Pitch and putt

Pitch and putt is an amateur sport, similar to golf but organized as an independent sport, played and developed mainly in Ireland since the 1940s. The maximum length of hole for international competitions is defined up to 90 metres (with a total length of maximum 1,200 metres) and the players may only use two irons and a putter. The game is played from raised artificial teeing surfaces using a tee and it has its own handicap system.

The distances are, in some cases, somewhat different in every country as far as local competitions are concerned. Nevertheless for international competitions, compromise rules apply as per the Definition section – International Pitch and Putt defined.

In all cases Pitch and Putt has its own handicap system and applies the Rules of the Royal & Ancient St. Andrew’s with the exceptions that are specifically approved in each country.

European Pitch and Putt Association (EPPA)

:"Main article: European Pitch and Putt Association"In October 1999, in Dublin, it was agreed to form the European Pitch and Putt Association (EPPA) attended representatives from Pitch and Putt Union of Ireland (Ireland), British Pitch and Putt Union (Great Britain), Associació Catalana de Pitch and Putt (Catalonia), Association Francaise des Pitch and Putt (France), Nederlandse Pitch and Putt Bond (The Netherlands) and Federazione Italiana de Pitch and Putt (Italy). Later, the Norwegian Pitch And Putt Association (Norway), Swiss Pitch & Putt Golf Association (Switzerland), Federazione Sanmarinese Pitch and Putt (San Marino) and Dansk Pitch and Putt Union (Denmark) joined the EPPA.

The European Pitch and Putt Association stages a biennial European Team Championship. Ireland has won the 5 European Championships played (1999, 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2007)

Federation of International Pitch and Putt Associations (FIPPA)

:"Main article: Federation of International Pitch and Putt Associations"The Federation of International Pitch and Putt Associations, is the world governing body of the sport of Pitch and Putt, and was created in March 2006 in a meeting in Barcelona by representatives of 17 Pitch and Putt Associations. The members are PPUI (Ireland), FCCP (Catalonia), AFPP (France), NPPB (The Netherlands), NPPA (Norway), BPPA (Great Britain), FIPP (Italy), SPPGA (Switzerland), APPA (Australia) and FCPP (Chile). Also DPPU (Denmark) and FSPP (San Marino) are associated members.

The Federation of International Pitch and Putt Associations stages a biennial World Cup Team Championship. Catalonia has won the 2 World Cups played (2004 and 2006)

Countries playing pitch and putt

Andorra

Pitch and putt in Andorra is managed by the Associació Andorrana de Pitch and Putt, and is played on two courses -"El Torrent" and "Vall d'Ordino". Andorra was the runner-up in the 2006 Pitch and putt World Cup.

:"see also Andorra men's national pitch and putt team"

Australia

Pitch and putt in Australia is managed by the Australian Pitch and Putt Association (APPA), one of the founders of the Federation of International Pitch and Putt Associations (FIPPA). South Australia played the 2006 Pitch and putt World Cup with a 13th place.

:"see also Australia men's national pitch and putt team"

Spain

Pitch and putt in Catalonia is managed by the Catalan Federation of Pitch and putt (FCPP) and has beens played since the eighties when Martin Withelaw build a course in Solius (Santa Cristina d'Aro, Girona).

The interest on Pitch and putt in Catalonia has been growing since then, with more than 14000 players in 2007.

In 1999 the "Associació Catalana de Pitch and putt" was one of the founders of the European Pitch and Putt Association, the governing body that develops the pitch and putt in Europe and stages a biennial European Team Championship, where Catalonia has reached the second place twice.

In 2006 the "Federació Catalana de Pitch and putt" participated in the creation of the Federation of International Pitch and Putt Associations (FIPPA), that stages a biennial World Cup Team Championship. Catalonia has won the 2 World Cups played (2004 and 2006)

:"see also Catalonia men's national pitch and putt team"

Chile

Pitch and putt in Chile is managed by the Federación Chilena de Pitch and Putt (FCPP).

"Federación Chilena de Pitch and Putt" is one of the founders of the Federation of International Pitch and Putt Associations (FIPPA). Chile has played once in the Pitch and Putt World Cup, in 2006, with a 8th place.

:"see also Chile men's national pitch and putt team"

Denmark

Pitch and putt in Denmark is managed by the Dansk Pitch and Putt Union (DPPU).

"Dansk Pitch and Putt Union" is member of the European Pitch and Putt Association, and associated member of the Federation of International Pitch and Putt Associations (FIPPA).

Denmark has played once the Pitch and Putt World Cup, in 2006, with a 12th place.

:"see also Denmark men's national pitch and putt team"

France

Pitch and putt in France is managed by the Association Française de Pitch & Putt (AFPP).

In 1999 the "Association Française de Pitch & Putt" was one of the founders of the European Pitch and Putt Association, the governing body that develops the pitch and putt in Europe and stages a biennial European Team Championship, where France reached the third place in 2003.

