A blog about our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. With a sprinkling of nostalgia and urban exploration for good measure.
Sunday, October 16, 2022
A look at an old Happy Shopper shop in Burton-on-Trent
Labels:
Burton,
Burton on Trent,
Burton upon Trent,
Ghost Signs,
Happy Shopper,
nostalgia,
retail,
retro,
shop,
shopfront,
shopfronts,
Shops,
signage,
storefront,
urban exploration
Location:
Burton upon Trent, Burton-on-Trent, UK
I’m a Champion Miniature Golfer on a tour of the UK’s minigolf and crazy golf courses. Coeliac living a gluten free life. Train nerd. Retro gamer. Urban explorer.
Saturday, October 15, 2022
Video Store Day 2022
Today is Video Store Day.
Do you still have a video store near you?
International Independent Video Store Day is observed on the third Saturday of October each year.
It's always interesting finding lost shops and old signs on my travels and I recently drove past this former video rental shop at The Village Top Shop in Thorpe Hesley, Rotherham!
Video Rentals at The Village Top Shop in Thorpe Hesley, Rotherham |
There are still traces of other former video shops to be found on the streets of the UK. Most of those are old Blockbuster Video stores. But there are remnants of independent video shops to be seen if you're lucky.
Blockbuster Video stores we've visited to date:
- Abingdon, Oxfordshire
- Ashton, Bristol
- Barnsley, South Yorkshire
- Basingstoke, Hampshire
- Billingham, Teesside
- Cheadle Hulme, Greater Manchester
- Chester, Cheshire
- Chorley, Lancashire
- Clacton-on-Sea, Essex
- Colne, Lancashire
- Failsworth, Manchester
- Fallowfield, Manchester
- Felixstowe, Suffolk
- Filton, Bristol
- Great Moor, Stockport, Greater Manchester
- Hastings, East Sussex
- Leigh, Greater Manchester
- Luton, Bedfordshire
- Marple, Greater Manchester
- Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire
- Nuneaton, Warwickshire
- Oldham, Greater Manchester
- Prescot, Lancashire
- Shanklin, Isle of Wight
- Southampton, Hampshire
- Telford, Shropshire
- Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
- Wythenshawe, Manchester
Other video shops we've been to include B.V.C. - Bolton Video Centre in Little Lever, Bolton and 20th Century Flicks in Bristol - and both were still trading!
On Video Store Day in 2020 we were fortunate enough to stumble upon a video rental shop in Little Lever, Bolton |
Labels:
2022,
Day,
nostalgia,
retro,
VCR,
VHS,
Video,
video shop,
Video Store Day,
videos
I’m a Champion Miniature Golfer on a tour of the UK’s minigolf and crazy golf courses. Coeliac living a gluten free life. Train nerd. Retro gamer. Urban explorer.
Friday, October 14, 2022
Globetrotters Crazy Golf at County Mall Shopping Centre in Crawley
Globetrotters Crazy Golf is opening at the County Mall Shopping Centre in Crawley, West Sussex this winter.
The Globetrotters pop-up Crazy Golf course is heading indoors to the County Mall Shopping Centre in Crawley, West Sussex and will be open from Friday 18th November.
Check out the Globetrotters Crazy Golf website for more information.
Labels:
2022,
Crawley,
Globetrotters,
Globetrotters Bar & Golf,
Globetrotters Crazy Golf,
Mini Golf,
Minigolf in the time of Coronavirus,
Pop Up,
Retailtainment,
West Sussex
Location:
Southgate Ave, Crawley RH10 1FG, UK
I’m a Champion Miniature Golfer on a tour of the UK’s minigolf and crazy golf courses. Coeliac living a gluten free life. Train nerd. Retro gamer. Urban explorer.
Wednesday, October 12, 2022
Winning the Weymouth Mini Golf Open
I won the Weymouth Open minigolf tournament on this day in 2008.
The inaugural Weymouth Open minigolf competition was held on the 18-hole Pirate Adventure Mini Golf course at the Weymouth Sea Life Centre at Lodmoor Country Park in Weymouth, Dorset on Sunday 12th October 2008.
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.
The Pirate Adventure Mini Golf course was the 77th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. We've now been to 1,004 courses since September 2006.
