Have you ever pretended you were Kobe, throwing balls of paper into trash cans? Did you enjoy playing “catch” as a kid? If you did, then cornhole might be the perfect pastime for you to get into.
Originating in the Midwest, cornhole has been a pastime for over a hundred years. It started as a game played in farms, with bags filled with corn kernels (hence the name) being thrown into a hole from a distance.
Today, it is akin to a sport, with tournaments being organized and attended by people from all walks of life. There also exists a vibrant industry built around the game, selling custom cornhole boards and bags. Here are some reasons for you to get started with the game as well:
1. It allows you to unleash your creative side.
Creative and expressive souls can go wild with their cornhole boards. To protect against scratching or ruining the surface — and for a small advantage in the game — most people who avail of cornhole boards also have them covered in vinyl wraps for lamination.
This finish allows people to decorate the surface of the board anyway they like. Common decorations include a name or a logo of a club or organization. However, your only limit with decorations is your imagination.
It is not uncommon at tournaments to see multicolored custom cornhole boards adorned with drawings, logos, and other forms of decorations. This is also a way to distinguish your board from others.
2. It develops hand-eye coordination.
Similar to golf, baseball, and basketball, cornhole involves developing your aim and swing to be as precise as possible. You need just the right amount of strength in your swing to make sure the bag travels just far enough to land on the board.
At the same time, you need to steady your swing enough so that it can fall into the hole. This makes cornhole a great exercise for developing hand-eye coordination.
Even better, it costs a lot less than a sport such as golf, while also not requiring as many physical abilities compared with baseball or basketball. It is thus the perfect game for anyone to pick up as a fun pastime.
3. It’s a great exercise for bonding and teamwork.
Cornhole can be played in singles (one on one), doubles, or crew (in teams of four). This makes cornhole a great way to bond with friends and family, and even to meet new people in tournaments.
It is also a great team-building exercise that encourages people to work together and is perfect for playing at company retreats, parties, or anytime you feel like having some fun. Because cornhole also does not require much physical strength or ability, it is a game for everyone, no matter their age or athleticism.
Since it is such an inclusive game, it allows everyone to have an equal amount of fun and for young and old to come together for a good time, which is the purpose of games anyway.
Cornhole is a fantastic way to get a bit of physical exercise without much exertion, have fun, and bond with others, all at the same time. This is perfect for those who have been looking to reconnect and bond without phones or screens.
Instead, you get to enjoy some good old-fashioned fun playing what is similar to a game of catch. Truly, some things — such as cornhole — are simply timeless.
