Mars Open: Tabletop Golf Rulebook

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

• Components
• Setup
• Goal
• Gameplay
• Courtesy Rules
  • Obstacle Rules
• Golf Course
  • Golf Course Legend
  • How to Drive 2 (Pro Tips!)
  • The Front Nine (1-9 — Beginner) (Start Here!)
  • The Back Nine (10-18 — Intermediate)
  • The Distant Nine (19-27 — Expert)
  • Beyond...
• Credits

Components

• 5 Specially Folded Martian Golf Ball cards (see Figure 1)
• 2 Obstacle Punchboards including: 2 Plateau Obstacle standees, 1 Flag Pole standee, Ball Tee, Rover Obstacle standee, and Golfer Obstacle standee
• 1 Small Crater Hole box
• 1 Game Box Top
• 1 Game Box Bottom (Large Crater Hole box)
• 1 Putting "Green" Insert (inside the Large Crater Hole box)
• 1 Paper Score Pad
• 1 Rulebook

Setup

1. Give each player one Golf Ball card and place any unused Golf Balls out-of-play. (Note: the Mars Open Leader Ball is off limits for your first game! The Leader Ball can only be used by the most recent player to win 9 holes!)

2. Set the Paper Score Pad and Pencil nearby for score-keeping.

3. Carefully remove the cardboard pieces from the two Obstacle Punchboards.

4. Assemble the Obstacle and Flag Pole standees (see Figure 2: How to Assemble the Standees).

5. Refer to the "Golf Course" section of this rulebook (pages 4-12) for instructions to set up each hole: a. The "Golf Course Legend" (page 5) will help you interpret which game pieces are used to set up each hole. b. Every hole will require at least the Ball Tee, Flag Pole and Small Crater Hole Box or Large Crater Hole Box with Putting "Green" Insert, but most holes will require other obstacles in addition to these components. c. Place any unused components out-of-play until needed.

6. You will also need at least one table approximately 6 feet (~1.75 meters) long and 3 feet (~1 meter) wide. Expert-level holes (holes 19 and beyond) may require additional tables, chairs or other obstacles as you see fit.

(Note: The components and holes provided in this game are just a starting point for your adventures with Mars Open: Tabletop Golf. Once you have played through the holes in this rule book, invent new holes to explore!)

Goal

Achieve the lowest cumulative score after nine holes.

Gameplay

Note: For your first game, set up and play through the "Front Nine" (holes 1-9) (page 5). For each subsequent game, choose any set of nine holes to play.

1. For each hole, select a player to drive first.

2. When it is your turn to drive, place your Golf Ball behind the Ball Tee in the Tee Zone (see Figure 3: Teeing Up). Only your first flick of each hole must begin from the Tee Zone.

3. Aim carefully toward the Flag Pole and the Crater Hole!

"FOUR!" Flick your Golf Ball toward the Crater Hole (see Figure "FOUR!": How to Drive).

How to Drive: a. Aim: Rotate your ball up to 360°. b. Flick! Watch your golf ball fly!

5. After your Golf Ball lands, permit the other players to drive. Politely "golf clap" after each shot.

6. Rotate your Golf Ball up to 360 degrees, and then flick again toward the Crater Hole.

7. Count your strokes (each time you flick counts as one stroke).

8. When you "land" your Golf Ball inside the Crater Hole box (at least some part of your Golf Ball should be touching the bottom of the inside of the box), you've completed the hole! Hooray!

9. Note the number of strokes it took you to complete the hole on the Paper Score Pad.

10. After all players have finished a hole, assemble and play the next hole (and so on until you've completed nine holes). The winner after nine holes gets to use the Leader Ball next game! (Note: The player with the Leader Ball always drives first!)

Courtesy Rules

Note: The following Courtesy Rules and Obstacle Rules are optional and may be adjusted by unanimous vote of all players in your game, however we suggest following them for at least your first game.

1. As a "mercy rule" don't count strokes higher than eight per hole.

2. You may always elect to pivot your Golf Ball up to 360 degrees so you can flick it from a different side or angle.

3. You may move the Flag Pole to any place in the Crater Hole box (or remove it altogether) before you take your shot.

4. If taking the Flag Pole out of the Crater Hole Box results in your ball falling into the Crater Hole, you've completed the hole and do not add a stroke.

5. If your drive fails to leave the Tee Zone you may drive again without counting a stroke.

Obstacle Rules

6. Generally, the edges of the table constitute the outer boundary for each hole. If your Golf Ball falls off the table, it is "out of bounds". Place it back on the table closest to where it fell off, and add a one stroke penalty to your score.

7. In more advanced holes, when flicking your Golf Ball from "table to table", you may place your Golf Ball on the destination table if it strikes that table before falling out of bounds.

8. If your Golf Ball strikes an obstacle causing the obstacle to fall over, replace the obstacle before the next player takes their turn.

