What is Golf Darts? Golf Darts is a fun game that mixes the rules of golf with the scoring of darts. Can I play Golf Darts indoors? Yes, you can certainly play Golf Darts indoors, provided you have enough space and the right equipment setup.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to start playing this exciting hybrid game. We will cover the setup, the official rules, how to keep score, and even look at some cool ways to change the game later on.
The Basics of Golf Darts
Golf Darts takes the familiar dartboard and turns it into a miniature golf course. Instead of hitting a hole in one, you aim for the lowest score on each “hole” (number segment). It is simple to learn but takes skill to master.
Assembling Your Golf Darts Equipment
To get started, you need the right tools. Having the best golf darts set isn’t mandatory when you start, but quality gear helps the game flow better.
Required Golf Darts Equipment
You need three main things to play: a dartboard, darts, and a way to track scores.
- Dartboard: A standard bristle dartboard works perfectly. You do not need a special board for this game.
- Darts: Use your standard set of steel-tip darts.
- Scoring Method: A whiteboard, paper, or a scorekeeping app works well.
- Measuring Tool (Optional but helpful): A tape measure helps if you use advanced rules or want to measure distances precisely for indoor play.
How to Set Up Golf Darts
Setting up the game is easy. You must decide where the “tee-off” line will be for each “hole.”
- Mount the Board: Hang your dartboard at the standard height (5 feet 8 inches from the floor to the center of the bullseye).
- Mark the Tee Line: For a beginner game, stand about 7 to 10 feet back from the board. This is your throwing line for the first number segment.
- Determine the “Holes”: In standard Golf Darts, the numbers on the dartboard represent the holes. You play them in numerical order: 1, 2, 3, all the way to 20, and finally the Bullseye.
Deciphering the Golf Darts Rules
The core concept is simple: finish each numbered segment in the fewest darts possible. The lowest score wins, just like in real golf.
Standard Golf Darts Rules
The game is played over 18 “holes.” Each hole corresponds to a number on the dartboard, usually played in sequence from 1 to 20, then the Bullseye twice (for 21 and 22, sometimes only 18 holes are played).
Playing a Hole (Number Segment):
- Target: For Hole 1, the target area is the section marked with the number 1.
- Throwing: You throw three darts at the target number.
- Scoring: You record the total number of darts it took you to hit the target number at least once.
| Outcome | Darts Thrown | Score Recorded for that Hole |
|---|---|---|
| Hit ‘1’ on the 1st dart | 1 | 1 |
| Hit ‘1’ on the 2nd dart | 2 | 2 |
| Hit ‘1’ on the 3rd dart | 3 | 3 |
| Missed ‘1’ with all 3 darts | 3 | 4 (or 3 + penalty, see below) |
This system ensures that every player must hit the target within three throws to achieve a score of 3 or less.
Scoring in Golf Darts
Scoring in golf darts is where the game gets its unique feel. The goal is to achieve the lowest total score after all designated holes are complete.
Hitting the Target
If you hit the required number segment with any of your three darts, your score for that hole is the number of darts you needed to hit it.
- Hit on the first throw: Score 1.
- Hit on the second throw: Score 2.
- Hit on the third throw: Score 3.
The Penalty for Missing
What happens if you use all three darts and still haven’t hit the required number? This is crucial for the golf darts rules.
In the most common variation, if you miss all three times, you receive a penalty score of 4 for that hole. This is often called “Bogey” in golf terms.
- Note: Some groups allow higher scores (like 5 or 6), but the 4-point maximum keeps the game tight and competitive.
Playing the Bullseye
The Bullseye usually serves as the final one or two holes.
- Hole 21: Aim for the outer Bull (25 points area).
- Hole 22: Aim for the inner Bull (50 points area).
You must hit the specific bullseye area to end that “hole.” If you miss the required bullseye area, you still take the penalty score (usually 4).
Advanced Play: Variations and Tournament Play
Once you master the basic rules, you can explore different ways to enhance the challenge. These golf darts variations keep the game fresh.
Golf Darts Variations
To make playing golf darts indoors more challenging or exciting, try these modifications:
1. Double/Treble Scoring
Instead of just hitting the number, you must hit a specific scoring area within that segment:
- Hole 1: Must hit the Single 1.
- Hole 2: Must hit the Double 2.
- Hole 3: Must hit the Triple 3.
- …and so on, cycling through Single, Double, Triple for higher numbers.
This variation dramatically increases the difficulty and requires pinpoint accuracy.
2. Distance Variation
This mimics real golf by changing the throw distance for each number.
- Holes 1–5: Throw from the standard distance (e.g., 7 feet).
- Holes 6–10: Move back 2 feet (9 feet).
- Holes 11–15: Move back another 2 feet (11 feet).
- Holes 16–20: Move to the official oche distance (about 7 feet 9 inches, but for this game, maybe move them closer or farther based on desired challenge).
3. Speed Golf (Time Limit)
Give each player a timer for their turn of three darts. If a player takes longer than 30 seconds to throw all three darts, they receive an extra penalty stroke on that hole. This speeds up play significantly.
