The first rural woodball base in Hangzhou has recently opened in Shuangpu Town Community School, marking the beginning of a new track for the promotion of woodball sports in Hangzhou.

"Previously, the promotion of woodball was mainly focused on universities. With the implementation of Beautiful Countryside project, vast villages have become natural sports fields, and the promotion of such sports is gradually extended to the countryside," explained Chen Rong, president of the Zhejiang Woodball Association and a professor at Zhejiang University of Technology.

According to the plan, the woodball base will commence classes in the spring of 2024. It will be open to villagers for free, inviting professional referees and coaches to provide guidance on a regular basis and creating a "fitness center" right at their doorstep.

Originating from golf, woodball has similar rules but lower thresholds in terms of equipment, court, and techniques compared to golf, earning it the title of "golf for the general public".

This emerging and fashionable sport involves striking a solid wooden ball with a club resembling a bottle. The objective is to get the ball through the goal with the fewest strokes, marking the end of a course.

Currently, more than 40 countries and regions worldwide have engaged in this sport, hosting over 20 international events such as the Woodball World Cup, Beach Woodball World Cup, World University Woodball Championship, and the Asian Beach Games Woodball Competition.