What Is Fling Golf? The Easy New Way to Play the Course

Ever wished you could play a beautiful golf course without the steep learning curve, complex rules, and expensive bag of clubs? You’re not alone. Many people are looking for a more athletic, accessible, and faster-paced way to enjoy the fairway with friends and family. This search for an athletic and cool alternative to traditional golf often leads to one exciting question: what is Fling Golf?

FlingGolf is a dynamic hybrid sport that combines elements of golf and lacrosse, played on a regular golf course with a specialized implement called a FlingStick instead of clubs. It’s designed to be an easier, faster, and more athletic way to enjoy the course.

Leveraging extensive analysis of established gameplay and official rules, this guide unpacks everything you need to know about this rapidly growing sport. We’ll cover the rules, the equipment, how it compares to traditional golf, and answer the most common questions people have. This guide unpacks proven approaches and critical insights to help you effectively navigate what is Fling Golf, from your first fling to your final putt.

Key Facts

• Global Reach: FlingGolf is designed to be played on any traditional golf course and has already been played on over 2,200 courses in more than 30 countries worldwide.
• Official Recognition: It is a real, organized sport with its own governing body, the World League FlingGolf (WLF), which was established in 2014 to sanction events and certify professionals.
• Mainstream Exposure: The sport and its company, New Swarm, gained massive national attention after being featured on the TV show “Shark Tank” in 2025, which led to a significant surge in sales and awareness.
• Simplified Equipment: A single, lightweight FlingStick (weighing less than a pound) replaces an entire 30-pound bag of up to 14 traditional golf clubs.
• Invented for Accessibility: Creator Alex Van Alen officially launched the sport in 2014 after developing the concept in 2012, inspired by his childhood experiences of flinging golf balls with lacrosse sticks.

What Is Fling Golf? An In-Depth Guide to the Future of the Fairway

Ever wished you could play a golf course without the steep learning curve of a traditional swing? FlingGolf is the answer. It is a sport, a new type of golf that is fundamentally an athletic and cool alternative to the traditional game. You play on the same course, with the same ball, aiming for the same hole, but the method of advancing the ball is completely different and much more intuitive for beginners.

At its core, FlingGolf is a dynamic fusion of several sports, making it feel both new and familiar at the same time. Think of it as having these key elements:

• Golf: It uses the same courses, scoring, and etiquette. The objective is still to get the ball in the hole in the fewest strokes (or flings).
• Lacrosse: The primary throwing motion is very similar to a lacrosse shot, using a long-handled stick to launch the ball.
• Baseball: The powerful, full-body throwing motion can also resemble a baseball throw, especially for sidearm shots.
• Hockey: The on-green putting technique involves a pushing or sweeping motion that is very similar to using a hockey stick.

How Do You Actually Play Fling Golf? (The Rules & Techniques)

To play FlingGolf, you hurl a standard golf ball from the tee using a lacrosse-style motion with a FlingStick, take subsequent shots by retreating five paces from your ball’s lie, and “putt” on the green by pushing the ball with the side of the FlingStick head. It’s a simple process that you can pick up in minutes.

Pro Tip: Unlike golf, you can take a running start on the tee box for maximum distance. Think of it like a javelin throw for the fairway!

Here’s a step-by-step guide to how FlingGolf works, from tee to hole:

1. The Tee Shot: Go for Max Distance
   • Place your standard golf ball in the channel of the FlingStick head.
   • You can use a variety of throwing motions, such as an overhand throw (like a soccer throw-in) or a sidearm throw (like a baseball pitcher or hockey player taking a slap shot).
   • Crucially, you are allowed to take a walking or running start to build momentum, but you must release the ball before your body crosses the tee markers.
2. The Fairway Shot: The Five-Pace Rule
   • Once your ball lands on the fairway (or in the rough), you mark its position.
   • From the mark, you must walk back up to five paces away from the hole. This creates a clear throwing lane for your next shot.
   • You then run up and fling the ball again, making sure to release it before you reach the spot where your ball originally lay.
3. The Green: Putting for the Finish
   • Once your ball is on the putting green, you no longer fling it.
   • You use the side of the FlingStick’s head, which has a built-in striker pad and putting notch, to push or sweep the ball toward the hole.
   • The motion is very similar to using a hockey stick or a broom, providing excellent control for short-distance shots.

From the Tee Box: Launching Your Drive

This is where you unleash your power. On the tee, you can use a powerful, full-body lacrosse or baseball-style throwing motion to send the ball flying. A key rule to remember is that you can take a running start to build up incredible momentum, a major difference from the static nature of a traditional golf swing. The only constraint is that you must release the ball before your feet pass the tee markers, ensuring a fair start for every player. This freedom of movement is a huge part of what makes the FlingGolf drive so athletic and fun.

On the Fairway: Mastering Your Approach

For every shot after the tee shot, the game introduces its most unique rule. Instead of playing the ball exactly where it lies, you must follow a specific procedure.

For fairway shots, mark your ball, walk back up to five paces, and then fling the ball, releasing it before you reach the original spot.

Quick Fact: This ‘retreat’ rule ensures a clear throwing lane for every shot, one of the secrets to FlingGolf’s fast pace of play. Once you’ve taken your five paces back, you can use a variety of specialized shots to navigate the course, including:

• Sidearm: A powerful and common shot for distance and accuracy.
• Overhead: Useful for getting over trees or other high obstacles.
• Flop Shot: A high-arcing, soft-landing shot perfect for approaching the green over a bunker.

