Atlanta's first footgolf course opens in Candler Park

Footgolf, an all-ages sport blending the strategy of golf and the accessibility of soccer, has arrived in Atlanta.

Why it matters: The Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation's 9-hole footgolf course in Candler Park is the first inside the city limits.

The pilot program, which launched May 16, is part of Atlanta's effort to capitalize on soccer's growing popularity ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and introduce more people to the sport. Or in this case, sports.

"You don't have to have played in a golf tournament... you just need to be able to move your foot," Kelsey Brown, the course's operations manager, told Axios.

How it works: The course is laid out alongside the golf holes and didn't require many changes, Brown said. Players kick a regulation-sized soccer ball from the tee markers toward a pin and oversized cup on a green.

The terminology — birdies, bogeys, fairways — and rules are largely the same. Like soccer, you can't use your hands.

Wear tennis or indoor soccer shoes. Leave your cleats at home, as they can damage the course.

There's a two-step maximum; no long, soccer-style run-ups allowed.

Zoom in: Brown said players range from kids to people in their 70s, with some regulars treating it as their weekly workout.

What they're saying: "I love it," Peoplestown resident John Wayne, who squeezed in a quick round of footgolf Friday morning on his day off from work, told Axios.

"I enjoy this course because... it's not as hoity-toity golf as golf gets, you know. It's a little more casual, people are chill."

Pro tips: The challenge isn't punting the ball as hard as possible — it's plotting your next shot around Candler Park's famously hilly terrain.

"If you're thinking about how hard to kick it, the answer is always 'soft,'" Brown said.

Go: The course is reserved for footgolf play on Monday–Thursday (10am–3pm); Friday (9am–1pm) Saturday (4:30pm–close) and Sunday (5 p.m.–close).

Soccer balls are available for rent in the clubhouse.

The bottom line: Head to Candler Park. You just might score a goal-in-one (heh).

💭 Thomas' thought bubble: On the first hole, I kicked an exceptionally bad 4-over-par.

However, the pace, laid-back vibe and walking the course felt great. I'll be back, with plenty of water and sunscreen.