Showing posts with label 2024. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2024. Show all posts

Thursday, March 21, 2024

Japanese-themed mini golf course planned for London

A new indoor mini golf venue could be opening on Fleet Street in London.


A new Tokyo-themed indoor mini golf venue could be opening on Fleet Street in London

Tokyo Hit is planned to be a Japanese-themed mini golf course, complete with bars and food served in an immersive Tokyo environment.

Emily has been to Japan before and I'm hoping to visit one day too. In the mean-time Tokyo Hit sounds like it could be really cool.

It'll be interesting to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

A minigolf move in Basingstoke

There are plans for a new Great Wolf resort in Basingstoke, Hampshire.


A proposed Great Wolf resort in Basingstoke would be created on the site of Basingstoke Golf Centre and would feature a mini golf course

The proposed Great Wolf resort in Basingstoke would be created on the site of Basingstoke Golf Centre.

The new Great Wolf resort is an indoor water park - that would also feature a mini golf course as one of the activities.

Basingstoke Golf Centre is home to a Knights Realm Adventure Golf course. We haven't played the Knights Realm course yet, but did play the course it replaced several times, including some tournaments.

Visit the Basingstoke Golf Centre and Great Wolf Lodge resort websites for more information.


Hopefully we get back to Basingstoke to play the Knights Realm Adventure Golf course on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour before it is removed. And we'll have to return again to have a game on the new Great Wolf mini golf course when that opens in the future.

Work is underway on the first Great Wolf Lodge in the UK that is set to open in Chesterton, Bicester, Oxfordshire. Like the US locations, that site looks set to be home to a miniature golf course too.

Pop-Up Crazy Golf in Bishop's Stortford

A free Crazy Golf course will be available to play in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire this Easter.


A free Crazy Golf course will be available to play in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire this Easter

The 9-hole layout is free to play, but donations to the East Herts Chairman’s chosen charity, Isabel Hospice, are welcome.

You can play a game of Crazy Golf on Thursday 4th, Friday 5th and Saturday 6th April.

Visit the East Herts Council website for more information.

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Atomic Golf in Las Vegas

A new miniature golf course is opening as part of a golfing venue in Las Vegas, Nevada.


A new indoor minigolf course is opening as part of the Atomic Golf venue in Las Vegas, Nevada

Atomic Golf opens next to The STRAT in Las Vegas this month.

The venue will be home to a variety of golf games, including the Putting District - which is described as a modernized putting game experience.

Check out the Atomic Golf Las Vegas website for more information.


It'll be another new minigolf venue to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour on our next next trip to the city.

Monday, March 18, 2024

Golf Fang Crazy Golf planned for Bristol

A new Golf Fang indoor Crazy Golf course could be opening in Bristol.


Golf Fang

There are plans for a new indoor minigolf course to open in the former Wilko store on Union Street in Bristol.

Visit the Golf Fang website for more information on the brand's existing courses in Liverpool, Bimingham, Newcastle, Glasgow, Sheffield and Cardiff.


It'll be another new venue for us to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

The Arnold Palmer Putting Courses in Cliftonville, Margate

A look at the remains of the Little Oasis Crazy Golf in Margate.


Many thanks to our fellow minigolf adventurer Matt Dodd for sending over these photos of what's left of the former Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate, Kent.

Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024
Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024

The location was once home to two 18-hole Arnold Palmer miniature golf layouts. It closed for good in 2014.

Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024
Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024

Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024
Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024

Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024
Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024

Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024
Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024

Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024
Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024

Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024
Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024

Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024
Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024

Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024
Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024

Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024
Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024

We first visited the Little Oasis Crazy Golf course on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour in September 2007.

Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate - September 2007

We first played the 'North' course in September 2007, and played the 'South' course in April 2011.

Check out this blog post about Arnold Palmer Putting Courses in the UK.

HUKD Crazy Golf in Bury, Greater Manchester

A look at the Crazy Golf courses at HUKD Golf in Bury, Greater Manchester.


A BIG thank you to our friend Pete Campbell for sending us these photos from his recent visit to HUKD Golf in Bury.

