Footgolf aims to score at Shropshire course

Gone is the need for clubs, heavy bags and fiddly tees.

And you don't have to worry about your swing or getting the yips as you line up a putt.

This is footgolf, a sport that does exactly what it says on the tin.

And one course in Shropshire is embracing it fully, by cutting out extra large holes on its greens.

The game involves trying kick a football around a golf course in the least amount of shots possible.

It is played with the basic principles of golf – but there is no stritcly no use of hands.

Holes are 20 inches wide, and players can wear more relaxed clothes, although football boots are not allowed as it can damage the greens.

Shropshire Golf Centre in Muxton has found the idea has proved so popular that it has set up special sessions for people to have a go.

Stuart Perry, from the golf centre, said: "It is great fun and it encourages children and families to spend time together outdoors. It is also good for us as it brings more people in and attracts non-golfers to use the facility

"Players are welcome to use the bar and grill afterwards as we are open to everyone

"We welcome children's parties, team-building days, schools and large groups, so we are really hoping this idea will take off ."

Footgolf is now an internationally-recognised game, with the craze especially taking off in America, where soccer is now the fastest growing sport.

The UK FootGolf Association is the official governing body for footgolf in the United Kingdom and FIFG is the international governing body for footgolf, with 22 members around the world.

The origins of footgolf are unclear as they can be attributed to many countries at the same time.

The former Barcelona player Juan Manuel Asensi introduced the game in 2008 in his country.

The first 9 hole footgolf tournament on a golf course and played as the sport is known today, was organised in the Netherlands in 2009. Later Belgium and Hungary switched from playing in parks to golf courses. Argentina joined the movement in 2010 and the United States in 2011.

The Shropshire Golf Centre is one of only 10 footgolf centres in the UK to offer an 18-hole game.

The footgolf course is open seven days a week and is also cheaper than conventional golf, at £4 for children and £6 for adults.

Footgolf facts:

• The rules of the game are similar to golf, although "giving" an opponent a putt is strictly forbidden

• Players may bring their own football, but it has to be named and can only be a standard size five ball

• An average footgolfer can kick the ball around 50 yards – a little more with a fair wind

• The average course will cover between 2,000 and 2,500 yards for 18 holes, taking around two hours to play

• The first World Cup was held in Budapest, Hungary, with eight countries taking part

• Hungarian Béla Lengyel was crowned the first world champion, making him the toast of the host country