9. A Golf Ball may be moved up to one "Golf Ball length" from any upright obstacle without counting a stroke. If a Golf Ball is between two obstacles, such that it is difficult to determine where to move the ball, you may move it away from all obstacles so long as it is further away from the Crater Hole (closer to the Tee Zone).

10. If another player's Golf Ball strikes yours, causing it to move, your ball remains in the new location. If another player's Golf Ball strikes yours, causing it to fall out of bounds, your ball is replaced in bounds (according to rule #6) and you take a one stroke penalty.

Golf Course

Set up each hole in the Golf Course according to the diagrams shown in this section of the rule book. You will only be able to set up one hole at a time (unless you have multiple copies of this game). For help interpreting the symbols in the hole diagrams see the Golf Course Legend below.

(CAUTION: To avoid injury, do NOT attempt to lift or move heavy furniture to set up the Golf Course.)

Golf Course Legend

• Table Boundary — the edge of a table
• Chair — a chair used as an obstacle or elevated surface
• Tee zone — the triangular area a ball is driven from; includes the Golf tee
• Golf tee — marks the starting point within the Tee Zone
• Crater hole & flagpole — the hole box, right side up, with the flag in it
• Crater hole box upside down — the hole box used as a raised platform, flipped over
• Golfer obstacle standee — the Golfer punchboard standee
• Rover obstacle standee — the Rover punchboard standee
• Plateau obstacle standee — a Plateau punchboard standee
• Game box top, cover side up, or game box bottom, bottom side up — used as a raised platform
• Game box bottom, insert side up; inside out of bounds — the Large Crater Hole box with the Putting "Green" Insert in place, its interior counted as out of bounds
• Game box bottom, insert side up; crater hole and flagpole — the Large Crater Hole box with the Putting "Green" Insert in place, used as the hole itself, flag included
• Stacked box bottom and top (two stories) — the box bottom and top stacked to form a two-level platform

How to Drive 2 (Pro Tips!)

There's more than one way to drive a Mars Open: Tabletop Golf Ball. Practice these pro shots to improve your score and prepare for the Back Nine and beyond!

• Bend Left: Strike the ball with an upward angled flick under the upper right corner of the ball as shown.
• Bend Right: Strike the ball with an upward angled flick under the upper left corner of the ball as shown.
• Power Stroke: For a powerful and low drive strike your ball with a strong downward and angled flick on the side on the upper corner.
• Chip Shot: For a short but high drive, place your hand, palm-up, and place one or two fingers underneath the ball. Tap upward. Note: This method is only legal if part of your hand remains on the table throughout the whole shot.

The Front Nine (1-9 — Beginner) (Start Here!)

Each hole diagram is set up on a single table, using a Tee Zone, a Crater Hole & Flagpole, and the obstacle standees shown below. All nine holes of the Front Nine keep the Crater Hole & Flagpole at table height.

• Hole 1: THARSIS (par 2) — Tee Zone; a Plateau obstacle standee between the tee and the hole; Crater hole & flagpole.
• Hole 2: AONIA (par 2) — Tee Zone; a Plateau obstacle standee; Crater hole & flagpole.
• Hole 3: ALBA (par 2) — Tee Zone; a Plateau obstacle standee; a Rover obstacle standee; Crater hole & flagpole.
• Hole 4: NOCTIS (par 2) — Tee Zone; a Plateau obstacle standee; a Rover obstacle standee; Crater hole & flagpole raised on a Game Box platform.
• Hole 5: ARSIA (par 2) — Tee Zone; a Plateau obstacle standee; a Rover obstacle standee; Crater hole & flagpole raised on a Game Box platform.
• Hole 6: TEMPE (par 2) — Tee Zone; a Rover obstacle standee; a Plateau obstacle standee; Crater hole & flagpole set in a Game Box bottom, insert side up.
• Hole 7: ECHUS (par 2) — Tee Zone; a Rover obstacle standee positioned above a Golfer obstacle standee; a Plateau obstacle standee; Crater hole & flagpole raised on a Game Box platform.
• Hole 8: ARCADIA (par 2) — Tee Zone; a Rover obstacle standee; a Plateau obstacle standee; a Golfer obstacle standee; Crater hole & flagpole raised on a Game Box platform.
• Hole 9: PARVA (par 2) — Tee Zone; a Rover obstacle standee; a Golfer obstacle standee; two Plateau obstacle standees; Crater hole & flagpole raised on a Game Box platform.

The Back Nine (10-18 — Intermediate)

"It was a beautiful shot, clear over the canyon, but stopped, sadly, just inches from the hole."