In 2006 the "Association Française de Pitch & Putt" participated in the creation of the Federation of International Pitch and Putt Associations (FIPPA), that stages a biennial World Cup Team Championship. France obtained the third place in 2004.

:"see also France men's national pitch and putt team"

Germany

Pitch and Putt in Germany is managed by Deutscher Pitch & Putt Verband (DPPV).

Before, Deutscher Pitch & Putt Verband was known as the GPPGA - German Pitch & Putt Golf Association. The DPPV is currently requesting membership information both in the FIBBA as well as in the EPPA. As the national association, the newly organised DPPV will soon try to form a national Team for international competitions. Furthermore will the DPPV organise regional and national competitions and help to continue to establish Pitch and Putt as an independent sport.

Great Britain

Pitch and putt in Great Britain is managed by the British Pitch and Putt Association (BPPA).

"British Pitch and Putt Association" was in 1999 one of the founders of the European Pitch and Putt Association, the governing body that develops the pitch and putt in Europe and stages a biennial European Team Championship, where Great Britain reached the second place in 1999.

In 2006 the "British Pitch and Putt Association" participated in the creation of the Federation of International Pitch and Putt Associations (FIPPA), that stages a biennial World Cup Team Championship.

:"see also Great Britain men's national pitch and putt team"

Ireland

Pitch and putt in Ireland is managed by the Pitch and Putt Union of Ireland (PPUI).

"Pitch and Putt Union of Ireland" was In 1999 one of the founder members of the European Pitch and Putt Association, the governing body that develops the pitch and putt in Europe and stages a biennial European Team Championship. Ireland has won the 5 European Championships (1999, 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2007)

Also in 2006 the "Pitch and Putt Union of Ireland" created the Federation of International Pitch and Putt Associations (FIPPA), that stages a biennial World Cup Team Championship. Ireland reached the third place in 2006.

:"see also Ireland men's national pitch and putt team"

Italy

Pitch and putt in Italy is managed by the Federazione Italiana de Pitch and Putt (FIPP).

In 1999 the "Federazione Italiana de Pitch and Putt" was one of the founders of the European Pitch and Putt Association, the governing body that develops the pitch and putt in Europe and stages a biennial European Team Championship, where Italy reached the third place in 1999 and 2001.

In 2006 the "Federazione Italiana de Pitch and Putt" participated in the creation of the Federation of International Pitch and Putt Associations (FIPPA), that stages a biennial World Cup Team Championship.

:"see also Italy men's national pitch and putt team"

The Netherlands

Pitch and putt in The Netherlands is managed by the Netherlands Federation of Pitch and putt (NPPB).

In 1999 the "Nederlandse Pitch and Putt Bond" was one of the founders of the European Pitch and Putt Association, the governing body that develops the pitch and putt in Europe and stages a biennial European Team Championship, where The Netherlands reached the second place in 2005.

In 2006 the "Nederlandse Pitch and Putt Bond" participated in the creation of the Federation of International Pitch and Putt Associations (FIPPA), that stages a biennial World Cup Team Championship. The Netherlands obtained the second place in 2004.

:"see also Netherlands men's national pitch and putt team"

Norway

Pitch and putt in Norway is managed by the Norges Pitch & Putt Forbund (NPPF).

"Norges Pitch & Putt Forbund" is member of the European Pitch and Putt Association, and one of the founders of the Federation of International Pitch and Putt Associations (FIPPA) in 2006.

Norway reached the 4th place in the 2004 Pitch and putt World Cup and the 7th place in the European Pitch and putt Championship in 2003.

:"see also Norway men's national pitch and putt team"

San Marino

Pitch and putt in San Marino is managed by the Federazione Sanmarinese Pitch and Putt (FSPP).

"Federazione Sanmarinese Pitch and Putt" is member of the European Pitch and Putt Association, and associated member of the Federation of International Pitch and Putt Associations (FIPPA).

San Marino reached the 6th place in the European Pitch and putt Championship in 2005 and the 8th place in the Pitch and Putt World Cup in 2004.

:"see also San Marino men's national pitch and putt team"

Switzerland

Pitch and putt in Switzerland is managed by the Scweizerischen Pitch and Putt Verband-Swiss Pitch and Putt Association (SPPA).

"Schweizerischer Pitch and Putt Verband" is member of the European Pitch and Putt Association, and one of the founders of the Federation of International Pitch and Putt Associations (FIPPA) in 2006.

Switzerland reached the 7th place in the Pitch and Putt World Cup in 2004 and the 9th place in the European Pitch and putt Championship in 2005.

:"see also Switzerland men's national pitch and putt team"

ee also

* Federation of International Pitch and Putt Associations
* European Pitch and Putt Association
* World Cup Teams Championship
* European Teams Championship

External links

* [http://www.fippa.net/ Federation of International Pitch and Putt Associations website]
* [http://www.pitch-putt.info/ European Pitch and Putt Association website]
* [http://wiki.pitch-putt.com/ Wiki for Pitch and Putt]
* [http://www.dppv.de/ Deutscher Pitch & Putt Verband website - Germany]