Golf Ballz Pool Table

Intro: Golf Ballz Pool Table

See, I used "z" so it is eXtreme...

It's basically just a table-top pool table that uses golf balls. It's actually quite fun and makes for a nice, quiet, drinking game. Plus, it stores as easily as a card table.

STEP 1: Gather Materials

1 - door -- I got a 8 foot x 3 foot door at Lowes for $12
3 - 2 inch x 2 inch squareboards -- Mine were 10 foot long, but you really need two 8 footers and two 3 footers for the bumpers.
2 - sheets hobby foam -- the rubbery stuff. It's like 50 cents / sheet.
1 - can spray adhesive -- yes, you'll likely use the whole can and get quite a headache in the process
2 - yards netting -- I used nylon but whatever works. This will be the pockets.
9 - yards green felt -- you must use green or I will beat you until candy falls out.

STEP 2: Cut the Foam

The 2 inch x 2 inch boards are actually 1 1/2 inch x 1 1/2 inch. With that in mind, cut the foam into strips about that width. These will act as the bumpers under the felt of the boards, so remember that the golf balls will be making contact with just the center, so they don't have to be exactly the same with as the boards.

STEP 3: Cut the Door

I used a plastic party cup to outline the pockets. I just lined it up one inch from each side on the corners and extended the lines with a straight edge. I cut these out with a dremel.

Similar process for the side pockets. Remember that you're building this on a cheap interior door, so the corner pockets will be quite easy to cut because it's hollow EXCEPT where the handles would go. (i.e. side pockets) So remember that the side pockets will be harder to cut.

Check the professional artists rendering for a perfectly-to-scale drawing of this process.

STEP 4: Line the Table

Cut your felt to width and length. Mine came in 72 in width, so I cut it in half-width wise. I bought an extra yard in length in case I screwed it up.

Spray a 1 foot wide strip of adhesive on the door and place the felt. Spray another foot or so and unroll the felt across little by little, repeating the process to the other side.

Roll out the wrinkles as you go.

Trim the extra felt around the curve inside the pockets about 1 inch and cut several strips perpindicular to the wood to bend inside the door and attach with spray adhesive. (Getting dizzy from the fumes yet?)

STEP 5: Line the Bumpers

You may need to trim the first, as I did.

Put two 8 footers on the outside and measure the width on the inside of those for the sorter sides.

Use more spray adhesive to stick the strips of foam on the bumpers and let it dry. You may want to keep some pressure on it so it sticks well.

Then, roll each bumper in felt and trim as necessary.

STEP 6: Attach the Bumpers

I screwed them in from the top, into the frame of the door with 2 inch screws. If you want to avoid the blemish on the top I suppose you could come in fromt he bottom for this part. Either way, you should be seeing a pool table coming to life.

STEP 7: Line the Pockets

Cut about a foot of netting and staple it to the frame underneath the playing suraface to create the pockets.

STEP 8: Gather the Rest of Your Materials

Some colored golf balls, some alcohol (if you are of leagal age, of course. Check with your local police department if you are unsure.), and some friends.

Play some pool!

Comments

[Richboygotdoe]

could i use a bedsheet

[Hockey712003]

How thick does the door have to be.

[Manata]

The real answer is that it doesn't really matter. But here is a better explanation as to why it doesn't matter: If you set it on a surface that is smaller than the door (like a card table, etc), then the pockets will hang freely, catching the balls as expected. If you put the door on a flat surface that is bigger than the door, then a thicker door will be preferable because the pockets won't be able to hang suspended in the air. In that case, you'd want a door at least as thick as 1/2 or more of the balls you intended to use so they don't pop back out when pocketed.

[bathsheba_everdene]

This is awesome. How well do the golf balls work with all the dents in them?

[Manata]

They work fine. They roll just as true as they would on an indoor putting green. The biggest difference is that golf ball hitting another golf ball is way different than a pool ball hitting a pool ball. Much more transference of energy because they're more rubbery.

[buildingteen]

mine turned out great I made it as a christmas gift for my parents (they love pool) I know tottal hipocrit after telling mathew1986 to use green felt I went and used orange it looks sick though here's a pic (note my last name is Burden hence the B) I even ran PVC under it to run the balls to the side you do need to file down the joints on the inside though other wise they get stuck inside. But I love the noise of the balls when you make a shot and it rolls through the tube ok HELP I cant upload an image! how do I do this?

[bluemetaknight]

Just click ad images. it is right











here^-^

[Dani_Valentine]

Every door I find is 6 1/2 ' by 3' idk how the hell you managed to find an 8' X 3' door DX

[soggymushrooms]

If you have a ping- pong table you could make this without pockets and legs and just set it on the table

[depotdevoid]

Just built this last weekend, the first instructable I've used, and it worked out great! Everyone from my 8 year old daughter to my Dad loved it. The golf balls work out okay, but I made the holes large enough for regulation pool balls anyway. Now I'm trying to find some way to get a set for less than 20 bucks.

[nabzaf]

you can get the pool ball at k-mart for 19.95 i just got a set

[depotdevoid]

I found a used set at Goodwill for $18, we don't have a kmart here.

[nabzaf]

cool i'm glad you found them what's a goodwill?!?!?! j/k i love that place you can find all kinds of things to make the coolest stuff. coming soon my bed that wakes you up.

[vaxjo]

I know a source whereby you can get a full set of (somewhat used) regulation pool balls for about a dollar (specifically three or four quarters, depending on the bar).

[mwwdesign]

lol

[radioeyes]

Friggin' brilliant. What would make a good cue? I'd guess a standard one would be overkill with just plain old golf balls... Is there something slick you could use instead of fashoning one from a lathe?

[nabzaf]

they have short sticks you can find them at in a pool catalog

[caliFrag]

an appropriate cue would be the backend of a putter! just like the days when i was a kid at the mini golf course, leaning down and "pool" cue shotting the ball in. hehe.. you could even take off the clubhead and make a "set" of different weights and lengths for breaking, shooting etc and keep them on a "cue" rack. :D

[mwwdesign]

A piece of timber dowel (with a weight on the end) or a broom handle maybe?

[drummonkey92]

hey, this looks great! but i was wondering if anyone had some ideas for some bumpers in the middle to make a bumper pool table. i was thinking maybey door knobs covered in foam, but not sure. thanks