Labels:
2008,
BMGA,
Competition,
Dorset,
Merlin Pirate Adventure Mini Golf,
Richard Gottfried,
Tournament,
Weymouth
I’m a Champion Miniature Golfer on a tour of the UK’s minigolf and crazy golf courses. Coeliac living a gluten free life. Train nerd. Retro gamer. Urban explorer.
Tuesday, October 11, 2022
Where in the world would you find this miniature golf course?
A minigolf mystery...
Where in the world would you find this miniature golf course? |
It's one of the 1,004 visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour since 2006.
Labels:
2010,
Eternit,
Eternite,
Guess the course,
Mini Golf,
Miniature Golf,
Miniaturegolf,
Minigolf,
Mystery,
overseas,
Richard Gottfried,
Travel
I’m a Champion Miniature Golfer on a tour of the UK’s minigolf and crazy golf courses. Coeliac living a gluten free life. Train nerd. Retro gamer. Urban explorer.
Monday, October 03, 2022
Hotel Pinija Mini Golf in Croatia
A look at the two Mini Golf courses at Hotel Pinija in Petrčane, Croatia.
A sign for the Mini Golf at Hotel Pinija |
My brother, and charter member of the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour, has sent me some snaps of the two Mini Golf courses at Hotel Pinija in Petrčane, Croatia.
One of the two courses at the hotel |
This is the newer of the two layouts |
The older course is of the Eternit variety of miniature golf |
Hole 6 |
The Eternit Miniature Golf course at Hotel Pinija |
Our combined total of course visits now stands at 1,046 since September 2006.
Labels:
2022,
Christopher Gottfried,
Crazy World of Minigolf Tour,
Croatia,
Eternit,
guest blog,
Hotel,
Hotel Pinija,
Mini Golf,
Miniature Golf,
Petrčane
I’m a Champion Miniature Golfer on a tour of the UK’s minigolf and crazy golf courses. Coeliac living a gluten free life. Train nerd. Retro gamer. Urban explorer.
Saturday, October 01, 2022
54 Problems minigolf podcast
Have a listen to the latest 54 Problems minigolf podcast for a minigolf tour with a difference.
I was a guest on the new episode of the 54 Problems minigolf podcast.
Do give the 54 Problems Facebook Page a like too.
Labels:
2022,
54 Problems,
Andrew Edmonds,
Crazy World of Minigolf Tour,
Media,
Miniature Golf,
Miniature Golf Day,
Minigolf,
Minigolf in the time of Coronavirus,
podcast,
Simon Brown,
Travel,
virtual
I’m a Champion Miniature Golfer on a tour of the UK’s minigolf and crazy golf courses. Coeliac living a gluten free life. Train nerd. Retro gamer. Urban explorer.
Friday, September 30, 2022
16 years of our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
Celebrating 16 years of our minigolf adventures.
We played the Victory Trail course at Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Southsea, Hampshire on this day in 2006.
Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Southsea |
At the end of our 9-hole round on Saturday 30th September I won a free game by firing the cannon on the lucky last hole.
My free game card from Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Southsea - never used! |
We've been putting on our crazy golfing adventures ever since!
Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Southsea |
When our travels began in 2006 there were around 600 courses in the UK. There are now more than 1,000, and there are lots of new courses opening all the time.
We've now been to 1,004 courses overall in the last 16 years, with 959 of those courses in the British Isles.
You can see all of the courses we've visited on this Crazy World of Minigolf Tour list.
---------------
Join our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour enewsletter mailing list
Labels:
2022,
Adventure Golf,
Anniversary,
Crazy World of Minigolf Tour,
Hampshire,
Minigolf in the time of Coronavirus,
Portsmouth,
Southsea,
Treasure Island Adventure Golf
Location:
Southsea, Portsmouth, UK
I’m a Champion Miniature Golfer on a tour of the UK’s minigolf and crazy golf courses. Coeliac living a gluten free life. Train nerd. Retro gamer. Urban explorer.
Thursday, September 29, 2022
Video Rentals at The Village Top Shop in Thorpe Hesley, Rotherham
Spotting an old video shop in Rotherham.
It's always interesting finding lost shops and old signs on my travels and I recently drove past this former video rental shop at The Village Top Shop in Thorpe Hesley, Rotherham!
