The Minigolf Nations Cup 2008 in Tampere, Finland

We made our Great Britain minigolf team debuts at the 2008 Nations Cup of Minigolf in Tampere, Finland 18 years ago today!

Our Great Britain Minigolf team, sponsored by UrbanCrazy, finished the tournament in 13th place. In the individual rankings I finished in 51st place and Emily was 53rd.

In action at the Minigolf Nations Cup in Tampere, Finland

The 2008 Great Britain squad - Jouni Valkjarvi (coach), John 'Big Top Ted' McIver, Marion 'Mation' Homer, Sean 'Freebird' Homer, Tim 'Ace Man' Davies, Steve 'F1' Gow, Emily 'Lemony' Gottfried, Andy 'Sarge' Booth, 'Squire' Richard Gottfried

We've also played for the Great Britain national team in World Minigolf Sport Federation and European Minigolf Sport Federation tournaments in Stockholm, Sweden and Hastings, England.

The Beton Concrete Mini Golf course at the Manse RG Club in Tampere was the 50th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. The Eternit Miniature Golf course was the 51st and the Swedish Felt Minigolf course there was the 52nd played. We've now been to 1,117 courses on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour since 2006.

The Flintstones Crazy Golf course at Bowleaze Cove in Weymouth, Dorset

Looking back at The Flintstones Crazy Golf course at Bowleaze Cove in Weymouth, Dorset.

I visited and played The Flintstones Crazy Golf course at Bowleaze Cove in Weymouth on the 11th October in both 2008 and 2009 while in town for the Weymouth Open Adventure Golf tournament at the Pirate Adventure Golf course at the nearby Sea Life Centre.

It's the only time I've seen a Flintstones-themed miniature golf course on my travels.

The Rules of The Flintstones Crazy Golf

Photos of The Flintstones Crazy Golf course at Bowleaze Cove in Weymouth in October 2008.

Photos of The Flintstones Crazy Golf course at Bowleaze Cove in Weymouth in October 2009.

The Flintstones Crazy Golf course in Weymouth was the 77th visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour back in October 2008. It's long gone now.

The Flintstones Crazy Golf course is almost as distant a memory as prehistoric times! 

The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing

I published my minigolf marketing ebook - The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing - nine years ago today.

My ebook to help minigolf players better market themselves, their clubs, tournaments and courses is available to purchase from Amazon.

Don't worry if you don't have a Kindle as you can download the Kindle App on iOS, Android, Mac & PC.

Minigolf Marketing

As a minigolfer with over a decade of experience as a tournament competitor and 20+ of experience in marketing and communications I designed the guide so that anyone interested or involved in minigolf could help promote the game. It's a niche title, but an audience and subject I know a lot about.

Writing the book was brilliant and enabled me to bring two areas of my life together. I've worked in marketing since 2003 and have played minigolf since I was a child. Stepping up to compete on the national minigolf tour circuit and in international tournaments opened my eyes to the potential of the game.

I’ve also had the honour of serving on the committees of the British Minigolf Association (BMGA) and the World Minigolf Sport Federation (WMF).

Minigolf is a sport for all. People of all ages, sexes, backgrounds and abilities can pick up a putter and play the game.

The Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Emily and I have visited 1,116 courses in the UK and overseas on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. When our travels began in 2006 there were around 600 courses in the UK. We've got 39 from that original list left to visit.

However, they've been joined by hundreds more new courses opening up across the UK, making our travels never-ending!

The minigolf boom continues

The game is really booming and new courses are being announced all the time.

100+ new courses are 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 adventure golf, crazy golf and minigolf courses that are short-term 'pop-ups', some of which have been used as proof of concept businesses and developed into permanent courses. 

The world of minigolf has a huge amount of interesting and fun stories to tell and positive aspects to highlight to potential players, the media, sponsors and the wider sporting community.

The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing gives federations, associations, courses, clubs and our fellow players ideas, inspiration and support in their marketing efforts.

Much of the guidance could also be applied to a number of other sports clubs and organisations to help raise their profile and boost memberships.

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.

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; Putting at the Kiosk in Bedford; Visionary Crazy Golf at the London Design Festival, and The Big Mini Golf Tour in Great Yarmouth.

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.

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

And this blog contains over 6,700 posts that have attracted 8.6 million page views since 2006.

Buy The Minigolfer’s Guide to Marketing ebook on Amazon.

World Book Day 2026 - The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing ebook

Check out my minigolf marketing ebook.

My ebook to help minigolf players better market themselves, their clubs, tournaments and courses is available to purchase from Amazon.

Don't worry if you don't have a Kindle as you can download the Kindle App on iOS, Android, Mac & PC.

Minigolf Marketing

As a minigolfer with over a decade of experience as a tournament competitor and over 20 years of experience in marketing & communications I designed the guide so that anyone interested or involved in minigolf could help promote the game. It's a niche title, but an audience and subject I know a lot about.

