a set number of “holes,” just like real golf.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to set up, score, and enjoy this fantastic pub game. We will explore the basic rules, advanced variations, and how to set up your own dartboard golf targets.
Setting Up Your Dartboard Golf Course
Playing golf with darts requires a standard dartboard, but we need to define the “holes.” Unlike standard games like 501, golf requires a structured path across the board.
Deciphering the Dartboard Layout for Golf
The standard dartboard layout for golf uses the numbered segments of the board to represent different holes. A standard 18-hole course mimics a real golf course. However, for a quicker game, a nine-hole golf darts layout is very popular.
For a nine-hole game, we use the first nine segments in numerical order (1 through 9). For an 18-hole game, we use the segments 1 through 20, alternating between single, double, and treble sections for difficulty, or simply using the numbers 1 through 20, then repeating 1 through 18 using the triples/doubles for the back nine.
Here is a simple, common setup for a nine-hole golf darts course using the main number segments:
| Hole Number | Target Segment (Number) | Par (Suggested) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20 | 3 |
| 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 3 | 18 | 3 |
| 4 | 4 | 5 |
| 5 | 13 | 3 |
| 6 | 6 | 4 |
| 7 | 10 | 3 |
| 8 | 15 | 4 |
| 9 | 3 | 5 |
The “Par” is how many darts you should need to hit the target. Lower numbers usually have a lower par.
Essential Equipment
You only need a few things to start playing golf with darts:
- A standard dartboard.
- A set of three darts per player.
- A way to keep score (paper and pen work best).
- A measuring tape to mark the tee line (throw line), which is usually the standard oche distance (7 feet 9.25 inches).
Grasping the Golf Dart Game Rules
The core concept of golf dart game rules is simple: get the dart into the target area in the fewest throws possible.
The Basic Turn Structure
- Tee Off (First Throw): The player throws one dart from the tee line, aiming for the designated target segment for that hole.
- Next Shot: The next dart is thrown from where the first dart landed. This is the key difference from regular darts. You do not return to the tee line after every throw.
- Subsequent Throws: You continue throwing from the spot where your last dart stuck.
Determining the Score for a Hole
Your score for the hole is the total number of darts thrown until one dart successfully lands in the designated target segment.
Example Scoring Scenario (Hole 1: Target 20, Par 3)
- Player A throws: Misses the 20 entirely. (1 dart used)
- Player A throws: Hits the single 5. (2 darts used)
- Player A throws: Hits the triple 20! (3 darts used). Player A scores a 3 for Hole 1.
If a player hits the required target on the very first throw, they score a 1 (a “Hole-in-One” or “Ace”). If they hit it on the second throw, they score a 2.
Handling Misses and Boundary Issues
What happens if a dart lands in the wrong section or falls out?
- Darts in Wrong Segment: If a dart lands in any segment other than the designated target for that hole, it counts as one throw, and the player throws again from that spot.
- Darts Falling Out: If a dart bounces out or falls out before the next player throws, it still counts as a throw, and the player throws again from the original spot where the dart landed (or fell out). You must mark the spot if necessary, especially if playing on carpet where the dart may leave a small mark.
- Hitting the Wire/Border: If a dart hits the wire separating the target segment from another, it counts as a throw, and the player plays from that spot.
Advanced Scoring and Penalties
To make the game more challenging and closer to real golf, we incorporate pars and penalty strokes.
Relating Throws to Par
The score you achieve is compared to the Par set for that hole.
- Birdie: Score one less than Par (e.g., Par 4, Score 3).
- Eagle: Score two less than Par (e.g., Par 4, Score 2).
- Par: Score equals Par.
- Bogey: Score one more than Par.
- Double Bogey: Score two more than Par.
While the actual score is the number of darts thrown, tracking strokes over/under par helps players compare their performance to the course standard.
Penalty Strokes
In competitive pub golf darts, penalties can be added to your actual throw count.
- Out of Bounds (Rare in Darts): If playing on a very large area, missing the entire board could incur a one-stroke penalty added to the total count for that hole.
- Throwing from the Wrong Spot: If a player accidentally throws from the tee line when they should be throwing from a previous landing spot, add one penalty stroke to their total for that hole.
Exploring Different Variations of Golf Darts
While the basic nine-hole setup is great for beginners, many variations exist for seasoned players looking for a new challenge.
Cricket Golf Darts
This variation combines the aiming discipline of cricket golf darts with the sequential play of golf. Instead of aiming for a numbered segment, the target changes based on cricket rules.
- Target Definition: The target for each “hole” is a specific element of cricket: Single, Double, or Triple ring of a chosen number.
- Course Setup: A nine-hole course could look like this:
- Hole 1: Single 20
- Hole 2: Double 19
- Hole 3: Triple 18
- …and so on, rotating required rings and numbers.
- Scoring: The score is the number of darts needed to successfully land one dart in the required section (Single, Double, or Triple) of the target number.
This requires much more precision than standard segment golf.
