Crazy Golf at Southampton Outdoor Sports Centre

Looking back at our visit to the Crazy Golf course at the Outdoor Sports Centre in Southampton.

Crazy Golf at Southampton Outdoor Sports Centre

The Crazy Golf course at the Southampton Outdoor Sports Centre was the 872nd course visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour back in May 2019. Sadly we didn't have time to play it as we had to get to a wedding!

Crazy Golf at Southampton Outdoor Sports Centre

The course was surprising to see as it was of the mini-Eternit Miniature Golf variety - a smaller version of a minigolf type more commonly found in continental Europe.

Crazy Golf at Southampton Outdoor Sports Centre

We'd only been to one course like it before, at Sutton Farm Cheshire at Sutton Weaver Village near Runcorn, Cheshire.

Here's a look at the 12-hole layout.

Hole 1

Hole 2

Hole 3

Hole 4

Hole 5

Hole 6

Hole 7

Hole 8

Hole 9

Hole 10

Hole 11

Hole 12

Visit the Southampton Outdoor Sports Centre website for more information and opening times.

Crazy Golf at Southampton Outdoor Sports Centre

Plans for the Crazy Golf course at Cae Glas Park in Oswestry

There are plans for a new Crazy Golf course to replace the existing one at Cae Glas Park in Oswestry, Shropshire.

Playing the Cae Glas Park Crazy Golf course in 2020

There aren't many 'Eternit' type Miniature Golf courses here in the UK at all and some of those that do still exist have been modified over the years. The course at Cae Glas Park in Oswestry is one of the best examples you can find.

Holes 1-9 of the course

We've played the Crazy Golf course at Cae Glas Park in Oswestry several times on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour over the years. The first was in 2009 at the end of a road-trip around Wales when we re-entered England. It was the 149th course played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Holes 10-18

We returned in 2012 as the course hosted one of two minigolf events as part of the town's Oslympic Games.

We last played there in 2020 when we were able to travel with a bit more freedom during the Coronavirus Pandemic. The 18-hole layout was still in great condition with some nice hole-in-one opportunities to be had.

For many years the Cae Glas Park Crazy Golf course has been one of, if not, the best value courses in the UK. The current price to play is £2 for adults, £1 for juniors, or £5 for a family (2 adults, 2 children). Amazing prices and the course is well worth a play.

We're obviously BIG fans of minigolf and seeing new courses being created, however it'll be a real shame to see a part of minigolf history disappear as the course in Oswestry is such a fun, tricky and testing place to play the game.

Check out the Oswestry Town Council website for more information.

Crazy Golf in a Wrestling Ring at Teezers Retro Golf in Coventry

We visited and played a round at Teezers Retro Golf in Coventry on Easter Sunday back in 2019.

The 18-hole indoor Crazy Golf course at Teezers Retro Golf opened in 2018 and was the 507th course played, and 865th visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour at that time.

It's now a lost course.

Mini Golf Scoring and Loyalty Apps

A look at minigolf, crazy golf and adventure golf scorecard and loyalty apps.

On our travels to 1,077 courses on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour we've used several apps to keep the score in our games.

We've seen a number of venues have introduced a mobile app to compliment or replace the traditional paper scorecard. Some of these apps are really good and help to enhance the experience. We're still fans of pencil and paper to score our rounds and have amassed a large collection of scorecards from our travels. That said, when we find an app that works well we're more than happy to download and use it. We've found the best ones are at courses that have both traditional and digital options for marking your scores as it keeps everyone happy.

The minigolf apps we've found offer a range of scoring functions, loyalty and reward schemes, games, reviews, contests, information and tips.

