Tuesday, October 03, 2017

Pirate Island Adventure Golf at Lyons Robin Hood Holiday Camp in Rhyl

Playing the new Pirate Island Adventure Golf at Lyons Robin Hood Holiday Camp in Rhyl.


Pirate Island Adventure Golf at Lyons Robin Hood Holiday Camp in Rhyl

On Saturday 23rd September we visited the Pirate Island Adventure Golf course at Lyons Robin Hood Holiday Camp in Rhyl. What a brilliant minigolf course it is!

Pirate Island Adventure Golf at Lyons Robin Hood Holiday Camp in Rhyl
Dueling pirates and a huge octopus. That's how we roll

At the start of our holiday we'd stayed in Llandudno and while having a walk on the pier we'd spotted a poster advertising the new Pirate Island Adventure Golf course at Lyons Robin Hood Holiday Park. As part of our break would be in Prestatyn we could look forward to adding another course to our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour list.

Pirate Island Adventure Golf at Lyons Robin Hood Holiday Camp in Rhyl
About to ace the second hole

Pirate Island Adventure Golf at Lyons Robin Hood Holiday Camp in Rhyl
Emily shooting a hole in one on the second

Over the last eleven years we've visited more than 780 miniature golf courses. While some of these courses look similar they certainly don't all play the same way. Luckily for us the layout at the Robin Hood Caravan Park in Rhyl was a dream to play. It's brilliant that after all the years we've been playing we can still find new and unique courses that are also brilliant FUN to play.

Pirate Island Adventure Golf at Lyons Robin Hood Holiday Camp in Rhyl
X marks the spot

The 18-hole Pirate-themed Adventure Golf course has some eye-catching features - from a great white shark to a huge octopus and a large pirate ship - and plenty of humps, bumps, lumps and obstacles around each hole. Plus there is great pirate music playing as you make your way around the course.

Pirate Island Adventure Golf at Lyons Robin Hood Holiday Camp in Rhyl
The holes are long, challenging and reward good tee shots

Pirate Island Adventure Golf at Lyons Robin Hood Holiday Camp in Rhyl
Emily putting at Pirate Island

One of the things that made the course really playable was the fact that even though it was technically borderless, the high sides of the greens meant you could play some strong shots and rebounds off obstacles without fear that the ball would run out of play.



In our match-up on the course I won with a score of 33 - hitting 5 holes-in-one. Emily shot a round of 40, with 3 holes-in-one. We asked the man in the hut what the lowest score was and he said we were the first to ask (and tell him what we'd got). That means the course record MUST be my 33! Let me know if you can better it...

Pirate Island Adventure Golf at Lyons Robin Hood Holiday Camp in Rhyl
Happy to top the 'podium'

Our game was very good value at £5 for an 18-hole round and we'll be back to play it again.

Pirate Island Adventure Golf at Lyons Robin Hood Holiday Camp in Rhyl
The sight that greets you as you approach the 18th green

Pirate Island Adventure Golf at Lyons Robin Hood Holiday Camp in Rhyl
Always great to see a BIG shark on a minigolf course

Visit the Lyons Robin Hood Holiday Park website for more details, opening times and prices.

Pirate Island Adventure Golf at Lyons Robin Hood Holiday Camp in Rhyl
Pirate Island Adventure Golf gets a thumbs-up from us

Links:
- Lyons Holiday Parks website
- Lyons Robin Hood Holiday Park website
- Lyons Robin Hood Holiday Camp Facebook

Related blog posts:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Adventure Golf
- Holiday Camp
- Rhyl

Video:
- Pirate Adventure Golf at Lyons Robin Hood Holiday Park in Rhyl

The old Crazy Golf course at Starr Gate in Blackpool

A tram's eye view of the old Crazy Golf course at Starr Gate in Blackpool.


Crazy Golf course at Starr Gate in Blackpool. Photo by Philip Walsh, 23rd September 2017

Many thanks to our friend Philip Walsh for sending over these great snaps of the derelict Crazy Golf course at Starr Gate in Blackpool. Philip photographed the course while aboard a tram during a recent tram heritage weekend.

Crazy Golf course at Starr Gate in Blackpool. Photo by Philip Walsh, 23rd September 2017

Crazy Golf course at Starr Gate in Blackpool. Photo by Philip Walsh, 23rd September 2017

Crazy Golf course at Starr Gate in Blackpool. Photo by Philip Walsh, 23rd September 2017

Tram at Starr Gate in Blackpool. Photo by Philip Walsh, 23rd September 2017
The tram at the Starr Gate depot

Emily and I visited the remnants of the minigolf course - formerly an Arnold Palmer Putting Course - last October. Luckily we did get to play it once, back in April 2008.

