Hastings Adventure Golf wants you to get naked this Christmas and ditch the wrapping

Results of a Christmas survey by Hastings Adventure Golf.

The team at Hastings Adventure Golf in East Sussex love the festive season and recently carried out a survey which revealed that the majority of adults in Sussex would prefer to receive ‘help’ rather than a gift this Christmas.

What do you want for Christmas?

The survey revealed that 75% of those polled said help with dog walking, gardening, babysitting or cleaning is the gift they would prefer to receive this Christmas.

Despite this, 51% said that they generally gift in excess of 20 presents at Christmas, with a further 14% gifting in excess of 40 presents. 45% of respondents said they have no intention of cutting back on the number of presents they buy this year, with almost 9 in ten people (87%) intending to give wrapped gifts, in paper with sellotape. 

As a result, Sussex residents will bin up to 136,000 rolls of wrapping paper over the holiday season and around four black bags of gift packaging per household. Nationally that’s 108 million rolls of wrapping paper going to landfill. 

Given this, its unsurprising that half of those surveyed agreed that their household generated more waste last Christmas than could fit in their bins.

Hastings Adventure Golf has now launched its Naked Christmas campaign to encourage the reduction of  wrapping. The Naked Christmas campaign is hoping to persuade people to give unwrapped gifts this Christmas and help make the festive season less waste producing.

Hastings Adventure Golf mascot Caddie Bear wants you to go naked this Christmas

Simon Tompkins of Hastings Adventure Golf said: “The figures associated with Christmas gift wrapping are astounding. By running this campaign we are hoping to highlight the astounding levels of needless waste and associated landfill costs of using wrapping paper, while outlining ways of solving the situation by giving ‘naked’ or unwrapped gifts. This one small effort alone can make a massive difference. Gift vouchers for experiences or home made vouchers that gift your help make a great alternative.”

Tips on cutting back on the use of packaging and wrapping this Christmas, include:

1. Don’t wrap gifts - you can explain to the recipient why
2. If you need to wrap - choose your wrapping paper carefully. Not all paper is recyclable and before recycling remove any sticky tape and decorations such as ribbons and bows as these cannot be recycled.
3. Gift someone your time instead of a present – make your own gift vouchers for babysitting, dog walking, gardening, cleaning.
4. Think about vouchers for an experience - these create fun memories - plus the bonus of no waste, no packaging.

For more helpful tips on having a Naked Christmas visit the Hastings Adventure Golf website.

Survey conducted by Hastings Adventure Golf among residents of Sussex in October and November 2019. There were 496 respondents.

Related blog posts:
- Christmas
- Hastings Adventure Golf

Are Clacton-on-Sea and Bognor Regis the worst seasides in the country?

Clacton-on-Sea and Bognor Regis have been voted as the worst seaside resorts in the UK. 

Bognor Regis seafront from the pier

We're big fans of the seaside and have visited many coastal towns and resorts, including Clacton-on-Sea and Bognor Regis, on our minigolf travels over the last 13 years.

Clacton-on-Sea pier from the seafront

Seaside resorts were rated in ten categories in the Which? survey. Clacton-on-Sea and Bognor Regis were both rated poorly for their attractions, peace and quiet, scenery and value for money.

Bognor Regis pier from the seafront

Bamburgh, Northumberland was rated as top of the 100 seasides. We haven't been there, but did drive past it on our way to nearby Seahouses as that was more our cup of tea.

In 2011 Clacton Pier was home to a pop-up Adventure Golf course

As with most things, it really does depend what you want from a trip to a seaside. If you want a sedate place then Clacton and Bognor are probably not for you, but even saying that I have some nice memories of picnicking in the gardens near the seafront in Clacton and there are some very good spots for a more tranquil wander in Bognor Regis.

The Crazy Golf course on Waterloo Place in Bognor Regis in 2011

We've been to some seasides that other people rave about and haven't been impressed at all. That could be down to us being us, or it could be because of the time of year we visited, the weather on the day, or a number of other factors.

I've been to seven of the seasides ranked in the top ten. Only one of those, Southwold, would possibly rank in my top ten.

Top ten:

• Bamburgh
• Portmeirion
• Dartmouth
• North Berwick
• St Mawes
• Beer
• St Andrews
• Aldeburgh
• Southwold
• Tenby

Looking at the bottom ten seaside resorts I've been to all of them, many multiple times. I'd select some of them for my top ten.