Trick Shot Golf Darts
This variation is for advanced players who want to test their control. Trick shot golf darts challenges players to hit specific, difficult-to-reach spots.
- Hole 1: Hit the Bullseye (counts as a 1).
- Hole 2: Hit the outer part of the Triple 20 ring.
- Hole 3: Hit the wire between the 1 and the 20 segments.
If the dart lands cleanly in the specified location (even if it’s just a wire intersection!), the player scores a 1. If they miss, they keep throwing from that spot until they make the specific trick shot.
Traditional Golf Rules on Dartboard Adaptation
This adaptation attempts to replicate the feeling of a real golf course closely.
- Define Fairway, Rough, and Green:
- Fairway: The single number segments (e.g., 1 through 20).
- Rough: The Double ring.
- Sand Trap/Bunker: The Triple ring.
- The Green (The Cup): The Bullseye (inner or outer).
- The Round: Players must progress through tiers to reach the “Green.”
- Tee Shot: Must land in the Fairway (single segment). If they land in the Rough or Bunker, they incur a penalty stroke (add 1 to their count) and throw from that spot on the next turn.
- Approach Shot: Once in the Fairway, the next shot must land in the Rough (Double ring). A miss to the Bunker results in an extra penalty stroke.
- The Putt: Once in the Rough, the next shot must land in the Bullseye (the Cup).
- Scoring: Count every throw, plus any penalty strokes incurred for hitting the “Sand Trap” too early or failing to move to the next tier. This is complex but very rewarding for golf purists.
Mastering the Throw for Golf Darts
Since placement matters more than high scores in golf darts, adjusting your throwing style is crucial. You need accuracy, not just power.
Focus on Consistency, Not Maximum Score
In standard 501, hitting a Triple 20 is the goal. In golf darts, hitting the single 20 is the goal for Hole 1. Beginners should aim for the center of the target segment, prioritizing consistency over trying to force a triple.
Reading the Board for Subsequent Shots
The most strategic part of playing golf with darts is the follow-up shot.
- If you miss the target (say, you aimed for 18 but hit 17), your next throw is from the 17 segment.
- Strategic Positioning: If you are close to your target but know the next shot will be difficult (e.g., aiming for the 6, but you land near the 15), sometimes it is better to intentionally hit a nearby, easier segment to set up a better angle for the subsequent throw, if the rules allow you to strategically choose your next landing spot (most standard rules do not allow this; you must play from where you land).
However, in traditional golf dart game rules, you must play from where you land. This means a bad initial shot can compound your score quickly.
Keeping Score in Dart Golf Tournaments
Accurate scoring is vital, especially in pub golf darts leagues.
Scorecard Essentials
Your scorecard must clearly track the path taken for each player.
| Player | H1 (Target 20) | H2 (Target 1) | H3 (Target 18) | … | Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player 1 (P1) | 3 | 5 | 2 | … | 35 |
| Player 2 (P2) | 2 (Ace) | 4 | 6 | … | 32 |
In this example, Player 2 won the round with a lower total number of darts thrown (32 vs. 35).
Calculating the Overall Winner
The player with the lowest total number of darts thrown across all nine or eighteen holes wins the game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Dart Golf
Q1: What is the official distance for playing golf darts?
A: The official throwing line (oche) distance is the same as standard darts: 7 feet, 9.25 inches (or 2.37 meters) from the face of the dartboard. However, some casual pub games allow players to move closer after the “tee shot” to simulate approach shots, but this must be agreed upon before play starts.
Q2: Can I play darts golf with a smaller dartboard?
A: Yes, you can play on any size board. If you use a smaller board (like a travel size), you might want to increase the “Par” for each hole to allow for more throws, as hitting small targets from distance is harder.
Q3: What are the easiest target numbers to start with for a beginner nine-hole course?
A: Start with the numbers that have large single segments and are easily visible, like 20, 1, 18, and 5. Avoid aiming for the small sections between 18 and 1 (like 19 or 17) until players are comfortable.
Q4: Does hitting a Double or Triple count as hitting the single number segment?
A: This is critical and must be agreed upon beforehand. In the standard version of Golf dart game rules, hitting the Double or Triple ring of the target number always counts, and the player scores a 1 for that hole (an Ace), regardless of the Par. This is because they have successfully “holed out” in the smallest area possible within that number zone.
Q5: How do I create a full 18-hole course on the dartboard?
A: For 18 holes, you can use all 20 numbers twice, perhaps assigning the first pass (Holes 1-20) to the single segments and the second pass (Holes 21-40, or 1-18 repeat) to the Triple segments only. A simpler method is using numbers 1-18 for the first nine, and 19, 20, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 for the second nine.
Conclusion
Playing golf with darts offers a refreshing break from high-scoring games like 501. It tests precision, strategy, and patience. Whether you set up a quick nine-hole golf darts round in your garage or organize a competitive league featuring complex cricket golf darts challenges, this game provides hours of accessible fun for dart players of all skill levels. Remember to agree on the dartboard golf targets and scoring system before you throw your first dart!