Sunday, June 22, 2014

Windsor Adventure Golf

Playing the 18-hole Adventure Golf course at Alexandra Gardens in Windsor, Berkshire.

Windsor Adventure Golf course
The striking tower on the Adventure Golf course in Windsor, with the real Windsor Castle in the background

On Saturday 21st of June 2014 I revisited Windsor for the first time since May 2009. On our last visit we’d played the Eternit-style Miniature Golf courses in the park operated by Extreme Motion.

The old Miniature Golf course in Windsor
At the Extreme Motion Mini-Golf course in May 2009

Since that Crazy World of Minigolf Tour trip the team at Extreme Motion has removed the flat concrete courses and replaced it with a larger 18-hole Adventure Golf course – notable for the castle tower, a nod to Windsor Castle itself.

Windsor Adventure Golf course
Hole 11 is the tower hole - a good hole-in-one opportunity if you hit the ball into the hole at the top of the hill. I scored a 3

The new course in Windsor was the 562nd visited and 338th played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Windsor Adventure Golf course
Minigolf selfie at the Alexandra Gardens Adventure Golf course in Windsor

I had an enjoyable round on the pleasing to the eye and high quality course. The surroundings are pleasant and the course is in a good spot in the park.

Windsor Adventure Golf course
Windsor's Adventure Golf course

I shot a round of 37(+1), scoring two holes-in-one. A lot of the holes appeared to be very aceable. All in all it was a nice morning in the historic town.



I’m looking forward to heading back Windsor and the course again, with Emily this time. The course was very playable and is worth a visit and a play.

Windsor Adventure Golf course
A view of the Windsor Adventure Golf course from the other side of the battlements

It costs £5.50 per adult for an 18-hole round, with children (under-14's) and senior citizens charged £4.50 a round.

Windsor Adventure Golf course
When I arrived in Windsor I was an hour too early to play the Alexandra Gardens Adventure Golf course so I headed into the town for a few hours followed by a nice riverside stroll in the lovely weather before I had my round of Minigolf

The course itself and the equipment (balls and putters) are well maintained and you get a good quality scorecard to mark your round.

Windsor Adventure Golf course
The 18th hole

Extreme Motion in Windsor’s Alexandra Gardens is open from 10am everyday and as well as the Mini-Golf course there are a number of children's fairground rides available, along with a bungee trampoline, zorb balls and cycle hire. Plus ice creams and other refreshments from the kiosk on-site.

More photos of the Windsor Adventure Golf course are below:

Windsor Adventure Golf course

Windsor Adventure Golf course

Windsor Adventure Golf course

Windsor Adventure Golf course

Windsor Adventure Golf course

Windsor Adventure Golf course

Windsor Adventure Golf course
The 17th hole has a fairly large 'volcano' type of obstacle on it!

Windsor Adventure Golf course
A view of the volcano on hole 17

Links:
- Extreme Motion
- Video: Hole in One at Windsor Adventure Golf

Related blog posts:
- Minigolf Course Visits 98 & 99 - Alexandra Gardens, Windsor
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - List and links for all Miniature Golf courses visited to date

Observations of FootGolf

Watching some FootGolf at Stockwood Park Golf Centre in Luton.

FootGolf course at Stockwood Park in Luton
Players await their turn on the FootGolf course at Stockwood Park in Luton. Note the practice putting green in the foreground

During my semi-annual game of Pitch & Putt Mini Golf against my golfing nemesis Oxana Nikandrova at Stockwood Park Golf Centre in Luton I got to see the centre's new FootGolf set-up in action.

FootGolf at Stockwood Park in Luton
Hole 1 at Stockwood Park. The red flag is on the 'normal' green and is the target for Golfers/Pitch & Putters. The white flag to the right of the green is the FootGolf target. Some of the FootGolf holes were to the side of the Golf greens, and some were set behind the green itself

We'd gone to Stockwood Park to use the driving range and have a round on the Mini Golf and we noticed that the new FootGolf offering at the centre was being very well used. In fact, while we were there only three or so other groups played actual Golf on the Golf course, with at least 15 groups - ranging from pairs to groups of three, four and five players - playing the new sport on the combined 9-hole Mini Golf/FootGolf course.

