Ladder ball is a game that is to be played with 2 more players, or teams. Each player gets 3 bolas, which are the two golf balls that are together via a rope. The object of ladder golf is to wrap your bola around one of the rungs of the other teams ladder. Different rungs are worth different points, and each ladder consists of three seperate rungs.

Different people make up different point values for the rungs, sometimes the top rung will be worth the most points, other people will have it worth the least -- this is all due to preference.

Playing the Game:

Before a game can start, a line must be made 5 paces away from the ladder. This line is called the toss line. The official toss line is measured to 15 feet away, but to avoid having to get out the tape measurer, for a friendly game just set the toss line roughly 5 paces away. You can adjust this closer or farther, depending on the age and skill of the players involved.

Ladder Golf is played in rounds, each round consists of all players tossing 3 bolas. A coin toss is used to decide which player or team will toss first.
The first player must toss all 3 bolas before the next player is able to toss his or her bolas.
Bolas can be tossed in anyway the thrower prefers, as long as they are tossed individually and do not bounce off of or touch the ground.

The winner of the round, gets to go first the following round. Games are played until an exact amount of 21 points are earned, being over is no good.

In order to win the game, a player must be the only one to have scored exactly 21 points after the end of a round.

If a player goes over the exact point total, that players points for that round do not count.
For example: A player with 18 points needs 3 points to get the exact score of 21 in order to win. If that player has 5 points hanging on the ladder after all the players have tossed all strands, none of those points count and the player will enter the next round with 18 points again needing 3 points to win.

In the case of a tie, the players that tie will play as many overtime rounds as needed until one player ends a complete round 2 points ahead of the other player. The 2 point rule only applies in overtime rounds. During regular play any player can win as long as that player is the only one to score an exact total of 21 points at the end of that round no matter how many points the other players have.

Etiquette of the Game:

Basic etiquette surrounding this game is that the competiting individuals are to make as many remarks, sounds, movements, or other disruptive activities to cause the oppononents to lose focus and miss their shots.

Touching the player or standing in their line of sight is not allowed.

Scoring:

After all teams have tossed all their bolas, scoring is determined by the bolas that are still hanging from the steps. Players can knock-off bolas during the course of the game, in fact knocking-off other players bolas is encouraged and a good way to play defensively. bolas that are knocked off during play do not count as points. Only bolas that are left hanging after all bolas are tossed are counted as points.

Points:

Points are determined by which step your bola wraps around. The top step is worth 3 points the middle step is worth 2 points and the bottom step is only worth 1 point. Players can score an optional bonus of 1 point by hanging all 3 bolas from the same step or by hanging a bola on all 3 (1-2-3) steps in one round. The highest amount of points available per player is 10. This is accomplished by hanging all 3 bolas on the top (3 point) step.

Team Play:

Four players can play Ladder Golf by alternating play each round. Players simply alternate turns with teammates. Extra bolas can also be purchased so up to 4 players can play individually on the same ladder or a second ladder can be purchased for team play. With multiple ladders 2 players on opposite teams would be on one side and the other 2 opposing players would be at the other game ladder. One side would toss all bolas and the other team would toss them back. Same rules apply.

Glossary of Terms:

Bolas: A Bola consists of 2 golf balls attached together with a piece of nylon rope. Golf Balls are spaced 13” apart.
Ladder: The ladder is the structure that consists of 3 steps each spaced 13 inches apart.
Steps: Each ladder has 3 steps. The top step is worth 3 points, the middle 2 and the bottom 1 point. Also known as the rung of the ladder
Toss Line: The line that the players tosses from. Officially is set to 15 feet. For backyard games 5 paces works fine.

Safety Is Important In All Games:

• DO NOT swing the bolas unless tossing them at the ladder during normal game play. Injury to yourself or others may occur if bolas are used improperly.
• The bolas provided with your new Ladder Golf game are connected using special anchors that, under normal game play, will provide a lifetime of use. DO NOT pull excessively on the bolas (tug-of-war) as abuse of the bolas may cause the anchors to pull away from the ball.
• Do not attempt to wrap bolas around body parts. Parents, please supervise younger children during game play. Kids can do crazy things with the most innocent of toys.
• DO NOT stand on the steps of the ladder. They are designed for normal game play only. Any misuse of the ladder may result in injury or damage to the ladder.