HUKD Crazy Golf in Bury. Photo by Pete Campbell, March 2024
HUKD Crazy Golf in Bury. Photo by Pete Campbell, March 2024

HUKD Golf opened last year and has two indoor 9-hole Crazy Golf courses - the Roll Up Course and the Kick Off Course. One is funfair-themed, while the other is sports-themed.

HUKD Crazy Golf in Bury. Photo by Pete Campbell, March 2024
HUKD Crazy Golf in Bury. Photo by Pete Campbell, March 2024

Pete tells us that all the holes were well thought out and he thought it was really good. The venue also has golf simulators which he's keen to go back and try out.

HUKD Crazy Golf in Bury. Photo by Pete Campbell, March 2024
HUKD Crazy Golf in Bury. Photo by Pete Campbell, March 2024

HUKD Crazy Golf in Bury. Photo by Pete Campbell, March 2024
HUKD Crazy Golf in Bury. Photo by Pete Campbell, March 2024

HUKD Crazy Golf in Bury. Photo by Pete Campbell, March 2024
HUKD Crazy Golf in Bury. Photo by Pete Campbell, March 2024

HUKD Crazy Golf in Bury. Photo by Pete Campbell, March 2024
HUKD Crazy Golf in Bury. Photo by Pete Campbell, March 2024

HUKD Crazy Golf in Bury. Photo by Pete Campbell, March 2024
HUKD Crazy Golf in Bury. Photo by Pete Campbell, March 2024

HUKD Crazy Golf in Bury. Photo by Pete Campbell, March 2024
HUKD Crazy Golf in Bury. Photo by Pete Campbell, March 2024

HUKD Crazy Golf in Bury. Photo by Pete Campbell, March 2024
HUKD Crazy Golf in Bury. Photo by Pete Campbell, March 2024

HUKD Crazy Golf in Bury. Photo by Pete Campbell, March 2024
HUKD Crazy Golf in Bury. Photo by Pete Campbell, March 2024

Visit the HUKD Golf website for more information.


HUKD Crazy Golf in Bury. Photo by Pete Campbell, March 2024
HUKD Crazy Golf in Bury. Photo by Pete Campbell, March 2024

HUKD Golf in Bury is another new local course location for us to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Hollywood Bowl Mini-Golf at Teesside Park in Stockton-on-Tees

A new Mini-Golf course is opening at Teesside Park in Stockton-on-Tees.


The 12-hole indoor Mini-Golf course is set to open as part of an expanded Hollywood Bowl centre.

The layout will be a Puttstars Mini-Golf course and is opening on Friday 22nd March.

Puttstars Mini-Golf in Rochdale (June 2021)
Puttstars Mini-Golf in Rochdale (June 2021)

Visit the Hollywood Bowl and Puttstars websites for more information.


We've played at Puttstars before, and been to Teesside Retail Park - but not done both together. We visited the old Toys R Us store there in April 2021.

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Easter Mini-Golf in Shrewsbury

Free mini-golf at The Darwin shopping centre in Shrewsbury this Easter.


Free mini-golf at The Darwin shopping centre in Shrewsbury this Easter

There will be a pop-up 9-hole mini-golf course at The Darwin shopping centre in Shrewsbury on Friday 29th and Saturday 30th March.

Visit the Shropshire Council website for more information.


We enjoyed two trips to Shrewsbury last year and are looking forward to returning this year. Unfortunately we won't be there in time for the Easter mini-golf event.

New Adventure Golf at Leicester Golf Centre

Leicester Golf Centre will soon be home to a new outdoor Adventure Golf course.


Leicester Golf Centre will soon be home to a new outdoor Adventure Golf course

An 18-hole space-themed outdoor Adventure Golf course is being created at Leicester Golf Centre in Oadby, Leicester.

The course is planned to open in July 2024.

Visit the Leicester Golf Centre website for more information.


The new course will be another for us to check out on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Saturday, March 09, 2024

Refurbishment of the Adventure Golf at Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge, Solihull

The Adventure Golf course at Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge, Solihull is getting a makeover.


The 18-hole outdoor Adventure Golf course at the Four Ashes Golf Centre is closing for a refurbishment on Monday 8th April. Following approximately two weeks of work the venue will be unveiling a brand new course!

