This exercise starts with people on their own, moves them into pairs, and can then build to small groups of three or more people.
Hand out a sheet of paper, the larger the better, for each person. Then, using a sheet of paper in front of you to demonstrate, explain that you would like everyone to design their own golf course.
For those who, like me, don’t really play golf, describe all the common features of a typical golf course as you draw them on your paper.
For the standard A4 sheet of paper, I suggest designing a paper golf course with just three holes, but there’s no magic in this number. Just be sure to add tees, fairways, greens and holes with little flags poking out of them.
Design a few challenging hazards such as lakes, streams, and sand bunkers, in addition to local flora and fauna such as gum trees and a roaming kangaroo.
Other than those seriously creative types, five or so minutes is sufficient time for most people to design their very own championship standard (paper) golf course.
Now, how to play.
With pen or marker in hand, start by placing the tip of your pen on the first tee. Close your eyes, and then move or drag the pen across the paper (so that it marks a line,) stopping whenever you feel necessary (such as to avoid a water hole, or running off the paper). When finished, open your eyes, and record this as your first stroke.
To undertake your second stroke, reassessing the terrain, place your pen at the very end of the last ‘stroke,’ close your eyes and take another shot. Although each golf course designer may implement their own rules, the general idea is to avoid hitting or crossing your pen over any of the drawn obstacles.
Play continues until the end of a single stroke (ink line) lands directly in the middle of the first hole. Crossing over or skimming the edge of the hole doesn’t count, the pen must land right in the middle of it.
Oh, and golf balls do swing, so reasonable curves are okay – 90 degree angles are not.
Ordinarily, golfing partners will take turns at swinging on their way to a hole, or you may choose to allow one person at a time to finish a hole before the next player tees off.
When all players have completed all holes, add the total number of strokes (lines) taken, and the person with the lowest score wins.
If interested, play a second round, or swap to the golf course of one of your partners, or find anyone else who wants to play.
Drawing a sample golf course on flip-chart paper or a whiteboard works well to help large groups to see your demonstration.
Depending on the size of the paper, the complexity of the course, and for purposes of keeping people engaged, limit your small groups to four or five people at the most.
Expect the inevitable arguments over exactly where the end of the pen’s ink finishes. Unless you have microscopic eyesight, this is not a perfect science. Generally speaking, if any white space can be seen between any obvious part of the ink line, this is the end.
Encourage people to preserve ample white space around their fairways and hazards, lest it become very difficult to play, ie to avoid contact with the pen.
You need a hard, flat surface on which to place your paper golf course, lest the pen may tear through it.
Each player can elect their own penalties for various infractions, eg one stroke penalty for running off the paper, two strokes for landing in a bunker, etc.
You could integrate Paper Golf as part of a well-designed SEL program to promote and maintain healthy and supportive relationships, not to mention, enjoy a fun time in small groups.
Specifically, this activity offers opportunities to explore and practice the following social & interpersonal skills:
Self-Awareness
- Demonstrating Self-Confidence, Honesty & Integrity
- Experiencing Self-Efficacy
Social Awareness
- Demonstrating Empathy & Compassion
- Understanding & Expressing Gratitude
- Recognising Strengths In Others
- Respecting Others
Relationship Skills
- Communicate & Listen Effectively
- Build Positive Relationships
- Work Collaboratively
Responsible Decision-Making
- Promoting Personal & Collective Well-Being
You can learn more about SEL and how it can support character education here.
There is no specific health & wellness perspective to this activity other than promoting the benefits to one’s well-being of enjoying a playful game.
In a small way, you could argue that the focus and effort required to accurately push a pen across the paper (to record a stroke) speaks to the benefits of being resilient, but this would be considered be a minor attribute of this fun game.
If you can think of more explicit ways in which Paper Golf could be purposefully integrated into a health and wellness program, please leave a comment at the base of this page.
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Great chilled activity especially for those who are creatively inclined. Even if you aren’t, it is a good way of having fun and a laugh with your drawings and getting your course set up.
Works best with Ball point pen and at a table