Monday, December 19, 2011

Minigolf and Crazy Golf courses in and around London

Details of the Adventure Golf, Crazy Golf, Minigolf and Golf Putting Green courses we've played in and around London since July 2008.


Minigolf and Crazy Golf courses in and around London - Chiswick
The London Bus and a Passing Tube Train at the Crazy Golf course in Chiswick

To date we've visited 46 (and a half) Minigolf, Crazy Golf, Miniature Golf, Adventure Golf and Putting Courses in and around London on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour (playing 29 and a half of them).







Mini Golf and Crazy Golf courses in and around London - Staines Adventure Golf
Staines (2009) - venue for the 2009 London Open minigolf tournament where I finished as the runner-up (Links: BMGA Report / Ham & Egger Files blog Report)




Wimbledon Park's 18-hole Crazy Golf course in London
Wimbledon Park's 18-hole Crazy Golf course (2013)

Kelsey Park Championship Minigolf course in Beckenham, Kent
At the 18-hole Kelsey Park Championship Minigolf course in Beckenham, Kent (2013)

Dragon Quest Adventure Golf course at World of Golf Croydon
In the snow outside the 18-hole Dragon Quest Adventure Golf course at World of Golf Croydon (2013)

UrbanCrazy Minigolf Course at Regent's Place in London
At the UrbanCrazy Minigolf Course at Regent's Place in London (October 2013)

Putt in the Park mini golf at Wandsworth Park, London
At Putt in the Park, Wandsworth Park, London (October 2013)


Moby Adventure Golf in Chadwell Heath, Romford, London
Playing out a hole at Moby Golf in Romford (June 2014)


Putt Putt #2 Crazy Golf course art installation by TURF Projects in Croydon
Playing hole 8 at the Putt Putt #2 Crazy Golf course art installation by TURF Projects in Croydon (August 2014)


Swingers Crazy Golf in Shoreditch, East London (September 2014)
Playing hole 6 at Swingers Crazy Golf in Shoreditch, East London (September 2014)

Plonk Crazy Golf at Efes Snooker Hall in Dalston, London
Playing Plonk Golf at Efes Snooker Hall in Dalston (April 2015)


Photo of the Putt in the Park minigolf course at Battersea Park, London
Emily at Putt in the Park at Battersea Park (2015) - the location of our 650th course visit in the UK! (September 2015)


Minigolf in London at Birdies Crazy Golf Club
At Birdies Crazy Golf Club in Waterloo (November 2015)


Here's a list of the Crazy Golf courses we've played in and around London.

Note: The number next to the course denotes the 'visit number' on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. You can click through from the list below to the webpage on the Ham & Egger Files detailing our visit to the course.

All Minigolf courses played in, and around, London (as at 10th November 2015)
59 Harrow (Northwick Park) - ‘Mini Majors’ Adventure Golf
74 New Malden - Jurassic Golf
117 Staines (Lammas Park) - Adventure Golf
155 London (Devonshire Square) - Minigolf
190 East Finchley - Garden Minigolf - The course was also the 'Landmark' 250th course location visited on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour (Private Course - No Public Access)
205 Sidcup/Chiselhurst (World of Golf) - Lost Island Encounter Adventure Golf - Mateleys Course - It's actually in Kent, but is within spitting distance from the border with Greenwich
206 Sidcup/Chiselhurst (World of Golf) - Lost Island Encounter Adventure Golf - Explorers Course - It's actually in Kent, but is within spitting distance from the border with Greenwich
262 Arkley (near Elstree & Borehamwood) - 'Dinosaur Safari' Adventure Golf Course
282 London (Alexandra Palace) - Crazy Golf - See also #155 & #155b
298 London (Selfridges) - Bompas & Parr Rooftop Crazy Golf
299 West Horndon, near Brentwood (Dunton Hills Golf Course) - Miniature Golf
302 London (Camden Town Brewery - The Brewmaster's Open) - 5-hole Temporary Mini-Golf course
303 London (Clarence Way, Camden) - Crazy Golf
304 London (Golf Apocalypse) - Crazy Golf - Update: September 2012 - course has moved to Bristol
306 London (Tintype Gallery) - Crazee Golf Art Exhibition (and playable hole!)
307 London (Covent Garden) - Lyle & Scott Woolly Golf / Wooly Golf - 3-hole Temporary Mini-Golf course
308 London (London Golf Show at Earls Court) - UrbanCrazy "Signature Course" - Portable Minigolf
314 Wimbledon (Wimbledon Park) - Crazy Golf
315 Beckenham, Kent (Kelsey Park) - Kelsey Park Championship Minigolf
316 Croydon, Surrey (World of Golf) - Dragon Quest Adventure Golf
322 London (Regent's Place) - UrbanCrazy 9-hole Signature Course - one-day only layout
323 London (Putt in the Park at Wandsworth Park) - Mini Golf
337 Romford / Chadwell Heath (Golf Kingdom) - Moby Golf adventure golf
345 Croydon (Platform Ruskin Square) - Putt Putt #2 Crazy Golf Art Installation by TURF Projects
347 Shoreditch, London (Swingers Crazy Golf by the Institute of Competitive Socialising) - indoor Crazy Golf