FootGolf at Stockwood Park in Luton
The BIG FootGolf cup

I'm quite intrigued by Footgolf and I look forward to giving it a play on Luton's two courses (the first to open was at Tea Green Golf). Perhaps a mini 'friendly' tourney will take place with my Pitch & Putt rivals 'Rowdy' Russell Fenner and Simon 'Practice' Hall. I first heard about FootGolf in September 2013 while playing Minigolf at the 9-hole Crazy Golf course at Stonham Barns in Suffolk.

As the name suggests FootGolf is a mix of Football and Golf, with the game played on a Golf course, and players aiming to get the football into the hole in as few shots as possible. No special equipment is needed, well, other than a 'size 5' football.

FootGolf at Stockwood Park in Luton
A regular Golf ball next to a FootGolf cup

While at Stockwood Park we noticed a steady stream of players heading onto the Academy Golf course (aka the 9-hole Mini Golf / Pitch & Putt) to play FootGolf and there was a real mix of people having a round. By the look of it the quality of play was also as mixed as the players having a go! With some shooting very close to the specific FootGolf hole with their 'tee' shot, while other people were hoofing it up the fairway and some players - mostly(!) youngsters - dribbling the ball to the hole!

Having a read of the FootGolf rules on the scorecard I noticed that the maximum score on a FootGolf hole is 8, only one ball is allowed to be in motion at any one time, and that if a ball comes to rest on a green then the ball is to be moved to the nearest point off of the green, but no closer to the hole, as a free drop.

FootGolf at Stockwood Park in Luton
The 'tee' shot of one of the players in the group of four footgolfers behind us got their ball (a size 5 football) onto the 'actual' green, rather than near to the FootGolf hole, which is dug in beside the greens on the Golf course

It was interesting to see both Golf and FootGolf being played on the course at the same time. It seemed to work quite well, with no more bottlenecks than I've experienced on the Academy course before.

A 9-hole round of FootGolf at Stockwood Park Golf Centre costs £5.50 for adults, £5 for seniors, £4 for juniors (children under-16) and £14 for a family ticket (two adults & two children under-16).

At Tea Green Golf the cost for a weekday 9-hole round is £6, or £8.50 for 18-holes. A family midweek deal is £15.00 and juniors (under-16s) can play for £4.50. At weekends a round costs £8.50 for 9-holes and £11.00 for 18. Juniors can play for £5.50 and the family deal is £20. Details of the prices and booking info can be found on the Tea Green Golf website.

Check out the UK FootGolf Association website for more details about the sport, courses, competitions and other countries that play the game.

Both Stockwood Park Golf Centre and Tea Green Golf are hosting regular UK FootGolf Association tournaments. Get in touch with the respective courses for entry details.

The game of FootGolf seems to be growing rapidly and another Golf Centre we recently visited (to play a new Adventure Golf course) - Golf Kingdom in Romford - is building a new FootGolf course, due to open in July 2014.

In the round of Pitch & Putt against Oxana I scored 30(+3) with Oxana finishing on 50(+23). It was a good fun round, in lovely weather.

Links:
- Stockwood Park Golf Centre
- Tea Green Golf
- UK Footgolf Association

Related blog posts:
- FootGolf
- Stockwood Park-related Blog Posts
- Tea Green-related Blog Posts
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - Course Played #30 Luton (Stockwood Park) - Mini Golf/Pitch & Putt
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Vote for the Midlands Minigolf Club in the Mars Milk Play Fund

The Midlands Minigolf Club has entered the Mars Milk sport fund in order to help the club with its aims.

Check out the sports funding entry and vote for the MMGC on the Mars Milk Play Fund website at - Midlands Minigolf Club.

You can vote every month throughout the summer. Please feel free to share the link with friends, family, colleagues, and anyone else!

