Sunday, May 11, 2025

Get ready for the NEXT Miniature Golf Day

Miniature Golf Day is ALWAYS on the 21st September.


While 'National Miniature Golf Day' is held on the second Saturday in May, the other minigolf day of the year is 'Miniature Golf Day' and is ALWAYS on the 21st September.

Emily playing the Crazy Golf course at the Botanic Gardens in Southport on Miniature Golf Day 2019
Emily playing the Crazy Golf course at the Botanic Gardens in Southport on Miniature Golf Day 2019

In 2025 the 21st September falls on a Sunday.


Victory Radio - Minigolf Interview, Monday 12th May

I'll be on the radio talking minigolf at around 10.30am on Monday 12th May.


You can tune in to listen on Victory Radio online.

Victory Radio is a DAB+ and online radio station based in Portsmouth and broadcasting to the South East Hampshire and West Sussex areas (and worldwide online). Our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour teed-off in Southsea, Hampshire back in 2006 when we played the Victory Trail course at Treasure Island Adventure Golf.

Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Southsea, Hampshire

We're looking forward to returning for more minigolf fun in Southsea in the future.

Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Southsea, Hampshire

Saturday, May 10, 2025

So that was National Miniature Golf Day

Today was National Miniature Golf Day!



Did you play miniature golf today?

Playing at The Himalayas on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour in 2012. The course is the world's first miniature golf and home to the St Andrews Ladies' Putting Club
Playing at The Himalayas on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour in 2012. The course is the world's first miniature golf and home to the St Andrews Ladies' Putting Club

There are two 'miniature golf days' each year.

  • National Miniature Golf Day is always on the second Saturday in May. Next year that will be Saturday 9th May 2026.
  • The other minigolf day, Miniature Golf Day, is always on the 21st September. This year it falls on a Sunday.

Slicks Crazy Golf in Worthing

There's a mini golf course at Slicks in Worthing, West Sussex.


There's a mini golf course at Slicks in Worthing, West Sussex

The seaside town of Worthing now has a 12-hole indoor UV crazy golf course located at Slicks Sports in the Montague Quarter.

Check out the Slicks Sports Bars website for more information.


It's another new course for us to check out on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

National Miniature Golf Day - a day of many names

The second Saturday in May is always National Miniature Golf Day.


National Miniature Golf Day
Putting at Lost World Adventure Golf in Hemsby

Much like the many different names for 'Miniature Golf', National Miniature Golf Day itself (and its sister appreciation day in September, Miniature Golf Day) goes by many many many different names!

I've seen the days called:
  • Global Mini Golf Day
  • Global Miniature Golf Day
  • Global Minigolf Day
  • International Mini Golf Day
  • International Miniature Golf Day
  • International Minigolf Day
  • Mini Golf Day
  • Miniature Golf Day
  • Minigolf Day
  • National Mini Golf Day
  • National Miniature Golf Day
  • National Minigolf Day
  • World Mini Golf Day
  • World Miniature Golf Day
  • World Minigolf Day
  • Worldwide Mini Golf Day
  • Worldwide Miniature Golf Day
  • Worldwide Minigolf Day

Whatever you call National Miniature Golf Day (or Miniature Golf) it's superb to see the day and game being celebrated worldwide.

As usual, National Miniature Golf Day today is on the second Saturday in May, next year that falls on Saturday 9th May 2026. Miniature Golf Day is always on the 21st September and in 2025 that will be a Sunday.

And don't forget, every Monday is #MinigolfMonday!

The Minigolf Nations Cup 2008 in Tampere, Finland

We made our Great Britain team debuts at the 2008 Nations Cup of Minigolf in Tampere, Finland 17 years ago today!


The 2008 Minigolf Nations Cup

Our Great Britain Minigolf team, sponsored by UrbanCrazy, finished the tournament in 13th place. In the individual rankings I finished in 51st place and Emily was 53rd.