Crazy Golf course at Starr Gate in Blackpool. Photo by Philip Walsh, 23rd September 2017
A sad sight indeed

Mr Mulligan's Adventure Golf opening in Cheltenham this week

Mr Mulligan's latest Adventure Golf course is opening in Cheltenham this week.

Mr Mulligan's Adventure Golf course in Stevenage

Tee-off begins at the new two-course, 36-hole indoor Adventure Golf centre at The Brewery Quarter in Cheltenham on Saturday 7th October.

Mr Mulligan's Adventure Golf course in Stevenage
Emily putting at Mr Mulligan's Adventure Golf course in Stevenage

For more info visit the Mr Mulligan Adventure Golf course website. I'm looking forward to playing the course and I've noticed there's also an interesting facility available at Mr Mulligan's Lost World Golf!

Mr Mulligan's Adventure Golf course in Stevenage
The Stevenage course has a Doomsday Device - check out Mr Mulligan's course in Cheltenham to see what they have there!

You can also check out an interview I did with SoGlos magazine ahead of the launch - Interview with mini golf professional Richard Gottfried.

Last summer we visited Mr Mulligan's other Lost World Golf course, in Stevenage.

Link:
- Mr Mulligan's Lost World Golf
- The Brewery Quarter

Related blog posts:
- Playing Mr Mulligan's Lost World Adventure Golf in Cheltenham
- Mr Mulligan's Adventure Golf in Cheltenham
- Mr Mulligan

Sunday, October 01, 2017

Pirate Bay Adventure Golf course in Guernsey

A look at the new Pirate Bay Adventure Golf course at St Peter Port, Guernsey.


Pirate Bay Adventure Golf in Guernsey. Photo by Simon Dewhurst 14th September 2017
That's a BIG minigolf volcano!

Many thanks to fellow Crazy Golf adventurer Simon Dewhurst for sending over some pics from his visit to the new Pirate Bay Adventure Golf course at St Peter Port, Guernsey.

Pirate Bay Adventure Golf in Guernsey. Photo by Simon Dewhurst 14th September 2017
The first guillotine I've ever seen on a minigolf course!

Pirate Bay Adventure Golf in Guernsey. Photo by Simon Dewhurst 14th September 2017
No wonder there's a graveyard on the course!

Pirate Bay Adventure Golf in Guernsey. Photo by Simon Dewhurst 14th September 2017
There's a raft on the layout

Pirate Bay Adventure Golf in Guernsey. Photo by Simon Dewhurst 14th September 2017
One of the pirate characters on the course

Visit the Pirate Bay Adventure Golf website for more information, opening times and prices.

We're looking forward to a future visit to Pirate's Bay Adventure Golf on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Tidal Bay Crazy Adventure Golf in Sherfield on Loddon

A look at the new Tidal Bay Crazy Adventure Golf course in Sherfield on Loddon, Hampshire.


Tidal Bay Crazy Adventure Golf in Sherfield on Loddon. Photo by Matt Dodd, September 2017

Many thanks to fellow minigolf aficionado Matt Dodd for sending over some snaps from his visit to play at Tidal Bay Crazy Adventure Golf in Sherfield on Loddon near Hook, Hampshire.

Tidal Bay Crazy Adventure Golf in Sherfield on Loddon. Photo by Matt Dodd, September 2017
It looks like the captain of this boat missed the tide!

Tidal Bay Crazy Adventure Golf in Sherfield on Loddon. Photo by Matt Dodd, September 2017
What a BIG minigolf volcano!

The 18-hole course is located at the Wyevale Garden Centre in Sherfield on Loddon. Check out the Tidal Bay Crazy Adventure Golf website for more information, opening times and prices.

Tidal Bay Crazy Adventure Golf in Sherfield on Loddon. Photo by Matt Dodd, September 2017

We're looking forward to a future visit to Tidal Bay Crazy Adventure Golf on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Saturday, September 30, 2017

Eleven years of our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Today we're celebrating eleven years of our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour!

Back on the 30th September 2006 we played the Victory Trail course at Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Southsea, Hampshire.

Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Southsea
Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Southsea - where our crazy golf adventures began

At the end of the round I fired the cannon on the Lucky Last Hole to win a FREE GAME and our minigolf travels have rolled on since then.

Last year I won ANOTHER FREE GAME PASS at Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Southsea
Last year I won ANOTHER FREE GAME PASS!