These are the adventure golf, crazy golf and minigolf apps available on Android and iPhone that we've found on our miniature golfing adventures:

• Adventure Island Mini Golf in Birmingham
• Bangolf Arena tournament scoring systems
• Congo River Golf Scorecard App - eight locations in the USA
• Dinton Adventure Golf
• Eingelocht: Minigolf Scorecard
• Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge, Solihull
• Ghetto Golf
• GlowGolf® Score-App
• Golf Kingdom in Romford - home of Moby Golf
• Hastings Adventure Golf
• Hollywood Drive-In Golf, Orlando, Florida
• International Pitch & Putt Association (IPPA)
• Inky’s Mini Golf at Sirenian Bay in Belize
• Lost World Adventure Golf in Hemsby
• Mini Golf App
• Mini Golf Score Card
• Monster Mini Golf Scorecard App in the USA
• My Mini Golf Scorecard
• Nyborg Minigolf in Denmark
• Oasis Fun in Bournemouth
• Paradise Adventure Golf in Täby Centrum, Sweden
• Paradise Island Adventure Golf in Cheshire Oaks, Derby, Glasgow, Livingston, Manchester, Plymouth, Rushden Lakes and Sheffield
• Peter Pan Mini Golf, USA
• Play Minigolf App - four courses in Sweden, Germany, Denmark, Portugal, Czech Republic, Italy, Netherlands and Belgium
• Playing tips for mini golf
• Popstroke, USA
• Puttstars
• Rainforest Adventure Golf in Dundrum, Ireland
• Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf in Bournemouth
• Stagecoach Greens, San Francisco, USA
• Swingers Crazy Golf
• TallyHo Golf App
• Teezers Retro Golf in Coventry
• The Clubhouse Stoke
• The Putter King game
• The Putting Penguin minigolf review site
• Volcano Falls Adventure Golf in Castleford
• We Are Minigolf

Do you know of any other minigolf apps, games or scoring systems? What do you think of them? Do you use them when you visit a course? Do you have a favourite? Let us know in the comments below.

A new minigolf book - "Win at Miniature Golf" by Tim 'Ace Man' Davies

There's a new minigolf golf book out called "Win at Miniature Golf".

"Win at Miniature Golf" by Tim 'Ace Man' Davies

"Win at Miniature Golf" has been published by Tim 'Ace Man' Davies, a five-time winner of the World Crazy Golf Championship and all-round legend of the game.

Whether you're a seasoned pro, rookie tournament player, or complete novice and newcomer to the world of competitive minigolf it's well worth a read.

You can find out more about the book and order your copy of "Win at Miniature Golf" at Lulu.

Learning some lines from Ace Man on a competition course at the Nations Cup in Tampere, Finland in 2008

Putting Green at Ventnor Park

Taking a look at the Putting Green at Ventnor Park on the Isle of Wight.

Putting Green at Ventnor Park

Catching up on a Crazy World of Minigolf Tour course visit from the summer of 2021!

Time flies and while we posted about Emily's trip to the Isle of Wight back in June 2021 we didn't get round to covering the individual course visits fully at the time.

This is the Putting Green at Ventnor Park.

Check out the Ventnor Park Putting Green website for further information.

Signs at the Ventnor Park Putting Green

The Putting Green at Ventnor Park was the 964th course visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

We've been to the Isle of Wight several times over the years and have been to most, but not all of the courses there. Some of the courses have changed over the years, with at least two of the courses undergoing refurbishments, and one changing twice since we first played it!

It's certainly interesting seeing the changes and developments on the island and we're looking forward to another trip there in the future.

We've now travelled to a total of 1,075 courses on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. Our adventures began on the mainland side of the Solent at Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Southsea back in September 2006.

Minigolf did you knows...?

Did you know these things about minigolf?