In action at the Minigolf Nations Cup in Tampere, Finland
In action at the Minigolf Nations Cup in Tampere, Finland

The 2008 Great Britain squad - Jouni Valkjarvi (coach), John 'Big Top Ted' McIver, Marion 'Mation' Homer, Sean 'Freebird' Homer, Tim 'Ace Man' Davies, Steve 'F1' Gow, Emily 'Lemony' Gottfried, Andy 'Sarge' Booth, 'Squire' Richard Gottfried
The 2008 Great Britain squad - Jouni Valkjarvi (coach), John 'Big Top Ted' McIver, Marion 'Mation' Homer, Sean 'Freebird' Homer, Tim 'Ace Man' Davies, Steve 'F1' Gow, Emily 'Lemony' Gottfried, Andy 'Sarge' Booth, 'Squire' Richard Gottfried

Richard Gottfried - International Minigolfer

Emily Gottfried - International Minigolfer

We've also played for the Great Britain national team in World Minigolf Sport Federation and European Minigolf Sport Federation tournaments in Stockholm, Sweden and Hastings, England.

The Beton Concrete Mini Golf course at the Manse RG Club in Tampere was the 50th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. The Eternit Miniature Golf course was the 51st and the Swedish Felt Minigolf course there was the 52nd played. We've now been to 1,082 courses on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour since 2006.

Happy National Miniature Golf Day

Today is National Miniature Golf Day!


Minigolf courses we've played on Miniature Golf Days
Minigolf courses we've played on Miniature Golf Days

Friday, May 09, 2025

An Arnold Palmer Indoor Golf Game

A new addition to our collection of minigolf items!


Arnold Palmer Indoor Golf Game from 1999 by Classic Golf Gifts

I recently found this Arnold Palmer Indoor Golf Game from 1999 by Classic Golf Gifts in one of my local charity shops.

Arnold Palmer Indoor Golf Game from 1999 by Classic Golf Gifts

I've got a couple of other examples - one is also Arnold Palmer branded and older than this version, the other is a white-label version.

Arnold Palmer Indoor Golf Game from 1999 by Classic Golf Gifts

I really like the branded scorecard in this set.

Arnold Palmer Indoor Golf Game from 1999 by Classic Golf Gifts

Arnold Palmer Indoor Golf Game from 1999 by Classic Golf Gifts

Arnold Palmer Indoor Golf Game from 1999 by Classic Golf Gifts

National Miniature Golf Day Eve

Tomorrow is National Miniature Golf Day!


The Himalayas course at the St Andrews Ladies' Putting Club
Emily playing The Himalayas course at the St Andrews Ladies' Putting Club back in 2012 - the course is the world's first miniature golf course

Will you be playing miniature golf tomorrow?

The Himalayas course at the St Andrews Ladies' Putting Club
Playing The Himalayas course at the St Andrews Ladies' Putting Club

There are two 'miniature golf days' each year.

Thursday, May 08, 2025

Pirate Cove Adventure Golf course in Aberavon, Wales

A look at the Pirate Cove Adventure Golf course in Aberavon, Port Talbot in May 2019.


Pirate Cove Adventure Golf course in Aberavon, Wales. May 2019

The 12-hole Pirate Cove Adventure Golf course became the 885th course visited and 516th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour when I was there to play in the 2019 Welsh Minigolf Doubles Championship in May 2019.

Pirate Cove Adventure Golf course in Aberavon, Wales. May 2019

We warmed up for Sunday's tournament with a singles competition to celebrate National Miniature Golf Day. The in-form David Hartley added to his recent trophy haul by taking the win by one-shot, with Marion Hartley and me tied for second place.

Pirate Cove Adventure Golf course in Aberavon, Wales. May 2019

Created by the Natural Play Company, Pirate Cove Adventure Golf is a tricky layout and while there are hole-in-one opportunities, they are few and far between!
 
Pirate Cove Adventure Golf course in Aberavon, Wales. May 2019

Check out the Pirate Cove Adventure Golf course on Facebook for more information.

A holiday at Barry Island Resort in 1995

A look at the Barry Island Resort 1995 Information & Entertainment Guide.


