Monday, May 03, 2021

Puttshack Mini Golf at Lakeside

A look at the Puttshack indoor minigolf course at Lakeside, Essex.


Puttshack Super-Tech Mini-Golf at Lakeside by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

Many thanks to my friend and minigolf rival Stephen Skinner for sending me some snaps from his visit to Puttshack at the Lakeside shopping centre in Grays, Essex. Stephen played the course last August.

Puttshack Super-Tech Mini-Golf at Lakeside by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

Puttshack Super-Tech Mini-Golf at Lakeside by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

Puttshack Super-Tech Mini-Golf at Lakeside by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

Puttshack Super-Tech Mini-Golf at Lakeside by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

Puttshack Super-Tech Mini-Golf at Lakeside by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

Puttshack Super-Tech Mini-Golf at Lakeside by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

Puttshack Super-Tech Mini-Golf at Lakeside by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

Puttshack Super-Tech Mini-Golf at Lakeside by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

Puttshack Super-Tech Mini-Golf at Lakeside by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

Puttshack Super-Tech Mini-Golf at Lakeside by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

For more information about Puttshack high-tech mini-golf visit the Puttshack website. The brand has recently launched in the USA too.

Puttshack Super-Tech Mini-Golf at Lakeside by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

Playing at Puttshack


Crazy Golf at Rylstone Tea Gardens in Shanklin on the Isle of Wight

A look at the Rylstone Tea Gardens Crazy Golf course in Shanklin, Isle of Wight.


My friend and minigolf rival Matt Dodd sent me this photo of the Crazy Golf course at Rylstone Tea Gardens in Shanklin on the Isle of Wight during his minigolfing trip there last summer.

Rylstone Tea Gardens Crazy Golf in Shanklin, Isle of Wight. Photo by Matt Dodd, July 2020


Visit the Rylstone Tea Gardens & Crazy Golf Facebook Page for more information.

Saturday, May 01, 2021

May is Celiac Awareness Month

This month is Celiac Awareness Month.


Celiac Awareness Month

Coeliac Disease (Celiac in the US and Canada) is a lifelong autoimmune disease caused by intolerance to gluten and the only treatment is to adhere to a strict lifelong gluten free diet.

In the UK it's estimated that 1 in 100 people have the condition, in the USA the figure is 1 in 133.

Visit the Beyond Celiac website for more information.

Living a gluten free life

Having suffered from a range of symptoms for around ten years I finally received a positive diagnosis of Coeliac Disease following some 'interesting' and in-depth tests and procedures in 2008. It came as a relief to finally have a name for the mysterious cause of my illnesses and ailments, but at the time I was only given a brief summary and told that I'd have to "cut down on bread and beer". It was only later when I met with a Gastroenterologist and a dietitian that I found out that the only treatment for people with Coeliac Disease is a strict, life-long gluten free diet.

Coeliac awareness dates

The month of May is Celiac Awareness Month, International Coeliac Day is on Sunday 16th May and Coeliac UK Awareness Week runs from the 10th to the 16th May.

The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing

I published my minigolf marketing ebook four years ago today.


The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing

It's been brilliant to see the guide read and used by a number of associations, federations, course owners and managers, players and clubs around the world.

The feedback and reviews have been excellent to see, with some people also using the ebook to help them promote other sports.


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

The ebook is also available on Kobo.

It's just £1.99.

Minigolf Marketing

As a minigolfer with over a decade of experience as a tournament competitor and years 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 958 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 40 from that original list left to visit.

The minigolf boom

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

There are 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 should give federations, associations, courses, clubs and our fellow players ideas, inspiration and support in their marketing efforts.

Links:

Friday, April 30, 2021

Minigolfing in the Netherlands. In Andover

We played an around-the-world themed indoor minigolf course in Andover, Hampshire back in May 2019.


Glo-Golf indoor Crazy Golf at the Riverside Bowl in Andover

Each of the holes was themed after a different country. Hole 1 was the Netherlands.

Glo-Golf indoor Crazy Golf at the Riverside Bowl in Andover

The Glo-Golf course at the Riverside Bowl in Andover was the 882nd course visited and 514th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. We've now been to 958 courses since September 2006.

We're yet to play in the Netherlands itself. However, my brother Christopher - a charter member of the tour - has played a Time Travel themed GlowGolf course in Amsterdam and swung by the Midget Golf course in Muiderberg.

Thursday, April 29, 2021

Mini Golf at Cherry Hill Garden Centre in Hemlington, Middlesbrough

There's a new minigolf course at Cherry Hill Garden Centre in Hemlington, Middlesbrough.


There's a new minigolf course at Cherry Hill Garden Centre in Hemlington, Middlesbrough

The 9-hole outdoor minigolf layout opened in 2020.

Visit the Cherry Hill Garden Centre website for more information.


It's a new miniature golf course - and another at a garden centre - for us to add to our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

No Minigolf at Chester Zoo

The Conservation Golf course at Chester Zoo is no longer there.

We had a day out at Chester Zoo yesterday. Unfortunately the Conservation Golf course that our friend John Mittler snapped for us in January 2018 is long gone.

Conservation Golf course at Chester Zoo. Photo by John Mittler, January 2018

Check out the guest blog post from John's visit for more photos.

Conservation Golf course at Chester Zoo. Photo by John Mittler, January 2018

Looking for the Putting Green at Runcorn Hill Park

We had a look for the Putting Green at Runcorn Hill Park in Runcorn, Cheshire on our way back from a day out at Chester Zoo yesterday. Unfortunately the course wasn't cut in.