The bronze medal winning Midlands Minigolf Club A-team members at the 2013 BMGA British Minigolf Championships in Basingstoke, from l-r Mark 'The Horse Whisperer' Swain, Jon 'The Black Knight' Drexler, 'Squire' Richard Gottfried, John 'Uncle Al' Moore
The bronze medal winning Midlands Minigolf Club A-team members at the 2013 BMGA British Minigolf Championships in Basingstoke, from l-r Mark 'The Horse Whisperer' Swain, Jon 'The Black Knight' Drexler, 'Squire' Richard Gottfried, John 'Uncle Al' Moore

Every month Mars Milk will be donating cash awards to sports individuals and clubs that are in need of extra funding.

The MMGC's main uses for any prize funding would be:
- To help existing members travel to tournaments and play more regularly. This will go towards travel costs, training time and competition entry fees.
- To pay for a tournament for new players to try and get more people to experience the joys of minigolf.
- To help pay for brand new team shirts.
- To purchase specialist minigolf balls for use by all players in the club.

The Midlands Minigolf Club consists of a small but dedicated group of individuals from around the UK and Northern Ireland (and one in the USA!) who love playing minigolf. Players travel all over the UK to compete in events on the British Minigolf Association Tour.

The MMGC was formed in 2005. Players have won a number of Minigolf titles and in 2008 the club was crowned BMGA British Club Champions when the Midlands I team triumphed at Stratford-upon-Avon. The club has competed in the national club championships on a number of occasions, results to date are below.

2013
- Midlands I 3rd of 9 teams.
- Midlands II 7th. 
Played at Basingstoke.

2012
- Midlands A 3rd of 12 teams.
- Midlands B 9th.
Played at Basingstoke.

2011
- Midlands 3rd of 7 teams.
Played at Dorridge

2010
- DNP

2009
- Midlands B 5th (tied) of 8 teams.
- Midlands A 7th.
Played at Sandbanks.

2008
- Midlands I 1st of 7 teams.
- Midlands II 5th.
- Midlands III 7th.
Played at Stratford-upon-Avon.

2007
- DNP

2006
- Midlands/North A 2nd of 7 teams.
- Midlands/North B 7th.
Played at Dorridge.

2005
- Midlands 2nd of 5 teams.
Played at Dorridge.

Links:
- Mars Milk
- Mars Milk on Twitter
- Mars Milk on Facebook
- Mars Milk Play Fund entry for the Midlands Minigolf Club

Funny things about being a Coeliac #8

Being scared of bread!

Well, bread and all manner of other seemingly 'normal' food.

Just ask Emily about the look of fear upon my face if a waiter or waitress brings over a basket of 'normal' bread in a restaurant - it's like a vampire being confronted with garlic!

Links:

Monday, June 16, 2014

Sunday, June 15, 2014

World Alternative Games - Go West!

Details of the 'World Alternative Games Go West' sports events taking place in Whitland and St Clears in June and July 2014.

The World Alternative Games 2014 logo

The World Alternative Games in Llanwrtyd Wells were created in 2012 as an alternative to the 'other big event' taking place that year. In 2014 the World Alternative Games will be taking place place between Friday 8th and Monday 25th of August with over 60 interesting sport and recreation events held during the festival of fun and games.

Competitors at the 2012 World Alternative Games Finger Jousting tournament
Competitors at the 2012 World Alternative Games Finger Jousting tournament

This year there will also be two 'World Alternative Games Go West' events taking place in St Clears and Whitland, Carmarthenshire, Wales on Saturday 21st of June and Sunday 27th of July respectively.

Poster for the Celtic Lowland Games and the St Clears World Alternative Games Go West event taking place on Saturday 21st of June 2014

One of the events taking place in the St Clears and Whitland Games (as well as the August main-event) will be Finger Jousting!

The World Alternative Games Go West events are being led by local volunteers and as well as Finger Jousting, sporting events on offer to participants in the St Clear's Games on the 21st of June will be Caber Tossing (using a fence post!), Bung the Boar, Baili Chase, Sandbag Quoits, Rock Paper Scissors, Tractor Crank, Dizzy Challenge and 'Sheepdog' Trial (a pairs event). It sounds excellent. Check out the St Clears Celtic Lowland Games Scorecard below for details of the event sponsors too.

