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Friday, February 15, 2013

A Re-visit to Southend-on-Sea's Arnold Palmer Minigolf Course

Replaying the Arnold Palmer Minigolf Course in Southend-on-Sea.

Photo of Richard Gottfried playing the Arnold Palmer Minigolf course in Southend-on-Sea
Wish You Were Here

Emily and I were recently in Southend-on-Sea and luckily for us the 18-hole Arnold Palmer Minigolf course on the Eastern Esplanade was open - and will be on Saturday's and Sunday's throughout the winter (weather permitting).

Photo of the Arnold Palmer Miniature Golf course in Southend-on-Sea
Emily playing the shortest hole on the course with Europe's longest pier in the background

We've played the course a number of times over the years and Arnold Palmer Putting/Crazy Golf/Minigolf courses are amongst my favourite types of Miniature Golf. They have that classic look and feel that I associate what the game is all about - the windmill, waterwheel, lumps, bumps and hillocks, and the all-important 'lucky' last hole.

Photo of the Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf course in Southend-on-Sea
A rough start for Richard with an overhit tee-shot landing in a bunker!

When we visited last December the course was closed, so it was nice to get a game of Crazy Golf this time round.

Photo of the Arnold Palmer Mini Golf course in Southend-on-Sea
This hole used to have the cup in another position

In our one-round match Emily and I scored a pair of 48's (having enforced the course rules as opposed to BMGA rules) to force a sudden-death play-off to decide the winner. On the the replay of the 18th hole we both scored twos, but I was able to win the game with a two on the 16th hole.

Photo of the Arnold Palmer Minigolf course in Southend-on-Sea
Playing out the Lighthouse hole

Predictably, neither of us won a free game on the 19th hole. I was quite close though.

Photo of the Lucky Last Hole at the Arnold Palmer Minigolf course in Southend-on-Sea
Emily having a crack at the Top Hole


Photo of the sign for the East Course at the Arnold Palmer Minigolf course in Southend-on-Sea
The sign for the East Course at Southend-on-Sea

Back in April 2007 I made my professional Minigolf Debut on the British Minigolf Association Tour in the BMGA British Masters competition that was played on the nearby Adventure Island Adventure Golf courses in Southend-on-Sea.

I think the course is always worth a play if you're in the area and you can find it at Darlowes Green, Eastern Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS1 2ES.

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1 comment:

  1. Emily8:54 am

    An unfortunate error on the 18th was my downfall.. especially as been leading from the first hole!

    I still always enjoy the Arnold Palmer Courses :)

    ReplyDelete