Get ready for backyard fun with this easy to make yard game. Learn how to make your own DIY ladder golf game in just one day with basic tools.
I have never personally played this game, but I have seen it played and made a couple of different ways.
You can make it with two ladders so that each team has its own ladder, or you you can make it with just one ladder and both teams toss the golf balls onto the same ladder.
Since our backyard is kind of small, I’m going with the one ladder version and I’m using plans from Home Depot’s website.
This DIY ladder golf game is one of three backyard games I made for our wedding. Be sure to check out the Giant Connect Four and the DIY Cornhole Game Boards.
How to Make a DIY Ladder Golf Game
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Materials Needed
BEHR Blazing Bonfire Spray Paint
BEHR Antique Copper Spray Paint
Wood screws
Stain
Tools Needed
Let’s build it!
Build the DIY Ladder Golf Game
Step 1. Measure and cut 1×2 boards for the base and sides using a miter saw. Also, go ahead and cut the 1″ dowels for the rungs of the DIY ladder golf game.
After cutting the base and sides, I went ahead and used my jigsaw to round over the tops of the sides and the base. Clamp two of the 1x2s together to cut identical pieces. Then I sanded them smooth.
I traced the shape of the end the same way I did with the giant connect four game, using a solo cup. Hey, don’t judge, it works!
Step 2. Assemble the base. I made the base for this yard game the same way I made the base for the giant connect four game, using a pseudo mortise tenon joint with wood glue and nails
Step 3. Stain all the pieces. I wanted all three of the games I made to look like they were part of a set, which they are. I stained them using an outdoor stain.
Step 4. While the stain dried, I drilled holes in the golf balls for the game pieces. You’ll need six golf balls for each team and I spray painted them in some fun colors.
I used Bher Surf Chalk Paint for one set and Behr Blazing Bonfire for the other team’s set of golf balls, or bolas as they are called in this game.
Step 5. Assemble the base and the sides. Slide the sides into the base and secure using wood screws. Then attach the 1″ dowels with wood screws.
Regulation distance for the rungs of a ladder golf game is 13″ apart, so I made sure they were spaced according to regulation.
Finishing touches
Step 6. Paint the rungs of the DIY ladder golf game. Use painter’s tape and craft paper to tape off the area of the rungs to be painted.
For the top rung, I used Behr Vintage Gold spray paint, Behr Dark Steel on the middle rung, and Behr Antique Copper on the bottom rung. Be sure to peel off the painter’s tape before it’s completely dry to ensure you keep crisp clean lines.
Step 7. Assemble the bolas, better known as game pieces. Using regulation nylon rope I threaded the golf balls onto the rope and knotted the ends.
Regulation length of the nylon rope is 13″ between the golf balls. Yep, I checked that too before making them.
Your DIY Ladder Golf is ready to play! I think I really like this game. It didn’t hurt that the bolas landed on the rung on my first try.
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