Details of the World Alternative Games Go West event taking place in St Clears on the 21st of June 2014

The World Alternative Games Go West event in Whitland on the 27th of July will also feature Finger Jousting, Caber/Fence Post Tossing, Rock Paper Scissors, Quoits along with an Assault Course and the intriguingly named Bog Squatting! Details of the events and sponsors can be seen below.

Details of the World Alternative Games Go West event taking place in Whitland on the 27th of July 2014

People taking part in three or more events at a World Alternative Games Go West event will receive one of the prestigious World Alternative Games Corinthian Medals.

All World Alternative Games events are run with the Corinthian Spirit in mind, and while Gold, Silver and Bronze medals are awarded to top placed competitors the most important thing is that visitors to Llanwrtyd Wells (and St Clears & Whitland) get as involved as possible in the fun and activities. Every participant in an event will receive one of the Corinthian Medals for taking part.

Egg Throwing medal winners at the 2012 World Alternative Games - Jas Kukielka, Richard Gottfried & Seve Kukielka
Egg Throwing medal winners at the 2012 World Alternative Games - Jas Kukielka, Richard Gottfried & Seve Kukielka

Later this summer, on Saturday 9th of August, the World Alternative Games at the Seaside event will take place at Pendine Sands in Carmarthen Bay.

Pendine Beach is well known for its association with speed sports and events, and the seaside Games will see such events as 'Land Speed Wife Pulling' (a variation of sorts of the Wife Carrying events Llanwrtyd Wells is famous for) and 'Human Hamsters' - a land zorbing race!

Emily and I visited Pendine Sands on our tour of the Welsh coast in 2009 and we played the 129th course on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour there. A nice seaside spot it was too.

The World Alternative Games is a mammoth feast of sporting events, ranging from fun and recreational activities to those at the elite, extreme and physical ends of the spectrum. In 2012 there were over 2,000 participants in 35 events, while this year will see 60+ contests and events! There really is something for everyone at the World Alternative Games.

We had a great time in Llanwrtyd Wells in 2012 running the Finger Jousting Championships and competing in the Egg Throwing and we can't wait to be a part of the 2014 World Alternative Games.

Further details about the World Alternative Games Go West can be found on the event Facebook page here and on page 11 of the 2014 World Alternative Games brochure here.

Check out the links below for more information about the events.

Links:
- World Alternative Games 2014 events list and dowloadable event brochure
- World Alternative Games website
- World Alternative Games on Facebook
- World Alternative Games Go West on Facebook
- World Finger Jousting Federation
- World Finger Jousting Federation on Facebook

Related blog posts:
- Update from the World Alternative Games 2014 in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales
- 2014 World Alternative Games in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales
- Becoming a World Champion in Egg Throwing!
- Finger Jousting to feature as a sport at the 2012 World Alternative Games!

A Crazy Golf Horror Movie

Kickstarter funding campaign for a new Horror film - about Crazy Golf! - goes live.

Director Chloe Philippou has got in touch to let me know about her new short film project to produce a Crazy Golf horror movie!

Poster for Crazy Golf - a film by Chloe Philippou. Poster by Mike Smith
Poster for Crazy Golf - a film by Chloe Philippou. Poster by Mike Smith

The proposed Crazy Golf film combines two of those British seaside favourites - Miniature Golf and Amusement Arcades!

Check out the Kickstarter page for the Crazy Golf Horror Movie to find out more about the film, see a video introduction to the project and ways you can get involved.

The film project has a £2,000 goal and backing for the film closes on Thursday 10th of July 2014.

There are a number of pledge incentives ranging in price from £5 to £1,000 offering a range of rewards, from thank you's, copies of the script and storyboards, DVDs of the movie and even the chance to be in the film!

Chloe and her team are looking for the funding to help pay for costumes, props and make-up effects, locations, crew equipment and expenses.

It sounds like a fun project and features three of my favourite things - Crazy Golf, Arcades (especially the 2p machines) and horror!

I'm looking forward to seeing the finished film.

Links:
Crazy Golf Horror Movie on Kickstarter
Crazy Golf Horror Movie on Facebook
Crazy Golf Horror Movie on Twitter
#crazygolffilm

Friday, June 13, 2014

The Year of Reading Dangerously by Andy Miller

Meeting author, and former Miniature Golfer, Andy Miller in Whitstable.

