Billiard Golf Game Rules

Normally played on a 10 foot snooker table, golf billiards or golf pool is a less common game but is gaining in popularity. Gambling between players for monetary gain is the usual intent and it can involve many players unlike traditional billiards. The tables pockets are referred to as the holes with the top right hole (pocket) serving as the head of the table. Billiard golf is a more technically precise game that tests a players abilities.

The Table

The top right hole, designated as the head of the table, is the first hole in the course, according to the Billiards Forum website. The number two hole on the course would be the pocket opposite the head pocket. Then moving clockwise around the table establishes holes three through six. Game begins by spotting the cue ball on the center spot and any other object ball on the foot spot. Players determine the shooting order by any method agreed upon and maintain it throughout the game.

The Play

Player one must shoot the object ball so it makes contact with the foot rail and then returns to the head of the table toward the first hole. As in the game of golf, the initial shot and each shot thereafter are equal to one golf stroke. The second player take his turn after the first player gets the first ball in the number one hole. The second player does not have need to make contact with the foot rail with his object ball. Player number two starts his turn by sinking his object ball into hole number one with as few strokes as possible. Play continues according to the pre-established shooting order rotating around the table. Eighteen holes constitute three full rotations around the table. Generally as a rule two strokes is par for the golf course, but players may adjust it prior to the start of the game if deemed necessary.

Penalties

Penalties are called fouls and each foul has a certain point value that counts against a player. The total players foul count is generally referred to as the hickey count, according to the US Pool Halls website. Fouls include knocking any ball off the table; pocketing the ball in the wrong hole; failing to hit your object ball first when shooting; failure to hit a rail cushion with the cue ball after striking the object; and failing to either contact the cushion with the object ball or pocket it. Price is figured by the difference between players hickey points with each hickey point as a set amount of money established prior to the start of the game.