Lockdown Games 2
Episode 80
Ken Black – April 2020
Welcome to part 2 of the inclusive lockdown games. In this episode we take a look at Throlf – an adapted golf activity that is great if you are home with only household items at your disposal.
The game of golf originated in Scotland. But in this version, you don’t need golf clubs or golf balls. Just some things you might find around the house. You just need something to throw or roll and some targets. You can use a simple beanbag or paper balls. Paint them different colors for each player or a pair of socks.
Roll them up into a ball as it combines throwing and golf. This games called Throlf. You can use old delivery boxes, for example, but try to provide alternatives to support players who have different abilities.
Any household item could become a target. You find something too challenging, then you can modify it. Use your imagination. Almost anything can be turned in to a target. Experiment with different kinds of targets.
Just use whatever you have available. If you find it easier to roll the ball, then just turn the box on its side. You can start with a basic target, but then as in golf, you can hide obstacles like an old tarpaulin makes a water hazard or some dusters taped together make a bunker. Some players might find it easier to roll the ball down a tube like this plastic pipe or just use some rolled up cardboard. Once you’ve got all your targets set, then just walk your round the Throlf course, trying to take as few throws as possible at each target. As in golf, you take your next shot from where the ball lands. However, if you land on one of the hazards, like in the water or into a bunker, then you have to add one shot on to your score. I know all your shots to get your final score.
That’s it. More soon. Don’t forget. Check out the Inclusion Club.
Following the release fo this episode our colleague from Finland, Kwok Ng, tried out an adapted version of Throlf with his daughter. They came up with some pretty innovative adaptations – which are endless with this activity. This is his message – “I have to say that we played 36 holes of throlf yesterday and 18 holes of daughter-designed ‘rolff’. She decided that we couldn’t call it ‘Rolf’ as that’s a person’s name. I guess you know what was involved; rolling, no chip shots. Thanks a lot, a perfect activity to do indoors in a compact apartment.”
Kwok even created a map of his course – see below.
Founding Director - The Inclusion Club
Ken has worked as a practitioner in the area of inclusive physical activity and disability sport for over 40 years. This has included 10 years working in special education, 2 years for a disability sport organisation (UK Sports Association for People with Learning Disability), 6 years as a disability sports development officer for Leeds City Council sports development team, 6 years as the Inclusive Sport Officer with the Youth Sport Trust (the UK-based national youth sport agency), 3 years as Sports Consultant with the Australian Sports Commission, (working in the Disability Sport Unit), and 2 years setting-up a research and development centre on disability sport at Loughborough University.
He works independently as an advisor and consultant (previously in this role from 2008-2013). His most recent position was as inclusion advisor & senior lecturer at University of Worcester (2013-2018). During this time, he chaired the Organising Group which planned and hosted the European Congress of Adapted Physical Activity at the university in July 2018. Ken authored (January-March 2019) some new video and activity resources for both Youth Sport Trust and LimbPower for use on their websites. Ken was a Trustee of the Board of the Activity Alliance (formerly English Federation of Disability Sport) from 2011-2018.
He is a Scot, originally from Clydebank, near Glasgow.