• The world's first miniature golf course was set-up at St Andrews, Scotland in 1867.
• James Barber opened the first minigolf course in the USA in 1916. The 'Lilliputian' miniature golf course was called 'Thistle Dhu' and located in Pinehurst, North Carolina.
• A Miniature Golf contest was part of the Olympic Games at the 1904 St Louis Games in the USA.
• Crazy Golf is 99 years old in 2025. The first course using the name 'Crazy Golf' opened on South Parade in Skegness, Lincolnshire, England in 1926.
• 1926 also saw the first artificial miniature golf course open in the USA. Garnet Carter opened the 'Tom Thumb' miniature golf course near Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
• The first National Tom Thumb Golf Championship took place on the 23rd October 1930.
• The first Putt-Putt brand miniature golf course was set-up by Don Clayton in Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA in 1954.
• There are several Guinness World Records for achievements in Minigolf, Miniature Golf, Crazy Golf, Adventure Golf, and Putt-Putt. The 2024 edition of the Guinness World Records book featured a whole page about minigolf and you can find details of the records on the Guinness World Records website.
• There are approximately 1,370 miniature golf courses in the British Isles.
• Our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour is 19 years old in 2025! In that time we've visited over 1,000 courses.
• The Crazy Golf Museum is 15 years old in 2025. The virtual online museum is a treasure trove and archive for all things related to minigolf, crazy golf, adventure golf, miniature golf, Putt Putt, and putting.
• There are two 'miniature golf days' each year. 'National Miniature Golf Day' is always on the second Saturday in May. In 2025 that will be Saturday 10th May. The other minigolf day, 'Miniature Golf Day', is always on the 21st September. In 2025 that will fall on a Sunday.

Do you have any other interesting minigolf facts or stats? If you do, get in touch and let us know what they are.

Miniature Golf 'Days' in 2025

There are two 'miniature golf days' each year.

National Miniature Golf Day is always on the second Saturday in May. In 2025 that will be Saturday 10th May.

The other minigolf day, Miniature Golf Day, is always on the 21st September. In 2025 that will fall on a Sunday.

New minigolf courses in the UK

Information about new minigolf courses being built, in development and planned to open in the UK.

Minigolf is an incredibly popular activity for all ages and there are new mini-golf, crazy golf and adventure courses opening up all the time in a wide-range of outdoor and indoor locations.

Whereas the game in the UK was more traditionally a seaside pastime, over the last decade it has grown to be a game enjoyed by people in more urban settings - with many minigolf venues catering to a late night audience.

How many minigolf courses are there in the UK?

As at January 2025 there are approximately 1,370 minigolf courses around the UK and British Isles (including Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man, and other islands). This includes public courses, as well as those at pay to enter attractions, holiday parks, hotels and other 'non-standard' locations.

Developments over the last two decades

When our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour travels began in 2006 there were around 600 courses in the British Isles. Only two of those original courses were indoor venues. Both of these were on the East Anglian coast (in Felixstowe and Great Yarmouth), and both locations still have minigolf courses. The indoor course at Manning's Amusements in Felixstowe has recently been removed and is being replaced by a brand new layout that is set to open in the same location at Easter this year.

As the year-round, 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.

The game was traditionally played on days out, short breaks and holidays, either at the seaside or on holiday camps. While the game has always been enjoyed by people old enough to pick up a putter, it has become a game played as much by groups of adults as it is by families.

The Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

We've now been to a total of 1,075 miniature golf courses on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour, with 1,017 of them in the British Isles. 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!

Of the original list of 600 we've still got to visit 39 of the public courses. In addition there are a further 150 courses at pay to enter attractions, hotels and holiday parks that we've not yet been to.

On top of these 189 courses from the original list there are hundreds more courses that have opened over the last 18 years! We tracked 320 courses that opened between May 2020 and July 2023. Between August 2023 and September 2024 a further 150 courses opened, or were in development. And between September 2024 and December 2024 another 27 new courses have been announced.

More new courses to come

There are 100+ new courses being created each year - some are on old sites/locations, some are completely new venues, while others are in planning/development, or under construction.

There are also quite a few other minigolf, crazy golf and adventure golf courses that are short-term 'pop-ups', some of which have been used as proof of concept businesses and developed into permanent courses. 

A few things to note

Please note that minigolf in the UK is not an exact science and courses are opening, in planning/development, and being 'lost' quite often. Others are being refurbished, and some are completely renovated to the point where they could be considered entirely new courses.

Find new courses

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 where I regularly post updates about new places to play the game.

Let's talk minigolf

If you know of a new course opening in the UK please do get in touch and let me know.

The Crazy World of Minigolf Tour in 2024

We visited 33 miniature golf courses this year.