Writing the book was brilliant and enabled me to bring two areas of my life together. I've worked in marketing since 2003 and have played minigolf since I was a child. Stepping up to compete on the national minigolf tour circuit and in international tournaments opened my eyes to the potential of the game.

I’ve also had the honour of serving on the committees of the British Minigolf Association (BMGA) and the World Minigolf Sport Federation (WMF).

Minigolf is a sport for all. People of all ages, genders, backgrounds, and abilities can pick up a putter and play the game.

Buy The Minigolfer’s Guide to Marketing ebook on Amazon.

The Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Emily and I have visited 1,114 courses in the UK and overseas on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. When our travels began in 2006 there were around 600 courses in the UK (we've still got 39 from that original list left to visit!).

They've been joined by hundreds more new minigolf courses opening up across the UK, making our travels never-ending!

The minigolf boom continues

The game is really booming and new courses are being announced all the time.

Around 100 or so new courses are 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 adventure golf, crazy golf and minigolf courses that are short-term 'pop-ups', some of which have been used as proof of concept businesses and developed into permanent courses. 

The minigolf world has a huge amount of interesting and fun stories to tell and positive aspects to highlight to potential players, the media, sponsors and the wider sporting community.

The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing gives federations, associations, courses, clubs and our fellow players ideas, inspiration and support in their marketing efforts.

Much of the guidance could also be applied to a number of other sports clubs and organisations to help raise their profile and boost memberships.

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.

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; Putting at the Kiosk in Bedford; Visionary Crazy Golf at the London Design Festival, and The Big Mini Golf Tour in Great Yarmouth.

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.

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

And this blog contains over 6,600 posts that have attracted 7.5 million page views since 2006.

Buy The Minigolfer’s Guide to Marketing ebook on Amazon.

The Chrizy Golf Masters minigolf competition in Manchester

I won the Chrizy Golf Masters minigolf tournament in Manchester 13 years ago today!

The first - and to date only - Chrizy Golf Masters minigolf tournament was held on a festive-themed pop-up crazy golf course at Piccadilly Place in Manchester on the 30th November 2012.

The Chrizy Golf course was gone once the 2012 festive season was over and the building remained empty, or used for other pop-ups, until the team at Junkyard Golf made it their home for another minigolf course. That layout was there for a couple of years. They have since moved on and can be found at a permanent venue at First Street in the city.

Our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

The Chrizy Golf course was the 313th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. We've now been to 1,111 courses since September 2006.

The American Golf Adventure Golf National Pairs Championship

A look back at the 2017 American Golf Adventure Golf National Pairs Championship.

My team-mate Peter Jones and I qualified for the American Golf Adventure Golf National Pairs Championship Final by winning the Welsh Regional Qualifier at Clays Golf Centre in Wrexham, Wales.

Playing in the final of the American Golf National Pairs Championship

Winners of the Regional Qualifiers progressed to the grand final at The Belfry Hotel & Resort in Sutton Coldfield.

Peter Jones in action in the final of the American Golf National Pairs Championship

National Television Championships.

The American Golf Adventure Golf National Pairs Championship Final was contested on the Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry in September 2017 and was televised on Sky Sports Golf.

You can watch the tournament in the video below from 26m 55s.

You can also watch the American Golf Championship Tour Season Review programme on the American Golf YouTube Channel with the Adventure Golf competition starting at 31m 33s.

Qualifying for the American Golf Adventure Golf National Pairs Championship.

Players earned their places in the final by competing in qualifying events in England, Scotland and Wales at the following venues:

• Bristol Golf Centre
• Clays Farm Golf Centre, Wrexham
• Great Western Golf Clydebank
• Top Golf Watford
• Trent Lock, Long Eaton
• World of Golf Croydon

Action from the TV tournament at The Belfry

Miniature Golf course at Clays Golf Centre in Wrexham.

Each of the holes on the 9-hole Miniature Golf course at Clays Golf Centre in Wrexham were based on famous holes from big/regular golf.

Miniature Golf course at Clays Golf Centre in Wrexham

Related blog posts:

• American Golf
• American Golf Adventure Golf Championship
• Clays Golf Centre
• Competition
• The Belfry
• Tournament
• Wrexham

The Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry Hotel & Resort - the outdoor 12-hole course was the 456th played and 768th visited overall on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Links:

• American Golf
• Clays Golf Driving Range & Golf Course
• The Belfry Hotel & Resort

Winning the Weymouth Mini Golf Open

I won the Weymouth Open minigolf tournament on this day in 2008.

The inaugural Weymouth Open minigolf tournament was held on the 18-hole Pirate Adventure Mini Golf course at Weymouth Sea Life Centre at Lodmoor Country Park in Weymouth, Dorset on Sunday 12th October 2008.

Weymouth Open results.

I had an excellent career 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.

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.

