The next big kick: Caliraya Springs to launch Philippines' first footgolf frontier

MANILA, Philippines — Move over basketball and volleyball —  a hybrid revolution is about to step onto the Philippine fairways, and it might just be the sport of the future.

Fresh off hosting a classic staging of the Philippine Golf Tour finale, the Caliraya Springs Golf Club in Cavinti, Laguna is bracing for a historic milestone — launching the country’s first-ever "Footgolf" tournament next month.

While basketball and volleyball traditionally dominate national airwaves and golf commands the corporate world, football has quietly maintained a fierce, deeply rooted devotion in key regions, particularly in the south.

In soccer strongholds like the Visayas — most notably Iloilo, the "football capital of the Philippines" — the passion for the beautiful game runs deep. By merging the precision of golf with the raw, kicking power of football, footgolf is uniquely positioned to tap into this regional fervor, offering an accessible, thrilling new avenue for athletes and casual players alike.

Venue challenge

The hybrid sport, which challenges players to kick a regulation football into a 21-inch cup in as few shots as possible, is a global phenomenon, but dedicated physical courses in the Philippines have been nonexistent.

But Caliraya Springs golf director Gary Viajante, former collegiate footballer himself, recognized that their premier venue — which boasts a championship course designed by Arnold Palmer and another by Graham Marsh — was perfectly equipped to champion this fledgling sport.

“The idea came to mind since we have the luxury of space at the Graham Marsh course to accommodate the sport,” said Viajante. “As a former footballer in college, I tapped coach Ryan Payson — son of my former high school coach to oversee the footgolf launch and staging.”

Payson currently coaches National University, the UP Los Baños varsity team, and the Acquire Golf Club. Together, they will host a massive "Football Fiesta" on June 27 to officially launch the sport.

When asked how footgolf will influence local sports tourism and recreation, Viajante highlighted its potential to maximize existing infrastructure without alienating traditional athletes.

“Since football and golf clubs are already established, this will increase diversity in both sports,” explained Viajante. “This can also increase the number of players since it can be played on a regular golf course without disrupting other golfers.”

The sport is far from a backyard gimmick. It is globally recognized by the Federation for International Foot Golfers (FIFG), an international governing body that organizes elite worldwide events mirroring the PGA.

However, establishing a new sport in the local market comes with unique hurdles. Viajante admitted the main drawback is securing the physical real estate needed to scale footgolf competitively.

“Space is the challenge. Most golf courses are jam-packed with players, so only a few venues can cater to this new sport,” he noted.

Fortunately, the ambitious launch has secured powerhouse backing from Atlanta Land Corp. and BYD.

The inaugural tournament will showcase the sport's inherent inclusivity, drawing talent from established football clubs and school varsity programs across three divisions: Open, College and High School.

Mechanics

Under the tournament format, each team consists of four players (co-ed teams allowed), with the best three scores counting toward the team total. The objective is to complete nine or 18 holes in the fewest kicks possible, starting from the designated tee box.

The player farthest from the hole takes the next kick. The Size 5 football must come to a complete stop before the next play and must be played as it lies.

Hazard penalties incur one stroke. Players may either drop within two steps of the entry point or replay from the previous spot.

Because footgolf courses are shorter than traditional golf courses, the yardages are strategically scaled down — par-3: 50-110 yards, par-4: 120-240 yards, and par-5: 250 yards and up.

Much like golf, the secret to mastering footgolf lies less in brute strength and more in impeccable ball control and meticulous course management.

Origins

Footgolf originally kicked off in the Netherlands in the early 2000s, with official rules established between 2008 and 2009. The FIFG was founded in 2012, the same year the inaugural FootGolf World Cup — an individual tournament — was held in Hungary and won by local ace Bela Lengyel. The sport evolved into a team spectacle by 2016, where the US claimed the first-ever team championship.

Now, a decade later, the Philippines is finally ready to take its first kick, transforming the lush greens of Laguna into a historic playground for the country's next great sporting frontier.