Putting Green at Runcorn Hill Park
Out of season

You could however still see some of the mounds and bumps of the greens of the layout.

Putting Green at Runcorn Hill Park
A green on the Putting Course

It was still nice to have a wander around a different park, after having traipsed around the same parks and paths for more than a year.

Runcorn Hill Park
Not a minigolf hole

Runcorn Hill Park
But it looked a bit like one

An Earth stone at Runcorn Hill Park
One of two stones in the park that depict the Earth

An Earth stone at Runcorn Hill Park
The UK

An Earth stone at Runcorn Hill Park
The other half of the globe

We'll be heading back to Runcorn again in the future as we've never been to the town centre. We'll swing by Runcorn Hill Park again and see if the course is there next time.

Runcorn Hill Park
We had a wander to the cliff

Runcorn Hill Park
You get some superb views from the top of the Frog's Mouth Cliff!

Chester Zoo's monorail

A look at what remains of the monorail at Chester Zoo.


Monorail at Chester Zoo

Unfortunately we were two years too late to have a ride on the monorail at Chester Zoo when we visited yesterday.


However, as a big fan of monorails it was interesting to see sections of the track still in place

Monorail at Chester Zoo

Monorail at Chester Zoo

Monorail at Chester Zoo

Monorail at Chester Zoo

Monorail at Chester Zoo

Monorail at Chester Zoo

A crossing point on the monorail

There were quite a few 'ends of the line' too!

Monorail at Chester Zoo

Monorail at Chester Zoo

Monorail at Chester Zoo

Monorail at Chester Zoo

Monorail at Chester Zoo

Monorail at Chester Zoo
A bench underneath the monorail

Mini Golf at The Boathouse in Christchurch

A look at the Mini Golf course at The Boathouse in Christchurch, Dorset.


Mini Golf at The Boathouse in Christchurch. Photo by Matt Dodd, April 2021

Our fellow crazy golf adventurer Matt Dodd recently played the Mini Golf course at The Boathouse in Christchurch, Dorset and sent us these snaps of the layout.

Mini Golf at The Boathouse in Christchurch. Photo by Matt Dodd, April 2021

Check out The Boathouse's website for more information, opening times and prices.


Matt and his family have visited hundreds of courses on their crazy golf adventures and it's always great to meet up with them for a game. Matt has managed to track down and play quite a lot of courses that we're yet to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour!

We're looking forward to having a game at The Boathouse in the future.

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Crazy Golf at Tuckton Tea Gardens in Bournemouth

A look at the Crazy Golf at Tuckton Tea Gardens in Bournemouth.


Thank you to my friend and minigolf rival Matt Dodd for these photos of the Crazy Golf course at Tuckton Tea Gardens in Bournemouth, Dorset.

Crazy Golf at Tuckton Tea Gardens in Bournemouth. Photo by Matt Dodd, April 2021

Crazy Golf at Tuckton Tea Gardens in Bournemouth. Photo by Matt Dodd, April 2021

Visit the Tuckton Tea Gardens website for more information about the Crazy Golf course and Putting Green there.


Matt and his family have visited hundreds of courses on their crazy golf adventures and it's always nice to meet up with them for a game. Matt has managed to track down and play quite a lot of courses that we're yet to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour!

We're looking forward to a return visit to Bournemouth and playing the two miniature golf courses at Tuckton Tea Gardens.

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

National Miniature Golf Day is on Saturday 8th May

There are two annual minigolf 'days' dedicated to celebrating the game each year.


National Miniature Golf Day

The first is National Miniature Golf Day. It is always marked on the second Saturday in May. This year the date is Saturday 8th May.

Richard Gottfried playing the Championship Adventure Golf course in New Brighton, England on National Miniature Golf Day 2017
Playing the Championship Adventure Golf course in New Brighton, England on National Miniature Golf Day 2017

Miniature Golf Day

The second of the annual minigolf days is Miniature Golf Day. It is always on the 21st September. This year that will be a Tuesday.

The first miniature golf course

The world's first miniature golf course opened in St Andrews, Scotland in 1867. The Himalayas Putting Course is still open and is a marvellous place to have a round.

Playing The Himalayas course at the St Andrews Ladies' Putting Club 2012
Playing The Himalayas course at the St Andrews Ladies' Putting Club 2012


Playing minigolf around the world

There are tens of thousands of miniature golf courses around the world and millions of people play the game each year.

When our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour began in 2006 there were around 600 courses in the UK and just two of those were indoor venues.

The game has boomed in recent years and there are now more than 1,000 adventure golf, crazy golf and mini-golf layouts in the country, with more new courses opening all the time. Traditionally they were outdoor courses in seaside towns, but now you can find courses in towns and cities around the UK.

Lost World Adventure Golf on Sandown Pier

A look at the indoor adventure golf course on Sandown Pier on the Isle of Wight.


Sandown Pier Lost World Crazy Golf, Isle of Wight. Photo by Matt Dodd, July 2020

A big thanks to my fellow minigolf adventurer Matt Dodd for these photos of the Lost World Crazy Golf course on Sandown Pier. They were taken on his visit to the Isle of Wight last summer.

Sandown Pier Lost World Crazy Golf, Isle of Wight. Photo by Matt Dodd, July 2020

Sandown Pier Lost World Crazy Golf, Isle of Wight. Photo by Matt Dodd, July 2020

Sandown Pier Lost World Crazy Golf, Isle of Wight. Photo by Matt Dodd, July 2020

Visit the Lost World Adventure Golf website for more information.


Matt and his family have visited hundreds of courses on their crazy golf adventures and it's always brilliant to meet up with them for a game.