Horseshoe Pitching Info Area

Here you will find all kinds of information about the sport of horseshoe pitching such as how to play the game, where to play it and much more.  As you will see, it's definitely more than a backyard game.  There are clubs and organizations all over the country that are involved in organized horseshoe pitching.  Some are totally devoted to the sport, such as the National Horseshoe Pitchers' Association and its affiliates.  Others, like American Legions, VFW's, Moose Clubs, Elks Clubs, Eagles Clubs and many taverns, offer it as a form of recreation for their membership or patrons.  It is growing at a tremendous rate at the amateur level  all over the country.  Everyone loves to play horseshoes!

Finding a place to pitch horseshoes:
--This can be a much more difficult thing to do than you might think.  Most horseshoe leagues and clubs aren't listed in the phone book.  We've developed a constantly growing list of places to pitch horseshoes all over the U.S.  We've organized this information by state, so you can find the place closest to you.  The contacts listed here should be able to help you find a place near you where you can pitch in a league and should also be able to help you find information about tournaments in your area.  If you know of a club that's not listed here, let us know by following the links from the list.

Click here to find a club or league near you

Official Rules of Horseshoe Pitching:
--View the official rules used for sanctioned league and tournament play as published by the National Horseshoe Pitchers' Association.  This is the most current version of the rules.  They can be printed out very easily.

Click here for the Official Rules

Basics of Pitching a Horseshoe:
--Details on the grip, stance and swing can be found here.  

Click here for info on how to pitch

Note: The writer of this information gives a great description of the fundamentals of the game.  However, he is very biased in his opinions in relation to flip and odd-turn pitching techniques.  These feelings are his own and are not consistent with our beliefs that a player should pitch what "feels" the best to themselves.  This article was published many years ago and does not take into account the proven successes of many "freak or off turns" as he calls them.

The 1999 Men's World Champion, Alan Francis (seven times overall), throws a 3/4 reverse turn.  The 1999 Women's World Champion, Sue Snyder, throws a one-flip pitch.  Both of these players have consistently thrown over 85% ringers on the average for many years straight with what the author considers to be "freak or off turns".  There are many other successful players utilizing turns other than the 1 1/4 and 1 3/4. 

Thinking about building a court?
--You need to check out these sites to learn all about building a court:

Click here for details on building a backyard court

Click here for information on a multi-court layout

Specifics on the size of the pit

If you are just setting up a temporary court for a picnic or gathering of some type, remember that the stakes should be 40 feet apart and should lean slightly toward each other  (about three inches in from vertical) so that they are not straight up.  Remember, according to the official rules, women and children can move up to the 30 foot line and pitch from there.

World Champions and all World Records:
--View complete listings of men's, women's, junior and senior world champions and all the world records for things such as consecutive ringers pitched, longest game, most ringers per game and so on. Once you get to this page, on the left drop down menu, click on "Historical" then click on "World Champions & Records"

Click here for Listings of Champions and records

Stats for all sanctioned players in U.S. & Canada:

     Click here for all the stats    

Ask Walter Ray Williams Jr. about horseshoes!:
--Walter Ray is a 9 time World Champion in horseshoes (three thirty foot junior titles and six forty foot men's titles).  He is a member of the NHPA's horseshoe pitching hall of fame and has won many other titles in the sport.  In addition to horseshoes, he is also a champion Pro Bowler and is currently the leading money winner of all time on the Pro Bowler's Tour.  He has been voted Pro Bowler of the year several times and holds other titles and records in the sport of professional bowling.  Walter Ray loves to get inquiries of any nature about horseshoe pitching, so feel free to ask him any question you might have.  He answers all inquiries, but sometimes due to his very busy travel schedule, it might be a week or ten days before you hear back.

Click Here to Ask Walter Ray

FREE SOFTWARE DOWNLOADS!
--Free software for running tournaments and leagues is available here.  Also, software that turns your computer or an old computer into an electronic scoreboard that stores info and stats about each game played can be found here.  As new versions of horseshoe pitching related software become available, they will be listed here, check back every once in a while to see what's new!

Horseshoe Master Software
Horseshoe Master Update
Other Software

HORSESHOE PITCHING COMPUTER GAMES!
--New games called "Ringer King" and another called "3D Horseshoes".  Is it too cold or rainy to pitch outside?  How about playing horseshoes right on your computer?  These are a pretty cool simulations of the game and are lots of fun!  You can play against the computer or another player.  Check them out now!  Note:  These games are downloadable but are not free.  We are not connected to the company who makes these games in any way... We just found this site on-line and made our own link to it for your convenience.

Click here for free Horseshoe Pitching PC Game called "Ringer King"

Here's another PC horseshoe pitching game to check out:  Horseshoes (free trial available)

Listings of tournaments around the country:

Check out a growing list of tournaments all over the country.  It's not a complete list yet, but it's a great place to start searching for this kind of information.

Click here for an  on-line listing of tournaments

What would you like to see listed here?
We will be adding information and links to this part of our site often.  If you know of something that should be listed here, please let us know by e-mailing us with the information.  We'll be sure to add it in ASAP if it fits in with our theme.

This area of our site is currently under construction and will be evolving as time goes on.  Please come back often to check out our changes.

Click here to go back to the home page of Horseshoes On-Line!