Friday, August 09, 2019

Tee-Rex Adventure Golf at Cardiff Golf Centre

A visit to the Tee-Rex Adventure Golf course at Cardiff Golf Centre.


On our trip to South Wales we made a visit to the Tee-Rex Adventure Golf course at Cardiff Golf Centre in Old St Mellons.


Tee-Rex Adventure Golf at Cardiff Golf Centre

The 18-hole dinosaur-themed Adventure Golf course became the 916th visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.


Tee-Rex Adventure Golf at Cardiff Golf Centre
Emily playing hole 1

We enjoyed a round with our old friends and minigolf rivals Cindy and Jas Kukielka and our new friend and minigolf rival Martyn Williams.

Tee-Rex Adventure Golf at Cardiff Golf Centre
On the green of the volcano hole

The Tee Rex Golf course was built by the team at HM Adventure Golf in 2017 and we've been wanting to get along for a game for a while.

Tee-Rex Adventure Golf at Cardiff Golf Centre
What's wrong with this picture?

We had a fun competition on the course and there were some very close scores on the tricky layout.

Tee-Rex Adventure Golf at Cardiff Golf Centre

At the end of the round I came out the winner by one-shot on 40(+4). Martyn, captain of the Welsh Minigolf Club, and Emily both hit 41(+5) and required a play-off.

Tee-Rex Adventure Golf at Cardiff Golf Centre
Receiving the trophy from Jas

The sudden-death play-off began on hole 1. After nether player could be separated after three plays of the hole the play-off moved to hole 2 where Emily shot a three and Martyn hit a two for the win.

Tee-Rex Adventure Golf at Cardiff Golf Centre
Martyn playing a shot

Tee-Rex Adventure Golf at Cardiff Golf Centre
Emily in action

Jas finished the game in fourth place with a round of 45(+9), with Cindy in fifth spot on 48(+12).

Tee-Rex Adventure Golf at Cardiff Golf Centre
Jas on the green

Tee-Rex Adventure Golf at Cardiff Golf Centre
Cindy in action


Tee-Rex Adventure Golf at Cardiff Golf Centre
The Rules

Tee-Rex Adventure Golf at Cardiff Golf Centre
Playing hole 1

Tee-Rex Adventure Golf at Cardiff Golf Centre
The view from the first tee

Visit the Tee-Rex Adventure Golf course website for opening times and prices. Cardiff Golf Centre is also home to a Pitch & Putt course, Foot Golf, Rugby Golf, a riving range and a soft-play centre.

Cardiff Golf Centre
The practice Putting area

Cardiff Golf Centre
A view of the Pitch & Putt and Foot Golf course

Tee-Rex Adventure Golf at Cardiff Golf Centre will be the host venue for the Cardiff Open minigolf tournament on Saturday 5th October. For more information visit the Welsh Minigolf Club website.

Julia Galvin and The Chinese Wife Carrying Race!

Help novelty sports star Julia Galvin get to The Chinese Wife Carrying Race.


Our friend and fellow obscure sports enthusiast Julia Galvin has been invited to China for their National Wife Carrying Championships!


Wife carrying is a sport where male competitors race while carrying a female team-mate (they don't technically need to be married). The objective is to pass through a special obstacle course in the fastest time possible.


Julia has a fine pedigree in the sport of wife carrying, competing in events around the world since her debut in the world championships in Sonkajärvi, Finland - the home of wife carrying.

The main prize for the winners in wife carrying contests is the wife's weight in beer.

The 2019 China National Wife Carrying Championships are taking place in Yulin, Guangxi this month.

We met Julia at the inaugural World Alternative Games in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales back in 2012 where we were running the Finger Jousting World Championships and Julia was a competitor.

As well as a star of wife carrying Julia is one of the world's best Bog Snorkelers and a regular visitor to Llanwrtyd Wells for the town's many odd sports events.

Check out Julia's GoFundMe page and help her get to The Chinese Wife Carrying Race!