Our minigolf adventures have taken us around the world - this is the Golf Planet Indoor Mini Golf course in Santiago, Chile

Courses played in 2024:

• 574 (1,053) Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (Twilight Zone by Monster Mini Golf) - 18-hole indoor course at the Horseshoe
• 575 (1,064) Westerfield, Ipswich (The Railway pub) - Adventure Golf
• 576 (1,034) Milton Keynes (Volcano Falls Adventure Golf) - Coney Island Carnival course - previously visited but not played in October 2023
• 577 (1,066) Manchester, Arndale (Roxy Ball Room) - Crazy Pool
• 578 (1,063) Manchester, Arndale (King Pins) - Mini Golf
• 579 (1,067) Warrington (Level Up Warrington) - Mini Golf
• 580 (1,068) Northwich (Christmas Extravaganza pop-up Crazy Golf course by Lancashire Crazy Golf) - Christmas-themed Crazy Golf

PopStroke Mini Golf in Las Vegas

Courses visited in 2024:

• 1,045 Bournemouth (Boom Battle Bar) - Crazier Nolf
• 1,046 - 1,047 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (PopStroke Las Vegas) - Black and Blue courses at Town Square Las Vegas
• 1,048 - 1,052 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (Swingers Las Vegas) - five 9-hole indoor crazy golf courses at Mandalay Bay - under construction
• 1,054 Bury St Edmunds (Abbey Gardens) - Crazy Golf - Revisited in August 2024 (the course had moved locations in the park)
• 1,055 (1,000th visited in the British Isles) Bury St Edmunds (Sneaky Links Crazy Golf) - Crazy Golf - Revisited in August 2024
• 1,056 Lincoln (Urban Putters) - Crazy Golf
• 1,057 Lincoln (GH Golf Lincoln) - Crazy Golf
• 1,058 Blackpool (The Hole In Wand) - Magical Mini Golf
• 1,059 Blackpool (Putt Above Mini Golf & Bar) - High-tech indoor minigolf
• 1,060 King's Lynn (Octoputts) - Indoor Crazy Golf
• 1,061 Santiago, Chile (Club de Golf Los Leones) - Putting Green
• 1,062 Santiago, Chile (Golf Planet at Open Plaza Kennedy) - Circuito de Minigolf
• 1,063 Manchester, Arndale (King Pins) - Mini Golf
• 1,065 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (KISS World featuring KISS Mini Golf and KISS World Museum) - KISS Mini Golf
• 1,069 Haverhill (Go Wild Axe & Golf - Wild Blades) - Adventure Golf
• 1,070 Rugby (Strikes Bar at The Adventure Zone in Rugby Central shopping centre) - Crazy Golf
• 1,071 Manchester (Tenpin Parrs Wood) - Prison Putt indoor adventure golf
• 1,072 Manchester, Trafford Palazzo (King Pins) - Mini Golf
• 1,073 Banbury (Banbury Bowl) - Scrapyard Golf
• 1,074 Banbury (The Light) - Mini Golf
• 1,075 Frilford (Millets Farm) - Millets Farmyard Golf

Nolf - the not Crazier Golf game at Boom Battle Bar!

Courses revisited in 2024:

• Prestatyn Crazy Golf in Prestatyn
• Blackpool Pleasure Beach Adventure Golf
• Princess Parade Crazy Golf in Blackpool
• Adventure Golf on Sea Road in Felixstowe
• Magical Golf FX in Felixstowe
• City Mini Golf course at Maggie Daley Park in Chicago, USA
• FTW in Chicago, USA
• Paradise Island Adventure Golf at the Trafford Centre in Manchester
• Mini Golf at Roxy Ball Room on Deansgate in Manchester
• Crazy Golf at Vickersway Park in Northwich
• Putting Courses at Vickersway Park in Northwich
• Bournemouth's Lower Gardens Mini Golf course
• The abandoned minigolf course on Bournemouth's Exeter Road

We've now been to a total of 1,075 miniature golf courses on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour since September 2006, with 1,017 of them in the British Isles. Our travels have been recognised by the Guinness World Records, and Richard is a record holder for "Most miniature golf courses visited".

When our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour travels began in 2006 there were around 600 courses in the British Isles.