Here's the blog post from our revisit to Treasure Island Adventure Golf last year.

Richard and Emily Gottfried at Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Southsea
At Treasure Island Adventure Golf

Check out this Crazy World of Minigolf Tour blog post to see the full list of courses we've visited so far.

Thursday, September 28, 2017

Minigolfing in the Midlands

Earlier this month we were at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield to compete in the American Golf Adventure Golf National Championships. Travelling there and back we ticked off a fair few more minigolf courses on our to visit list and we'll have a lot of blog posts about them to come in the next few weeks.

Crazy Golf at Beacon Park in Lichfield
With Humpty at Beacon Park in Lichfield

During our road-trip we visited courses in Sutton Coldfield, Lea Marston, Dorridge, Birmingham, Tamworth, Lichfield, Walsall and Stafford.

Related blog posts:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Pennywise the Clown's amusement arcade. In Rhyl

I wonder if the pool balls float down there?

Pool Hall at an amusement arcade in Rhyl

Related blog posts:
- Clown
- Pool
- Rhyl
- Amusement Arcades

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Holiday on the Buses in Prestatyn

We've just returned from a Holiday on the Buses weekender at Pontins in Prestatyn.

On our roadtrip we played and revisited a number of courses in Rhos on Sea, Abergele & Pensarn, Prestatyn and Rhyl, taking our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour tally up to 783 visits overall!

Crazy Golf course at Pontins Prestatyn Sands Holiday Village
The Crazy Golf course at Pontins Prestatyn Sands Holiday Village has had a lick of paint since our last visit in 2014

We've got a lot of blog posts to follow in the coming weeks.

Related blog posts:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Holiday on the Buses

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Dull, Boring Summit

“Dull, Boring Summit” to take place in Preston, Lancashire in November.

The first “Dull, Boring Summit” will take place at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) in Preston, Lancashire on Tuesday 14th November.

The Dull Men's Club - where dull men, and women who appreciate dull men, share thoughts and experiences about ordinary things
The Dull Men's Club - where dull men, and women who appreciate dull men, share thoughts and experiences about ordinary things

At the event keynote speaker Dr Sandi Mann, UCLAN Senior Psychology Lecturer, author of The Science of Boredom: The Upside (and Downside) of Downtime will explore the science of boredom, dull hobbies, and more.

The Dull, Boring Summit will open with an introduction from Leland Carlson, assistant vice president (the highest office) of the Dull Men’s Club, author of Dull Men of Great Britain: Celebrating the Ordinary. The event will also host the first Golden Yawny Awards, with prizes awarded to winnners of categories including:
- Person with the Most Bizarre Activity/Collection/Hobby
- Hobbyist with the longest-suffering spouse
- Public Service Award to hobbyist who does most public good
- Most expensive hobby
- Cheapest hobby

For more information about the Dull, Boring Summit visit the Dull Men's Club website.

Ghetto Golf in Digbeth, Birmingham

A sneak peak at the new Ghetto Golf indoor Crazy Golf course at The Custard Factory in Digbeth, Birmingham.


On a recent trip to Birmingham I had a couple of hours to kill before my train back to Stockport so I had a wander to The Custard Factory in Digbeth to see if I could see any sign of the new Ghetto Golf course that is being built there.

Looking around I couldn't see any signs or branding for the course and having had a good walk around the area I guessed it could only be in one location - a hall next to an arch in the railway viaduct - so I made my inquiries there. I was right as the brand new 18-hole indoor Crazy Golf is under construction inside.

Ghetto Golf indoor Crazy Golf at The Custard Factory in Digbeth, Birmingham
What's in the box?

It was great to meet Kip and Dan - the brains behind Ghetto Golf - and have a walk around the course. There are a LOT of things I wasn't expecting to see there and plenty of obstacles and hole designs I haven't seen before. Quite an achievement as the course visit was the 780th on my Crazy World of Minigolf Tour since 2006! It was nice to see there's going to be an indoor black light UV section of the layout too.

I can't give too much away, but if you like your minigolf to be quirky and enjoy a drink and a laugh you'll enjoy Ghetto Golf. The team at the course have been posting some teaser photos from the course on their Facebook page so do give it a like to see what's in store (quite literally in terms of the Blockbuster hole they've created!).

Ghetto Golf opens at The Custard Factory in Digbeth, Birmingham on Friday 13th October. Check out the Ghetto Golf website for more information, opening times, prices and booking details.

If you can't wait that long you can visit the original Ghetto Golf course at Cains Brewery in Liverpool. We need to find some time to get over to Liverpool for a round there soon.

