Showing posts with label Adventure Golf. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Adventure Golf. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Minigolf consultancy

As a marketing professional I use my extensive knowledge and skills in supporting and promoting the game I enjoy as a hobby, a competitive sport and a leisure activity.

My marketing activity sees me work across the minigolf industry, from traditional British seaside crazy golf courses, to new inland adventure golf layouts, competitive socialising venues and within retailtainment.

Since 2006 Emily and I have visited more than 1,000 minigolf courses in the UK and overseas. This has given me an insight into many aspects of minigolf including course operators, pop-ups, competitions, equipment, national associations, international federations, clubs, suppliers, designers, builders and technology providers.

My involvement in the world of minigolf includes blogging, media relations, sponsorship, course design, advice and consultancy, content generation, digital marketing and new technology, event organisation and promotion, and participation in tournaments around the world.

I have consulted on a number of minigolf business concepts in the UK and USA including Princess Parade Crazy Golf in Blackpool; the Filwood Fantastic Mini Golf Club in Knowle West, Bristol; Tea Green Golf in Luton; Burray Crazy Golf in Orkney; Prestwick Putting and Crazy Golf; Portaputt Crazy Golf; Aces Minigolf Gloucester; Southend Pier Crazy Golf; Knaresborough Mini Golf; Glory Holes art-based Crazy Golf in Saltaire; Putting at the Kiosk in Bedford; Visionary Crazy Golf at the London Design Festival, and The Big Mini Golf Tour in Great Yarmouth.

Richard Gottfried - Minigolfer

As a volunteer I served three terms on the Executive Committee of the British Minigolf Association and was a member of the World Minigolf Sport Federation’s Marketing and Media Committee for six years.

My sports, games and travel blog at the Ham & Egger Files contains over 5,500 posts that have attracted 3.3 million page views. Read my posts about the next normal rules of minigolfcompetitive isolationsocial distancing, the boom in minigolf and competitive socialisingartainment, the concept of retailtainment, as well as the increase in shopping mall and garden centre miniature golf courses. You can also sign-up to receive my minigolf enewsletter.

My specialist knowledge and experience in the worlds of minigolf and marketing were demonstrated in InterGame’s discussion of the opportunities and challenges of operating a mini-golf venue amid the Covid-19 pandemic and the Let’s Talk Leisure feature with Briq Bookings.

You can read my top 20 must-do tips for venues in the InterFun Guide for Operators.

As a consultant I contributed to the Guinness World Records 2024.

You can buy my ebook, The Minigolfer’s Guide to Marketing, on Amazon.

Please do get in touch to find out how I can help with your minigolf, crazy golf and adventure golf activities.

Saturday, May 11, 2024

Happy National Miniature Golf Day

There are two 'miniature golf days' each year.


Today is National Miniature Golf Day!

Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf in Skegness on National Miniature Golf Day 2015
Playing the Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf course in Skegness on National Miniature Golf Day 2015

Each year there are two Miniature Golf Days - National Miniature Golf Day on the second Saturday in May and Miniature Golf Day on the 21st September.

Thursday, May 09, 2024

Dino Golf expanding at Mote Park Outdoor Adventure in Maidstone

The Dino Golf course at Mote Park Outdoor Adventure in Maidstone, Kent is doubling in size from 9 to 18-holes.


The Dino Golf course at Mote Park Outdoor Adventure in Maidstone, Kent is doubling in size from 9 to 18-holes

Visit the Mote Park Outdoor Adventure website for more.


It's a course we're yet to get to on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Tuesday, May 07, 2024

Minigolf courses in Manchester & Greater Manchester

A look at minigolf courses in Manchester & Greater Manchester.


A look at minigolf courses in Manchester & Greater Manchester

There are a number of options for minigolfing in Greater Manchester, with a variety of courses to play, ranging from traditional crazy golf to indoor minigolf to new adventure golf layouts. The city centre itself has seen an increase in courses over the last few years and there are more to open in the coming months too!

Here's a list of the minigolf courses in Manchester


  • Paradise Island Adventure Golf at the Trafford Centre - two indoor adventure golf courses
  • Junkyard Golf at First Street - three indoor crazy golf courses.
  • Treetop Adventure Golf at The Printworks in Manchester - two indoor adventure golf courses
  • Dino Falls Adventure Golf at the Trafford Golf Centre - two outdoor adventure golf courses
  • Roxy Ball Room on Deansgate - indoor mini golf course
  • Roxy Ball Room on Withy Grove - indoor crazy pool (think of a cross-between pool and crazy golf)
  • Putters Crazy Golf at the Urban Playground in Manchester Arndale - indoor crazy golf
  • Crazy Golf at Challenge Point Manchester - indoor crazy golf
  • Mini Golf at King Pins at the Manchester Arndale - indoor mini golf

Here's a list of the minigolf courses in Greater Manchester


  • The Lost Valley Adventure Golf at Amazonia, Market Place Shopping Centre, Bolton - an indoor adventure golf course
  • Haigh Woodland Park, Wigan - an outdoor adventure golf course
  • Haigh Woodland Park, Wigan - an outdoor crazy golf course
  • UV Crazy Golf at One Adventure in Droylsden - an indoor crazy golf course
  • Pitch & Putt at Bruntwood Park in Cheadle, Stockport - an outdoor miniature golf course
  • Puttstars at Rochdale Riverside - three indoor minigolf courses
  • Park Square, Cheadle Heath, Stockport - an outdoor Putting Green (for tenants only)
  • Parr Fold Park in Walkden - a Pitch & Putt course
  • Kearsley Golf Range - Pitch & Putt and Putting Greens
  • Victoria Park in Pendlebury, Swinton - an outdoor putting green
  • Buile Hill Park in Salford - a Pitch & Putt course
  • Woodheys Park in Sale - a Pitch & Putt course
  • HUKD Golf in Bury - indoor crazy golf

Minigolfing in Manchester


We've been travelling to play minigolf in Manchester on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour since 2009 when I won the Mini Masters and Mini Open at the Trafford Golf Centre. I also won the Chrizy Golf Masters at Piccadilly Place in 2012. We moved to Stockport in 2016 and have continued to compete in events. Emily won the Paradise Island Adventure Golf Open in 2019, while I won the tournament in 2018. I also won the DinoFalls Masters at the Trafford Golf Centre in 2018.

Former courses


  • Championship Miniature Golf at the Trafford Golf Centre - an outdoor miniature golf course
  • Chrizy Golf at Piccadilly Place - pop-up Christmas-themed crazy golf course
  • Tea Party Mini Golf at Spinningfields, Manchester - a pop-up mini golf course
  • Junkyard Golf at the Great Northern Warehouse and at Piccadilly Place - indoor crazy golf courses
  • Alexandra Park in Edgeley, Stockport - an outdoor crazy golf course
  • Walkden Town Centre - pop-up crazy golf course

Derelict and abandoned courses


  • Stamford Park, Stamford Street, Stalybridge, Tameside - an outdoor crazy golf course
  • Wythenshawe Park, Wythenshawe - an outdoor crazy golf course


Please do get in touch and let us know of any other minigolf, crazy golf, adventure golf, pitch & putt, or putting layouts we don't yet know about in the area.

Saturday, May 04, 2024

Adventure Golf at Stonebridge Golf Club near Coventry

A new 18-hole Adventure Golf course is being created at Stonebridge Golf Club near Coventry.


A new 18-hole Adventure Golf course is being created at Stonebridge Golf Club near Coventry

Visit the Stonebridge Golf Club website for more information.


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

Wexham Park Adventure Golf in Slough

A new Adventure Golf course is opening at Wexham Park Golf Centre in Slough, Buckinghamshire.


A new Adventure Golf course is opening at Wexham Park Golf Centre in Slough, Buckinghamshire

Globe Trotters Adventure Golf at Wexham Park Golf Centre will be an 18-hole course.

Visit the Wexham Park Golf Centre website for more information.


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

One week until National Miniature Golf Day

There are two 'miniature golf days' each year.


Next Saturday is National Miniature Golf Day.

Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf in Skegness on National Miniature Golf Day 2015
Playing the Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf course in Skegness on National Miniature Golf Day 2015

Each year there are two Miniature Golf Days - National Miniature Golf Day on the second Saturday in May and Miniature Golf Day on the 21st September.

Adventure Golf at Tenpin Southampton

There's an Adventure Golf course at Tenpin Southampton.


There's an Adventure Golf course at Tenpin Southampton

Visit the Tenpin Southampton website for more information about the indoor prison-themed Adventure Golf course.