Our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

The Pirate Adventure Mini Golf course was the 77th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. We've now been to 1,099 courses since September 2006.

Find out more about the course at Weymouth Sea Life Centre.

Visit the Weymouth Sea Life Centre website for more information on the Pirate Adventure Mini Golf course at Lodmoor Country Park.

Find out more about minigolf tournaments in the UK.

The British Minigolf Association organises several minigolf competitions each year. Visit the British Minigolf Association (BMGA) website for more information.

Find out more about minigolf tournaments around the world.

The World Minigolf Sport Federation is the world governing body for the sport of minigolf. Its national and continental member associations organise competitions around the world. Visit the World Minigolf Sport Federation (WMF) website for more information.

Related blog posts:

• Weymouth
• Competition
• Tournament
• British Minigolf Association
• Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
• Minigolf Player Profile - Richard Gottfried

Links:

• Weymouth Sea Life Centre
• British Minigolf Association

A rollercoaster minigolf journey!

Looking back at the crazy golf course at Fantasy Island in Ingoldmells, Skegness, Lincolnshire, England.

We've been to some weird and wonderful miniature golf courses in some crazy locations over the last 19 years.

One of the fun and intriguing places we had a game of minigolf was UNDERNEATH a rollercoaster at the Fantasy Island theme park in Ingoldmells, Skegness, Lincolnshire, England back in May 2011!

A lost minigolf course.

Sadly this particular crazy golf course is a lost course. Fantasy Island is now home to an 18-hole course called Lava Creek Adventure Golf. It's a course we need to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

At that point the 12-hole outdoor crazy golf course at the Fantasy Island theme park was the 240th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

We've now been to 1,099 courses overall in the last 19 years, with 1,038 of those locations in the British Isles.

Within the British Isles Emily and I have been to courses in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Jersey and the Isle of Man. We've also travelled to minigolf courses in twelve countries - Australia, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Finland, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, Spain (including Lanzarote and Majorca), Sweden and the USA.

Find out more.

Check out the Fantasy Island website for more information on the theme park in Ingoldmells.

Related blog posts:

• Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
• Ingoldmells
• Skegness
• Lincolnshire
• Rollercoaster

The Putt Park Annual Mini-Golf Tournament in Las Vegas, USA

A look back at The Putt Park Annual Mini-Golf Tournament in Las Vegas.

I won The Putt Park's Annual Mini-Golf Tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA back in September 2011.

Playing at the Putt Park Miniature Golf in Las Vegas.

We had first played miniature golf at The Putt Park on our holiday to Las Vegas in 2010. It was the 178th course visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Playing at The Putt Park Miniature Golf course in Las Vegas

Sadly The Putt Park is no longer there. It was a brilliant 18-hole course and, at the time, the only outdoor minigolf course in Las Vegas.

Related blog posts:

• Las Vegas
• Competitions
• Tournaments
• Richard Gottfried's Minigolf Player Profile

Two minigolf crocodiles, in two countries, on the same day

Playing two crocodile-themed holes in two different countries, on the same day!

On the 28th August I was playing a round of minigolf at Gator Golf at the Crocodiles of the World zoo in Brize Norton, Carterton, England. On the same day my brother Christopher and his family were 5,872 miles away playing minigolf at Khao Lak Mini Golf in Khuekkhak, Thailand.

And we both played a similar obstacle and hole where we had to putt our golf ball into a crocodile's (or alligator's) mouth!

The croc on hole 8 of the Khao Lak Mini Golf in Khuekkhak, Thailand on the left, with the gator on hole 15 of the Gator Golf course at Crocodiles of the World in Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, England on the right

Our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

We've now been to 1,099 miniature golf courses on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour to date. 1,038 of them have been in the British Isles. Combined with Christopher and his family's branch of the tour we've been to 1,152 courses in the British Isles and 21 overseas countries.

Find out more.

You can find out more about the two courses at the following links:

• Gator Golf at Crocodiles of the World
• Khao Lak Mini Golf

Related blog posts:

• Gator Golf at Crocodiles of the World in Brize Norton, Carterton
• Khao Lak Mini Golf in Khuekkhak, Thailand
• Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

NFL Experience Watch Party at Courts Club in Manchester

Visiting the NFL Experience New York Jets Vs Pittsburgh Steelers Watch Party at Courts Club in Manchester.

I had a fun afternoon at the NFL UK Experience New York Jets Vs Pittsburgh Steelers Watch Party at Courts Club in Manchester on Sunday.

Met some mascots, saw the Vince Lombardi trophy, and played some mini-games.

With Edgar - one of the three Baltimore Ravens mascots

With Jaxson de Ville - aka Union Jaxson - the mascot of the Jacksonville Jaguars

I watched a LOT of American Football over the weekend!

Hopefully there'll be more NFL events in Manchester in the future.

Find out more.

Visit the NFL UK & Ireland and Courts Club websites for more information.