On the Green: Putting with the FlingStick

Once on the green, you putt by using the side of the FlingStick’s head to push or sweep the ball towards the hole with a hockey-like motion. The FlingStick is cleverly designed for this final touch. Its head isn’t just for throwing; it’s a multi-purpose tool. You have a few options for putting:

• Using the Putting Notch: Most FlingSticks have a small notch where you can securely place the ball. You then use a smooth, hockey-style pushing motion to roll the ball accurately toward the cup.
• Using the Striker Pad: The flat side of the FlingStick head acts as a striker pad. You can tap the ball with this surface, much like a traditional putter, for precise control.
• Adding the Putting Slug: For players who prefer a heavier, more traditional putting feel, some FlingStick models allow you to insert an optional “putting slug” to add weight to the head.

The Only Club You Need: The FlingStick Explained

The FlingStick is the single, specialized thrower used in FlingGolf, replacing an entire set of golf clubs with a lightweight design featuring a throwing channel and a putting surface. This is the only piece of equipment you need besides a standard golf ball. It’s an all-in-one solution for driving, approaching, and putting.

Imagine replacing a 30-pound bag of 14 clubs with a single tool that weighs less than a pound. That’s the FlingStick.

While the concept is simple, there are different models available to suit various players and skill levels. Here’s a quick breakdown of the main FlingStick models:

Fling Golf vs. Traditional Golf: The Key Differences & Benefits

FlingGolf is simpler, faster, and more physically engaging than traditional golf, requiring only one “club” and having a much gentler learning curve, making it more accessible for beginners and non-golfers. While both sports share the same arena—the golf course—their approach and appeal are distinct. The benefits of FlingGolf often stem directly from these differences. The more forgiving “fling” motion means players don’t need years to perfect a precise swing, and having only one “club” and fewer practice swings naturally speeds up the game.

Here is a direct comparison of the two sports:

The Origin Story: Who Invented Fling Golf?

FlingGolf was invented by Alex Van Alen, who developed the concept in 2012 and launched it in 2014. The sport gained massive exposure after being featured on the TV show “Shark Tank” in 2021. The idea wasn’t born in a boardroom but from childhood fun. As a kid in the 1980s, Van Alen would use lacrosse sticks to hurl golf balls around his family’s property. Years later, he decided to turn this backyard game into a legitimate sport that could coexist with traditional golf.

Quick Fact: The big breakthrough in FlingStick design came from studying the Jai alai cesta, a tool used to hurl a ball at incredible speeds. This inspiration allowed Van Alen to create a stick that could launch a golf ball over 200 yards with accuracy.

His company, New Swarm, officially launched the FlingStick and the sport in 2014. However, the biggest moment for the brand came years later.

The company’s appearance on “Shark Tank” in 2025 was a game-changer. Even without securing a deal from the Sharks, the national exposure caused a massive surge in sales and firmly planted FlingGolf in the public consciousness as a legitimate and exciting new sport.

To ensure your game is always at its best, having the right equipment is key. The FlingStick is the heart of the game, and finding the model that best suits your style can make all the difference on the course.

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FAQs About Fling Golf

Here are direct answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about what is Fling Golf.

Is FlingGolf a real sport?

Yes, FlingGolf is a real and rapidly growing sport with its own governing body, the World League FlingGolf (WLF), which sanctions events and certifies professionals. Established in 2014, the WLF helps organize leagues and tournaments, proving that FlingGolf is much more than just a casual pastime; it’s a competitive and organized sport.

Is Fling Golf still in business?

Yes, FlingGolf is still in business and thriving. Its appearance on “Shark Tank” in 2021 led to a significant increase in sales and brand awareness. The company behind the sport, New Swarm, continues to innovate and promote FlingGolf to a global audience, with sales and participation growing each year.

Can I play FlingGolf on any golf course?

Yes, FlingGolf is designed to be played on any traditional golf course alongside regular golfers. The sport has already been played on over 2,200 courses worldwide. Because it uses a standard golf ball and follows general golf etiquette, it doesn’t damage the course and integrates seamlessly with traditional play.

Do you use a special ball for FlingGolf?

No, you do not need a special ball. FlingGolf is played with a standard, regular golf ball. This is a key part of its accessibility; you can use any brand of golf ball you prefer, and there’s no need to buy expensive or specialized ones.

How are penalties handled in FlingGolf?

Penalties in FlingGolf are simplified: you take a **one-stroke penalty for a ball in a hazard or out of bounds, then take your next shot by retreating five paces from where it was lost or entered the hazard.** This unified penalty system keeps the game moving quickly and is much easier for beginners to understand than the complex penalty rules of traditional golf.

Final Summary: Why Fling Golf Might Be Your New Favorite Sport

FlingGolf has successfully carved out a unique space on the golf course by offering an experience that is athletic, intuitive, and incredibly fun. It lowers the barriers to entry that often keep people away from traditional golf—the high cost of equipment, the difficult learning curve, and the slow pace of play. By requiring only a single FlingStick and a motion that is natural to anyone who has ever thrown a ball, it opens up the beauty and challenge of the golf course to everyone.

Here are the key takeaways about what is Fling Golf:

• Accessible for All: The learning curve is gentle, making it perfect for beginners, families, and those with physical limitations.
• Fast and Athletic: It provides a great full-body workout and generally plays faster than traditional golf.
• Simple and Affordable: You only need one piece of equipment, the FlingStick, and a standard golf ball.
• Play Anywhere: It’s welcome on thousands of golf courses worldwide, right alongside traditional golfers.

Ready to give it a fling? Check the official FlingGolf website to find a course near you and experience this exciting new way to play

Last update on 2025-07-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API