Back in 2006 I read a book called Tilting at Windmills. It was one man's attempt to stop worrying and love sport. One of those sports the man - Andy Miller, a self-confessed 'sports atheist' - played was Crazy Golf. The book is a great read and recommended reading for Minigolfers everywhere. It's also a good read in general.

Fast forward to now, well May 2014, and Emily and I were in the seaside town of Whitstable, Kent for a stopover before heading to nearby Margate for that weekend's BMGA British Minigolf Championships.

While wandering around the town we spotted a display in the window of Harbour Books for Andy Miller's brand new book - The Year of Reading Dangerously! We hadn't realised he lived in the town but had known that his new book was being published and that he was embarking on a tour and speaking at events such as WhitLit.

The Year of Reading Dangerously by Andy Miller
The book display in Harbour Books, Whitstable

Minigolfers on the whole are a friendly, and a little odd, bunch and many of us keep in touch through Twitter, so after seeing the book in the window I tweeted Andy to see if he fancied a pint. He did, and we had a great evening chatting about Minigolf and his new book.

The Year of Reading Dangerously by Andy Miller
Andy Miller presenting me with a copy (hot off the press) of The Year of Reading Dangerously

The Year of Reading Dangerously is all about the true story of the year Andy spent reading fifty of the greatest and most famous books in the world. Fifty books that he had at one time or another lied about having read! The year of reading dangerously was his attempt to become the person he had pretended to be.

Looking through the book I've read a grand total of one of the fifty books listed (Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, by Hunter S. Thompson). I don't know what that says about me! Emily has read a lot more of them.

The Year of Reading Dangerously by Andy Miller
The Year of Reading Dangerously by Andy Miller

I'm just finishing reading the Wool trilogy by Hugh Howey and then I'm looking forward to giving Andy's book a read. As well as re-reading Tilting at Windmills.

Check out Andy's website for further details of his new book, tour dates and info on his previous work. You can also read the first chapter online, as well as find stockists of the book.

Links:
- Andy Miller's website
- Andy Miller on twitter

Gluten - my Kryptonite

My friend (and perhaps enemy!) Paul O'Conner was recently shopping in London's Chinatown and sent me this photo of what he described as "my kryptonite". He's not wrong!

Photo of some Gluten
Mmmm, Kimlan Peanut Gluten. Warning: Contains Gluten. Photo by Paul O'Connor (June 2014)

I know what I'll be getting from Paul for my next birthday then.

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, oats and barley (and peanuts 'cut' with Fried Wheat Gluten by the look of that bottle in the picture). For people with Coeliac Disease gluten is a very dangerous substance that causes all manner of health problems. Check out the Coeliac UK website for more information on Coeliac Disease.

Paul's interesting (and evil) find reminds me of the time Emily and I spotted some terrible merchandising in a health food shop in Kentish Town. On that occasion we found the 'Gluten Free Vegetable Suet' right next to bags of pure 'Gluten'!

One of my bugbears about shopping as a Coeliac is that I often see shops (including the big supermarkets) stocking bags of gluten free and gluten-containing flour side-by-side on the shelf. Such a waste, as due to the cross-contamination I wouldn't touch it with a barge-pole.

A bag of Vital Wheat Gluten Flour. Deadly to Coeliacs
A bag of Vital Wheat Gluten Flour. Deadly to Coeliacs

Related blog posts:
- Hmm, Some Bizarre Gluten & Gluten Free Shelf Stacking!
- Funny things about being a Coeliac
- Gluten Free
- Coeliac

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Swingers Crazy Golf in London

Brand new Crazy Golf course by The Institute of Competitive Socialising to open in Shoreditch, London in September 2014.


Update: Check out the blog post from our visit to the course on the 24th September 2014.

Loopy fun - one of the BIG minigolf obstacles on the Swingers Crazy Golf course in Shoreditch. Set to open on the 25th September 2014 you can find out more about booking tickets at the club website 

The concept of Swingers is to have a Crazy Golf course, street food and a pop-up cocktail bar all under one roof and operating under the banner of 'competitive socialising'.

