Posted on June 18, 2026

If you've ever typed "Soft Golf" into a search engine and ended up on a page selling foam practice balls, you're not alone. It's one of the most common mistakes people make when looking for us — and honestly, we understand why. The name is made up of two perfectly familiar English words. But here's the thing: Softgolf is one word, and that distinction matters more than you might think.

Let us explain.

What Is Softgolf?

Softgolf is a full-swing golf game unlike anything else on the market. Played on a purpose-built course with a specially designed ball, it delivers the authentic experience of real golf — the swing, the strategy, the satisfaction — in a format that's accessible to players of all ages and skill levels.

The game was conceived in 1974 by founders Ray Sr., Ray Jr. and Blanche Baldorossi, with the first Softgolf course opening its doors in 1979. For nearly five decades, the Baldorossi family has championed Softgolf as a unique, stand-alone experience — one that deserves its own identity, its own name, and yes, its own spelling.

At 98, Blanche Baldorossi remembers a lot about starting and operating the first Softgolf course. For example, she did all the technical writing for the first five patents. And that was without AI, spellcheck or a laptop.

How People Commonly Misspell It

It happens every single day. Someone hears about Softgolf, gets excited, pulls out their phone, and types:

"Soft Golf"

Two words. And just like that, they're looking at a page full of foam practice balls, low-compression driving range balls, or backyard chipping sets — none of which have anything to do with the Softgolf experience they were searching for.

It's an easy mistake to make. The human brain naturally separates compound words, especially when both halves are so familiar. "Soft." "Golf." Two words we've all known our whole lives. But together, as one word, they mean something entirely different. They mean Softgolf — a brand, a game, and a legacy.

The correct and official spelling is always:

✅ Softgolf — one word, capital S

❌ Soft Golf — two words, not the brand

Why One Word and Not Two?

This is the question at the heart of it all, and there is no one better to answer it than the woman who helped build this brand from the ground up.

Blanche remembers a lot from starting and operating the first Softgolf course in Delran, NJ. However, she doesn't remember why they chose to spell it as one word.

What we can tell you is this: the decision was not accidental. Naming something is one of the most intentional acts a founder can take. A name is a declaration. It says: this thing is its own entity, its own idea, its own world. By combining "soft" and "golf" into a single, unified word, Ray and Blanche weren't just naming a game — they were staking a claim. They were saying that Softgolf is not a description. It is not a category. It is not an adjective followed by a noun.

Softgolf is a proper noun. It is a brand. It is the original.

Softgolf Is Not a Soft Golf Practice Ball

This is perhaps the most important distinction on this entire page, so we're going to say it plainly:

Softgolf and soft golf practice balls are not the same thing.

Soft golf practice balls — the kind you find at sporting goods stores or online retailers — are foam balls, low-compression balls, or lightweight plastic balls designed for backyard chipping, indoor putting, or beginner driving range practice. They are a product category. A generic term. A description of a type of ball.

Softgolf is none of those things.

Softgolf is a full-swing golf game played on a real, purpose-built course with a proprietary ball engineered specifically for the Softgolf experience. It is not a practice substitute. It is not a backyard toy. It is not a beginner workaround.

It is the real thing — and it has been since 1979.

When you search for Softgolf and land on a page selling practice foam balls, that's not just an inconvenience. It's a missed connection between you and one of the most original golf experiences ever created. That's exactly why the spelling matters, and exactly why we want to set the record straight.

Softgolf Came First — A Brief History

Long before "soft golf" became a shorthand phrase for practice equipment, Softgolf already existed.

The concept was born in 1974, when Ray, Sr., Ray Jr. and Blanche Baldorossi began developing what would become a genuinely new way to experience the game of golf. By 1979, the first Softgolf course was open and welcoming players. That means Softgolf has been a real, living, breathing game for nearly 50 years — predating the modern wave of "soft golf" practice products by decades.

The Softgolf brand didn't borrow its name from a product trend. If anything, the trend borrowed its language from territory that Softgolf had already claimed.

According to Ray Jr., current CEO of Softgolf, "In the early days my dad and I would spend over an hour making each ball with a homemade ball making machine made from repurposed washing machine parts and wheels from my brothers old skate board."

The history of Softgolf is a story of vision, persistence, and a genuine love for the game of golf. It's a story that deserves to be told — and told correctly, starting with the name.

Why the Spelling Matters

You might be thinking: does it really matter if someone writes "Soft Golf" instead of "Softgolf"?

It does, and here's why:

• It's a brand identity issue. Softgolf is a proper brand name, just like FedEx, YouTube, or LinkedIn. You wouldn't write "Fed Ex," "You Tube," or "Linked In." The same respect applies to Softgolf.
• It affects search results. When people search "Soft Golf" as two words, they are far more likely to find practice ball retailers than the Softgolf experience. The correct spelling — one word — leads directly to softgolf.net and the real Softgolf community.
• It protects the legacy. Ray and Blanche Baldorossi built something original and lasting. Spelling the name correctly honors that legacy and ensures that the brand they created continues to be recognized for what it truly is.
• It prevents confusion. Softgolf players, fans, and first-time visitors deserve to find accurate information quickly. The one-word spelling makes that possible.

Come Experience the Original Softgolf

Now that you know the story behind the name, there's only one thing left to do — come play.

Softgolf is not a practice drill. It's not a backyard game. It's a full-swing, real-course golf experience that has been welcoming players of all ages and skill levels since 1979. Whether you're a seasoned golfer looking for something fresh or a first-timer who's never picked up a club, Softgolf was made for you.

One word. One game. One of a kind.

👉 Visit us at softgolf.net to learn more and plan your visit.