Pitch and putt

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The "par 2" or pitch and putt course in Shibden Hall, England

Pitch and putt is an amateur sport very similar to, and derived from, golf, where the hole length is typically up to 90 metres (100 yd)^[1] and just 2-3 clubs are typically used. Invented in Ireland in 1929, and developed through the 1940s, it is now played in dozens of countries and has two world governing bodies.

History[]

The game originated in Ireland in the late 1920s, and developed through the 1940s, then spreading more internationally. A European governing body was formed in 1999-2000,^[2] and then a first global governing body by 17 countries in 2006, and then in 2009, four countries separated and formed a second world body with two other countries. The first governing body, the Federation of International Pitch and Putt Associations (FIPPA), with the European Pitch and Putt Association (EPPA), sees Pitch and Putt as a separate sport drawing on golf, and maintains cordial relations with golfing bodies but does not adopt their rules wholesale.^[3] The other governing body, the IPPA, sees Pitch and Putt as a "golf speciality", and uses the Rules of Golf, with two major variations, and a focus on shorter distances between holes.^[4]

Game play[]

The original rules developed in Ireland have been subject to variations as the game has spread, and today each country can devise its own rules.

The game is played from raised artificial teeing surfaces using a tee and it has its own handicap system.^[5]

For international competitions, countries working within the IPPA framework look to the Rules of Golf (which are published by the Royal and Ancient and the USPGA),^[4] while those working within the FIPPA / EPPA framework uses those bodies' shared rules, operating autonomously from the golf authorities.

For international competitions:

• the maximum hole length is 90 metres (100 yd);
• the maximum total course length of 1,200 metres (1,310 yd);
• players may only use three clubs, one of which must be a putter.

International associations[]

Pitch and Putt on Bruntsfield links; UK

The game was developed mainly in Ireland since the 1940s but is today a growing sport all over the world. It is organized internationally by the European Pitch and Putt Association since 1999, by the International Pitch and Putt Federation since 2006 and by the International Pitch and Putt Associations since 2009.

The European Pitch and Putt Association (EPPA) was founded at a meeting in Dublin in 1999 by representatives from Ireland, Great Britain, Spain, France, the Netherlands and Italy.^[2] Later, Norway, Switzerland, San Marino, Denmark, Andorra and Germany joined the EPPA. The European Pitch and Putt Association stages a biennial European Team Championship.

The Federation of International Pitch and Putt Associations was created in March 2006 in a meeting in Barcelona by representatives of 17 pitch and putt associations. FIPPA members are Ireland, Spain, Norway, Great Britain, Switzerland, Australia, Chile, Andorra, and the United States. Canada, China, and Germany are associated members. The Federation of International Pitch and Putt Associations stages a biennial Pitch and Putt World Cup and, since 2009, FIPPA the Pitch and putt World Strokeplay Championship.

In 2009, France, Italy, San Marino, and Denmark left FIPPA and EPPA and founded the International Pitch and Putt Association (IPPA)^[6] along with Spain and Portugal.^{[citation needed]}

References[]

External links[]

• International Pitch and Putt Federation
• European Pitch and Putt Association
• Federation of International Pitch and Putt Associations