Playing the game of Pit-Pat at Western Putting Miniature Golf in Littlehampton.
Back in March 2010 I visited the Askoe Wien Wasserpark in Vienna, Austria and while there I saw an intriguing game that was a hybrid of Miniature Golf and Billiards! That game was Pit-Pat.
The Hindernis Billard layout at the Askoe Wien Wasserpark in Vienna, Austria (March 2010)
In April 2012 I managed to visit the UK's only known table*, at the Western Putting Minigolf in Littlehampton, West Sussex. Unfortunately my visit was a little late in the day, and out-of-season, so I didn't manage to play.
Western Putting (and Pit-Pat) in Littlehampton (April 2012)
That wasn't the case on our recent visit to the south coast as on Thursday 10th of April Emily and I made it to Western Putting on Banjo Road just before 4pm and were able to have a game of Pit-Pat, aka Crazy Snooker.
Cue and carry-case in hand and ready to play Pit-Pat
A view of the Pit-Pat course in Littlehampton
The game is a version of the 'Eternit' style of Miniature Golf, most often found in continental Europe, but played on tables and with cues rather than putters.
The obstacles are very similar to those found on Mini and Crazy Golf courses and the balls used are like specialist Minigolf-sport balls, rather than standard Golf, or low-bounce, balls.
Emily sets up the skittles on table 1!
And I knock them all down in one go
Emily lines-up a shot on hole 2
Hole / Table 2
Emily plays up a ramp obstacle
Western Putting on Banjo Road in Littlehampton is also home to a Swedish Felt type of Minigolf course and a grass Putting Green
Emily shoots the green ball over a little ramp and onto a bigger one
...and no different on Pit-Pat as it was my worst hole!
It's a real novelty to be able to play on a course/set-of tables like the Pit-Pat in Littlehampton. You are provided with a little carry case containing four different coloured Pit-Pat balls, with the table legs painted to correspond with the ball you should use for that particular table/hole/lane.
The specialist Pit-Pat balls in their little red carry-case
This is very handy to know as each of the balls has different properties, meaning that some are more bouncy, while others are harder and deader.
With our experience of playing tournament Minigolf in the British Minigolf Association (BMGA) and World Minigolf Sport Federation (WMF) since 2007 we were already thinking about how different shots could be played on different lanes by mixing the balls up a bit.
In our match-up on the crazy tables Emily and I drew on a score of 55 each. We can't wait for the rematch!
Videos from our visit:
Many of the Miniature Golf courses in Littlehampton are operated by Inspire Leisure. They also operate facilities in nearby Bognor Regis and all of those we've visited have been in great condition and had very friendly and helpful staff on duty.
.JPG "The Hindernis Billard layout at the Askoe Wien Wasserpark in Vienna, Austria (March 2010)")
.JPG "Western Putting (and Pit-Pat) in Littlehampton (April 2012)")
+Minigolf.JPG "Crazy Snooker cue and carry-case in hand and ready to play Pit-Pat")
+Minigolf.JPG "A view of the Pit-Pat course in Littlehampton")
+Minigolf.JPG "Emily sets up the skittles on table 1!")
+Minigolf.JPG "Emily lines-up a shot on hole 2")
+Minigolf.JPG "Hole / Table 2")
+Minigolf.JPG "Emily plays up a ramp obstacle")
+Minigolf.JPG "Western Putting on Banjo Road in Littlehampton is also home to a Swedish Felt type of Minigolf course and a grass Putting Green")
+Minigolf.JPG "Emily shoots the green ball over a little ramp and onto a bigger one")
+Minigolf.JPG "The Pipe hole - often my nemesis on Eternit Miniature Golf...")
+Minigolf.JPG "...and no different on Pit-Pat as it was my worst hole!")
+Minigolf.JPG "The specialist Pit-Pat balls in their little red carry-case")
+Minigolf.JPG "The green Pit-Pat ball is a bit of a dead ball")
+Minigolf.JPG "The bouncy yellow Pit-Pat ball")
+Minigolf.JPG "The slightly squidgy purple Pit-Pat ball")
+Minigolf.JPG "The Red one")