Check out the Swingers Crazy Golf website for more details and an artist's impression of the course and clubhouse. You can also sign-up to the mailing list to hear more about the course as it develops.

Swingers Crazy Golf is the next concept of Josh Ford, founder of the Winterwell Festival - the home of extraordinary events.

We're looking forward to visiting and playing the course when it opens.

Links:
- Swingers Crazy Golf website
- Swingers Crazy Golf on Twitter
LONDON’S HOTTEST NEW CRAZY GOLF HANGOUT IN THE HEART OF EAST LONDON – autumn 2014

Related blog posts:
Minigolf and Crazy Golf courses in and around London
- Indoor Minigolf, Crazy Golf and Adventure Golf courses
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
New Mini Golf course played in Las Vegas - The Swingers Club

Like the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour on Facebook, check out our YouTube channel and follow me and Emily on Twitter.

Minigolf and Art in Croydon

Art-based miniature golf course opening in Croydon this summer.

Croydon-based art group TURF Projects is once again creating an art installation in the form of a playable Crazy Golf course.

The Minigolf course will be open every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday from Saturday 19th of July until Saturday 30th of August.

Art-based miniature golf course opening in Croydon this summer.

TURF Projects began in October 2013 and last year the nomadic artist-run project team of artists, filmmakers and architects created a temporary Mini Golf course in Croydon.

Sadly we heard about last year's event after it had happened, but we're looking forward to visiting and playing the new course.

The aim of the TURF Projects group is to shine a spotlight on the diverse, rapidly changing cultural landscape of Croydon, and provide opportunities for local residents and visitors to be involved.

The Putt Putt #2 art Mini Golf course will be curated by Alice Cretney and David McLeavy and will feature work by artists including AV Co-op, EXYZT, Natalie Finnemore, Iain Hales, Holly Hendry, Mark Scott-Wood, W A V E Y B O Y Z, WELCHWHITAKER and Liz West.

The Minigolf holes will be built using a variety of materials including marine plywood, pulped cardboard, concrete and glass, and the artists hope to produce a stunning backdrop to the traditional game of crazy golf.

On Saturday 2nd of August the team at Turf Projects are also organising a Minigolf team tournament on the course. For more information about the course and event get in touch with the Turf team on the links below.

Links:
- Turf Projects website
- Turf Projects on Twitter
- Turf Projects on Facebook
- PUTTPUTT#2 event on Facebook

Related blog posts:
Minigolf and Crazy Golf courses in and around London
- Art

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Fantasia Adventure Golf in Felixstowe

Results of a minigolf match at Fantasia Adventure Golf in Felixstowe.

On Sunday 8th of June 2014 we headed to Felixstowe for a day out at the seaside and had lovely weather for it.

We met up with our friends Sophia and Karl Moles and their daughter Fiorella (who is a BIG minigolf fan) and visited the 9-hole Fantasia Adventure Golf course on Sea Road for an obligatory game!

Fantasia Adventure Golf in Felixstowe
Fantasia Adventure Golf in Felixstowe

I also needed to get revenge for my loss to 'Karlos The Jackal' in our only other minigolf contest, when we'd had a round on the course in May 2011!

Fantasia Adventure Golf in Felixstowe
Fiorella Moles shows Richard, Karl and Sophia how to play the 5th hole at Felixstowe Adventure Golf

In that match-up, which also featured Annette Harper and Kallum Harper, Karl had won with a score of 28, to my round of 29. Annette shot a 33 to finish in third place, with Kallum in fourth on 42.

Fantasia Adventure Golf in Felixstowe
Karl playing his third shot on hole 5 'Rocky Tube'

This time round I was able to gain a measure of revenge and level the series with a score of 23, while Karl hit a 29. Fiorella won the junior championship with a score of 40.

Fantasia Adventure Golf in Felixstowe
Richard plays a double rebound shot on hole 3 'Twister' and scores a 2

I can't believe our previous match in Felixstowe was so long ago! It certainly doesn't feel like it was more than three years ago.

The date for the next contest between Karl and I in our Best-of-TBD series of matches is also to be decided...

