Cornhole is a game that requires precise throwing, so having high-quality bags and boards is important. Professional sets can cost hundreds of dollars, but many casual players find that affordable sets are just as fun and satisfying.
The quality of your board and the materials used to make your bags will directly affect how well you play. We recommend choosing a board made of wood, which minimizes bounce and allows the bag to slide straight onto the hole. We also suggest choosing a board that uses crossbeams for stability and has a smooth finish. A rounded corner design is also important since it can help the bag sit in your hand better and feel more stable.
While you can buy pre-made boards, we recommend building your own. This is a fun and rewarding project, and the end result will be a sturdy, regulation-size board that will last for years. You can find a variety of tutorials online, but not all are created equal. We suggest using Baltic birch plywood, which is durable, looks nice, and will hold up to rigorous use. A local lumberyard or Home Depot should have this material in stock, and if they don’t have it, they can cut it to size for you.
Some full-size, competition-quality cornhole sets are very heavy, which can be a disadvantage when it comes to portability and storage. For this reason, more casual players might prefer a tailgate-sized set that is 2 feet by 3 feet, and much lighter.