Adventure Golf at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge, Solihull. September 2017
Adventure Golf at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge, Solihull. September 2017

Visit the Four Ashes Golf Centre website for more information.


Adventure Golf at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge, Solihull. September 2017
Playing the Adventure Golf course at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge, Solihull. September 2017

We played the Adventure Golf course at Four Ashes Golf Centre in September 2017. The layout was the 770th visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

We've visited the Four Ashes Golf Centre a lot over the years to play tournaments on the centre's 12-hole Mini Golf course. It was originally course number 72 visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour back in September 2008.

The old 12-hole minigolf course at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge, Solihull. March 2015
The old 12-hole minigolf course at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge, Solihull. March 2015

Bermuda Falls Adventure Golf in Henlow, Bedfordshire is now open

The new Bermuda Falls Adventure Golf course at Perfect Aquatics in Henlow, Bedfordshire has opened.


The new Bermuda Falls Adventure Golf course at Perfect Aquatics in Henlow, Bedfordshire is now open

The 18-hole outdoor Adventure Golf layout is another new course for us to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Check out the Perfect Aquatics and Bermuda Falls Adventure Golf websites for more information.

Golf Môn Mini-Golf on Anglesey

A new Adventure Mini Golf course is being built on Anglesey, Wales.


A new Adventure Mini Golf course is being built on Anglesey, Wales

The 18-hole outdoor Adventure Mini Golf course will open at the Mon Golf Complex in Llangefni.

Visit the Golf Môn website for more information.


It'll be another new course for us to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Putt Putt Social now open in Gloucester

A new indoor minigolf venue has opened in Gloucester.


Putt Putt Social in Norwich - photo by Christopher Gottfried from his visit in September 2023
Putt Putt Social in Norwich - photo by Christopher Gottfried from his visit in September 2023

Putt Putt Social, formerly Putt Putt Noodle, has opened it's latest indoor minigolf venue on Eastgate Street in Gloucester.

Putt Putt Social in Norwich - photo by Christopher Gottfried from his visit in September 2023
Putt Putt Social in Norwich - photo by Christopher Gottfried from his visit in September 2023

Putt Putt Social Gloucester is home to two 9-hole indoor crazy golf courses. The venue opened on Saturday 9th March.

Putt Putt Social in Norwich - photo by Christopher Gottfried from his visit in September 2023
Putt Putt Social in Norwich - photo by Christopher Gottfried from his visit in September 2023

You can find Putt Putt Social courses in Bedford, Gloucester, Norwich, Poole and Telford.

Putt Putt Social in Norwich - photo by Christopher Gottfried from his visit in September 2023
Putt Putt Social in Norwich - photo by Christopher Gottfried from his visit in September 2023

Visit the Putt Putt Social website for more information.


It's another new venue for us to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Friday, March 08, 2024

Adventure Golf at Lydiard Park in Swindon

A new Adventure Golf course is planned for Lydiard House in Swindon, Wiltshire.


A new Adventure Golf course is planned for Lydiard House in Swindon, Wiltshire

Lydiard House at Lydiard Park in Swindon could soon be home to an Adventure Golf course.

Lydiard Adventure Golf would be an outdoor course with a wildlife-theme.

It'll be another new course for us to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

New crazy golf courses in the UK

Information about new adventure golf, crazy golf and miniature golf courses in the UK.


Information about new adventure golf, crazy golf and miniature golf courses in the UK

For information about new minigolf, crazy golf, and adventure golf courses opening in the UK take a look at the posts with the New course tag here on the Ham & Egger Files minigolf blog.

Our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour


Up to Saturday 30th December 2023 we had visited a total of 1,044 miniature golf courses on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. 997 of these have been in the British Isles.

Visiting the Crazy Golf course at the end of the Pier in Southend-on-Sea
Visiting the Crazy Golf course at the end of the Pier in Southend-on-Sea

Our minigolfing adventures began on the 30th September 2006 and in that time we've been able to play a total of 573 courses. Many locations have been found to be abandoned, closed, out-of-season or derelict on our initial visit. Luckily some courses that were closed on our original visit have since been played. And there are some course we've revisited and replayed many many times!