Of the original list of 600 we've still got to visit 39 of the public courses. In addition there are a further 150 courses at pay to enter attractions, hotels and holiday parks that we've not yet been to.

On top of these 189 courses from the original list there are hundreds more courses that have opened over the last 18 years! We tracked 320 courses that opened between May 2020 and July 2023. Between August 2023 and September 2024 a further 150 courses opened, or were in development. And between September 2024 and December 2024 another 27 new courses have been announced.

As of today there are approximately 1,370 minigolf courses around the UK and British Isles (including Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man, and other islands). This includes public courses, as well as those at pay to enter attractions, holiday parks, hotels and other 'non-standard' locations.

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 where we regularly post updates about new places to play the game.

If you know of a new course opening in the UK please do get in touch and let us know.

Merry Christmas 2024!

Happy Christmas!

We wish you a very merry Christmas and all the best for the festive season.

Christmas Crazy Golf courses from our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

How many minigolf courses are there in the UK? (Update: December 2024)

There are lots of new minigolf courses being built, in development or planned to open in the UK.

Minigolf is an incredibly popular activity for all ages and there are new courses opening up all the time in a wide-range of outdoor and indoor locations.

Whereas the game in the UK has traditionally been a seaside pastime, over the last decade it has grown to be a game enjoyed by people in more and more towns and cities - with many catering to a late night audience.

How many minigolf courses are there in the UK?

As at December 2024 there are approximately 1,370 minigolf courses around the UK and British Isles (including Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man, and other islands). This includes public courses, as well as those at pay to enter attractions, holiday parks, hotels and other 'non-standard' locations.

Developments over the last two decades

When our travels began in 2006 there were around 600 courses in the British Isles. Only two of those original courses were indoor venues. Both of these were on the East Anglian coast (in Felixstowe and Great Yarmouth). The indoor course at Manning's Amusements in Felixstowe has recently been removed and is being replaced by a brand new layout that is set to open in the same location at Easter 2025.

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.

The game was traditionally played on days out, short breaks and holidays, either at the seaside or on holiday camps. While the game has always been enjoyed by people old enough to pick up a putter, it has become a game played as much by groups of adults as it is by families.

The Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

We've now been to a total of 1,072 miniature golf courses on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour, with 1,014 of them in the British Isles. 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!

Of the original list of 600 we've still got to visit 39 of the public courses. In addition there are a further 150 courses at pay to enter attractions, hotels and holiday parks that we've not yet been to.

On top of these 189 courses from the original list there are hundreds more courses that have opened over the last 18 years! We tracked 320 courses that opened between May 2020 and July 2023. Between August 2023 and September 2024 a further 150 courses have opened, or are in development. And between September 2024 and December 2024 another 27 new courses have been announced.

More new courses to come

There are 100+ new courses being created each year - some are on old sites/locations, some are completely new venues, while others are in planning/development, or under construction.

There are quite a few other minigolf, crazy golf and adventure golf courses that are short-term 'pop-ups', some of which have been used as proof of concept businesses and developed into permanent courses. 

A few things to note

Please note that minigolf in the UK is not an exact science and courses are opening, in planning/development, and being 'lost' quite often. Others are being refurbished, and some are completely renovated to the point where they could be considered entirely new courses.

Find new courses

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 where I regularly post updates about new places to play the game.

Let's talk minigolf

If you know of a new course opening in the UK please do get in touch and let me know.

Crazy Golf at Vickersway Park in Northwich (November 2024)

A walk round the Crazy Golf course at Vickersway Park in Northwich, Cheshire.

We revisited the Crazy Golf course at Vickersway Park while in Northwich for the town's Christmas Extravaganza. We really like the park, it's a nice and pleasant spot just outside the town centre.

Hole 1

Hole 2

Hole 3

Hole 4

Hole 5

Hole 6

Hole 7

Hole 7

Hole 7

Hole 7

Hole 8

Hole 9

Hole 9

Hole 9

Hole 9

The 9-hole Crazy Golf layout at Vickersway Park was originally the 700th course we visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour back in September 2016.

As well as the Crazy Golf course the park is also home to a grass Putting course.