Chippo review

Is Chippo worth it?

When you host a picnic, you want to have entertainment for your guests. Games encourage friends and family to socialize, and they can help everyone have a good time. While this usually means badminton, horseshoes, cornhole or ladder toss, there's a hybrid option that you can purchase to switch things up a little.

Chippo is billed as "The glorious lovechild of golf and cornhole." Unlike other yard games, Chippo requires a bit of skill to master. It lets you have fun while working on your short game, but you don't have to be a golf pro to play — anyone can enjoy the challenge.

BestReviews was curious if Chippo is all that it claims to be. Is it fun? Is there a degree of difficulty that keeps it enjoyable and engaging over time? To find out, the Testing Lab evaluated this product to discover how it performed.

Testing Chippo 

The BestReviews Testing Lab is made up of people from all walks of life. Some are avid users of the product they're testing, while others may be trying it out for the first time. This is purposely done to collect data from a broad range of user experiences. The testers don't evaluate products in a controlled environment; they use them as they would in real life. This could mean setting up the Chippo in a backyard or packing one up and taking it to the beach or another appropriate location. When evaluating, BestReviews paid particular attention to assembly, ease of play, overall quality and enjoyment. 

What is Chippo?

Upon opening Chippo, it was immediately evident that the product was made with quality materials. The boards had a bit of heft that hinted at a rugged and durable build, which was above par when compared to other cornhole games.

It's important to point out that this is not a cornhole game — it's a hybrid of cornhole and golf. This is obvious with the design, as it has three scoring holes instead of one. Additionally, the boards are covered with turf. This doesn't really make too much of a difference when it comes to gameplay, but it lets the golfer know at a glance that this option is something a little different.

When you open the box, you'll find two turf-covered Chippo target boards. These items are the same size as a cornhole board, but they have three netted holes. The boards are made of reinforced acrylonitrile butadiene styrene plastic and each features a foldable steel leg for portability. There are also two turf-covered rubber chipping mats and six high-density foam balls. However, the game does not come with golf clubs.

See how Chippo compares to other products in its space — check out our reviews for the best cornhole game sets.

Chippo price and where to buy

Chippo is available for $189.95 on Amazon.

How to use Chippo

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The testing lab had no problem setting up the Chippo. Basically, you pull the boards out of the box, take them out of the plastic covering and unfold the legs. When you place the Chippo boards on a level plot of ground facing each other, the front edges should be 15 feet apart. The manufacturer suggests the chipping mats should be one shoe-width in front of the board.

Keeping score is easy. You get one point if you hit the board on the fly. If your ball lands in the large hole, you get three points. You get five points for landing your ball in one of the two smaller holes. For double points, bounce your shot off the chipping mat.

Chippo is typically played with two teams of two players. However, you can adapt the rules to fit the number of available players. There are three basic ways to play Chippo: Match Play, Cornhole-Style and "Six Ball." For Match Play, a player from each team each takes three shots. Whoever gets the highest score wins a point for their team. The game is played in 9 or 18 rounds. In Cornhole-Style, each Chippo player still takes three shots, but the points cancel each other out. For example, if player one gets six points and player two gets eight points, player two wins the round with two points. The first team to score 18 points wins the game. With "Six Ball," players use all six balls instead of just three, and the score can be kept like Match Play or Cornhole-Style.

BestReviews found it just as rewarding to play by yourself with one board and a chipping mat 15 feet away. This allows you to focus on mastering your short game instead of competing against other players.

While the mechanics of the game aren't that difficult, it's hard to score. If you're new to golf, it will take some time to improve enough to make the game fun. To keep the game fair, it's best to pair players of similar skill levels against each other.

Chippo benefits

Although Chippo looks like cornhole, it's a completely different type of game. It's easy to transport and set up, so you can bring it with you to campouts, picnics, the beach, tailgates and more. It is a really nice touch to have foam balls — even if you have an occasional wild shot, the chances of breaking anything are very low. One of the biggest benefits of this game is it can make you a better golfer.

Chippo drawbacks

While Chippo is fun to play, there are a few drawbacks to be aware of before purchasing. In the beginning, the game may be a little frustrating for people who have never golfed before. Fortunately, that frustration will transform into rewarding challenges as players get better. Also, the price for this game is higher than a typical cornhole game, and purchase does not include golf clubs.

Should you get Chippo?

Chippo is best for the person who is an avid golfer. It's also recommended for someone who wants to get better at golf or wants a fun way to learn how to play. Chippo is good for a group of friends who like to play games at outdoor get-togethers. If you already own all the traditional yard games, this one makes a great addition to your collection.