The Mini Masters miniature golf competition in Manchester

Looking back at the 'Mini Masters' miniature golf tournament in Manchester.

I won the 'Mini Masters' miniature golf tournament in Manchester back on the 11th April 2009. Time certainly flies!

Mini Master

The Mini Masters was the first of two tournaments I won on the 9-hole Championship Miniature Golf course at what was then Playgolf Manchester. The second event being the Miniature Open in July 2009.

Lining up a big minigolf win

My Mini Masters scores.

I won the Mini Masters with a three round total of 81 (-24) after scoring 26, 27, and 28.

Playing a very long tee-shot over and past several obstacles!

Our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

The course was the 84th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. Back then the course wasn't one of our local layouts as we still lived in Luton, Bedfordshire and travelled up for the events.

We've now been to 1,116 courses on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour since 2006.

Emily putting on the big miniature golf course

Championship Miniature Golf in New Brighton.

The Championship Miniature Golf course is no longer at the centre, but you can find an expanded Championship Miniature Golf layout with two 18-hole courses in New Brighton. We've played both layouts there.

The Trafford Golf Centre.

The location is no longer a Playgolf venue either. It's now known as the Trafford Golf Centre and is home to two 18-hole dinosaur adventure golf courses. I won the Dino Falls Masters Adventure Golf competition there in 2018 too! Visit the Trafford Golf Centre website for more information on the courses.

One month until National Miniature Golf Day

There is one month to go until National Miniature Golf Day 2026.

There are two 'miniature golf days' each year.

National Miniature Golf Day is always on the second Saturday in May. In 2026 that will be Saturday 9th May.

The other minigolf day, Miniature Golf Day, is always on the 21st September. In 2026 the 21st falls on a Monday.

Green Day Cafe Mini Golf course at Westminster Park in Chester

Last week I asked 'Where in the world was this mini golf course visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour?'.

The answer was the Green Day Cafe Mini Golf course at Westminster Park in Chester, Cheshire, England.

Emily visited the course in March 2025.

Find out more.

Visit the Green Day Cafe Mini Golf website for more information.

What do you call 'minigolf'?

A look at different names for the game of miniature golf.

There are a number of different names for the game of miniature golf and on our crazy golfing adventures we've found more than 100 synonyms for it!

While there are some design standards for courses, most would be regarded as 'fantasy' courses where the end result is limited only by imagination, building regulations and budgets.

Here's a look at the common names for the game of putting:

Minigolf (also Mini Golf, Mini-Golf, Miniature Golf) – Minigolf is a catch-all name for the game and can be used to describe every type of course no matter its make-up or design.

Some Pitch & Putt and Par-3 Golf courses also describe themselves as Minigolf / Miniature Golf.

Adventure Golf – Adventure Golf is a relatively new name for the game and mostly describes a course with theming such as pirates, jungles, dinosaurs and space.

Crazy Golf – Crazy Golf is a name most commonly used in the UK. It is seldom, if ever, used overseas except in tourist spots popular with UK natives.

An equivalent name in the USA would be Goofy Golf.

At The Original Crazy Golf course in Skegness, Lincolnshire, England back in 2015

Mini-putt – Mini-putt courses are similar in appearance to Putt-Putt courses however they have distinct standardised hole designs and are particular to Canada.

"Mini-putt" is the Québécois term for the game of minigolf, thanks largely to the popularity of the Quebec cable sports show 'Défi mini-putt' in the 1970s and 80s.

Pitch & Putt – Sometimes Pitch & Putt courses will use the name Miniature Golf or Minigolf.

Putt-Putt – Putt-Putt is a trademark and denotes specific patented types of miniature golf courses. Most courses can be found in the USA, with some still in operation in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

Putt-Putt is sometimes incorrectly used as a catch-all / interchangeable name with Minigolf to describe a course or the game.

Putting – Grass Putting courses and Putting Greens are a type of minigolf and are often found at the seaside or in parks and gardens.