Bottom ten:

• Bognor Regis
• Clacton-on-Sea
• Burnham-on-Sea
• Skegness
• Fleetwood
• Weston-Super-Mare
• Great Yarmouth
• Margate
• Morecambe
• Minehead

A few years ago another poll rated the Lincolnshire seaside resort of Skegness as one of the world's worst holiday destinations, on a par with Pyongyang, North Korea. I disagree with that result. Pyongyang only has one minigolf course, whereas Skegness has ten courses on the seafront so it is head and shoulders above the North Korean city.

A view of Bognor Regis Pier from the Crazy Golf course

Emily playing Crazy Golf in Bognor Regis

  

Playing Adventure Golf on Clacton Pier in 2011

We're looking forward to return visits to both Bognor Regis and Clacton-on-Sea. The towns have new minigolf courses we've yet to play too, an even better reason to go again.

Do you agree with the results of the survey?

Have you been to Clacton-on-Sea or Bognor Regis? What did you think?

What's your favourite / least favourite seaside?

Related blog posts:
- Bognor Regis
- Clacton-on-Sea

What is the most boring sport?

Do you agree with the YouGov Poll results?

A recent YouGov Poll of the British public found that Golf was the most boring sport to watch on TV.

I'm glad I play Mini Golf - that's NOT boring at all.

Playing the Ryder Legends Adventure Golf course at The Belfry - home of the American Golf National Adventure Golf Championships

We need more of it on the telly - like the American Golf National Adventure Golf Championships that were shown on Sky Sports in November.



Find out more about the YouGov Poll on the YouGov website.

I wonder what the members of the Dull Men's Club think about the Poll...?

Related blog posts:
- Boring
- Dull

Hastings Adventure Golf survey finds technology losing ground on Christmas lists

Results of a Christmas list survey by Hastings Adventure Golf.

The team at Hastings Adventure Golf has conducted a survey which reveals that technology is slipping down the Christmas wish list of adults in Sussex.

What's on your Christmas wish list?

The survey revealed that technology, including mobile devices, PC and games, was not in the most desired category of gifts this year.

The unexpected revelation showed that the most wanted category of Christmas gifts was ‘clothes or accessories’. In close second place, was ‘an experience’ to include tickets to events, days out and mini-breaks. Technology took third place.

When asked specifically about ‘gift vouchers’ for days out or experiences, 50 percent of the adults surveyed agreed that the gift of an experience or day out was a great present.

With many people already owning more tech devices than ever before, active, fun and memorable experiences are becoming more popular as a gift choices.

Hastings Adventure Golf is always keen to get more people active and they run a number of events, competitions and promotions throughout the year. They have three outdoor minigolf courses on the seafront site - a classic Crazy Golf, an Adventure Golf layout and a Pirate Golf course. We've visited and played them a LOT on our Crazy Golf adventures since 2007!

While new technology might not be top of Christmas wish lists the Hastings Adventure Golf App has proved to be a popular free download to help people make the most of the experience.

Players visiting Hastings Adventure Golf can download the scorecard and loyalty app to keep a record of their visits and results, use the on-course selfie spot feature, and receive offers.

Visit the Hastings Adventure Golf website for more info.

Related blog posts:
- Hastings Adventure Golf
- Hastings
- Survey

The survey was commissioned by Hastings Adventure Golf and conducted by One Poll, with a sample of 400 adults (50:50 Male:Female) in Sussex.

Luton Mini Golf Meadows

Visiting the new meadows in Wardown Park, Luton.

Luton's new Mini Golf Meadows

Earlier this week I read about the developments at the old minigolf and crazy golf site in Luton's Wardown Park and today Emily and I headed down for a look at the new 'Luton Mini Golf Meadows'.

The area does look really nice

As part of our visit we met the project's co-ordinator Helen Hoyle who told us about the project, while we were able to tell her more about the minigolf courses that used to be there. We also completed a survey for the research while we wandered around the meadow.

Exploring the Mini Golf Meadows and completing my survey of 'Plot G'. Emily did 'Plot H'

The year-long project has been set-up to monitor how local Luton residents and insects react to the new meadows.