Wednesday, August 07, 2019

The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing ebook

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


You can also buy The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing ebook on Amazon.


I've been so pleased to see the book bought and used by a number of competition players, course owners and managers, bloggers, course reviewers, minigolf associations and federations around the world.


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.

World Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings
Playing in the World Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings

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.

When Emily and I began travelling around the country on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour there were around 600 courses in the UK. We've now visited 918 courses, including 39 overseas, and there are still many more for us to play. The game is really booming and not a week goes by without the announcement of a new course opening.

North Bay Mini Golf course in Scarborough
At our 900th course - the North Bay Mini Golf course in Scarborough

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, 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.

The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing is available on Amazon and Kobo
The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing is available on Amazon and Kobo

A very BIG thank you to everyone who has bought a copy of the book to date. It's very much appreciated.

Links:
The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing ebook on Amazon
The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing ebook on Kobo

Related blog posts:
The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing
- Marketing
- Minigolf

Tuesday, August 06, 2019

Minigolf and tenpin bowling

Where to find minigolf and tenpin bowling entertainment centres.


Traditionally the two leisure activities have been quite separate and distinct, with people choosing to do either one or other and most operators running either a minigolf course or tenpin bowling alley.


Minigolf at Lane7 in Newcastle
The Mini Golf course and tenpin bowling alleys sit side-by-side at Lane7 in Newcastle


With the boom in the popularity of minigolf and the growth in new courses, a number of tenpin bowling centres have added minigolf, crazy golf and adventure golf courses.


Crazy Golf at Level Preston
A cricket-themed hole on a crazy golf course on the floor below a bowling alley at the Level Preston entertainment centre

We're fans of both games and we've been to quite a few places on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour that have both entertainment options.

Minigolf and tenpin bowling centres:


Lane7 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne - Mini Golf and tenpin bowling.

Mini Golf at Lane7 in Newcastle
Mini Golf at Lane7 in Newcastle

Level Preston - Trailer Trash Jim's Crazy Golf and tenpin bowling.

Trailer Trash Jim's Crazy Golf at Level Preston
Jabba the Putt at Level Preston

MFA Bowl
in Hereford - Crazy Golf and tenpin bowling.

Crazy Golf at MFA Bowl in Hereford
Putting from an indoorr bit of the outdoor Crazy Golf course at the MFA Bowl in Hereford

Namco Funscape in Tamworth - Medieval-themed Castle Adventure Golf and and tenpin bowling.

Castle Adventure Golf at Namco Funscape in Tamworth
The outdoor section of the medieval-themed Adventure Golf course in Tamworth

Riverside Bowl in Andover - Glo-Golf indoor Crazy Golf and tenpin bowling.

Indoor Crazy Golf at the Riverside Bowl in Andover
Crazy Golfing at the Riverside Bowl in Andover. Andover of course is known as 'the Paris of Hampshire'

Caddyshackers in Leicester - Crazy Golf and a new tenpin bowling centre called East Street Lanes opening in 2019.

Crazy Golf at Caddyshackers in Leicester
Caddyshackers Crazy Golf in Leicester has a tenpin bowling-themed hole

Superbowl UK in Warrington - Putters Adventure Golf and tenpin bowling.

The Flower Bowl Entertainment Centre in Preston - Crazy Golf and and tenpin bowling.

New bowling and minigolf centres in development / opening soon:


- York Stadium Leisure Complex
- Market Walk Shopping Centre, Chorley
Rochdale Riverside

A bowling hole at Ghetto Golf in Liverpool
A bowling hole at Ghetto Golf in Liverpool

Do get in touch if you know of any other tenpin bowling alleys with minigolf courses, or crazy golf courses with bowling elements.