Related blog posts:

• Types and Variants of Miniature Golf visited and played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
• Definitions of Miniature Golf
• 100 names for Miniature Golf

The Putter King Chronicles

A look back at the Putter King miniature golf brand.

Kevin Dias - creator of the Putter King miniature golf brand - has recently been looking back on the concept and has published 'The Putter King Chronicles' on his website in five parts.

The Putter King Miniature Golf Scavenger Hunt.

One of the brand's marketing activities saw a worldwide Putter King Miniature Golf 'Scavenger Hunt' taking place during 2011. People were invited to track down and record items and achievements related to all forms of minigolf across 17 tasks.

The activities in the first Putter King Miniature Golf Scavenger Hunt had contestants design new minigolf holes and obstacles, play new courses, show off their minigolf ball collections, (re)learn Maths & Physics (in a fun way!) through the Putter King Education Programme, do arts & crafts, hunt for autographs, score holes-in-one, creating minigolf trick-shots and a whole lot more!

In total, there were 1,370 available points to collect. Allan Cox (AUS) won the competition with 960 total points. I finished in second place with 900 total points, and Pat Sheridan (USA) of The Putting Penguin website finished in 3rd place with 585 total points.

The whole Putter King experience was superb and brilliant fun. It's been nice reading about Kevin's journey with the business - and all the bumps, twists and turns in the story!

You can read The Putter King Chronicles at the links below:

• The Putter King Chronicles (Part 1 of 5)
• The Putter King Chronicles (Part 2 of 5)
• The Putter King Chronicles (Part 3 of 5)
• The Putter King Chronicles (Part 4 of 5)
• The Putter King Chronicles (Part 5 of 5)

Related blog posts:

• My Entry for the Putter King Miniature Golf Scavenger Hunt 2011
• The Putter King

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 100 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 1,400 miniature golf courses in the British Isles.
• Our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour is 20 years old in 2026! In that time we've visited over 1,000 courses.
• The Crazy Golf Museum is 16 years old in 2026. 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 2026 that will be Saturday 9th May.
• The other minigolf day, 'Miniature Golf Day', is always on the 21st September. In 2026 the 21st falls on a Monday.

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

New minigolf courses in the UK

I'm always on the lookout for new minigolf courses.

I post about new places planned, in development and opening using the 'New course' tag here on the blog.

If you know of a new minigolf, crazy golf, or adventure golf course opening please do get in touch.

How many minigolf courses are there in the UK today?

As of July 2025, our research indicated there were approximately 1,436 minigolf courses around the UK (and the British Isles including Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, and other islands). This figure included public courses, as well as those at pay-to-enter attractions, holiday parks, hotels, and other 'non-standard' locations. Some of these courses were also under construction / in development. Over time some locations have also been partially or fully refurbished, while others have completely swapped out an old course for a new one in the same spot. Since our last update we've also discovered and unearthed several courses we didn't previously know about that have opened in the last year or so!

Related blog posts:

• New Minigolf Courses in the UK: Mid-Year 2025 Update.
• New minigolf courses in the UK: January 2025
• New course

'Crazy Golf' is 100 years old this year

Crazy Golf is 100 years old in 2026.

The first miniature golf course using the name 'Crazy Golf' opened on South Parade in Skegness, Lincolnshire, England in 1926.

England's first 'Crazy Golf' course opened on South Parade in Skegness in 1926 and the game is widely known by that name in the UK. Crazy Golf is seldom, if ever, used overseas except in tourist spots popular with UK holidaymakers.

Our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

In May 2015 The Original Crazy Golf course became the 363rd played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. We'd first visited the course in 2011.

This sign for The Original Crazy Golf course in Skegness was located a little further down the road and next to another adventure golf course

From a Crazy Golf course to a hotel.

The Original Crazy Golf course in Skegness had been derelict since 2018 and the site has now had a Travelodge hotel and Starbucks drive-thru built on it.

Crazy Golf postcards from the course.

Here are two minigolf postcards from our collection showing the same location.

