We recently came to love the outdoor game of ladder golf. I wanted to create a DIY version that was both beautiful and portable. Simple construction using select pine boards make this straight forward and easy build with right tools and a few helpful tips.
I hope you enjoy hours of fun with your family and friends this summer and for years to come! For a source lin for the ready-made golf ball bolas, visit the link below.
www.bit.ly/paperdaisyladdergolf
Cut the ladder uprights from 1x4x8 select pine board, in half. You will cut 2 for each ladder for a total of 4, plus 1 to be used as a jig or template for the rung holes.
Create a jig for the rung holes by drilling a hole through the board at 13" from the base, 13" from the top of that hole and another 13" to the top.
You want the distance between the rungs and the ground to be exactly the same. A drill press is an excellent choice for this project. It creates precise, straight holes for the dowels to go into. Cut the jig at the proper measurements, going completely through the board.
Reset the depth of the drill press to go through the jig and the ladder leg about 5/8" deep. For each ladder leg, align the jig perfectly square so that the rungs match on each leg.This image does not show the jig.
Once all of the ladder legs have the rung supports cut, round the top edges, if desired.
I traced around a large can for my semi-circle.
Use a sander to smooth the edges.
For the ladder bases, cut 4 boards to 47.75"
Cut two boards each at 16.5 and 27.5". These boards will create a sandwich in which the upright legs of the ladder will slide into and eventually be secured with a peg.
Slide a scrap 1x4 into place and then mark and cut so that all the boards are even. This is the easiest way to get them all exact and ensure a snug fit with the ladder leg.
Glue and nail these boards together using a scrap 1x4 slid into place to ensure a perfect fit.
Round the outside edges of the board ends, if desired with jig saw and sand smooth.
Cut dowels to become the rungs of the ladder at 24" each. Use a stop, a scrap piece of wood, clamped to your workbench so that each rod is cut exactly to the same length.
To add rungs to the ladder legs, use the center marking on the back of the leg as a guide to drill a hole for the screw and dowel.
Add poles to the ladder. The middle rung will be held in place by the force of the top and bottom. Drill a pilot hole for the pole connector screws.
One end of the screw will go into the dowel the other will slide through the hole in the ladder.
A wooden knob will hold it all together.
The connector screws are sold in the drapery hardware section of The Home Depot.
Cut four 4" pieces of the 1/4 dowel to use as a peg for holding the ladder legs secure.
Stain or paint as desired. It is good practice if you choose to stain pine, to use wood conditioner before staining.
Add an outdoor topcoat to finish the pieces. I used wax on the places the boards would need to fit together, especially the bottom portion of the ladder legs that fit into the base slots.
Add stripes to the rungs of the ladder for decoration or scoring purposes. Assemble all the pieces and go have some fun!!
We recently came to love the outdoor game of ladder golf. I wanted to create a DIY version that was both beautiful and portable. Simple construction using select pine boards make this straight forward and easy build with right tools and a few helpful tips. I hope you enjoy hours of fun with your family and friends this summer and for years to come! For a source lin for the ready-made golf ball bolas, visit the link below. www.bit.ly/paperdaisyladdergolf
Cut the ladder uprights from 1x4x8 select pine board, in half. You will cut 2 for each ladder for a total of 4, plus 1 to be used as a jig or template for the rung holes.
Create a jig for the rung holes by drilling a hole through the board at 13" from the base, 13" from the top of that hole and another 13" to the top.
You want the distance between the rungs and the ground to be exactly the same. A drill press is an excellent choice for this project. It creates precise, straight holes for the dowels to go into. Cut the jig at the proper measurements, going completely through the board.
Reset the depth of the drill press to go through the jig and the ladder leg about 5/8" deep. For each ladder leg, align the jig perfectly square so that the rungs match on each leg.This image does not show the jig.
Once all of the ladder legs have the rung supports cut, round the top edges, if desired.
I traced around a large can for my semi-circle.
Use a sander to smooth the edges.
For the ladder bases, cut 4 boards to 47.75"
Cut two boards each at 16.5 and 27.5". These boards will create a sandwich in which the upright legs of the ladder will slide into and eventually be secured with a peg.
Slide a scrap 1x4 into place and then mark and cut so that all the boards are even. This is the easiest way to get them all exact and ensure a snug fit with the ladder leg.
Glue and nail these boards together using a scrap 1x4 slid into place to ensure a perfect fit.
Round the outside edges of the board ends, if desired with jig saw and sand smooth.
Cut dowels to become the rungs of the ladder at 24" each. Use a stop, a scrap piece of wood, clamped to your workbench so that each rod is cut exactly to the same length.
To add rungs to the ladder legs, use the center marking on the back of the leg as a guide to drill a hole for the screw and dowel.
Add poles to the ladder. The middle rung will be held in place by the force of the top and bottom. Drill a pilot hole for the pole connector screws.
One end of the screw will go into the dowel the other will slide through the hole in the ladder.
A wooden knob will hold it all together.
The connector screws are sold in the drapery hardware section of The Home Depot.
Cut four 4" pieces of the 1/4 dowel to use as a peg for holding the ladder legs secure.
Stain or paint as desired. It is good practice if you choose to stain pine, to use wood conditioner before staining.
Add an outdoor topcoat to finish the pieces. I used wax on the places the boards would need to fit together, especially the bottom portion of the ladder legs that fit into the base slots.
Add stripes to the rungs of the ladder for decoration or scoring purposes. Assemble all the pieces and go have some fun!!