Roxy Ball Room on Boar Lane in Leeds has a tenpin bowling-themed hole. But you'll need to visit Roxy Lanes for a bowl
Roxy Ball Room on Boar Lane in Leeds has a tenpin bowling-themed hole. But you'll need to visit Roxy Lanes for a bowl

Related blog posts:
- Minigolf
- Crazy Golf
- Tenpin bowling

If you are interested in installing or building a minigolf course and would like to receive specialist help, Richard Gottfried is able to provide experience, knowledge and support for all aspects of minigolf business, at any stage of the process. Get in touch to find out more.

Minigolf in Greater Manchester

A look at miniature golf courses in Greater Manchester.


There are a lot of options for minigolfing in Greater Manchester, with a variety of courses to play, ranging from traditional crazy golf to indoor minigolf to new adventure golf layouts.


We've been travelling to play minigolf in Manchester since 2009 when I won the Mini Masters and Mini Open at the Trafford Golf Centre. I also won the Chrizy Golf Masters at Piccadilly Place in 2012. We moved to Stockport in 2016 and have continued to compete in events. Emily is the reigning Paradise Island Adventure Golf Open champion, while I won the tournament in 2018. I also won the DinoFalls Masters at the Trafford Golf Centre last year.

Courses we've visited in Greater Manchester:

Paradise Island Adventure Golf at the Trafford Centre - two 18-hole indoor Adventure Golf courses.

Paradise Island Adventure Golf at the Trafford Centre
Paradise Island Adventure Golf at the Trafford Centre

Dino Falls Adventure Golf at the Trafford Golf Centre - an 18-hole outdoor Jurassic-themed Adventure Golf course.

Dino Falls Adventure Golf at the Trafford Golf Centre
Dino Falls Adventure Golf at the Trafford Golf Centre

Junkyard Golf at First Street - three 9-hole indoor Crazy Golf courses.

Junkyard Golf at First Street in Manchester
Junkyard Golf at First Street in Manchester

The Lost Valley Adventure Golf at Amazonia, Market Place Shopping Centre, Bolton - an 18-hole indoor Adventure Golf course.

The Lost Valley Adventure Golf course in Bolton
The Lost Valley Adventure Golf course in Bolton

Haigh Woodland Park, Wigan - an 18-hole outdoor Wigan-themed Adventure Golf course.

Adventure Golf course at Haigh Woodland Park in Wigan
Adventure Golf at Haigh Woodland Park in Wigan

Haigh Woodland Park, Wigan - an 18-hole outdoor Crazy Golf course.

Crazy Golf course at Haigh Woodland Park in Wigan
Crazy Golf at Haigh Woodland Park in Wigan

Treetop Adventure Golf at The Printworks in Manchester City Centre - two 18-hole indoor Adventure Golf courses.

Treetop Adventure Golf at The Printworks in Manchester City Centre
Treetop Adventure Golf at The Printworks in Manchester City Centre

Roxy Ball Room in Deansgate, Manchester City Centre - an 18-hole indoor Crazy Golf course.

Crazy Golf at Roxy Ball Room on Deansgate
Crazy Golf at Roxy Ball Room on Deansgate

UV Crazy Golf at One Adventure in Droylsden - a 12-hole indoor glow-in-the-dark minigolf course.

UV Crazy Golf at One Adventure in Droylsden
UV Crazy Golf at One Adventure in Droylsden

Pitch & Putt at Bruntwood Park in Cheadle, Stockport - an 18-hole miniature golf course. It's also a Foot Golf course.

Pitch & Putt at Bruntwood Park in Cheadle, Stockport
Pitch and Putt at Bruntwood Park

Heaton Mersey Valley Golf course at Burnage Rugby Club, Stockport - Miniature Golf / Par-3 course with Footgolf.

Heaton Mersey Valley Golf course at Burnage Rugby Club, Stockport
Heaton Mersey Valley Golf course at Burnage Rugby Club, Stockport


Courses we're yet to visit in Greater Manchester:

- Crazy Golf at Moss Bank Park in Bolton.

New courses in development / under construction:

Dino Falls at Trafford Golf Centre - the second 18-hole Adventure Golf course is currently under construction.