Barry Island Resort 1995 Information & Entertainment Guide
The Barry Island Resort 1995 Information & Entertainment Guide

As a big fan of the British seaside and traditional holiday entertainment I was pleased to find a Barry Island Resort 1995 Information & Entertainment Guide a while back.

I can't believe it's 30 years old!

Seeing the Barry Island Resort 1995 Information & Entertainment Guide brought back so many happy memories.

My family used to go on holiday to Barry Island in the late 1980's and 1990's and loved it there. The holiday camp was absolutely marvellous, with everything from swimming to crazy golf, to snooker and darts, to the fun fair and more - all free of charge once you had checked in.

My brothers and I would spend hours going from one activity to another and then spend the evening in the arcades playing games such as Paperboy, Street Fighter (the original), Blasteroids, Xybots, Double Dragon, Wardner and more. Halcyon days.

Check out the six-page Barry Island Resort 1995 Information & Entertainment Guide below. As a former holidaymaker at the camp, fan of the British seaside, postcard collector and marketer it makes for interesting reading - especially some of the adverts!

Barry Island Resort 1995 Information & Entertainment Guide
What a cover

Barry Island Resort 1995 Information & Entertainment Guide
There was always so much to do at the Barry Island holiday camp - and that was before heading out of the camp to the rest of the seaside town, fun fair, amusements beach and more

Barry Island Resort 1995 Information & Entertainment Guide
The entertainment continues

Barry Island Resort 1995 Information & Entertainment Guide
Back when you could still advertise cigarettes!

Barry Island Resort 1995 Information & Entertainment Guide
A great bit of marketing and use of a postcard image

Barry Island Resort 1995 Information & Entertainment Guide
I spent many an hour at building 5 - Princes Ballroom - as that's where the Crazy Golf, snooker and one of the arcades was 

Barry Island Resort was originally a Butlin's holiday camp when it opened in 1966. It was re-opened as a Majestic holiday camp in the 1980's. Sadly it closed for good in 1996 and was demolished to make way for housing.

I've returned to Barry Island - in 20092010 and 2019. Apart from the disappearance of the holiday camp there were some new attractions, and the resort was still recognisable from the 1990's.

The 2008 Minigolf Nations Cup in Tampere, Finland

A look back at the 2008 Nations Cup of Minigolf in Tampere, Finland.


2008 Nations Cup of Minigolf in Finland

We made our Great Britain team debuts at the 2008 Nations Cup of Minigolf in Tampere, Finland 17 years ago this week.

Where has that time gone!

The GB team playing the Beton Concrete Minigolf course in Tampere, Finland
The GB team playing the Beton Concrete Minigolf course in Tampere, Finland during a practice session

In international action on the Eternit Miniature Golf course

Our Great Britain Minigolf team, sponsored by UrbanCrazy, finished the tournament in 13th place. In the individual rankings I finished in 51st place and Emily was 53rd.

The 2008 Great Britain squad - Jouni Valkjarvi (coach), John 'Big Top Ted' McIver, Marion 'Mation' Homer, Sean 'Freebird' Homer, Tim 'Ace Man' Davies, Steve 'F1' Gow, Emily 'Lemony' Gottfried, Andy 'Sarge' Booth, 'Squire' Richard Gottfried
The 2008 Great Britain squad - Jouni Valkjarvi (coach), John 'Big Top Ted' McIver, Marion 'Mation' Homer, Sean 'Freebird' Homer, Tim 'Ace Man' Davies, Steve 'F1' Gow, Emily 'Lemony' Gottfried, Andy 'Sarge' Booth, 'Squire' Richard Gottfried

Richard Gottfried's player card at the 2008 Nations Cup in Tampere, Finland

Emily Gottfried's player card at the 2008 Nations Cup in Tampere, Finland

Since the 2008 Nations Cup we've also played for the GB national team in tournaments in Stockholm, Sweden and Hastings, England.