There are still traces of other former video shops to be found on the streets of the UK. Most of those are old Blockbuster Video stores. But there are remnants of independent video shops to be seen if you're lucky.
Blockbuster Video stores we've visited to date:
- Abingdon, Oxfordshire
- Ashton, Bristol
- Barnsley, South Yorkshire
- Basingstoke, Hampshire
- Billingham, Teesside
- Cheadle Hulme, Greater Manchester
- Chester, Cheshire
- Chorley, Lancashire
- Clacton-on-Sea, Essex
- Colne, Lancashire
- Failsworth, Manchester
- Fallowfield, Manchester
- Felixstowe, Suffolk
- Filton, Bristol
- Great Moor, Stockport, Greater Manchester
- Hastings, East Sussex
- Leigh, Greater Manchester
- Luton, Bedfordshire
- Marple, Greater Manchester
- Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire
- Nuneaton, Warwickshire
- Oldham, Greater Manchester
- Prescot, Lancashire
- Shanklin, Isle of Wight
- Southampton, Hampshire
- Telford, Shropshire
- Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
- Wythenshawe, Manchester
Other video shops we've been to include B.V.C. - Bolton Video Centre in Little Lever, Bolton and 20th Century Flicks in Bristol - and both were still trading!
Labels:
nostalgia,
retail,
Rotherham,
shop,
shopfront,
shopfronts,
Shops,
storefront,
Thorpe Hesley,
Video,
video shop,
Video Store,
videos
Location:
Thorpe Hesley, UK
I’m a Champion Miniature Golfer on a tour of the UK’s minigolf and crazy golf courses. Coeliac living a gluten free life. Train nerd. Retro gamer. Urban explorer.
Mr Mulligans Crazy Golf in Norwich
There are plans for a new two-course Crazy Golf venue to open at Norwich's Riverside area.
Two indoor 12-hole courses are planned to be created at the new Mr Mulligans centre.
Visit the Mr Mulligans website for more information and details about other Mr Mulligans Adventure Golf courses in Basildon, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Cheltenham, Milton Keynes, Newcastle, Sidcup, Stevenage, Tonbridge and Worcester.
It'll be another new place to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour on a return trip to Norwich.
Labels:
2022,
Crazy Golf,
Minigolf in the time of Coronavirus,
Mr Mulligan,
Mr Mulligan's,
Mr Mulligans,
New course,
Norfolk,
Norwich
Location:
Norwich, UK
I’m a Champion Miniature Golfer on a tour of the UK’s minigolf and crazy golf courses. Coeliac living a gluten free life. Train nerd. Retro gamer. Urban explorer.
World Crazy Golf Championships 2023 in Hastings
Entries are now open for the World Crazy Golf Championships 2023.
The 2023 World Crazy Golf Championships will be taking place on the Crazy Golf course at Hastings Adventure Golf in Hastings, East Sussex, England on the 9th,10th & 11th June.
Entries are now open via the Hastings Adventure Golf website.
We both made our debuts in the 2007 edition of the event back when it was known as the Virgin Money World Crazy Golf Championships. It was Emily's first ever miniature golf tournament.
Playing hole 2 at the 2014 edition of the World Crazy Golf Championships |
The competition is played on the 18-hole Crazy Golf course at Hastings Seafront. The layout is of the Arnold Palmer Putting Course variety. The course was the 39th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour back in October 2007.
The World Crazy Golf Championships began in 2003. The current champion is Adam Kelly who is enjoying his first reign as world champion.
Labels:
2023,
Competition,
Hastings,
Hastings Crazy Golf,
Minigolf in the time of Coronavirus,
Tournament,
World Crazy Golf Championship,
World Crazy Golf Championships
I’m a Champion Miniature Golfer on a tour of the UK’s minigolf and crazy golf courses. Coeliac living a gluten free life. Train nerd. Retro gamer. Urban explorer.
Wednesday, September 21, 2022
New Adventure Golf course in Redcar
A new penguin-themed adventure golf course is opening in Redcar, Teesside.
The 18-hole layout is opening in the Coatham area of the seaside town.
It'll be another new course for us to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.
