Choose the game mechanism before comparing the footprint. A hanging ring that swings toward a wall hook has a different movement path from loose rings thrown at ground targets. Both may be sold as ring toss, but they solve different patio-space problems.
Compare the arrangement
| Design | What you need | What is easy to overlook |
|---|---|---|
| Wall-mounted swinging ring | An appropriate mounting surface and the complete swing path | Folded depth does not describe the area used during play. |
| Freestanding thrown-ring targets | Stable target positions and a clear throwing lane | The distance between targets is only part of the required space. |
| Portable tabletop version | A stable support and room for the chosen mechanism | A smaller product is a different game setup, not an automatic substitute for a wall model. |
Read a wall model by both folded and open size
Bar Products’ Western Saloon folding wall model lists a 23.75-inch arm and a folded depth of roughly 2.5–2.75 inches. It says installation hardware is included. Those facts do not establish that the supplied fasteners are suitable for every wall construction or that the folded measurement is the playing clearance.
Before buying, obtain the full installation instructions and check the wall or post, fastening method, open-arm reach and ring travel. Do not place the swing path across a doorway or a seat someone will use. If you cannot establish a suitable mounting arrangement, a freestanding alternative may be easier to evaluate.
Read a freestanding model by its rules
Ringaard’s rules begin with platforms 18 ft apart and describe one-on-one or two-on-two play, with player positions beside the platforms. The maker allows a different distance by agreement. That flexibility is useful, but it does not prove that every narrow patio can accommodate the target, throwers and retrieving players.
Ringaard also tells owners to keep its pine targets and sisal rings dry. A sheltered patio is not automatically dry storage. Read care instructions separately from the installation or layout information.
Make a patio plan
- Mark the open mechanism or target positions.
- Stand where each player will start and finish a turn.
- Check the path of the ring and the route used to retrieve it.
- Open nearby doors and move chairs as they will be used during the gathering.
- Identify how the game will be removed, folded or stored afterward.
For a shared or rented property, confirm whether permanent mounting is allowed before choosing a wall system. For a portable set, check the bag size and whether the targets remain stable on the intended surface. These are practical purchase conditions, not evidence that one design universally plays better.
Choose by the actual constraint
If mounting is practical and you have a clear swing area, investigate a wall model with complete instructions. If the space must be cleared after every session, investigate a freestanding set whose complete layout and storage package fit. If neither arrangement has a clear movement path, choose a smaller different activity instead of squeezing a throwing game between furniture.
Plan the next step
Explore Patio & Small Spaces for related choices. Record equipment dimensions, playing area and storage space separately; none of them substitutes for the others.
Sources and method
Rules-body and manufacturer sources checked November 2, 2026. Buying criteria, layout arithmetic and proposed house rules are editorial analysis. This guide does not include hands-on play, weather exposure, durability or accessibility testing.