Puttstars at Rochdale Riverside - three minigolf courses will be a part of the new indoor venue when it opens in April 2020.

Derelict / abandoned courses in Greater Manchester:

Stamford Park, Stamford Street, Stalybridge, Tameside - an outdoor Crazy Golf course.

The abandoned Crazy Golf course in Stalybridge
The abandoned Crazy Golf course in Stalybridge

Crazy Golf at Wythenshawe Park - a 9-hole outdoor Crazy Golf course.

The abandoned Crazy Golf course at Wythenshawe Park
The abandoned Crazy Golf course at Wythenshawe Park


Other courses in Greater Manchester:

Over the years we've played a number of other minigolf courses in Manchester on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. Some have been portable courses, while others have been temporary or pop-up locations.

There's also a grass Putting course at Park Square in Cheadle Heath, Stockport. This private Putting Green is for use by tenants and employees at the office complex. It's actually our closest course, but one we're not allowed to play.

Former courses in Greater Manchester:

- Miniature Golf at Adswood Park, Cheadle Hulme, Stockport
Chrizy Golf at Piccadilly Place
Birdies Pop Up Golf
- Crazy Golf at Heaton Park
Junkyard Golf pop-up at Piccadilly Place
- Junkyard Golf pop-up at the Great Northern
Championship Miniature Golf at the Trafford Golf Centre - a 9-hole minigolf course
- Tea Party Mini Golf at Spinningfields, Manchester
- Crazy Golf at Alexandra Park in Edgeley, Stockport

Related blog posts:

- Manchester
- Greater Manchester
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

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New minigolf course opening at Rochdale Riverside

Three indoor minigolf courses to open at Puttstars Rochdale.


The new Rochdale Riverside entertainment, leisure and shopping centre in Rochdale will be home to an indoor minigolf venue called Puttstars.


A new minigolf course will be opening at Rochdale Riverside

Puttstars is a new concept from the Hollywood Bowl Group and will feature three 9-hole minigolf courses.


Rochdale Riverside and Puttstars are due to open to the public in April next year.

We're interested to see what the new Puttstars venue looks like.

Links:
- Rochdale Riverside
- Hollywood Bowl Group

Related blog posts:
- Hollywood Bowl
- Greater Manchester

Monday, August 05, 2019

Crazy Golf in Church Stretton

A visit to the Crazy Golf course in Church Stretton, Shropshire.


Crazy Golf in Church Stretton

We travelled through Shropshire on our drive down to South Wales last Friday and after leaving Shrewsbury we stopped off at Church Stretton to visit the Crazy Golf course in the main town park.


Church Stretton Park
There are quite a few activities to do in Church Stretton Park

Crazy Golf in Church Stretton
Here's a full list of games and prices

Crazy Golf in Church Stretton
A nice sign at the course

The 9-hole course was the 913th visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.


Crazy Golf in Church Stretton
Unfortunately the course was locked up on our visit



It looked like an interesting layout and one we'd liked to have played if it was open.

Crazy Golf in Church Stretton
A view of a couple of holes

It appeared to be a mixture of Eternit miniature golf and Beton concrete styles, types more commonly found in continental Europe.

Crazy Golf in Church Stretton
Hole 1
  
Crazy Golf in Church Stretton
Hole 2

Crazy Golf in Church Stretton
A ditch on hole 2

Crazy Golf in Church Stretton
Hole 3

Crazy Golf in Church Stretton
Holes 4 and 5

Crazy Golf in Church Stretton
Hole 5's green

Crazy Golf in Church Stretton
Hole 6
 
Crazy Golf in Church Stretton
Hole 7

Crazy Golf in Church Stretton
Hole7
 
Crazy Golf in Church Stretton
Hole 8

Crazy Golf in Church Stretton
Hole 8's green

Crazy Golf in Church Stretton
Hole 9

Crazy Golf in Church Stretton
Hole 9 - I bet that concrete block can collect a lot of minigolf balls!