One of the pretty plots in the meadow

Over the years we played the minigolf courses in the park a fair bit. The Crazy Golf course that used to be in Wardown Park was the 18th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour way back on the 5th May 2007. The Grass Putting Miniature Golf layout became the 19th played on the 19th May. Until the meadows were planted minigolf had been played in the park since the 19th June 1934.

I spotted a metal cup from one of the grass minigolf holes sitting on the 'green' of the old Crazy Golf course. As a connoisseur of derelict minigolf courses it was interesting to see what had become of the old holes

Hole 1 as it used to look

Hole 1 now

A view of the old Crazy Golf site. The markings from the old fibreglass holes are still clear to see

Out standing in his field. In the middle of what once was a grass putting course

It was nice to see at some signs that the area was once home to two miniature golf courses.

A view of the Luton Mini Golf Meadows from the old Crazy Golf course

Hole 8 is no longer this way. You can find plots A-D there though

Signs of golf still exist 'in the rough'

Playing the Miniature Golf course back in 2010

Links:
- Department of Landscape at the University of Sheffield
- F3ues Urban BESS project
- Green Estate
- Pictorial Meadows
- Luton Borough Council

Related blog post:
- Crazy Golf in Wardown Park Luton

Like the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour on Facebook, check out our YouTube channel and follow me and Emily on Twitter.

Luton Borough Council's 'Informal Outdoor Sports Survey'

I spotted in the latest issue of Luton-at-Large magazine that Luton Borough Council has a current consultation on the playing of sports and games in Luton's parks.

The 'Informal Outdoor Sports Survey' is seeking feedback on park use in the town and would like to know whether people are playing football or cricket, or even crazy golf!

The survey itself mentions 'Mini-golf'.

On our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour Emily and I have visited and played six Miniature Golf courses in (and a little bit around) Luton. The first of the Luton Borough Council courses was the 9-hole Crazy Golf course in the town's Wardown Park.

Related blog posts:

- Luton

- Crazy Golf & Minigolf Courses in and around Luton, Bedfordshire

- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Links:

- Luton Borough Council
- Luton Borough Council - Parks and Recreation

- Playing pitch strategy for Luton

- Informal Outdoor Sports Survey

Putter King Miniature Golf Survey & PKSH2

The Putter King is giving the participants of the 2012 Putter King Miniature Golf Scavenger Hunt a chance to get a sneaky peek at the list of tasks for the #PKSH2 ahead of the full release on the 1st of March.

If you enter my name as the answer to the final question of the Putter King Miniature Golf Survey - Did someone refer you to this survey? (if so please enter that person's name) - it'll help me unlock the FULL official list for the 2nd Annual Putter King Miniature Golf Scavenger Hunt!

Please check out the Putter King Miniature Golf Survey at - http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5XXXSVQ

Cheers,

Richard

See the latest Blog Post over at The Putter King website - Attention Putter King Scavenger Hunters

News Release - MiniatureGolfer.com 2009 UK Crazy Golf Price Survey

18th February 2010
News Release
For Immediate Use

MiniatureGolfer.com 2009 UK Crazy Golf Price Survey

MiniatureGolfer.com, in association with the Ham & Egger Files Crazy World of Minigolf Golf blog, has produced the first survey of its kind in order to find the UK’s best value Crazy Golf course.

Details of over 100 Crazy Golf courses countrywide were looked at and the most important factors in deciding the best value were cost and fun!

Information on the normal adult price for a single round on a sample of UK Crazy Golf courses was gathered, excluding special offers and courses within an attraction where a separate entrance fee is applicable. To do a proper comparison, the adult cost of one round was divided by the number of holes, giving a cost per hole. The cost per hole difference between the cheapest and most expensive courses was enormous, ranging from 7 pence to 56 pence.

Tim ‘Ace Man’ Davies webmaster of MiniatureGolfer.com said "As for the best course in the UK you'll have to visit Planet Hastings! Which this year is hosting the British Minigolf Association British Open on the 18th & 19th September."

‘Squire’ Richard Gottfried of the Ham & Egger Files Crazy Golf blog said "The price survey was very interesting to put together. Since September 2006 my wife and I have been on a mission to play all the UK’s minigolf courses and so far we’ve visited 206. We were able to put together a comprehensive price survey for all the countries this year as we did a nine-day Tour of Wales in the summer and the 28 Welsh courses we played account for approximately 80% of all the Minigolf courses in Wales (according to Miniaturegolfer.com) and 93% of the public courses there."

