-How To Play Prison Golf-

“Prison Golf” is fun. Like, really fun. It actually feels like real golf to me.

Here’s how we play it in federal prison:

(Set Up)

While we wait in our cells, the correctional officer sets up our “golf course.” He places 9 buckets/holes all around The Yard. After that, he marks off “rope tee boxes” about 40 to 60 yards from the buckets/holes. This distance per hole means every player needs to take full swings to successfully complete the course.

(Equipment)

We hit a “special” neon wiffle ball that typically goes about 20 to 40 yards if you hit it perfectly. We also have a total of 6 pitching wedges on our compound that we all share. Players only need 1 pitching wedge to play Prison Golf.

(Course Layout / Hazards)

Personally, I think the best part of Prison Golf is the course layout and the hazards throughout the course. Our correctional officer does an incredible job setting up a new and challenging layout every single time.

He made a rule that all cement is a “water hazard.” That means if a player’s ball even touches the cement, it’s a 1-stroke penalty. Most of the holes have cement surrounding the bucket, so hazards make every shot feel intense.

I also love the longer distances on every hole. It usually takes me about two solid swings to get near the bucket.

(Putting in Prison Golf)

There is NO putting in Prison Golf. If my ball hits any part of the bucket, I’ve successfully completed the hole.

• Example: If it takes three strokes for my ball to hit anywhere on the bucket, I score a 3.

• However, I can choose to take a riskier shot. Instead of just hitting the bucket, I can try to chip my ball into the top of the bucket. If I make it in, I get to deduct one stroke from my score for that hole.

Chips are VERY risky in Prison Golf. They feel amazing when you make them—but heartbreaking when you miss.

(Real Golf vs. Prison Golf)

I’ve played a lot of backyard golf games in my life. They’re fun, but none of them actually feel like real golf.

When I’m out on The Yard playing Prison Golf, I feel the same level of excitement I used to get when I was out in the free world playing a real round of golf.

The coolest part is that both total beginners and lifelong golfers can play together. Most of the men I play with are brand new to golf, and they do amazing. I think that’s beautiful.

We spend hours together each week out on the course, talking about life, the pain of prison, and our hopes for the future. It’s rare to have that kind of connection inside the housing unit or our cells.

(Prison Golf Breaks Down Barriers)

The men I play Prison Golf with have had intense lives. Most have been in prison for many years—and it shows. Prison kind of sucks the soul out of a person. It destroys hope and shrinks your world down to nothing.

Yes, we are criminals and convicts. But we’re also fathers, husbands, brothers, uncles, and sons. Before Prison Golf, none of us talked to each other about family, life, or the future.

For some strange reason, Prison Golf opened up this opportunity. It’s a common bond between all of us. We loved it so much we asked our correctional officer if we could start the first-ever Prison Golf League. Luckily, he loves golf too, so he said yes.

Within minutes of sign-ups opening, every single spot was filled. There were so many men wanting to play that we even had to create a waiting list. It was surreal.

I think it’s safe to say that the Prison Golf Bug has officially hit FMC Rochester. I’m excited to see what God does with it. I mean, c’mon—I’m in a golf league while serving a federal prison sentence. You can’t make this stuff up.

I have a strong feeling lives will be transformed in the process. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to play Prison Golf.

Sincerely,
Tiger Hoods (Brett)