Links:
- Ghetto Golf website
- Ghetto Golf Birmingham on Facebook
- Ghetto Golf Birmingham on Twitter
- Ghetto Golf Liverpool on Facebook
- Ghetto Golf Liverpool on Twitter
- The Custard Factory website

Related blog posts:
- Graffiti
- Birmingham
- Indoor Mini Golf
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Give the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour a Like on Facebook, watch our YouTube channel and follow us on Twitter @putting_gott and @Ems_Lems. Please do sign-up to receive our miniature golf newsletter too.

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Happy Miniature Golf Day 2017!

Today is Miniature Golf Day 2017.

Happy Miniature Golf Day. Where will you be playing minigolf today?

Each year there are two quasi-official annual 'days' to celebrate the game. The second of these awareness days is Miniature Golf Day and it's ALWAYS on the 21st of September.

Playing at Championship Adventure Golf in New Brighton on National Miniature Golf Day, Saturday 13th May 2017
Playing at Championship Adventure Golf in New Brighton on National Miniature Golf Day 2017

After Miniature Golf Day the next is National Miniature Golf Day which is on Saturday 12th May 2018.

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Miniature Golf Day Eve

Tomorrow is Miniature Golf Day 2017.

Where will you be playing minigolf tomorrow? Check out the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour list of 780 courses we've visited over the last eleven years - there may be a course near you.

Crazy Golf at North Marine Parade in Bridlington
Crazy Golfing at North Marine Parade in Bridlington

Each year there are two quasi-official annual 'days' to celebrate the game. The second of these awareness days is Miniature Golf Day and it's ALWAYS on the 21st of September.

At Treasure Island Adventure Golf course in Southsea
Where our Crazy Travels began back in September 2006

After tomorrow's Miniature Golf Day the next BIG minigolf day is National Miniature Golf Day which is on Saturday 12th May 2018.

Sunday, September 17, 2017

Crazy Golf at Rowley Park Stadium in Stafford

A visit to the Crazy Golf course at Rowley Park Stadium in Stafford.



Crazy Golf course at Rowley Park Stadium in Stafford
The 9-hole Crazy Golf course in Stafford

The 778th course we visited overall on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour, and the last on our recent midlands road-trip, was at Rowley Park Stadium in Stafford. It was also the 750th minigolf we've visited in the UK!

Crazy Golf course at Rowley Park Stadium in Stafford
Another unplayed course on our tour

The 9-hole Crazy Golf course looked like it'd been there for many many years and was in need of a bit of TLC.

Crazy Golf course at Rowley Park Stadium in Stafford
Quite a water hazard

The course was an Eternit type of Miniature Golf layout, more often found in Continental Europe, although there are still a few knocking about the UK. Photos of the course from our visit on Sunday 10th September are below.

Crazy Golf course at Rowley Park Stadium in Stafford
Hole 1

Crazy Golf course at Rowley Park Stadium in Stafford
Hole 2

Crazy Golf course at Rowley Park Stadium in Stafford
Hole 3

Crazy Golf course at Rowley Park Stadium in Stafford
Hole 4

Crazy Golf course at Rowley Park Stadium in Stafford
Hole 5

Crazy Golf course at Rowley Park Stadium in Stafford
Hole 6

Crazy Golf course at Rowley Park Stadium in Stafford
Hole 7

Crazy Golf course at Rowley Park Stadium in Stafford
Hole 7's 'green' 

Crazy Golf course at Rowley Park Stadium in Stafford
Hole 8

Crazy Golf course at Rowley Park Stadium in Stafford
Hole 9

The 750th course visited overall was the Crazy Golf course at Coate Water Country Park in Swindon. We've also visited 28 courses overseas. As well as playing minigolf in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Jersey, we’ve travelled to minigolf courses in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Finland, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden and the USA.

Link:
- Rowley Park Stadium

Related blog posts:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Staffordshire

Have a break...

...have a KitKat.

It looks like this in-store promotion took the brand's tagline literally.

KitKat and Nescafe promotion in Tesco Stockport
Back soon

Related blog posts:
- Funny
- Business
- Marketing
- Chocolate

Links:
- KitKat
- Nescafe

Thursday, September 14, 2017

Another week and another KFC

Last week I spotted a branch of Kingtucky Fried Chicken in Manchester. Yesterday I found this KFC in Stockport.

Kingsley Flooring & Carpets in Stockport

Kingsley Flooring & Carpets in Stockport

Related blog posts:
- KFC
- Bootleg
- Stockport
- Manchester