Woodball is a paddle-and-ball sport where players use a mallet to hit a wooden ball through a series of gates, with the objective of completing the course in the fewest strokes. Originating in Chinese Taipei in 1990, it is played on a fairway and resembles golf but is less complicated to learn. The game can be played individually or in teams, and a successful gate score is celebrated.
How to Play
- Setup: The game is played on a course with a series of gates, each consisting of two wooden bottles and an upside-down wooden cup or goal. Players start from a designated starting area.
- The Goal: Players hit the wooden ball with a mallet, aiming to get it through each gate in the fewest strokes possible.
- Manoeuvring the Ball: The mallet head is used to measure distance and hit the ball. A “V” shape is formed with the body, legs, and mallet for a straight shot.
- Fairway and Out of Bounds: The ball must stay within the marked fairway. If the ball goes out of bounds, a penalty stroke is given, and the next hit counts as the third stroke.
- Winning the Game: The player or team that completes the stipulated round with the fewest strokes is the winner.
Key Features
- Equipment: Players use a wooden or aluminum mallet and a standard 800-gram wooden ball.
- Gates: Gates are designed like beer bottles with a suspended wooden cup that tips over when the ball passes through, symbolizing a cheer.
- Playing Surface: Woodball can be played on grass, sand, or indoors.
- Global Recognition: It is recognized by the International Woodball Federation (IWbF) and is a sport in events like the Asian Beach Games and World University Games.