• Hole 10: LUCUS (par 2) — Tee Zone; two Plateau obstacle standees facing each other; a Golfer obstacle standee; a Rover obstacle standee; Crater hole & flagpole raised on a Game Box platform.
• Hole 11: ISIDIS (par 2) — Tee Zone; three Plateau obstacle standees in a row; a Rover obstacle standee; Crater hole & flagpole.
• Hole 12: CHRYSE (par 2) — Tee Zone; two Plateau obstacle standees; a Rover obstacle standee; a Golfer obstacle standee; Crater hole & flagpole.
• Hole 13: DAEDALUS (par 2) — Tee Zone; a Plateau obstacle standee; a Golfer obstacle standee raised on a Game Box platform; a Rover obstacle standee; Crater hole & flagpole.
• Hole 14: NEPENTHES (par 2) — Tee Zone; a Golfer obstacle standee; a Plateau obstacle standee; a Rover obstacle standee and the Crater hole & flagpole together on a raised Game Box platform.
• Hole 15: BOSPORUS (par 2) — Tee Zone; a Rover obstacle standee; two Plateau obstacle standees; a Game Box top as a raised platform; a Golfer obstacle standee and the Crater hole & flagpole together on a separate raised platform.

The Distant Nine (19-27 — Expert)

"Sure the course is beautiful, but some of the holes are downright treacherous!"

• Hole 16: MONS (par 2) — Tee Zone; two Plateau obstacle standees; a Rover obstacle standee raised on a Game Box platform; a Golfer obstacle standee; Crater hole & flagpole.
• Hole 17: ANGUST (par 2) — Tee Zone; a Rover obstacle standee; several Plateau obstacle standees raised on a Game Box platform; a Golfer obstacle standee; Crater hole & flagpole set in a Game Box bottom, insert side up.
• Hole 18: SINAI (par 2) — Tee Zone; a Plateau obstacle standee; a Rover obstacle standee; a Golfer obstacle standee; a raised Game Box top platform; Crater hole & flagpole atop the platform.
• Hole 19: ELYSIUM (par 3) — Tee Zone; a Rover obstacle standee; a Golfer obstacle standee; a stacked (two-story) Game Box platform carrying two Plateau obstacle standees and the Crater hole & flagpole.
• Hole 20: UTOPIA (par 3) — Tee Zone; a Plateau obstacle standee; a Rover obstacle standee; a raised Game Box top platform; a Golfer obstacle standee; a Plateau obstacle standee; Crater hole & flagpole raised on a platform.
• Hole 21: SIRENUM (par 2) — Tee Zone; two Plateau obstacle standees; a Rover obstacle standee; a Golfer obstacle standee raised on a platform; Crater hole & flagpole raised on a separate platform.
• Hole 22: OLYMPUS (par 3) — Tee Zone; a Rover obstacle standee; a Golfer obstacle standee; two Plateau obstacle standees; Crater hole & flagpole raised on a stacked (two-story) Game Box platform.
• Hole 23: ICARUS (par 3) — Tee Zone; a Plateau obstacle standee; a Rover obstacle standee; a Golfer obstacle standee and the Crater hole & flagpole together raised on a Game Box platform.
• Hole 24: HELLAS (par 3) — Tee Zone; a Rover obstacle standee; a Golfer obstacle standee; a Plateau obstacle standee; Crater hole & flagpole raised on a platform; a separate raised Game Box top platform along the route.
• Hole 25: ZEPHYRIA (par 3) — Tee Zone; a Rover obstacle standee; a Golfer obstacle standee; two tall Plateau obstacle standees; Crater hole & flagpole raised on a stacked (two-story) Game Box platform.
• Hole 26: OPHIR (par 3) — Tee Zone; a Rover obstacle standee; a Golfer obstacle standee; a tall Plateau obstacle standee; Crater hole & flagpole raised on a Game Box platform.
• Hole 27: LUNAE (par 3) — Tee Zone; a raised Game Box bottom platform, insert side up (inside out of bounds); a Game Box top as a further raised platform; two Plateau obstacle standees; a Rover obstacle standee; a Golfer obstacle standee; Crater hole & flagpole on an elevated corner platform.

Beyond...

This concludes the holes we've included in this rulebook. The rest is up to you. Craft new holes of your own design and challenge your friends to the the gauntlet you've prepared...

Credits

Illustration: Harris Fagotto

Graphic Design: Katie Khau

Game, Component and Course Design: Dennis Hoyle

Playtesters: Brian Stanfield, Gary Johnson, Gary Smith, Brian Herman, Brian & Magdalen Gallagher, Mike Tunison, Sara Hoyle, Dan Ray, Craig & Nick Bartelsmeyer, Zack Saucier, Annie Hou, Gage Cascio, Kyle Menigoz, Angela Schmidt, DeArse Davis, Bailey Guye, Robert Mumme, Brad Andrews, and more...

All content and design Copyright 2017 Bellwether Games LLC

Visit us online @ www.bellwethergames.com