Urban Golf: The slightly different way to play golf
25.4.2018
Translation: machine translated
Golf is complicated, elitist and expensive? That's not even true of classic golf. With urban golf, it's actually the other way round: the game is simple, anyone can play and it costs as much as you want.
Elitist, career-enhancing and outdated - these are well-known prejudices that are often heard about golf as a sport. Oh yes: "Golf is not a sport" also belongs on the list.
Admittedly, the more than 300-page rulebook, which even regulates the correct procedure in the event of a dispute between players, the damaging of other people's property and the time it takes to find a ball, leaves many a sensible person shaking their head.
Also persistent is the rumour that you first have to take out a small loan from a well-known bank in order to be able to afford the necessary equipment and, of course, the exorbitantly expensive memberships at golf clubs.
The answer to this is that the Swiss national sport of skiing is also very expensive. Skis, ski boots and Winter Party clothing can easily cost over 1000 francs. A reasonably priced golf set, on the other hand, is available for as little as 700 francs. Membership of a club is not essential either, especially as individual memberships with Migros Golfcard or ASGI are also available these days for around 300 francs. These allow you to play on almost all courses.
However, the rules and courses for authorisation to play on the course (course licence) cannot be ignored and are obstacles to getting started with the fascinating sport of golf.
The alternative to swotting up on 300 pages of rules and taking a test on the golf course is to play in your neighbourhood. Be it in the city, in the countryside or in the mountains. This variant is known as "urban golf" or also as "city golf", "almost golf" and "cross golf".
Playing anywhere - that's what urban golf is all about
For three years now, we at the St. Albani Urban Golf & Country Club have been playing this fascinating ball game on the street as well as on the official course. The fascination of the street, equipped with less than five clubs, a crate of beer and good company, offers a unique experience.
We play in urban parks, on public squares or in the Alps. We use whatever the surroundings provide us with as a hole, be it a litter bin, a street lamp or a fountain. If nothing of the sort is available, a washing machine, a suitcase or a Migros shopping basket may be used. Opinions in urban golf differ greatly when it comes to the choice of targets. Some prefer "natural" targets that are available in the neighbourhood. Others find it more fun to set a target themselves and outdo each other in their choice.
To avoid having to constantly draw new "Liebe Mobiliar" sketches, we don't play with real golf balls - instead we use AlmostGolf balls. They are softer and minimise damage to property and personal injury. Although it would be quite challenging to play at moving targets, we always make sure that there are no (uninvolved) people in the direction of the shot. Not every passer-by immediately runs for cover when they hear someone shout "Fore!"
Experience has also shown that densely populated pedestrianised areas are unsuitable. Although passers-by are usually friendly and helpful, retrieving the ball is not necessarily conducive to the game.
The simplicity of the game - 10 simple rules
Ten simple rules apply to regular golf. The three most important ones summarise the simplicity of the game:
- Safety first: Always make sure that no one is endangered by your intended swing or shot.
- Fair play: The player is responsible for his or her own play.
- Every ball is playable: The golf ball must be played as it lies - every golf ball is playable as soon as it can be swung in one direction.
Here you can find all the rules. That's six pages, and one of them is the cover page!
Everyone is welcome on the course, regardless of whether you are a beginner or a pro. You don't have to have a licence to play. Nobody rates your handicap at Urban Golf. We play with each other, not against each other!
Organised on the street - the asXg
The guerrilla game on the street can't do without an organisation. The umbrella organisation asXg looks after the national and international interests of the Swiss urban golf scene. Seven clubs are currently affiliated to the association in Switzerland and meet regularly to exchange ideas.
Several exceptional events are taking place in Switzerland and abroad this year. The Swiss Championships took place in Winterthur on 7 April. There will be further tournaments in all parts of Switzerland until autumn. Anyone, whether beginner or professional, can play for glory and honour.
You can get your clubs for urban golf at Brockenhaus. (Your expensive clubs don't like the rough surface of the street very much!) Wear comfortable shoes, bring a crate of beer and get in touch with us if you want to take on the challenge on the street.
Links
Accessories
As mentioned, accessories that are as professional as possible are not the thing for urban golfers. Putters, for example, are frowned upon in the scene. Drivers are not always allowed at tournaments. But a pitching wedge or a sand wedge should never be missing. It probably makes every course golfer's heart bleed when you hit sparks on the tarmac with your brand new club in front of their eyes ;-)
A standing bag can be handy.
Creative head covers are also always welcome. (This prevents the precious clubs from scratching each other in the golf bag. Urban golf is all about the fun factor)
...and even more fancy golf products.
Christian Margadant
Head of Engineering
christian.margadant@digitecgalaxus.chSport
Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest