Crazy Golf at The Gaggle of Geese pub in Buckland Newton, Dorset

There's a new Crazy Golf course at The Gaggle of Geese pub in Buckland Newton, Dorchester, Dorset.

The team at The Gaggle of Geese pub in Buckland Newton, Dorset have spent some of the lockdown period building a Crazy Golf course.

We're looking forward to giving it a play on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour in the future.

We've played a few pub minigolf courses - but there aren't nearly enough of them in our opinion.

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New Shipwreck Adventure Golf in Swanage

There's a new Shipwreck Adventure Golf course in Swanage, Dorset.

Many thanks to our friend and fellow minigolf explorer Matt Dodd for letting us know there's a new Shipwreck Adventure Golf course at the Santa Fe Fun Park in Swanage, Dorset.

Check out the Santa Fe Fun Park website for more information.

It's another good reason for us to revisit Swanage. We had a great time in the seaside resort on our South West road trip in 2015. The existing Jurassic Adventure Golf course there was the landmark 600th UK visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. We've now been to 949 courses since 2006.

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The Flintstones Crazy Golf

Caption this photo of me playing The Flintstones Crazy Golf course in Weymouth...

The Flintstones Crazy Golf course in Bowleaze Cove, Weymouth. October 2009

The Flintstones Crazy Golf course at Bowleaze Cove in Weymouth was the 77th visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour back in October 2008. I replayed it in 2009.

It's now a lost course.

Mini Golf at Lister Gardens in Lyme Regis, Dorset

A look at the Mini Golf course at Lister Gardens in Lyme Regis, Dorset.

We visited our 601st minigolf course five years ago today.

The minigolf course at Lister Gardens is a unique and interesting layout, it's one of Emily's all-time favourite courses

It was one of 62 courses we visited on our two week holiday in the South West of England.

We've now been to 948 courses since September 2006.

When we began there were 600 courses in the UK.

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Jurassic Adventure Golf in Swanage, Dorset

A look at the Jurassic Adventure Golf course in Swanage, Dorset.

We visited our 600th minigolf course five years ago today when we played Jurassic Adventure Golf in Swanage, Dorset.

It was the first of 62 courses we visited on our two week holiday in the South West of England.

We've now been to 948 courses since September 2006.

When we began there were 600 courses in the UK!

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Picture Postcard Magic - Bournemouth

Check out my guest post about minigolf postcards from Bournemouth on the Picture Postcard Magic blog from Reflections of a Bygone Age.

Guest blogger Richard Gottfried, King of mini-golf with a postcard collection to match, makes his debut in Picture Postcard Magic. What do you think of this theme for collecting? ⛳️https://t.co/H8hYRTKGei#MiniGolf pic.twitter.com/d2AldN0zOO

— Brian Lund (@Postcard_World) April 28, 2020

Minigolf postcards from Bournemouth

Check out my guest post for the Picture Postcard Magic blog from Reflections of a Bygone Age.

Putting at Highcliffe-on-Sea

A look at an old minigolf postcard from Highcliffe-on-Sea.

We bought this nice old postcard showing a Putting Green while we were at the most recent Stockport postcard fair.

The Isle of Wight from Highcliffe-on-Sea. PT3098

We hadn't seen this particular card before and had never heard of Highcliffe-on-Sea.

The town is part of Christchurch borough in Dorset.

The card is postally unused, undated and has no publisher details on it. There is a code of PT3098 on it though. The details on the reverse say "The Isle of Wight from Highcliffe-on-Sea".

It's always nice to see old minigolf postcards. Some give us clues of new places to play, while others show long lost miniature golf layouts.

We had planned to visit Dorset at the end of this month, but that trip has been postponed until after the UK coronavirus lockdown. We'll have to go to Highcliffe-on-Sea and see what's at the same spot now.

I'd be very interested to hear from anyone who remembers the course and knows exactly where it was.

Looking online to see if there's still a course there my eye was drawn to the nearby Hoburne Naish Holiday Park in Barton on Sea where I noticed a minigolf course! Another one to add to our list...

An old Crazy Golf course at Alum Chine in Bournemouth

A look at an old minigolf course at Alum Chine in Bournemouth.

I bought a number of superb old postcards at the last fair I attended, one of them was this cracking old card showing a temporary / portable Crazy Golf course at Alum Chine, Bournemouth. It was printed by Deardon & Wade Bournemouth. It's postally unused and undated.

Postcard of Alum Chine, Bournemouth. Printed by Deardon & Wade Bournemouth.Postally unused. Undated

It's brilliant seeing old, long-gone miniature golf courses depicted on postcards. Portable and pop-up minigolf courses are very often seen as a modern thing. However there have been a number of seasonal set-ups at seaside locations over the years.

We were really looking forward to revisiting Bournemouth, Boscombe, Southbourne, Poole and Sandbanks next month. That trip is now postponed until next year.

An old postcard from Bournemouth's Lower Gardens minigolf course

A look at an old postcard showing Bournemouth's Lower Gardens minigolf course.

After writing about the old J. Arthur Dixon postcard showing the Mini-Golf course at the Lower Gardens in Bournemouth, Dorset I had a look through our collection to find the earliest posting date we had on a card of the course.

It was this one, posted 40 years ago this year!

The 'Miniature Golf in Central Gardens, Bournemouth' postcard by The Photographic Greetings Cards Co Ltd, London was posted from Bournemouth to Cleveleys in Lancashire on the 24th July 1970

You can see what the Lower Gardens Mini Golf course looks like now on the course's Facebook Page.

We're looking forward to replaying the course later this year.

A mini-golf postcard from Bournemouth

A look at an old mini-golf postcard from Bournemouth.

One of the old postcards we found at the recent Stockport Postcard Fair was this J. Arthur Dixon card showing the Mini-Golf course at the Lower Gardens in Bournemouth, Dorset.

Mini-Golf at the Lower Gardens, Bournemouth, Dorset. J. Arthur Dixon postcard. PDO/89332 Posted August 1990

It was sent from Bournemouth to Uttoxeter, Staffordshire in August 1990.

It's one of a number of postcards we've got that show the Lower Gardens minigolf course. By the look of the card the photo is from at least the early 80's.

We'll be down in Dorset soon and are looking forward to replaying the course.

The Bournemouth Gardens Classic Mini Golf course in the Lower Gardens has been in the gardens for decades. It re-opened following a refurbishment a few years ago. We first visited in 2009 and returned in 2013. The Lower Gardens have been home to miniature golf courses since 1931 when the first Putting Green was introduced to the park.

Minigolf at Bournemouth Lower Gardens

A Crazy Golf postcard from Sandbanks

A look at a long-gone Crazy Golf course in Sandbanks, Poole.

We found some brilliant old postcards at the recent Stockport Postcard Fair in the Town Hall.

One of which was this Dennis Publications postcard showing the Crazy Golf and Rockery in Sandbanks, Poole, Dorset.

Crazy Golf and Rockery, Sandbanks, Poole. P.2674 Dennis Productions Postcard. Postally used. Date unknown

The card was sent from Bournemouth to Winchester.

While that particular Crazy Golf course is no longer there, you can still play minigolf in Sandbanks on a much larger layout.

Sandbanks Crazy Golf is an fun and tricky 18-hole course. We've played tournaments there in the past.

Sandbanks Crazy Golf

We're looking forward to visiting and playing the courses down in the Bournemouth, Boscombe, Southbourne, Poole and Sandbanks areas in the Spring.

Minigolf in Bournemouth, Boscombe, Southbourne, Poole and Sandbanks

A look at the miniature golf courses in the Bournemouth, Boscombe, Southbourne, Poole and Sandbanks area of Dorset.

We're gearing up for a minigolfing road-trip to the Bournemouth area in the spring and are looking forward to visiting and playing the courses down there.

We've visited the area a number of times over the years but our last trip there was in 2013. Since then a number of new courses have opened up, while some of the others have been refurbished.

If you know of any other minigolf courses in the Bournemouth, Boscombe, Southbourne, Poole or Sandbanks area do let us know.

Boscombe

Boscombe Chine Gardens is home to the Squirrel Café and mini golf. We played competitions on the course in 2009 and 2013.

Boscombe Chine Gardens Mini Golf course in 2009

Boscombe Pier was home to an eco-friendly Crazy Golf course for a while, we're not sure if it's still there though. The balls in use were made of fish food and the last hole had a drop into the sea!

Bournemouth

Mighty Adventures Crazy Golf at Playgolf Bournemouth is a relatively new 18-hole adventure golf course.

The Oasis Fun Centre in Bournemouth is home to an indoor jungle-themed adventure golf course.

Bournemouth Gardens Classic Mini Golf in the Lower Gardens has been in the gardens for decades. It re-opened following a refurbishment a few seasons ago. We visited in 2009 and 2013. The Lower Gardens have been home to miniature golf courses since 1931 when the first Putting Green was introduced.

Mini Golf in the Lower Gardens, Bournemouth in 2013

Smuggler's Cove Adventure Golf on Pier Approach in Bournemouth opened last year and is an 18-hole layout.

Mr Mulligan's Space Golf in Bournemouth is home to three 9-hole indoor adventure golf courses.

There used to be a derelict Crazy Golf near the Lower Gardens on Exeter Road in Bournemouth. It'll be interesting to see if it's still there and what state it's in now.

We checked out the course in 2009 and 2013

There's a Crazy Golf course at Tuckton Tea Gardens, Bournemouth. It looks like a fun layout.

Solent Meads Golf Centre in Bournemouth is home to a par-3 course as well as a Putting Green.

Christchurch

There's a Crazy Golf courses in Christchurch. We've known about it for a while but it's always been slightly off our route.

Poole

Harbour Pirates Glow Golf in Poole is a pirate-themed indoor UV minigolf course.

Poole Park Crazy Golf is a 12-hole outdoor course. We've also played a Putting Course next to the Crazy Golf. The park is also home to a miniature railway.

Poole Park Crazy Golf in 2010

Sandbanks

Sandbanks Crazy Golf is an interesting 18-hole layout. We've played tournaments on the course in the past.

There are some big obstacles on the Sandbanks Crazy Golf course

Southbourne

Cafe Riva in Southbourne is home to a Crazy Golf course. We played the course in 2009 and revisited in 2013. On our return we saw the venue is also home to a Putting course and a Pitch & Putt layout.

The Crazy Golf course at Cafe Riva in Southbourne back in 2013

Holiday parks

Two holiday parks in the area are home to courses:
Sandford Holiday Park in Sandford, Poole has a minigolf course.
Merley Court Touring Park in Merley, Wimborne, near Poole has a 9-hole minigolf course.

It should be a marvellous trip to the seaside.

What are the odds we find a few other hidden putting greens or pop-up crazy golf courses while we're down there?

Eleven years ago today...

...I won the Weymouth Open minigolf tournament.

Weymouth Winner

What a day!

The inaugural Weymouth Open minigolf competition was held on the 18-hole Pirate Adventure Mini Golf course at the Weymouth Sea Life Centre at Lodmoor Country Park.

One of the holes on the incredibly tricky layout

I had a very good record in Weymouth Open events. As well as winning the individual title in 2008 my team-mate Chris Harding and I were the Weymouth Open doubles champions in 2011.

The Weymouth Open team champs

I was also runner-up in the 2009 and 2011 events and seventh in 2010. In the 2009 tournament Kevin Moseley and I were tied after two rounds and it took 4-holes of a sudden-death play-off to separate us.

Putting aboard a pirate ship

I've heard that the Pirate Adventure Mini Golf course at the Weymouth Sea Life Centre has undergone some changed over the last few years. It'll be interesting to revisit the layout on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. The course was the 77th played on our travels. We've now been to 925 courses since September 2006.

Playing in the 2010 edition of the competition

The Flintstones Crazy Golf in Weymouth

A look back at The Flintstones Crazy Golf course at Bowleaze Cove in Weymouth.

I was looking through some of the weird and wacky Crazy Golf courses we've visited over the years and found this snap of me playing a 'Flintstones' themed course back in 2009.

Fred and Barney look on as I tee-off in Weymouth

The Flintstones Crazy Golf course at Bowleaze Cove was the 77th visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour back in October 2008. I played it while in town to compete in the Weymouth Open tournament.

We've now visited 905 courses on our minigolfing travels since September 2006.

A Crazy Golf postcard from Boscombe

A look at an old Crazy Golf postcard from Boscombe.

I recently bought 50 more postcards for my collection and among them was this card of the Crazy Golf course near Boscombe Pier.

A Boscombe Crazy Golf postcard. JH 40 Plastichrome by Colourpicture. Pub. by J. Hammersley, Boscombe, Bournemouth. Posted in 1967

The course on the postcard is long gone, but Boscombe Pier itself does now have it's own Crazy Golf course.

We haven't played the Boscombe Pier course yet, however we have played the course at Boscombe Chine Gardens a number of times over the years.

Related blog posts:

- Boscombe

- Postcards

New Adventure Golf course heading to Bournemouth

New Smuggler's Cove Adventure Golf opening in Bournemouth.

Bournemouth will soon be home to another miniature golf course as Bournemouth Council are building a new 18-hole Smuggler's Cove Adventure Golf at Pier Approach.

Bournemouth is a minigolf hotbed as there are four other minigolf venues in the town - in the Lower Gardens, at Oasis Fun, at Playgolf Bournemouth and at Mr Mulligans. There are also a lot of courses in the surrounding area and in the seaside town of Boscombe next door.

We'll need to do a return visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour to add the new courses to our list as many of them opened since we last visited the town in 2013.

Putting Green at Beach Gardens in Swanage, Dorset

A look at the minigolf grass Putting course at Beach Gardens in Swanage.

Many thanks to our friend and minigolf rival Tiger Pragnell for sending over these minigolf snaps from his recent trip to Swanage. While on holiday in the Dorset seaside resort he found a Putting Green that we missed on our tour of the South West coast in 2015!

A nice flag. And bench

Tiger also swung by the Jurassic Adventure Golf course at the Santa-Fe Fun Park on the seafront. That particular course was the 600th visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

The Adventure Golf course in Swanage

Lyme Regis Mini Golf Hall of Fame 2017

Details of the Lyme Regis Mini Golf Hall of Fame.

One of our favourite minigolf courses has set-up a Hall of Fame for the 2017 summer season and it's causing a stir with holidaymakers. Mick from the Lyme Regis Mini Golf course at Lister Gardens kindly sent over the photo of the leader-board as it stood yesterday - with the course record of 30 held by Ross Hendey. The next closest score recorded was a 32 by Jake and Mick H.

The Lyme Regis Mini Golf Hall of Fame is getting checked by holidaymakers throughout their stay in the seaside town

The 18-hole minigolf course at Lister Gardens in Lyme Regis was the 365th we played and 601st visited overall on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. We really enjoyed our visit to the course and Lyme Regis as a whole during our south west road-trip in 2015.

Teeing-off on hole 1

It's a nice and unique course, with some brilliant views of the seafront and The Cobb harbour area.

Emily putting at Lister Gardens

In our first game on the course Emily won 36 to 40, dropping only one shot and scoring one hole-in-one for an almost 'perfect par'. As I'd lost I was determined to get a win and so we returned for another round the next day. Luckily I won the round, shooting 38 to Emily's 40.

Visit the Lyme Regis Town Council website for more information, opening times and prices. We received great service from the staff on duty on both of our visits and Emily was very pleased to hear that her score of 36 was good enough to get her name on the Wall of Fame in the kiosk!

Related blog posts:
- Mini Golf in Lyme Regis, Dorset
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Lyme Regis
- Dorset

Videos:
- Mini Golf in Lyme Regis 1
- Mini Golf in Lyme Regis 2

Link:
- Lyme Regis Town Council Mini Golf web page

Mighty Claws Adventure Golf in Bournemouth

New Adventure Golf course opening at Playgolf Bournemouth.

There's a new 18-hole Adventure Golf course opening at Playgolf Bournemouth next month. The Mighty Claws Adventure Golf layout is prehistoric themed and features moving dinosaurs.

We're really looking forward to a return visit to Bournemouth to play the new course.

Once completed you'll be able to find the course at Playgolf Bournemouth, Riverside Avenue, Bournemouth BH7 7ES. Check out the Mighty Claws Adventure Golf website for more information, opening times and prices.