How Far Apart Should Cornhole Bags Be?

Cornhole is a classic lawn game that has been growing in popularity over the past decade. It’s easy to learn, fun for all ages, and you don’t need much space or equipment to play. But if you want to play cornhole correctly, there are some important rules you need to follow – especially when it comes to setting up the boards and bags. One key factor is the distance between the cornhole bags. So how far apart should they be? Let’s take a closer look.

Official Cornhole Board Distance

According to the official rules set by the American Cornhole Association (ACA), regulation cornhole boards should be placed 27 feet apart (front edge to front edge). This distance was carefully determined by the ACA to provide the ideal gameplay experience.

At 27 feet, there is enough distance for the bags to arc through the air, but players can still pitch with reasonable accuracy. The 27 foot span also allows sufficient room for two sets of boards for doubles matches.

For younger kids or physically impaired players, the boards can be moved closer together – usually between 12-15 feet But for standard adult recreational and tournament play, 27 feet is the required distance

Why Proper Distance Matters

Placing the cornhole boards 27 feet apart isn’t an arbitrary rule. This distance impacts several aspects of gameplay:

• Difficulty – At 27 feet landing a bag on the board or in the hole requires skill. Move the boards closer and it becomes too easy. Move them farther apart and it gets extremely challenging for casual play.

• Pace of Play – The 27 foot distance enables a good pace of play. The bags have enough hang time to make pitching strategic, but players don’t have to wait forever between throws.

• Bag Placement Strategy – From 27 feet players can use different trajectories and targets areas to try placing their bags in advantageous positions. This adds complexity and rewards skill.

• Consistency – Having a standard distance makes cornhole consistent across different games, leagues, and tournaments. Players don’t have to adjust to new board placements.

So in short, 27 feet between boards isn’t just tradition – it’s the ideal distance for proper cornhole gameplay and strategy.

Where to Measure From

When setting up regulation cornhole boards, the 27 foot distance is measured from the front edges of each board. The “front” refers to the end of the board closest to the foul line and pitching area.

So if you placed the fronts of the boards 27 feet apart, then stepped to the pitching areas on each side, you’d have 27 feet between you and your opponent – the proper bag pitching distance.

Board Placement Strategy

While the boards must be 27 feet apart, there is some strategy in exactly how you position them. Here are a few placement tips:

• Angle the boards a few degrees away from parallel. This causes bags to bounce/slide diagonally, creating more action.

• Avoid obstacles like trees or slopes that could interfere with pitches.

• Place boards lengthwise along a sidewalk or patio edge to create a built-in foul line.

• Face boards away from the sun to avoid glare.

• For tournament play, leave room for spectators.

• Check ground level and stability. Shaky or uneven terrain can skew play.

As long as the front edges are 27 feet apart, you have some leeway in board angle and placement to optimize conditions. Just don’t exceed the 27 foot bag distance between the pitching areas.

Exceptions to the 27 Foot Rule

While 27 feet is standard, there are some exceptions where it’s acceptable or even required to use a different cornhole bags distance:

• Children & Teens – For younger players, especially under 12, it’s advisable to move boards closer together to 12-15 feet. This makes landing bags easier.

• Seniors – Similarly, for elderly players with limited mobility, a shorter 12-15 foot distance enables them to participate comfortably.

• Indoor Play – Indoor ceilings create height restrictions, so boards may need to be closer indoors. But they should be as close to 27 feet as ceiling height allows.

• Tailgate Games – Portable tailgate-style boards are often smaller and placed 20-21 feet apart to fit limited tailgating space while retaining some challenge.

• Doubles Tournaments – Doubles tournaments usually allow 33 feet between front edges so the two sets of boards can fit while maintaining 27 feet between opponents.

• Other Events – Carnivals or corporate events may use tighter board spacing to adapt to the environment. But this shouldn’t be done for serious play.

Aside from these exceptions, 27 feet is the gold standard. Even when making adjustments for age or space restrictions, stay as close to the official 27 foot distance as realistically possible.

Establishing Foul Lines

In addition to board placement, proper bag spacing also depends on correct foul line positioning. Foul lines are imaginary lines drawn perpendicularly across the board fronts to designate the pitching areas.

According to ACA rules, adult foul lines should be 27 feet from front of board to front of board. So if the boards are already 27 feet apart, the foul lines are basically extensions of the board fronts.

Your feet must stay behind the foul line as you release bags. This maintains the full 27 feet of spacing through the bag’s arc towards the opposite board. If you pitched from beyond the foul line, it would decrease the effective distance.

For kids and seniors using shorter board distances, just shorten the foul lines to remain perpendicular to the adjusted board spacing. This preserves the intended bag distance all the way to release.

Checking Your Measurements

With so much riding on proper bag spacing, it’s worth double checking your setup. Here are some tips:

• Verify board length – Regulation boards should be 48″ long front to back.

• Use a measuring tape, not estimates, to set 27 feet between board fronts.

• Check that foul lines are perpendicular to the boards at the required distance.

• Have players stand at the pitching areas and eyeball the 27 feet.

• Test a few practice pitches with bags at proper weight and dimensions. Dial in distance as needed.

• For outdoor boards left in place, check measurements periodically. They can shift over time.

Taking these steps will help ensure your cornhole bags fly the regulation distance – not an inch more or less!

What About Board Height?

Board height is another important cornhole specification. Regulation boards should have one end 12″ off the ground, and an angled playing surface rising to around 4″ at the other end.

This angle allows bags to slide and scatter, creating action and strategy. Perfectly flat boards don’t play as well at the proper distance.

However, board height isn’t a factor in setting the distance between bags. The 27 foot measurement is exclusively from front edge to front edge, irrespective of height. So height doesn’t impact bag spacing.

Cornhole Bag Spacing FAQs

If you’re still uncertain about proper cornhole bag distance, here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

How is the 27 foot distance measured?

From the front outer edges of each board. The “pitching” edges closest to the foul lines. Not the back or the height.

What if my boards are a different size?

The same 27 foot front-to-front spacing applies regardless of board width or length.

Why are portable boards sometimes closer?

Portable boards for tailgates or picnics may be 21-23 feet apart to fit smaller spaces. But serious play requires 27 feet.

Can you play cornhole indoors?

Yes, but ceiling height may require moving boards closer than 27 feet. They should still be as far apart as the room allows.

Does foot position matter?

Feet must stay behind foul lines parallel to the boards to maintain full bag distance on release. Pitching over the line shortens the effective distance.

How much space do I need for doubles?

Allow 33 feet between fronts to accommodate two sets of boards with regulation 27 foot spacing in between.

Can weather affect measurements?

Boards placed outdoors can shift over time. It’s wise to periodically re-check the 27 foot distance and reposition if needed.

The Bottom Line

Cornhole rules clearly define proper bag spacing at 27 feet front-to-front for regulation play. This carefully calibrated distance makes for ideal scoring difficulty, pace of play, and strategy.

While some flexibility is allowed for age restrictions or space limitations, serious cornhole players should adhere as closely as possible to the 27 foot standard. This ensures fairness, consistency, and authentic gameplay.

So take the time to measure accurately and establish suitable foul lines for each setup. With bags flying the correct distance, you’ll be dropping into the hole and woofin’ it up in no time! Play on!