Fingagolf: A hole in one is at your fingertips
We speak to the game's designer, Glyn Richards, about what makes this golfing tabletop adaptation different from the rest
Golf: a good walk spoiled, apparently.
But what if you like target practice and find putting one foot in front of the other is the bit that gets in the way?.
Well, there’s mini golf, but if even that’s a bit too bothersome, a campaign for a new game that launched last week on Kickstarter that shrinks things down even further.
The tabletop gaming world is not short of golf adaptations. We’ve reviewed several of them already. Fingagolf, though, is the first we’ve seen that not only has putting mechanisms, but attempts to replicate the spinning, drawing and fading found in the sport proper.
Having already been demoed at UKGE and a British Open competition held, we spoke to the game’s designer, Glyn Richards, about the game and its campaign.
For the uninitiated, what is Fingagolf and how do you play it?
GR: Fingagolf is a dexterity game played by hitting a ball with small clubs that fit on your finger.
The game recreates the feel and physics of traditional golf in miniature. A full game is played over nine holes with players taking turns to arrange playmats and obstacles to design challenging holes then each player hits their ball from the tee box to the hole in as few strokes as possible.
There are plenty of tabletop golf games out there. What makes this one different?
GR: There are some great golf-themed games out there, both abstract and dexterity based. This one gets closer to recreating the feel of playing a real golf shot than any other.
What can people expect to receive if they back the campaign and when? Are you delivering worldwide?
GR: At every backer level, people can expect to experience a core mechanic that is surprising, addictive and great fun to show off to your friends. The feel of hitting a shot that pops up high and spins has to be experienced to be appreciated and once you’ve hit a pure shot, you’ll want to do it again and again.
We will be delivering worldwide (some territories excepted) with fulfilment estimated for March 2025. Shipping estimates are included in the campaign.
What was the process in getting the playability right and ensuring the ball draws, fades, spins as the player wants, with practice?
GR: The first steps to this were when I used to smooth out golf holes on the beach and play them by flicking a Subbuteo ball.
As I gradually stumbled on materials that got closer to a working prototype the process became more structured rapidly prototyping with a 3D printer for the clubs, and playtesting hundreds of different materials, weights and sizes of balls and playmats to get the physics just right.
How customisable are the courses. Are there hazards that players can incorporate? Do you intend of having different club choices?
GR: Courses are fully customisable and creativity is strongly encouraged. There is a scenery pack add-on for those who want uniform trees but anything in the house can become an obstacle.
When designing holes, players should experiment with length, angles, elevation, slopes, hazards and obstacles. There are guidelines in the rulebook, but every group of players will have preferences as to how ‘crazy’ their holes become.
The core set of clubs includes a 7-iron (for longer shots), a pitching wedge (for higher shots and chips) and a putter. I have made other clubs such as a hybrid and a 60-degree wedge but the 7-iron–PW– putter spread gives players everything they need to play a variety of shots and conquer any hole.
Realistically, what’s the longest you reckon players can make a solid par five hole?
GR: The distances work out to approximately 1/100 scale of real golf. A good long shot off the tee is 200cm-250cm, but 300cm is possible.
We recommend 400cm–600cm for a par five hole but one of the great things about Fingagolf is holes can be adapted to suit the players.
What sustainability measures have you taken for the game?
GR: When I visited the factories in China we tested faster biodegrading alternatives to ABS, but in reality they weren’t much better for the environment and were less robust for the shapes we are making. Making a long-lasting product was ultimately better for the environment at this stage.
Although I don’t think off-setting is a like-for-like solution to plastic waste, I have made a commitment to remove at least 100kg of plastic waste for every 100kg we produce and so far have donated to plasticsforchange.org to help remove 100kg of plastic waste before we begin production.
Are you crazy/mini golf fans? If so, any particular favourite courses that you’ve played?
GR: Yes, absolutely, Sweet Claw Adventure Crazy Golf is a great mix of obstacles and genuine putting challenge. It’s part of Iford Golf Centre in Bournemouth.
You’ve just held the first ever Fingagolf British Open. What was the experience like and do you intend on holding similar tournaments in the future?
GR: It was great fun.
The majority of players had never played it before but picked it up quickly with a session on the driving range.
I think the game works very well as a tournament or as an add-on to charity days and we’ve got several groups ready to host events next year, so once the game has been mass produced look out for (or get ready to host) a tournament near you.
Apart from Fingagolf, do you have any favourite sports-themed board games?
GR: This is more nostalgia than because I think it’s the best but there was a football game called Wembley that I played a lot as a kid. It began my love for custom dice that I have to this day.
Outside of your own creations, what are your favourite games to play with family members?
GR: Splendor with my wife, Kingdomino with my daughter, X-Wing with my brother.
How can people follow the game’s production progress?
GR: Join the club: fingagolf.com
For more information, visit Fingagolf’s Kickstarter page.