When we originally set off to visit as many courses as possible the target list was 600 in the British Isles. We've still got around 50 of those original courses to visit.

Only two of those original courses were indoor venues. Now the indoor game is booming and you can find minigolf courses indoors at shopping centres, retail parks, and in town and city centres around the country.

Together with my brother Christopher - a charter member of the tour - and his family, we've visited a total of 1,090 courses.

Our travels have been recognised by the Guinness World Records, and I'm a record holder for "Most miniature golf courses visited" (902 at the time of going to press). Check out the Guinness World Records 2024 book to see a lot more minigolf records too!

Check out the full list of courses we've visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Thursday, March 07, 2024

World Book Day - The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing

Today is World Book Day.


My ebook to help minigolf players better market themselves, their clubs, tournaments and courses is available to purchase from Amazon.

The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing
The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing

I’ve been really pleased to see the ebook bought and used by a number of minigolf associations and federations, course owners and managers, bloggers, course reviewers and competition players around the world.

As a minigolfer with over a decade of experience as a tournament competitor and years of experience in marketing and communications I designed the guide so that anyone interested or involved in minigolf could help promote the game. It’s a niche title, but an audience and subject I know a lot about.

Writing the book was brilliant and enabled me to bring two areas of my life together. I’ve worked in marketing since 2003 and have played minigolf since I was a child. Stepping up to compete on the national minigolf tour circuit and in international tournaments opened my eyes to the potential of the game. I’ve also had the honour of serving on the committees of the British Minigolf Association (BMGA) and the World Minigolf Sport Federation (WMF).

Minigolf is a sport for all. People of all ages, sexes, backgrounds and abilities can pick up a putter and play the game.

When Emily and I began travelling around the country on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour there were around 600 courses in the UK. We’ve now visited more than 1,000 courses, including 47 overseas.

My sports, games and travel blog at the Ham & Egger Files contains over 5,400 posts that have attracted 3.1 million page views.

There are a huge amount of interesting and fun stories to tell and positive aspects to highlight to potential players, the media, sponsors and the wider sporting community. The Minigolfer’s Guide to Marketing should give federations, associations, courses, clubs and fellow players ideas, inspiration and support in their marketing efforts.

Much of the guidance could also be applied to a number of other sports clubs and organisations to help raise their profile and boost memberships.

Buy The Minigolfer’s Guide to Marketing ebook on Amazon.


Crazy Golf in Midsomer Norton, Somerset

A new Crazy Golf course is planned for Midsomer Norton in Somerset.


A new Crazy Golf course is planned for Midsomer Norton in Somerset

A new Crazy Golf course has been proposed to replace a derelict public toilet block in the town of Midsomer Norton in Somerset.

The new Adventure Golf layout will be an outdoor course created on the spot where the public conveniences were outside the leisure centre.

It'll be another course for us to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Adventure Golf at Jimmy G's amusement arcade in Leysdown

A new Adventure Golf course is planned for Leysdown-on-Sea, Isle of Sheppey.


A new Adventure Golf course is planned for Leysdown-on-Sea, Isle of Sheppey

The new adventure golf course at Jimmy G’s Amusements on The Promenade in Leysdown will be created as part of a refurbishment of the amusement arcade.

Visit the Jimmy G's Amusements website for more information.


It'll be another course for us to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Saturday, March 02, 2024

Cherry Blossom at Putt Putt Noodle

There's always Sakura at Putt Putt Noodle.


Cherry Blossom at Putt Putt Noodle. Photo by Christopher Gottfried, September 2023
Cherry Blossom at Putt Putt Noodle

Cherry Blossom at Putt Putt Noodle Mini Golf at the Castle Quarter shopping and entertainment centre in Norwich, Norfolk.

Cherry Blossom at Putt Putt Noodle. Photo by Christopher Gottfried, September 2023
Cherry Blossom at Putt Putt Noodle

These snaps were by my brother Christopher - a charter member of our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. Together we've visited a combined 1,090 courses since September 2006.

Putt Putt Noodle Mini Golf in Norwich. Photo by Christopher Gottfried, May 2022
Putt Putt Noodle Mini Golf in Norwich