Overview: Ballpark Back 9 presented by The Bay Golf Club
Players will embark in foursomes to play the Ballpark Back 9 presented by The Bay Golf Club at Oracle Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. Players will walk between the 9 different tee boxes at elevated locations within the ballpark. Each tee box will be equipped with adult golf clubs (see below for details) and have a caddie present to provide guidance. Players will have the chance to hit 2 balls per hole. Scores are based on how close each approach shot is to the hole (there is no secondary shot from the field). After play, players are invited to participate in a 10th hole putting challenge to conclude the round.
How does the scoring work?
Each tee box is paired with a “hole” on the field with a variety of illustrated greens and obstacles and marked by a flagstick.
- If your shot hits the correct flagstick and stays within the circle, you’ve scored a hole-in-one (1)
- If your shot lands within the circle surrounding the flagstick, you’ve scored a birdie (2)
- If your shot lands on the correct green, you’ve scored a par (3)
- If your shot lands on the field, but outside of the green, you’ve scored a bogey (4)
- If your shot lands outside of the field of play (anywhere not on the field), you’ve scored a double bogey (5)
Each player will get 2 shots at each hole. You are only scored on the better shot. For the 10th hole putting challenge, you will get one ball and there is a maximum score of 5.
Be on the lookout for hole-in-one contests for a chance to win prizes!
What will the course look like?
In honor of the great Willie Mays, his iconic number 24 will anchor the outfield, surrounded by new greens, an SF baseball and a variety of hazards. See below for the full course layout.
Each hole will have two tee boxes, allowing for two foursomes to play at the same time. Tee boxes will be on elevated platforms with artificial turf. Players will walk to each hole exploring 4 levels of the ballpark. Caddies will be positioned at each hole to provide guidance. Hole distances range from 63-154 yards.
Here are a few notable features of this year’s course:
Call to the bullpen: New this year, players will begin the round of play by teeing off next to the bullpen in center field.
Number 24: After a historic baseball career, Willie Mays traded in his bat for a driver. His new passion for golf led to a 4-handicap and the ability to hit the ball over 300 yards. To celebrate everything Willie, hole 2 will hit onto the #2 green and hole 4, the longest on the course, will hit onto the #4 green. The 2024 course wouldn’t be complete without #24.
Step into the dugout: Hole #8 will grant all golfers exclusive access to the Giants dugout where they can walk through the players’ tunnel just like a Major Leaguer, take pictures on the bench and eventually tee off from the warning track.
What equipment will be available to use?
Select irons and wedges will be available at each tee box for players to use. The exact assortment available corresponds to each hole’s distance. Clubs will typically feature an 8-iron, 9-iron and 2 wedges, but a few holes may also include a 4-iron, 5-iron, 6-iron or 7-iron. Each tee box has two sets of right-handed adult men's clubs and 1 set of left-handed clubs. Golfers are permitted to bring their own clubs, but adults are restricted to five clubs and they must be irons or wedges. Golfers who bring their own clubs will need to carry them throughout the round (golf bags are not permitted). Personal golf balls are not permitted. All players will be equipped with golf balls upon their tee time.