Best value courses by country
England
It was decided that the best value course in England was at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge near Birmingham at £1.50 for 12 holes (13p). This course was also the host venue of the British Minigolf Association British Club Championships in 2005 and 2006. Dorridge narrowly edges out Newcastle (14p) and Cheddar (14p).

And while you're in the Midlands do check out the excellent course in Stratford-upon-Avon and the best value Indoor course in England and the UK, Star City, Birmingham. Both come highly recommended.

Oswestry (Cae Glas Park) – 18-hole Eternit Miniature Golf, is the cheapest course in the UK at only 7p per hole! Sutton Fields came in at £1 for nine holes.

Special mentions should also go to Kingsway Golf Centre in Melbourn, Cambridgeshire, where for £2.20 you can play for as long as you like. And Tea Green Golf at Wandon End near Luton, Bedfordshire where for £2.00 you can get unlimited play with a ball purchase. To our knowledge neither of the courses has met the marathon week-long player with the miner's helmet yet.

Rhylstone Gardens on the Isle of Wight also deserves a mention as it has been around for 50 years!

Scotland
Perth is the cheapest and the best value course we found north of the border. It’s an outdoor 18-hole course but 9 holes are covered, it has a members club and it's floodlit! It comes in at 17 pence per hole! Also highly recommended is Fife.

As for indoor courses, Scotland has two – in Aberdeen and Glasgow. Aberdeen wins it at 32p a hole but both are well worth a visit. Aberdeen will be hosting the first ever BMGA Scottish Open in May this year.

Wales
Is it Rocky Pines Adventure Golf, at the summit of the Great Orme Mountain in Llandudno at 14p per hole? (Which can also lay claim to the honour of being the highest minigolf course in the British Isles!) Or was it Prestatyn?

The honour goes to Prestatyn. A fine example of an Arnold Palmer Putting Course which comes in at 13p per hole, and a chance to win a free game on the lucky nineteenth hole.

Wales has no known indoor courses.

Northern Ireland
The best value course found was at Carnfunnock at 17p per hole.

Highly recommended is Belfast, which held the BMGA Irish Open in 2006 & 2007.

Northern Ireland has no known indoor courses.

Channel Islands
Jersey's Living Legend course has 36-holes and comes in at 35p per hole, and is slightly more expensive than Guernsey's Oatlands at 32p. The Living Legend wins out.

The Channel Islands has no known indoor courses.

Worst value in the UK
Attractions where an entrance fee is payable were excluded.

Woking, at only 9-holes and in poor condition wins this ignominious title. The course does have concessions for locals but you’d have to be a very crazy Crazy Golfer to pay £4 to play the course! It is also the second equal most expensive course in the UK at 44p per hole.

Overall best value Crazy Golf courses in the UK
Outdoor - The Arnold Palmer Putting Course, Prestatyn
Indoor - Aberdeen narrowly beating Star City, Birmingham

Weblinks:
http://www.miniaturegolfer.com/ - the number one website for information on all things minigolf, run by five-times World Crazy Golf Champion Tim ‘Ace Man’ Davies

http://www.miniaturegolfer.com/miniaturegolfer%20price%20survey%202009.html - online reference to the survey and links to the courses

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/ - Richard & Emily Gottfried’s Crazy World of Minigolf Tour blog, charting their journeys and adventures in miniature golf

http://www.minigolf.org.uk/ - website of the British Minigolf Association (BMGA), the UK governing body for minigolf sport

Ends

Miniaturegolfer.com 2009 UK Crazy Golf Price Survey

Crazy Golf Legend and Hall of Famer Tim 'Ace Man' Davies of the excellent http://www.miniaturegolfer.com/, along with Emily and I here at the Ham & Egger Files, have been working on the "Miniaturegolfer.com 2009 UK Crazy Golf Price Survey".

The Miniaturegolfer.com 2009 UK Crazy Golf Price Survey looked at a sample of 119 Miniature Golf/Crazy Golf/Minigolf courses in the UK and came up with details of the 'best value' courses in the UK - taking into account factors including cost and fun!

Details of the survey, which gives details of courses in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands can be found at http://www.miniaturegolfer.com/miniaturegolfer%20price%20survey%202009.html