How this guide is built
Everything here comes from manufacturer documentation, specifically the Ladder Golf product manual and the Vivere product listings. No set has been tested, no set is ranked, and no prices are given because they change. Where a claim applies only to a particular branded product it is named as such; where the category varies too widely to state a figure, that is said plainly rather than filled in with a guess.
| Component or material | Example | Published care guidance | What to verify before buying |
|---|---|---|---|
| FSC certified wood frame | Ladder Golf Original Tournament Edition | Not weather-proof; apply an exterior varnish with UV blockers once yearly; expect some flexing | Whether you will realistically re-varnish it every year |
| Metal frame | Ladder Golf Extreme Metal Edition | Take indoors and store in a cool dry place when not in use | Finish quality at the joints and whether a carry bag is included |
| PVC tube frame | Sold by many brands with no shared standard | No single manufacturer specification exists | Tube wall thickness, joint fit, and whether the base can be weighted |
| Hard bolas | 2 golf balls joined by a nylon rope | Do not pull excessively on the bolas; keep them dry as water damages the rope | Whether 3-pack replacements are stocked in your colours |
| Soft bolas | Sold as 3-packs in several colours | Same dry storage guidance applies to the rope | Confirm construction with the seller before buying for indoor use |
Frame material
Wood frames look best and are the heaviest, which helps them sit still on grass. The trade is upkeep: the Ladder Golf Original Tournament Edition manual states the frame is made of FSC certified wood, that it is not weather-proof, and that the user should apply an exterior varnish containing UV blockers once yearly while avoiding stains or penetrating finishes that do not offer sufficient UV protection. It also notes that some flexing during use is to be expected from a natural material.
Metal frames skip the annual varnishing but are not maintenance-free either. The manual for the Extreme Metal Edition directs owners to bring it indoors and store it in a cool dry place when not in use, and warns that leaving any Ladder Golf set outdoors in inclement weather or in prolonged sun will damage it. PVC sets are the lightest and cheapest category and are sold by many brands with no shared standard, so the things to look at are tube wall thickness, how tightly the joints seat, and whether the base can be weighted. The same pipe and fittings are what a homemade frame is built from.
Base stability and assembly
A ladder that tips when a bola hits the top rung ruins the round, and the top rung is worth 3 points in Ladder Golf’s rules, so those are the hits you most want to keep. Look at the depth of the base front to back rather than only its width, since bolas arrive from the front and the tipping moment acts along that axis. On soft lawn a wider footprint spreads load and stops the feet sinking unevenly.
Assembly is worth checking against the parts list before the first game. The Ladder Golf Original Tournament Edition manual lists 4 long frame pieces, 4 base pieces, 2 upper cross pieces, 4 rungs, 8 knobs, 4 additional fittings, 6 bolas supplied as 3 green and 3 white, and 1 carry bag, and instructs you to account for all parts before assembly. Hand-tightened knobs are what you want for a set that gets packed away; sets requiring tools every time tend to stay in the garage.
Bolas, and a buying checklist
The manual describes a bola as 2 golf balls joined by a nylon rope, and warns against pulling excessively on the bolas because abuse can pull the anchors away from the ball. It also says to keep bolas dry, since water can damage the rope and alter the design of the game. Vivere sells both hard bolas and soft bolas in 3-packs across several colours, and the soft version is the sensible choice for indoor play or anywhere a hard golf ball could hit a window or a child.
Check frame material, base depth, assembly method, replacement bola availability and the included carrying equipment. Use the manufacturer’s current listing to confirm the exact version and what ships with it.
Gear to consider
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
SetsCheck price on AmazonGoSports Classic Ladder Toss Set
Classic PVC version; two targets, six rubber bolos and case
A portable PVC ladder set with soft rubber bolos and built-in score markers.
Choose the Classic option when comparing this price with the separate Pro version.
SetsCheck price on AmazonGoSports Steel Ladder Toss Set
Powder-coated steel version
A steel frame for buyers who want a sturdier alternative to PVC ladders.
Allow more carrying weight than a plastic set and store the frame dry.
A few common questions
Can a ladder toss set be left outside?
The Ladder Golf manual says no for its own products. It states the wooden Original Tournament Edition is not weather-proof, directs owners of the Extreme Metal Edition to store it indoors when not in use, and warns that excessive sun and rain damage the game and deteriorate the material. Any set you intend to leave out permanently should be checked against its own manufacturer's guidance first.
Are soft bolas worth buying as well as hard ones?
They are worth it if you will ever play indoors, on a patio near glass, or with younger children, since a hard bola is two real golf balls on a rope. Vivere sells hard and soft bolas separately in 3-packs, so you can add a set rather than buying a second game. Confirm the soft bola construction with the seller, because the collection listing does not publish the material.