CRAZY GOLF. SKEGNESS. A Sapphire Card. LS2225. Posted from Skegness to New Basford, Nottingham in 1972

This postcard shows the course, note the name for the games is 'Craz-e-Golf'. This is interesting to see, and a name we'd not seen before

The postcard was sent to Liverpool from Skegness on the 21st June 1977 (a Tuesday). Note the nice postcard cancellation on the card too

The first miniature golf course.

The world's first miniature golf course was set-up at St Andrews, Scotland in 1867.

The Himalayas course is the world's first miniature golf and is home to the St Andrews Ladies' Putting Club. If you visit you'll find two superb grass putting layouts there - one 18-hole course and one consisting of 9-holes.

Related blog posts:

• Crazy Golf
• The Original Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness, Lincolnshire (May 2011)
• Crazy Golf history: from a minigolf course to a hotel
• Minigolf did you knows...?
• Definitions of Miniature Golf
• 100 names for Miniature Golf
• Skegness
• Lincolnshire
• Postcards

Miniature Golf 'Days' in 2026

There are two 'miniature golf days' each year.

National Miniature Golf Day is always on the second Saturday in May. In 2026 that will be Saturday 9th May.

The other minigolf day, Miniature Golf Day, is always on the 21st September. In 2026 the 21st falls on a Monday.

Minigolf courses we've played on Miniature Golf Days in previous years

'Crazy Golf' is 100 years old in 2026

Date for your diary - Crazy Golf will be 100 years old in 2026.

The first miniature golf course using the name 'Crazy Golf' opened on South Parade in Skegness, Lincolnshire, England in 1926.

England's first 'Crazy Golf' course opened on South Parade in Skegness in 1926 and the game is widely known by that name in the UK. Crazy Golf is seldom, if ever, used overseas except in tourist spots popular with UK holidaymakers.

Our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

In May 2015 The Original Crazy Golf course became the 363rd played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. We'd first visited the course in 2011.

This sign for The Original Crazy Golf course in Skegness was located a little further down the road and next to another adventure golf course

From a Crazy Golf course to a hotel.

The Original Crazy Golf course in Skegness had been derelict since 2018 and the site has now had a Travelodge hotel and Starbucks drive-thru built on it.

Crazy Golf postcards from the course.

Here are two minigolf postcards from our collection showing the same location.

CRAZY GOLF. SKEGNESS. A Sapphire Card. LS2225. Posted from Skegness to New Basford, Nottingham in 1972

This postcard shows the course, note the name for the games is 'Craz-e-Golf'. This is interesting to see, and a name we'd not seen before

The postcard was sent to Liverpool from Skegness on the 21st June 1977 (a Tuesday). Note the nice postcard cancellation on the card too

The first miniature golf course.

The world's first miniature golf course was set-up at St Andrews, Scotland in 1867.

The Himalayas course is the world's first miniature golf and is home to the St Andrews Ladies' Putting Club. If you visit you'll find two superb grass putting layouts there - one 18-hole course and one consisting of 9-holes.

Related blog posts:

• Crazy Golf
• The Original Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness, Lincolnshire (May 2011)
• Crazy Golf history: from a minigolf course to a hotel
• Minigolf did you knows...?
• Definitions of Miniature Golf
• 100 names for Miniature Golf
• Skegness
• Lincolnshire
• Postcards

Pitch & Putt on the Great Orme in Llandudno

The Pitch & Putt course on the Great Orme in Llandudno, Wales has re-opened.

Great Orme Golf has re-opened the Pitch & Putt course on the Great Orme in Llandudno. The miniature golf course is a 9-hole Pitch & Putt layout with holes ranging from 40 to 81 yards.

Find out more.

Visit the Great Orme Golf website for more information on the Pitch & Putt course.

Our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

We've been to Llandudno and the Great Orme on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour several times over the years. We haven't played the Pitch & Putt before, but have swung by it.

