Target Golf
Target golf is a training and play format in which you play at marked targets instead of holes.
Instead of playing over 18 holes to the hole, you play at targets at various distances. These targets are flags, tyres, nets or marked zones, and every hit earns points depending on distance and difficulty. The format needs little space and hardly any maintenance, which is why it suits schools, beginner courses and events. It lowers the entry barrier because no green, no hole and no full round are needed. At its core, it shares the idea behind practising on the driving range: clear targets instead of abstract distance.
In practice, this works as a points game. One example from the taster course: targets stand in a meadow at distances of 20, 40 and 60 metres. You get five balls and try to hit each target at least once. The visible success motivates beginners far more than the frustration of a full hole. For advanced players, the principle becomes distance training: anyone who deliberately plays at a 100-metre mark from the practice area is training a feel for half swings and precise distance control.
The classification matters: target golf does not replace playing on the course and does not count towards the course certificate. It is one building block of learning, not an independent competitive discipline with an official rulebook. You should also not confuse it with Cross Golf, which also manages without a classic course but there aims at natural targets such as trees or improvised holes. As a supplement to normal training, however, target golf is a proven way to build accuracy in a playful way.
FAQ
Does target golf count towards the course certificate?
No, target golf is pure training and not part of the course certificate exam. For the course certificate, you have to play on the course and show knowledge of the rules and etiquette. As preparation, though, target training makes sense because you build accuracy and a feel for distance before heading out for a round.
What is the difference between target golf and cross golf?
In target golf you play at clearly marked targets such as flags, tyres or nets and collect points for hits. Cross golf, by contrast, is played freely out in the open, at natural targets such as trees or improvised holes. Neither needs a classic course, but only target golf is designed as a structured points game for courses and beginners.
For whom is target golf worthwhile as training?
For absolute beginners it is ideal, because the visible hit on a target motivates more than the frustration of a full hole — typical in a taster course. But advanced players benefit too: anyone who deliberately plays at a 100-metre mark is training half swings and precise distance control. As a supplement to range work, it is a proven tool for more accuracy.