Labels:
2022,
Adventure Golf,
Crazy Golf,
Minigolf in the time of Coronavirus,
New course,
Penguin,
penguins,
Redcar,
Teesside
Location:
Redcar, UK
I’m a Champion Miniature Golfer on a tour of the UK’s minigolf and crazy golf courses. Coeliac living a gluten free life. Train nerd. Retro gamer. Urban explorer.
Bognor Regis Mini Golf
A revisit to Bognor Regis Mini Golf in West Sussex.
I recently replayed the excellent Bognor Regis Mini Golf course.
It's always fun finding Arnold Palmer Putting Courses and the Bognor Regis example is superb.
We first visited this particular Crazy Golf course on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour in October 2011 when it became the 275th course played on our travels.
The Bognor Regis Mini Golf course was built in 1993 and was the last new Arnold Palmer Putting Course layout to be created.
Check out Bognor Regis Mini Golf on Facebook for more information.
Photos of the 18-hole layout.
Hole 1 |
Hole 2 |
Hole 3 |
Hole 4 |
Hole 5 |
Hole 5 |
Hole 6 |
Hole 7 |
Hole 7 |
Hole 7 |
Hole 8 |
Hole 8 |
Hole 9 |
Hole 10 |
Hole 11 |
Hole 12 |
Hole 12 |
Hole 13 |
Hole 14 |
Hole 15 |
Hole 15 |
Hole 16 |
Hole 17 |
Hole 18 |
Labels:
2022,
Arnold Palmer,
Arnold Palmer Putting Courses,
Bognor Regis,
Crazy Golf,
Crazy World of Minigolf Tour,
Mini Golf,
Minigolf,
Minigolf in the time of Coronavirus,
Revisit,
West Sussex
Location:
Bognor Regis, UK
I’m a Champion Miniature Golfer on a tour of the UK’s minigolf and crazy golf courses. Coeliac living a gluten free life. Train nerd. Retro gamer. Urban explorer.
Putt Club opening in Eastleigh, Southampton
A new Putt Club indoor crazy golf course is opening in Eastleigh, Southampton in October.
You can find Putt Club minigolf course in Hull, Leicester, Edmonton, London Docklands and Watford.
Visit the Putt Club website for more information.
Labels:
2022,
Crazy Golf,
Eastleigh,
Hampshire,
Minigolf in the time of Coronavirus,
New course,
Putt Club,
Southampton
I’m a Champion Miniature Golfer on a tour of the UK’s minigolf and crazy golf courses. Coeliac living a gluten free life. Train nerd. Retro gamer. Urban explorer.
Happy Miniature Golf Day
Today is Miniature Golf Day.
Playing The Himalayas - the world's first miniature golf course - at the St Andrews Ladies' Putting Club in 2012 |
Each year there are two Miniature Golf Days - National Miniature Golf Day on the second Saturday in May and Miniature Golf Day on the 21st September.
Labels:
2022,
Day,
Days,
Event,
Events,
Mini Golf,
Mini-Golf,
Miniature Golf,
Miniature Golf Day,
Minigolf,
Minigolf Day,
Minigolf in the time of Coronavirus
I’m a Champion Miniature Golfer on a tour of the UK’s minigolf and crazy golf courses. Coeliac living a gluten free life. Train nerd. Retro gamer. Urban explorer.
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
UV Crazy Golf at Total Enigma in Carlisle
There's an indoor UV Crazy Golf course at the Total Enigma Escape Rooms & Laser Tag centre in Carlisle, Cumbria.
It's another new course for us to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.
The course opened in the summer of 2021.
Check out the Total Enigma website for more information.
Labels:
2021,
Carlisle,
Crazy Golf,
Cumbria,
Minigolf in the time of Coronavirus,
New course,
Total Enigma,
UV,
UV Golf
Location:
Hillcrest Ave, Carlisle CA1 2QJ, UK
I’m a Champion Miniature Golfer on a tour of the UK’s minigolf and crazy golf courses. Coeliac living a gluten free life. Train nerd. Retro gamer. Urban explorer.
Miniature Golf Day Eve
Tomorrow is Miniature Golf Day.
Putt In The Park Mini Golf at Battersea Park in London, England on Miniature Golf Day 2015 |
Each year there are two Miniature Golf Days - National Miniature Golf Day on the second Saturday in May and Miniature Golf Day on the 21st September.
