Ladder toss — also called ladder golf, ladder ball, hillbilly golf, or about a dozen other names — is one of the easiest outdoor games to pick up and one of the hardest to put down. Toss bolas (two balls connected by a rope) at a three-rung ladder, wrap them around a rung, and score points. That’s the whole game.
What makes ladder toss special is how instantly fun it is for everyone. There’s no learning curve. Even the worst throws tend to catch on something, so nobody feels left out. The pace is relaxed, you can hold a drink in your other hand, and games are short enough that people rotate in and out naturally.
If you’re building out your backyard game lineup alongside cornhole, bocce, and horseshoes, ladder toss fills the “easy, portable, everyone-plays” slot perfectly.
Quick Ladder Toss Rules
Setup: Place two ladder targets about 15 feet apart (adjustable for skill level and space).
Scoring: Each ladder has three rungs. Top rung = 3 points. Middle rung = 2 points. Bottom rung = 1 point. Bolas must stay on the rung after all throws to count.
Gameplay: Players take turns tossing 3 bolas each per round. After both players throw, count the bolas still hanging on the rungs. Most games play to exactly 21 — you must hit 21 exactly or your score resets to what it was before that round.
Players: 2 players (head to head) or 4 players (2v2 teams).
What to Look For
Frame material determines durability and feel. PVC is the most common — it’s lightweight, affordable, and portable. Steel frames are heavier but more stable and durable. Wood frames look great but are heavier and can be affected by weather. For most people, PVC is the right call.
Bola type matters more than you’d think. Real golf ball bolas have better weight and throw true, but they can hurt if they hit someone. Soft rubber bolas are safer for kids and indoor play but feel slightly different. If kids are playing, go rubber.
Built-in score trackers are a nice bonus. Several sets include sliding score markers on the frame so you don’t have to remember the score. Small feature, big convenience.
A carrying case is essential. Ladder toss sets have a lot of pieces (frame sections, rungs, bolas). A good carrying case keeps everything together and makes transport easy. Sets without cases become a scattered mess in your garage within a week.
Best Ladder Toss Sets
1. GoSports Premium Ladder Toss Game Set
Best Overall
GoSports dominates the ladder toss market on Amazon, and their Premium set earns the top spot. Reinforced PVC frame that’s 50% thicker than economy sets, six golf ball bolas (3 red, 3 blue) with thick anti-tangle rope, built-in score trackers on each target, and a premium zip-up carrying case.
The pre-glued connectors mean assembly takes under 2 minutes — no hunting for loose parts. The golf ball bolas have the right weight for consistent throws and a satisfying wrap when they catch a rung. GoSports backs this set with a lifetime guarantee, which says a lot about their confidence in the build.
This is the set we recommend for most players. It balances quality, portability, and price better than anything else available.
Frame Material: Reinforced PVC Bolas: 6 golf ball bolas (thick rope) What’s Included: 2 targets with score trackers, 6 bolas, carrying case, rules Best For: Most players, backyard play, tailgates, family gatherings What to Know: The #1 seller on Amazon for a reason. Pre-glued assembly is a real time-saver.
2. GoSports Pro Grade Ladder Toss Set
Best with Rubber Bolas (Kid-Friendly)
Same quality GoSports construction as the Premium set, but with soft rubber bolas instead of golf balls. This makes it safer for kids, gentler on indoor floors, and worry-free at family gatherings where little ones are running around.
The rubber bolas are connected with extra-thick rope to prevent tangles — a common frustration with cheaper sets. The PVC frame is the same reinforced construction with built-in score trackers and a backpack-style carrying case.
If your household has kids under 10 or you want a set that works indoors on rainy days, this is the pick.
Frame Material: Reinforced PVC Bolas: 6 soft rubber bolas (thick rope) What’s Included: 2 targets with score trackers, 6 bolas, carrying case, rules Best For: Families with kids, indoor play, safety-conscious buyers What to Know: Same quality frame as the Premium set. The rubber bolas are the only difference — and they’re a smart upgrade for family play.
3. SWOOC Games Premium Wooden Ladder Ball Set
Best Looking Set
If aesthetics matter to you, the SWOOC wooden set is in a league of its own. Varnished and sealed wooden ladders that look great in any backyard, real golf ball bolas, and a premium carrying case. The wood is weather-resistant and sealed against splashes and humidity.
SWOOC also includes instructions for 10 different games you can play with the set — not just standard ladder toss. The no-tool assembly is quick and the overall build quality feels premium. This is the set you buy if you want something that looks as good sitting in your yard as it does during gameplay.
