Cornhole Distance - Can You Change It?

Knowing how to properly set up your cornhole game is half the battle. Once you understand the basic rules and setup, you can then learn how to play and improve your skills from there. One of the most important aspects of game setup is your cornhole board distance

There are regulation distances established by the American Cornhole Association. Additionally, there are adjusted differences for youth players based on these guidelines. 

You should understand the rules of the guidelines, but it is also acceptable to practice and grow your skills by making adjustments that work for you, and then improving your game and working up to those regulated distances. 

Regulation Cornhole Board Distance

cornhole board distance

When you are setting up game boards, there are some precise details to know. This includes how far apart the boards are from each other. There are also distance measurements around the board for your pitcher’s box areas, and space between boards that are side by side as well. 

The throwing space from board to board is a pretty long stretch that certainly can take some getting used to. The boards are set up facing each other, and the distance is measured from the front end of one board to the front end of the other. 

Notice that your distance is not measured from hole to hole, but from front end to front end. Regulation boards also have specific size measurements, so the holes will be equal distance using this tactic. 

The front end of the board is considered the foul line. When you are tossing your bags, you cannot cross that foul line. 

In an adult game, there should be 27 feet from foul line to foul line. Because of the size of the boards, this means that you should plan for a playing field space that is about 40 feet in total length. 

Exceptions to the Distance Between Boards

As we mentioned earlier, there are some slight exceptions to this distance. The most common exception is for players who are in a junior league or beginner level. Because junior players are younger and still developing, they are allowed a shorter distance between boards. 

Their regulation boards are the same size as an adult regulation board. However, in these instances, the cornhole board distance is reduced to 21 feet from the front end of one board to the front end of the opposing board. In most cases, the junior level players are traditionally 17 and under. 

Another common exception to the distance is for senior citizens or impaired players. Seniors are generally defined as over the age of 65. They too are allowed to reduce the distance between boards to 21 feet, rather than a full 27 feet. 

This same exception applies to individuals with mobility issues and other disabilities, as defined by the guidelines. 

There is one more exception. This is not generally a regulation since it isn’t league play. However, in the event that you are playing tailgating cornhole with smaller boards, the general rule of thumb is that the boards should be set at 24 feet apart from each other. 

Additional Distance Details for Cornhole

junior cornhole board distance

Now we’ve talked about the distance from board to board, but that’s not all. What about the distance between boards when you have several cornhole sets in play at the same time? 

This is also regulated by the American Cornhole Association with specific requirements. In a tournament of any kind, the court layout is very specific and should be followed closely. 

According to regulations, your designated space for a cornhole court should measure 8 feet wide by 40 feet long. This accommodates space around the boards on both sides, as well as the distance from board to board. 

When a line of boards is set up at a tournament, the rules state that there needs to be a clearance of 12 feet between each board. Here’s why: the pitcher’s box is established on each side of the board. This allows the thrower to stand on whichever side they choose. 

A pitcher’s box should measure 4 feet by 3 feet, according to the rules. That’s 3 feet on each side of your board, which is 2 feet wide. 12 feet allows plenty of space for each of those pitcher’s boxes, as well as some additional separation between boards so you aren’t running into each other. 

In addition, the rules dictate that if there are less than 12 feet of clearance, this information must be provided to players prior to the event, and included in the tournament listing information as well. 

Working up to Regulation Distance

If you’re just getting started, throwing those cornhole bags a full 27 feet might seem impossible. It’s going to take some time for you to really figure out the toss, the strength needed, and how to land it from this distance. 

And that’s ok. Every player has to start somewhere. Don’t get upset if you can’t make that distance right away. 

While this is the regulation distance and what you should use the majority of the time, you could start out at a shorter distance while you learn the throw and technique. Work your way up to an increased distance until you’ve got it down for 27 feet. 

Try starting at the junior distance if you’re struggling, and then build your skills from there. Just be sure that you’re comfortable with 27 feet before you sign up for any competitions or tournaments! 

Grab Your Custom Cornhole Set Today! 

It’s much easier to practice with the designated cornhole board distance if you have a good cornhole set on your hands. Why not equip yourself with a custom cornhole set to start practicing and playing on? 

Skips Garage offers a variety of cornhole boards to choose from. Each of our boards is handmade, using the best materials that we can find. Let us help you get the perfect board to enhance your game.

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