This is a view of part of the course when it was known as Great Orme Family Golf in August 2018

When we first visited the Great Orme in 2009 we didn't realise the Pitch & Putt course was there as we didn't descend the headland on the town side.

It's excellent news to hear the Pitch & Putt course has now re-opened.

The Great Orme headland is also home to two other minigolf courses - one half-way up (Alpine Adventure Golf), and one right at the very top (Rocky Pines Adventure Golf)!

We're looking forward to re-visiting the seaside town and the Great Orme in the future.

Minigolf in Leeds

A look at minigolf, crazy golf, adventure golf and crazy pool courses in Leeds, West Yorkshire.

The minigolf boom.

Mini Golf (also known as Crazy Golf and Adventure Golf) is an incredibly popular leisure and sporting activity for all ages, and we're seeing an exciting boom in new courses opening up across the UK.

From the seaside to the city centre.

While minigolf was traditionally a seaside summer pastime in the UK, the last decade or so has seen its growth into more urban settings, with many venues now catering to a late night audience. It can be the perfect activity for groups of friends, families, and young and old alike. The game continues to evolve and captivate players all year round.

Looking for a minigolf course in Leeds.

If you're looking for a place to play a game of miniature golf in Leeds, check out this list below.

Adventure Golf.

• Adventure Golf at Mission Out at Tingley Garden Centre - an outdoor 9-hole adventure golf course.

Crazy Golf.

• Crazier Golf at Boom Battle Bar - an indoor 9-hole mini golf course.
• Junkyard Golf at The Light on The Headrow - three indoor 9-hole crazy golf courses.
• Roxy Golf at Roxy Ball Room Boar Lane - an indoor 9-hole crazy golf course.

Crazy Pool (think of a cross between pool and crazy golf).

• Crazy Pool at King Pins at the White Rose Shopping Centre - an indoor crazy pool course.
• Crazy Pool at Roxy Ball Room Merrion Street - an indoor crazy pool course.
• Crazy Pool at Roxy Ball Room Boar Lane - an indoor crazy pool course.

Minigolf.

• Mini Golf at Leeds Hollywood Bowl - an indoor 9-hole mini golf course.
• Putt & Play Leeds at The Springs - two indoor 9-hole mini golf courses.
• The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf at St John’s Centre - an indoor 9-hole mini golf course.

Are there others?

Have we missed any minigolf courses in Leeds? Do let us know.

Your favourite minigolf course.

Where's your favourite place for a round of minigolf in Leeds?

Our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

We often visit Leeds and have visited most of the courses there on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. We're looking forward to a return visit to Leeds to see what's new.

Planning to visit a Mini Golf course - check ahead of time.

Where possible please do check that the course is still there and open before travelling to it. The online presence of courses is improving, and the way businesses market themselves is always evolving, so it's becoming somewhat easier to find the opening and closing times of courses. That said, we've spent the last two decades attempting to play as many courses as possible, and even we've ended up finding courses to be derelict, abandoned or unplayable when we've arrived!

Related blog posts:

• Leeds
• Adventure Golf
• Crazy Golf
• Crazy Pool
• Minigolf
• Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Crazy Golf at Riverside Gardens in Maidenhead

A look at the Crazy Golf course at Riverside Gardens in Maidenhead, Berkshire.

We visited the Crazy Golf course at Riverside Gardens in Maidenhead, Berkshire on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour back in May 2009.

The 18-hole crazy golf course was similar to the 'Eternit' type of Miniature Golf. However, the concrete playing surface wasn't anywhere near as smooth as an official Eternit Miniature Golf layout.

With Humpty

Tee Off Mr Bean.

The crazy golf course at Riverside Gardens in Maidenhead was made famous in the classic episode of Mr Bean - 'Tee Off Mr Bean' - which was filmed at the location!

Playing the course.

No cups on this hole!?

Photos of the course.

Find out more.

You can find out more about the crazy golf course and Riverside Gardens on the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead website.

Our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

The course was the 97th visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour travels. We've now been to 1,099 courses on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour since September 2006.