Area residents who enjoy the game of golf or are interested in an alternative that won’t require the purchase of a new set of clubs should get a “kick” out of what’s being offered at Bobby Nichols Golf Course starting on Saturday, September 4.

Metro Parks & Recreation is opening its first “Footgolf” course at Bobby Nichols over Labor Day Weekend. The course will be the first certified public footgolf course in Louisville and 4th in the state of Kentucky. The game is played as it sounds, as participants start each hole from a teeing area with a #5 soccer ball and kick to a green with a hole that’s 21 inches in diameter.

The game is played at a quicker pace than regular golf, with an hour for every 9 holes as the average playing time. Bobby Nichols is a 9-hole course, so most of the regular holes on the course have two footgolf holes or more on them.

The 18-hole course at Bobby Nichols, which is located on East Pages Lane near Waverly Park in Southwest Louisville, measures 2,669 yards and is a par 72, same as the regular golf course. Currently, there are just over 400 footgolf courses nationwide.

“Every hole is challenging and requires thinking your way around the course, not just kicking the ball as hard as you can,” said Deputy Director Marty Storch. “All elements of the golf course itself will come into play – bunkers, trees, creeks, dog legs – it’s fun, but requires quite a bit of strategy.”

Golfers should wear flat sole shoes, tennis shoes or turf shoes. Soccer cleats are not allowed. Regular greens fees apply, and golf cart rentals are available. In addition, soccer balls can be rented for $2 per round at the course. The course will not open until after noon on weekends and holidays but will be available all hours during weekdays.

Storch said the advertised family golf special of $20 for a family of 4 after 4:30 p.m. over Labor Day Weekend will also apply for the footgolf course at Bobby Nichols. “If people want to try the course out, applying the family golf special over the weekend is a perfect way to get started,” he said.

Storch said the footgolf course at Bobby Nichols is slated to be a part of the First Tee Golf Program that teaches the game of golf to youths in the area. That program, administered through Metro Parks, is offered at Shawnee, Seneca and Long Run golf courses. Storch also thanked Metro Councilman David Yates, D-25, for his "significant support" of the project.

“We must always look at new ways to encourage our citizens to get active and stay healthy and there is no better place than our parks. I hope this new footgolf course will bring a whole new group of folks to Waverly Park which is yet another great jewel in the parks system,” Yates said.

An official dedication of the new course will be scheduled for later in September, according to Metro Parks & Recreation officials.

Tee times for the new footgolf course at Bobby Nichols can be made by calling (502) 937-9051.

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About Metro Parks & Recreation Golf:

Louisville's nine public golf courses offer a quality golfing experience at some of the most affordable prices in the nation. Each course has its own unique character, and some consistently rank among Kentucky's best and most challenging courses.

Metro Parks & Recreation golf courses are open from daylight to dark seven days a week, and each course has a fully stocked pro shop. Each golf course has a men’s, women’s and junior’s association. Memberships provide fellowships through tournaments, USGA handicaps, and other events.

For more information, visit http://louisvilleky.gov/content/bobby-nichols-golf-course.