BucketGolf 101
BucketGolf can be described as mini golf meets disc golf meets your backyard, which is accurate but doesn't really explain how a round actually works. If you just picked up a set and aren't sure where to start, here's a straightforward breakdown of how the game is played!
What's in the Set
A BucketGolf set includes pop up buckets (which act as your holes), flagsticks, balls, tee boxes, and a carry bag, plus scorecards to track your round. One thing to know going in: clubs aren't included, so you'll want to grab a golf club even an old one from the garage works fine, before your first game. The 3-Hole Travel set is built for tighter spaces or grab and go play, while the 6-Hole set gives you enough gear to build out a fuller course.
Setting Up a Round
Place your buckets. Pop each one up and set it wherever you want that hole to end. Grass, sand, or any reasonably flat surface really.
Set your tee boxes. Place a tee box at a starting distance from each bucket. Distance is entirely up to you. My rule of thumb is shorter for beginners or kids and longer for more experienced players.
Add the flagsticks. These make each bucket visible from a distance, which matters once you've got holes with any real length or obstacles between tee and target.
Hand out scorecards. Assign each hole a number and get ready to track strokes.
Because the buckets pop up and pack down quickly, the whole setup process for a full course usually takes just a few minutes.
How to Play a Hole
Each player tees off from the tee box, trying to land the ball as close to (or directly in) the bucket as possible.
Whoever's ball landed farthest from the bucket after the first shot typically plays next, similar to standard golf etiquette.
Players keep hitting from wherever their ball landed until it goes into the bucket.
The number of strokes it took to get the ball into the bucket is your score for that hole.
Once everyone's ball is in the bucket, move to the next hole and repeat.
Scoring
BucketGolf uses the same basic scoring logic as real golf. The goal is the lowest total number of strokes across all the holes you play. If you've assigned a par value to each hole (a target stroke count), you can track whether players are over, under, or even with par, which gives casual games a bit more structure without needing a formal course.
For a simpler version, especially with kids or first timers, just count total strokes per hole and compare totals at the end, theres no need to bother with par at all if you don’t want to.
Basic Rules to Keep It Fair
Play your ball from wherever it lands. No redoing a bad shot unless your group agrees on a "mulligan" rule ahead of time
If a ball lands somewhere unplayable (deep in a bush, in the water), most casual groups allow a free drop nearby with a one stroke penalty, similar to real golf
Whoever's farthest from the bucket plays next, keeping the game moving without arguments about turn order
But remember none of this needs to be strict. BucketGolf is casual by design, and most groups adjust the rules slightly to fit the space and the players.
Tips for Your First Game
Start with fewer, shorter holes. If it's everyone's first time, three short holes will teach the basics faster than six long, complicated ones.
Use whatever club feels comfortable. A putter or short iron tends to give more control than a driver, especially at the shorter distances most casual courses use.
Don't overthink the terrain. Early on, focus on getting a feel for how far your normal swing sends the ball before worrying about angles, hazards, or doglegs.
Once You've Got the Basics Down
After a round or two, most groups start experimenting by adding hazards, varying hole lengths, or building out a full 6-hole layout instead of a simple straight line course. That's really where BucketGolf opens up, but the core gameplay stays exactly the same: tee off, count your strokes, get it in the bucket.
Ready to try it yourself? Shop the BucketGolf 3-Hole and 6-Hole packs
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