The trade-off is weight — wooden sets are heavier than PVC, so they’re less ideal for hauling to tailgates or the beach. But for a backyard where the set stays put, wood looks and plays beautifully.
Frame Material: Varnished wood (weather-resistant) Bolas: 6 golf ball bolas What’s Included: 2 wooden targets, 6 bolas, carrying case, rules for 10 games Best For: Backyard permanent setups, style-conscious buyers, gift-givers What to Know: Heavier than PVC — best for backyard use rather than travel. The 10-game instruction booklet adds real variety.
4. Front Porck – University Games Ladderball Pro Steel Set
Most Durable
When you want a ladder toss set that will survive years of hard play without any flex, wobble, or degradation, steel is the answer. The University Games (Front Porch Classics) Ladderball Pro uses powder-coated steel construction that handles impacts, weather, and general abuse far better than any PVC set.
The steel frame is heavier, which also means it doesn’t tip over in wind or from aggressive bola hits — a common annoyance with lighter PVC sets. Weighted bolas and a premium carrying case round out a well-thought-out package.
This is the set for people who play ladder toss regularly and want to buy once. The build quality is noticeably above PVC sets.
Frame Material: Powder-coated steel Bolas: 6 weighted bolas What’s Included: 2 steel targets, 6 bolas, carrying case Best For: Regular players, durability seekers, windy locations What to Know: Heavier than PVC sets (~15 lbs total) but significantly more stable and durable. Worth the weight trade-off if you play often.
5. Wild Sports Folding Ladderball Set
Best Portability
The Wild Sports set prioritizes one thing above all else: getting the game into your trunk and out of your trunk with minimal effort. The foldable ladder targets collapse flat, the bolas store neatly, and the whole package is one of the lightest and most compact options available.
The PVC construction is solid for the weight, and the fold-down design is genuinely quick. If your primary use case is tailgating, camping, beach trips, or anywhere you need to pack light, this is the one.
Frame Material: PVC (foldable) Bolas: 6 bolas What’s Included: 2 foldable targets, 6 bolas Best For: Travel, tailgating, camping, anyone who prioritizes portability What to Know: The fold-down design is the standout feature. Not the sturdiest set on this list, but the most convenient to transport.
Ladder Toss vs. Other Backyard Games
Already have cornhole? Here’s how ladder toss compares:
Easier to learn than cornhole. Cornhole rewards precision and consistency. Ladder toss rewards “good enough” — even mediocre throws often wrap around something. This makes it more accessible for mixed-skill groups.
More portable than cornhole. A ladder toss set weighs 5-10 pounds and fits in a small bag. A cornhole set weighs 30-40+ pounds and takes up a trunk. For travel, ladder toss wins easily.
Faster games. Ladder toss games to 21 take about 10-15 minutes. Cornhole games often run 20-30 minutes. If you want quicker rounds with more player rotation, ladder toss delivers.
Less competitive depth. Cornhole has more strategic depth — blocking, sliding, airmails. Ladder toss is more luck-influenced. That makes ladder toss better for casual fun and cornhole better for competitive play.
The ideal backyard has both. They complement each other perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far apart should ladder toss targets be? The standard distance is 15 feet between targets, measured from the front of each ladder. For younger players or tight spaces, 10 feet works fine. For more challenge, try 20 feet.
What are the bolas made of? Most bolas use either real golf balls or soft rubber balls connected by nylon rope. Golf ball bolas are heavier and throw more accurately but can hurt on impact. Rubber bolas are safer for kids and indoor play.
Can you play ladder toss indoors? Yes, with a rubber bola set. PVC and wood frames are light enough for indoor use, and rubber bolas won’t damage walls or floors. Just make sure you have about 20 feet of length.
How do you score in ladder toss? Top rung = 3 points, middle rung = 2 points, bottom rung = 1 point. Only bolas still on the rungs after all players throw count. Most games play to exactly 21 — you must hit 21 exactly or your round score doesn’t count.
What’s the difference between ladder toss and ladder golf? Nothing — they’re the same game. It goes by many names including ladder toss, ladder golf, ladder ball, bolo toss, hillbilly golf, and redneck golf. The rules and equipment are identical regardless of the name.
Building your backyard game collection? Check out our Best Horseshoe Sets, Best Bocce Ball Sets, Best Tailgate Games, and Best Cornhole Sets.
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