Receiving some tips on the Middle Hill Eternit Miniature Golf hole from Crazy Golf legend Tim 'Ace Man' Davies
Receiving some tips on the Middle Hill Eternit Miniature Golf hole from Crazy Golf legend Tim 'Ace Man' Davies

The Beton Concrete Mini Golf course at the Manse RG Club in Tampere was the 50th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. The Eternit Miniature Golf course was the 51st and the Swedish Felt Minigolf course was the 52nd played.

Manse Ratagolf in Tampere, Finland

Since 2006 Emily and I have visited 1,082 miniature golf courses around the UK and overseas on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

As well as playing minigolf in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Jersey and the Isle of Man we’ve travelled to minigolf courses in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Finland, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, Spain (including Lanzarote and Majorca), Sweden and the USA.

Tuesday, May 06, 2025

This Saturday is National Miniature Golf Day

Where will you be celebrating National Miniature Golf Day this Saturday?


Minigolf courses visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

This year National Miniature Golf Day is on Saturday 10th May. Where will you be playing a round?

Playing the Championship Adventure Golf course in New Brighton, England on National Miniature Golf Day in 2017
Playing the Championship Adventure Golf course in New Brighton, England on National Miniature Golf Day in 2017


We're not yet sure about which course we'll get to on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour this National Miniature Golf Day.

There are two 'miniature golf days' each year.

  • National Miniature Golf Day is always on the second Saturday in May. In 2025 that will be Saturday 10th May.
  • The other minigolf day, Miniature Golf Day, is always on the 21st September. In 2025 that will fall on a Sunday.

Monday, May 05, 2025

TallyHo Golf minigolf scorecard app

Finding out more about the TallyHo Golf minigolf scorecard app.


TallyHo Golf minigolf app

We're always looking for new things and innovations in the world of minigolf and recently found out about the TallyHo Golf minigolf app.

We've blogged about the minigolf apps we've found on our minigolf adventures over the years, and we've used some of them to keep scores on our games and record loyalty points.

TallyHo Golf minigolf scorecard app
A TallyHo Golf scorecard

The TallyHo Golf minigolf app is free to download and you can use it straight away as a Guest, or you can create a username for a fuller experience.

TallyHo Golf minigolf scorecard app
The home screen

Speaking with Vito Leone, the man behind the TallyHo Golf minigolf app, he provided us with further information as well as some imagery from the app which you can see throughout this post.

TallyHo Golf minigolf scorecard app
A game card

Vito tells us that the benefits for miniature golf courses include:

  • Saving on paper scorecards.
  • Custom branding on the app's interactive map page to stand out from the competition.
  • Hole-by-hole clickable advertising and detailed stat tracking.
  • Eliminating the need to distribute pencils and paper around the course.
  • Easily creating and managing minigolf tournaments and leagues.

And for players there is:

  • No more dealing with awkward-sized paper scorecards and pencils during games.
  • Automatic score calculation so you can just play and enjoy the round.
  • Access to course-specific and local deals through sponsorships.
  • The ability to save games to revisit memories any time.
  • The feature to track lifetime stats and performance.
  • Connecting with friends and keep score live across multiple devices.

In addition to the electronic scorecard function, the TallyHo Golf app allows users to record and track their scores over time - noting and analysing improvements and progress at courses. Another feature is to share stats and compete with friends (and rivals) who are also using the app.

TallyHo Golf minigolf scorecard app
A game example screen

As our never-ending Crazy World of Minigolf Tour involves a lot of research into locations of courses, another feature of the app was interesting to see, as with the location enabled on your device you can locate courses near to you.

TallyHo Golf minigolf scorecard app
Course locator

As keen competitors it's interesting to see tournaments listed in the app too.

TallyHo Golf minigolf scorecard app
A final score screen

Check out the TallyHo Golf website for more information and links to download the free app for Android and iOS.


TallyHo Golf minigolf scorecard app
The Course Admin Panel

Have you used the TallyHo Golf app in your games of minigolf? Do let us know in the comments.