Professional Golf Darts
While Golf Darts is often seen as a casual game, higher-level play exists, especially in smaller leagues or clubs. Professional golf darts focuses heavily on consistency and eliminating the 4-point penalty.
Professionals aim to complete every hole in 1, 2, or 3 darts, refusing to settle for the bogey 4. They also practice meticulously to adjust for the specific bounce-outs and dart entry angles of their chosen board setup.
Golf Darts Tournament Structure
A typical local golf darts tournament follows a stroke-play format over 18 holes.
- Entry: Players pay an entry fee.
- Format: Standard 18-hole stroke play (lowest total score wins).
- Ties: If players tie for the lowest score, a sudden-death playoff is held, usually starting at Hole 1 again until one player scores lower than the other on that hole.
Mastering the Game: Strategy and Practice
Success in Golf Darts relies on minimizing mistakes rather than relying on lucky hits.
Strategy for Low Scores
Your primary strategy must be damage control. A score of 3 is much better than a score of 4.
Prioritizing Accuracy Over Power
When playing the lower numbers (like 1, 2, 3), you can be slightly looser. However, when you reach the higher numbers (17, 18, 19, 20), the segments are smaller.
- First Dart: Aim safely for the center of the required number segment. Do not risk a wild throw trying for a treble if it’s not required.
- Second Dart: If you missed, take a slightly more aggressive aim, perhaps targeting the edge of the number segment where a double or treble might lie, increasing the chance of a hit, but still within the target zone.
- Third Dart: Throw with full focus, ensuring you hit the required number area to avoid the dreaded ‘4’.
Dealing with Clustered Numbers
As you move toward 17, 18, 19, and 20, these segments are physically close together. A poor throw aimed at 20 might accidentally land in 1 or 5, which counts as a miss for the ’20’ hole.
- Use the Surroundings: When aiming for 20, aim slightly toward the triple 20 area. Even if you miss the triple, you are more likely to land in the single 20 than accidentally hitting the adjacent 1 or 5.
Practicing Effectively
Consistent practice is key to improving your scores. Focus your practice sessions on the skills required for Golf Darts.
Practice Drills
- Segment Isolation: Spend 15 minutes throwing only at the ‘1’ segment, trying to hit it with your first dart every time. Then move to ‘2’, and so on.
- Three-Dart Challenge: Select any five random numbers (e.g., 5, 11, 14, 18, 20). Throw three darts at each. Record your score based on the rule set. The goal is zero ‘4’s across the five holes.
Practicalities of Playing Indoors
Many people enjoy Golf Darts in their basement, game room, or garage. Playing golf darts indoors requires attention to safety and spacing.
Ensuring a Safe Indoor Setup
Safety always comes first when using sharp projectiles indoors.
- Backboard Protection: Always use a surround or a high-quality backboard behind the dartboard. Darts will inevitably miss, and you do not want them hitting drywall or wood studs.
- Throwing Distance: If you have limited space, you may need to shorten the distance significantly, especially for beginner play. A shorter distance makes the game easier but emphasizes grouping accuracy.
- Flooring: Place a rubber mat or thick carpet beneath the throwing area to protect the floor if a dart lands point-down.
Adjusting for Indoor Conditions
Indoor lighting can cause glare on the dart points or the board numbers, affecting aim.
- Lighting Check: Ensure the board is evenly lit from above, avoiding shadows that distort your perception of the target zone.
- Temperature: Extreme cold or heat might affect the flight of the darts slightly. Maintain a comfortable room temperature for consistent results.
Frequently Asked Questions about Golf Darts
Here are some common queries new players have about this game.
Q: What score is considered “Par” in a standard 18-hole game of Golf Darts?
A: In a standard game where a miss equals a 4, the perfect score (Par) would be 18 (scoring a ‘1’ on every hole). However, because the Bullseye often requires hitting two separate, smaller targets, most players treat Par closer to 20 or 21 strokes, assuming one or two minor misses are likely.
Q: Do I have to play the numbers in order from 1 to 20?
A: Yes, traditionally you must play the numbers sequentially (1, 2, 3…). This ensures that you practice hitting both easy-to-reach segments (like 1, 20) and harder ones (like 17, 18) throughout the game, rather than just concentrating on the easiest ones first.
Q: Can I use soft-tip darts for Golf Darts?
A: You can, but it requires a soft-tip dartboard. The golf darts equipment requirements are slightly different if you use soft-tip, as the segments are often larger, making the game inherently easier unless you use a specialized soft-tip board designed for higher difficulty.
Q: What happens if I hit the wrong number segment?
A: If you are playing Hole 5 (targeting the ‘5’ segment) and you hit the ’17’ segment instead, it counts as a miss for Hole 5. You must hit the correct number segment to end the hole. Your score remains whatever dart count you have used so far for that hole.
Q: Are there official regulations for professional golf darts distances?
A: Unlike established darts games like 501, professional golf darts standards are less formalized. Most tournaments default to the standard steel-tip throwing distance (7 feet 9.25 inches or 2.37 meters) from the face of the board. However, local tournaments may adjust this for space constraints.