Tomorrow is also the last day of the Big Mini Golf Tour in Great Yarmouth |
Labels:
2022,
Day,
Days,
Event,
Events,
Mini Golf,
Mini-Golf,
Miniature Golf,
Miniature Golf Day,
Minigolf,
Minigolf Day,
Minigolf in the time of Coronavirus
I’m a Champion Miniature Golfer on a tour of the UK’s minigolf and crazy golf courses. Coeliac living a gluten free life. Train nerd. Retro gamer. Urban explorer.
Scrapyard Golf at Worcester Bowl
There's a new indoor crazy golf course at Worcester Bowl.
Find out more about the Scrapyard Golf course on the Worcester Bowl website.
Labels:
2022,
Minigolf in the time of Coronavirus,
New course,
Scrapyard Golf,
Worcester,
Worcester Bowl,
Worcestershire
I’m a Champion Miniature Golfer on a tour of the UK’s minigolf and crazy golf courses. Coeliac living a gluten free life. Train nerd. Retro gamer. Urban explorer.
Monday, September 19, 2022
Minigolf Monday
Today is Minigolf Monday - the last before Miniature Golf Day and the end of the 2022 Big Mini Golf Tour this Wednesday.
Mini Golf courses on the Big Mini Golf Tour |
Labels:
2022,
Big Mini Golf Tour,
Minigolf in the time of Coronavirus,
Minigolf Monday,
The Big Mini Golf Tour
Location:
Great Yarmouth, UK
I’m a Champion Miniature Golfer on a tour of the UK’s minigolf and crazy golf courses. Coeliac living a gluten free life. Train nerd. Retro gamer. Urban explorer.
Friday, September 16, 2022
Splash Point Mini Golf in Worthing
A look at the Splash Point Mini Golf course in Worthing's Denton Gardens.
I swung by Splash Point Mini Golf on my recent trip to Worthing, West Sussex.
It's one of our favourite courses and one we've played many many times on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour and in British Minigolf Association competitions.
Visit the Splash Point Mini Golf website for more information.
Labels:
2022,
Crazy World of Minigolf Tour,
Mini Golf,
Minigolf in the time of Coronavirus,
Revisit,
Splash Point,
Splash Point Mini Golf,
Worthing
I’m a Champion Miniature Golfer on a tour of the UK’s minigolf and crazy golf courses. Coeliac living a gluten free life. Train nerd. Retro gamer. Urban explorer.
100 days until Christmas
There are 100 days until Christmas Day!
Christmas Crazy Golf courses from our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour |
Labels:
2022,
Christmas,
Chrizy Golf,
Crazy Golf,
Mini Golf,
Miniature Golf,
Minigolf,
Xmas
I’m a Champion Miniature Golfer on a tour of the UK’s minigolf and crazy golf courses. Coeliac living a gluten free life. Train nerd. Retro gamer. Urban explorer.
Wednesday, September 14, 2022
One week until Miniature Golf Day
This time next week it'll be Miniature Golf Day.
Playing The Himalayas - the world's first miniature golf course - at the St Andrews Ladies' Putting Club in 2012 |
Each year there are two Miniature Golf Days - National Miniature Golf Day on the second Saturday in May and Miniature Golf Day on the 21st September.
Labels:
2022,
Day,
Days,
Event,
Events,
Mini Golf,
Mini-Golf,
Miniature Golf,
Miniature Golf Day,
Minigolf,
Minigolf Day,
Minigolf in the time of Coronavirus
I’m a Champion Miniature Golfer on a tour of the UK’s minigolf and crazy golf courses. Coeliac living a gluten free life. Train nerd. Retro gamer. Urban explorer.
Monday, September 12, 2022
Putting course at Marine Gardens in Worthing
A look at the grass Putting course at Marine Gardens in Worthing, West Sussex.
I swung by the Putting course at Marine Gardens in Worthing on my recent trip to the seaside town.
We first visited the course on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour back in 2010.
Labels:
2022,
Crazy World of Minigolf Tour,
Marine Gardens,
Minigolf in the time of Coronavirus,
Putting,
Putting Course,
Revisit,
Worthing
I’m a Champion Miniature Golfer on a tour of the UK’s minigolf and crazy golf courses. Coeliac living a gluten free life. Train nerd. Retro gamer. Urban explorer.
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