How to Make a Hillbilly Golf Game

Hillbilly Golf and throwing golf ball sets

Hillbilly golf is an inexpensive and portable form of backyard fun. This game is also commonly referred to a "ladder ball" and "bolo ball" in different areas of the country. Hillbilly golf sets can be personalized by painting them in the colors of a favorite team and adding stickers to the golf balls and the rack itself.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Five 10-foot sticks of 3/4-inch PVC pipe
• 12 3/4-inch PVC "T" fittings
• 12 3/4-inch PVC 90-degree "elbow" fittings
• 42 inches of nylon rope to fit through dime-size hole (1/4-inch rope)
• Scissors
• 12 golf balls (Tennis balls can be used if the set is for children, senior citizens. If using tennis balls, longer rope and a larger hole must be used.)

How to Build a Hillbilly Golf Game Set

1. Paint or decorate the pipe and balls, if desired. Allow to dry overnight. Attach decals or stickers to the pipe and balls, if desired.

2. Cut the PVC pipe with a power saw or hacksaw. Cut nine pieces of the pipe 2-feet long. Cut six pieces of pipe 1-foot long.

3. Attach a 2-foot section of pipe to two elbow-shaped pieces. This is the top of the ladder.

4. Attach a 1-foot section of pipe to the bottom of each elbow corner. This is the side of the ladder.

5. Attach a 2-foot pipe section to the middle of each T-shaped piece. This is the middle rung of the ladder.

6. Attach a 1-foot piece of pipe to the bottom of each T-shaped piece. This is the lower side of the ladder.

7. Attach another T-shaped connector to the lower sidepiece on each side of the ladder. Attach a 2-foot piece of pipe between the T-shaped connectors. This is the bottom rung of the ladder.

8. Attach the final T-shaped pieces to the sides of the ladder. Use the remaining pieces of pipe and corner elbows to create the ladder base, which should be rectangular.

Making Hillbilly Golf "Throwers"

1. Drill a hole large enough for the rope into each golf ball.

2. Cut the nylon rope into 7-inch sections. Tie a knot near one end of the rope. The knot will secure the golf ball.

3. Push the nylon rope through six of the balls.

4. Knot the rope on the opposite end of the ball at the same length from the end as the first ball. Slide second ball onto rope. Knot the end to secure ball in position.

5. Establish game and scoring rules.

Tips & Warnings

• Common Hillbilly Golf Game Rules Give each player three sets of balls. Balls that tossed onto the first bar are worth one point. Balls that are tossed onto the middle bar are worth three points. Balls that are tossed onto the top bar are worth two points. Balls that are knocked off the rack are worth zero. Two sets of balls on the same rack cancel the scoring points. The first player to 21 points wins. Players who score more than 21 receive a three-point deduction and must throw again on their next turn.

Resources

• Jeep Fan Hillbilly Golf instruction page
• The Fun Times Bolo game instruction page