Saturday, October 19, 2013

Putt in the Park Minigolf at Wandsworth Park, London

Visit to the new Putt in the Park Miniature Golf course at Wandsworth Park, Putney, London.

Putt in the Park Minigolf Course in Wandsworth Park, London
A view of the Putt in the Park Minigolf course in Wandsworth Park, London

On Friday 18th October I headed to the new 12-hole Putt in the Park Minigolf course at Wandsworth Park in London for a ‘friendly’ round of Crazy Golf against some of my friends and Minigolf rivals Gareth, Alan and Paul.

Putt in the Park Crazy Golf Course in Wandsworth Park, London
Alan playing the long and tricky 10th hole at Wandsworth Park's Putt in the Park Minigolf course

The course was the 538th visited overall on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour, the 323rd played and the 321st course I’ve played since September 2006.

Putt in the Park Mini Golf Course in Wandsworth Park, London
Another course visit on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

In the Putney Putting Invitational I faced off against BMGA Tour rivals and London Minigolf Club members Alan ‘Stormin’ Norman and Gareth ‘The Owl’ Holmes, and fan of ludicrous photos Paul ‘Flip Flops’ O’Connor.

Putt in the Park Mini-Golf Course in Wandsworth Park, London
The competitors line-up at the Putt in the Park Minigolf course at Wandsworth Park in London

The match-up started well for Alan who shot a magnificent hole-in-one on the first hole! His form (luck!) continued through the match and it was clear early on that the rest of us were playing for second/not to be last!

Putt in the Park Miniature Golf Course in Wandsworth Park, London
Alan 'Stormin' Norman plays his first shot and lands an ace on hole one

Paul also managed a hole-in-one on the course, scoring a brilliant ace on the 11th hole (or as I kept calling it - "The 17th").

Putt in the Park Minigolf Course in Wandsworth Park, London
Paul signalling an Ace is in his sights! Like the Babe Ruth of Miniature Golf!

The course looks great and has some very long and winding holes. The water features are both pleasant to look at as well as being integrated as obstacles on some of the holes. Especially on the 7th hole where I found the water twice, and the 9th where Gareth almost helped Alan into the water while he was retrieving his ball while stood on a stepping stone.

Putt in the Park Crazy Golf Course at Wandsworth Park, London
Gareth lends Alan a helping hand

Putt in the Park Crazy Golf Course at Wandsworth Park in London
The unlucky 7th hole for Squire, finding the water twice as Alan looks on

The course has a par of 27, with holes 6, 7 and 8 par-3 and the others par-2. In our contest Alan had a storming 31(+7 on a BMGA par rating), Gareth was runner-up with a score of 36(+12) and I was the bronze medallist on 38(+14). Paul, the novice of the group and a player with a very strong swing, shot a 48(+24).

Putt in the Park Mini Golf Course at Wandsworth Park in London
Gareth holes out on the 12th for an almost ace two

Results:
1. Alan ‘Stormin’ Norman = 31(+7)
2. Gareth ‘The Owl’ Holmes = 36(+12)
3. ‘Squire’ Richard Gottfried = 38(+14)
4. Paul ‘Flip Flops’ O’Connor = 48(+24)

Putt in the Park Miniature Golf Course at Wandsworth Park in London
Alan 'Stormin' Norman - Champion Minigolfer

The 12-hole layout opened four months ago and has been a popular attraction in the nice setting of Wandsworth Park. We received a fine welcome by Jack at the course who told us the area used to be a disused Bowling Green. The renovation is a brilliant use of the space and the Putt in the Park course has its own clubhouse with bar and cafe. 

Putt in the Park Mini Golf Course at Wandsworth Park in London
Putt in the Park at Wandsworth Park serves "Putney's Finest Bacon or Sausage Sandwiches" - the clubhouse pavilion also has a bar and we enjoyed an alcholic beverage after our round

There’s plenty of seating too for players to rest between rounds and enjoy a drink and a bite to eat, and a great vantage point for spectators.

Putt in the Park Miniature Golf Course at Wandsworth Park, London
The Putt in the Park Minigolf course is open until dusk 

I look forward to returning for more Minigolf match-ups on the course, and hopefully get close to, or beat the course record of 25 shots!

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1 comment:

Richard Gottfried said...

Later this summer you'll be able to play a new minigolf course from the team behind Putt in the Park in Wandsworth.

A new layout is being built at London's Battersea Park. It's due to open in June 2015.

Check out my blog post for more info at 'New minigolf course in Battersea, London'