Links:
- Minigolf in Felixstowe - Fantasia Golf - Plus Irregular Mini Golf Tour Result
- Felixstowe-related blog posts
- Fantasia Adventure Golf-related blog posts

The BIGGEST 99p or £ shop in the WORLD!

...is in Ipswich!

While in Ipswich recently we noticed the old JJB Sports shop on Carr Street in the town centre is now a shop called 'Yippee...it's 99p' and claims to be "The BIGGEST 99p or £ shop in the WORLD!"!!!

Pound shop in Ipswich
The biggest 99p or £ shop in the world!

There's also a great sign in the window that states it's "THE ONLY 99p SHOP IN IPSWICH". Interesting as over the road is a '99p Stores' branch!

Monday, June 09, 2014

Moby Adventure Golf in Romford

Playing the new Moby Adventure Golf course at Golf Kingdom in Romford.

Moby Adventure Golf in Chadwell Heath
Emily playing minigolf at Moby Golf in Romford

On Friday 6th of June 2014 we made a stop-off in Romford while en route to Ipswich via Chelmsford and had a play of the brand new 18-hole Moby Golf adventure golf course at Golf Kingdom in Romford.



Moby Golf became the 337th course played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour since 2006 and the 561st visited overall.

Moby Adventure Golf in Romford
The pirate ship at the Moby Golf course in Romford

The inspiration behind the course is the legend of 'Moby Dick' - a whale that washed up in Dagenham in 1790!

Moby Adventure Golf in Chadwell Heath
What an obstacle!

Moby Adventure Golf in Chadwell Heath
Richard playing out a hole at Moby Adventure Golf

The Moby Golf course is located at the Cranfield Golf Centre, aka Golf Kingdom, and depending on who you ask is located in Romford, Chadwell Heath, Hainault, London and Essex! For reference and ease of locating it the postcode for the course is RM6 6SB. Failing that just look out for the GIANT whale and MASSIVE pirate ship by the main road!

Moby Adventure Golf in Romford
Hole 7 - Moby Dick!

Moby Adventure Golf in Chadwell Heath
The pirate ship at Moby Golf

In our match-up I beat Emily 41 to 46. After our round we asked in the hut what the course record was and were told it currently stood at 37.

Moby Adventure Golf in Romford
Emily putting on the incredibly long final hole

The course costs £9 a round for adults, with a second round half-price on the same day.

Moby Adventure Golf in Romford
The Moby Golf Rules of Play and Prices. Unfortunately I couldn't get away as being a rascal on this occasion. However, the rules do allow for 'laughter' and 'shrieks' whole playing - always a good thing. Two "Yee-ha's!" were heard during my round

The Moby Golf course is proving popular, with a number of friends and family letting me know about it. Fellow Minigolfer Ramone Tutt got in touch with me via Twitter as he and his mate had played the course on Saturday and enjoyed their round, despite an unusual incident with a pencil!

Moby Adventure Golf in Romford
Emily on hole 1

Moby Adventure Golf is worth a play, the course looks great and is well designed. The customer service from the staff on the car park and in the course kiosk was excellent and very welcoming.

Moby Golf in Romford
Hole 17 is under cover - and a nice cooling spot, especially on a lovely sunny day like the one we had on our visit to Moby Golf

Moby Golf is open seven days a week (Monday to Friday 10am til 9pm, and weekends 10am til 7pm).

Moby Adventure Golf in Romford
Opening times of Moby Golf

Six years ago we played another adventure golf course with a whale on it - the Adventure Golf course in Scarborough.

Moby Adventure Golf in Chadwell Heath
The three-hole practice putting area next to the main course at Moby Golf

For further information on Moby Adventure Golf - and the seven types of golf that can be played at Golf Kingdon - check out the Golf Kingdom website and the Moby Golf Facebook page.

Moby Adventure Golf in Romford
Moby Adventure Golf in Romford

Related blog posts:
- Moby Golf Adventure Golf opening in London
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Minigolf and Crazy Golf courses in and around London
- Minigolf and Crazy Golf in Essex

Links:
- Moby Golf Facebook page
- Golf Kingdom website

Like the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour on Facebook, check out our YouTube channel and follow me and Emily on Twitter.