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

Saturday, April 20, 2024

New Adventure Golf at Seal Bay Resort in Selsey

A new Adventure Golf course is being created at Seal Bay Resort in Selsey, Chichester, West Sussex.


A new Adventure Golf course is being created at Seal Bay Resort in Selsey, Chichester, West Sussex

The Adventure Golf course will be a part of an indoor adventure hub being created by Greenspan Projects.

Visit the Seal Bay Resort website for more information.


Plans for Adventure Golf in Sheerness

There are plans for a new Adventure Golf course to be created as part of the Sheerness Revival Project.


There are plans for a new Adventure Golf course to be created as part of the Sheerness Revival Project

It'd be another new course for us to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour and a return trip to Sheerness on the Isle of Sheppey.

Thursday, April 11, 2024

Treetop Golf at Cabot Circus in Bristol

A new Treetop Adventure Golf venue is opening at Cabot Circus in Bristol.


Treetop Adventure Golf

You can find other Treetop Adventure Golf courses in Cardiff, Manchester, Leicester, Birmingham and Gateshead.

Visit the Treetop Adventure Golf website for more information.

Monday, April 08, 2024

Jungle Rumble Adventure Golf at Cabot Circus in Bristol has closed

The indoor Jungle Rumble Adventure Golf centre at Cabot Circus in Bristol has closed.


We first visited the two courses - the 'Jungle' and the 'Secret Swamp' - back in February 2010 when were in the city to compete in the BMGA English Open minigolf competition at the then new 36-hole two-course. They were the 207th and 208th courses visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Playing at Jungle Rumble Adventure Golf in 2010
Playing at Jungle Rumble Adventure Golf in 2010

You can find Jungle Rumble Adventure Golf courses in Birmingham, Brighton, Glasgow and London. Visit the Jungle Rumble Adventure Golf website for more information.

Saturday, April 06, 2024

The Dino Falls Masters Adventure Golf competition in Manchester

Looking back at the Dino Falls Masters Adventure Golf competition at the Trafford Golf Centre in Manchester.


Playing Dino Falls Adventure Golf in Manchester
Playing Dino Falls Adventure Golf in Manchester

I competed in the first-ever Dino Falls Masters Adventure Golf competition at the Trafford Golf Centre in Manchester on the 6th April 2018 - and won it!

Playing Dino Falls Adventure Golf in Manchester
Playing Dino Falls Adventure Golf in Manchester

The event saw hundreds of players compete.

The venue has been a good spot for me and our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour, as I also won the Mini Masters and Mini Open there in 2009, as well as a Midlands Minigolf Club Invitational Tournament, also in April 2008.

At Dino Falls Adventure Golf in Manchester
At Dino Falls Adventure Golf in Manchester

The Trafford Golf Centre is home to two 18-hole adventure golf courses. Check out Trafford Golf Centre and Dino Falls Adventure Golf websites for more information on the courses.

Monday, April 01, 2024

Noah’s Park Adventure Golf at Barleylands in Billericay

Barleylands in Billericay has a new minigolf course.


Barleylands in Billericay has a new minigolf course

A new Adventure Golf course has opened at Barleylands in Billericay, Essex.

The Noah’s Park Adventure Golf course is an 18-hole outdoor layout.

Check out the Barleylands website for more information.


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

Saturday, March 30, 2024

Happy National Pencil Day

Today is National Pencil Day.


Minigolf pencils - in a nice adventure golf mug from The Lost World in Hemsby
Minigolf pencils from our travels

Here's a selection of minigolf pencils we've collected over years.

Minigolf pencils

We enjoy visiting courses on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour and it's marvellous when we find one that has a branded pencil to score the game with.

Pencils and promotional scratchcards from Congo River Golf in Orlando, Florida, USA
Pencils and promotional scratchcards from Congo River Golf in Orlando, Florida, USA

It's a superb bit of minigolf marketing too.

A minigolf pencil from Magic Carpet Golf in Galveston, Texas, USA
A minigolf pencil from Christopher Gottfried's Crazy World of Minigolf Tour trip to Magic Carpet Golf in Galveston, Texas, USA

We've seen several minigolf courses switching to virtual scorecards (and scoreboards), and app-based scorecards. Others are using a mixture.

We think, and hope, there's space and a place for all methods of scoring to continue in the game.

Our friend Pat Sheridan from The Putting Penguin minigolf review website (among his many other hats in the game) has contributed quite a few pencils and scorecards to the Crazy Golf Museum that he's picked up on his own minigolf adventures.

One of the most peculiar minigolf pencils we've seen is this one Pat sent a snap of, as it's a real life pencil for a virtual minigolf game!

A pencil from the Walkabout Mini Golf VR game. Photo by Pat Sheridan
A pencil from the Walkabout Mini Golf VR game

If you'd like your minigolf course pencil (or other items of merch and ephemera) displayed and archived in the Crazy Golf Museum please do get in touch.

Just one of the many minigolf pencils in the Crazy Golf Museum - from the Wye Valley Miniatvre Golf course in Symonds Yat West
Just one of the many minigolf pencils in the Crazy Golf Museum - from the Wye Valley Miniatvre Golf course in Symonds Yat West

You can see more miniature golf course pens and pencils on the Crazy Golf Museum website.


A scorecard and pencils from Disney's Winter Summerland Miniature Golf in Orlando, Florida from our friend Shelley Barrett
A scorecard and pencils from Disney's Winter Summerland Miniature Golf in Orlando, Florida, USA from our friend Shelley Barrett

Arnold Palmer Putting Courses Crazy Golf pencils from the course in Prestatyn
Arnold Palmer Putting Courses Crazy Golf pencils from the course in Prestatyn

A pencil from Lumberjax Mini Golf in New Zealand from our friend James Astrop
A pencil from Lumberjax Mini Golf in New Zealand from our friend James Astrop

A pencil from Urban Putt in San Francisco from our friend and minigolf rival (and sometimes team-mate) Kevin Moseley
A pencil from Urban Putt in San Francisco from our friend and minigolf rival (and sometimes team-mate) Kevin Moseley

Doug Fishbone's Leisure Land Golf minigolf pencil
A pencil from Doug Fishbone's Leisure Land Golf

Minigolf pencil from Swing by Golfbaren in Stockholm, Sweden
A minigolf pencil from Swing by Golfbaren in Stockholm, Sweden 

A pencil from Swingers Crazy Golf in London
A pencil from Swingers Crazy Golf in London

A pencil from the CLUB GOLF crazy golf pop-up at Coal Drops Yard in King's Cross, London
A pencil from the CLUB GOLF crazy golf pop-up at Coal Drops Yard in King's Cross, London. This was the last course I played before the UK went into coronavirus pandemic lockdown / quarantine

A pencil from the Putt 18 indoor putting game - we played a lot of this during the pandemic
A pencil from the Putt 18 indoor putting game - we played a lot of this during the pandemic

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

New Adventure Golf course at The Railway Inn in Westerfield

The Railway Inn in Westerfield, near Ipswich, Suffolk is home to a new Adventure Golf course.


The Railway Inn in Westerfield, near Ipswich, Suffolk is home to a new Adventure Golf course

The course is planned to open on Friday 29th March.

Check out The Railway Inn's website and Facebook Page for more information on the 9-hole outdoor pub beer garden adventure golf course.


It'll be a new course for us to check out on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour when we're back in Ipswich.

New Adventure Golf course at The Pumpkin House at Brookhill Farm in Thursford

The Pumpkin House at Brookhill Farm in Thursford, Norfolk will have an Adventure Golf course this year.


A new Adventure Golf course is opening at The Pumpkin House at Brookhill Farm in Thursford

The 9-hole farm-themed minigolf layout will open from the 25th May. Opening days/times will vary so please check the farm's website for more information.

It'll be a new course for us to check out on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

New Adventure Golf course planned for South Shields

A new dinosaur-themed Adventure Golf course is planned to open in South Shields, Tyneside.


A new dinosaur-themed Adventure Golf course is planned to open in South Shields, Tyneside

It'll be a new course for us to check out on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.


It'll be nice to return to the seaside town.

Thursday, March 21, 2024

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.

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Minigolf old and new in Bournemouth

Two minigolf courses in one spot.


Emily took this snap of two very different minigolf courses in one location while in Bournemouth, Dorset last May.

Miniature Golf in Bournemouth

The old minigolf course on Bournemouth's Exeter Road has been derelict for quite some time. The Mr Mulligan's indoor adventure golf opened in 2018.