Below is a list of the Mini Golf courses we've visited in London, but not played* (as at 30th March 2013)


44 London (Clarence Way, Camden) - Crazy Golf - Residents-only course, no clubs or balls for hire - now course #303 played
- London (Portobello Gold Hotel) - Mini Golf on Roof Terrace - You must be a Hotel Guest booked in that room
- London (Alexandra Palace) - Pitch & Putt - Closed for the Season

The 9-hole Crazy Golf course at The Grove Park in Carshalton, Sutton
Crazy Golf at The Grove Park in Carshalton

* Due to closure, flooding, dereliction or other causes

There is also a London Minigolf Club whose members play in British Minigolf Association Tour competitions around the country. Both are FREE to join as standard members and you can find out more about the BMGA and the London Minigolf Club at the BMGA website.

In 2009 I was the runner-up in the London Open minigolf tournament played at the Lammas Park Adventure Golf course in Staines. Results and reports - BMGA / Ham & Egger Files.

In June 2012 I became the first of the 'Crazy Golf with Bompas & Parr Championship Playoff' winners on the 9-hole course at Selfridges London and in August 2012 I won the Bompas & Parr Crazy Golf Championship Final!

If you know of any other Miniature Golf courses in London do let me know by leaving a comment below...

Related blog posts:


Birdies Pop Up Golf - Launch Event for a New Minigolf Business in Manchester

Birdies Pop Up Golf - Launch Event for a New Minigolf Business in Manchester


On Monday 12th December 2011 Emily and I were invited to the launch night of a new Miniature Golf business based in Manchester.

Birdies Pop Up Golf has launched a new Portable Minigolf Business providing a modular portable Pop Up Golf course that is available for events.

Photo: Richard playing hole 3 of the Birdies Pop Up Golf course

The launch event saw Birdies Pop Up Golf's Mark Rooney and his team set up a challenging 9-hole Miniature Golf course at The Merchant Room, Albert's Shed in the Castlefields area of Manchester. Guests were invited to try out the course and compete in a fun minigolf competition.

Photo: Richard Putts on hole 1 of the 9-hole launch event layout

Birdies Pop Up are offering the Mini/Crazy Golf course for Corporate Events, Charity Fundraisers, Marketing Campaigns, Schools, Sports Clubs, Weddings and more. You can find out more at their website.

Photo: From l-r Richard Gottfried, Jon Angel and Richard Linden line up ahead of their Minigolf challenge match

The launch event also featured a friendly minigolf competition (with a fine trophy from The Trophy Store). In the Birdies Pop Up Golf Official Launch Night Competition I finished 2nd in the field of over 30 guests at the event. The winner had a score of 38(+2), while I shot a 39(+3). Emily scored a 43(+7) in the two round, 18-hole contest.

Photo: Emily poses for the camera!

As well as the main contest we also had some friendly rounds and mini-minigolf competitions against fellow Minigolfers Jon Angel and Richard Linden of UrbanCrazy.

In the first contest Jon and I tied on scores of 20(+2) over 9-holes, with Emily hitting a 22. Our play-off saw Jon take the victory with  a hole-in-one at the third extra hole.

In the second contest I shot a 19(+1), Richard Linden hit an 18(par), while Jon scored 17(-1) to take the win.

Photo: Richard Putting on hole 3 of the 9-hole Birdies Pop Up Golf course launch night layout while Jon Angel and Richard Linden look on

Photo: An overview of the 9-hole Birdies Pop Up Golf course layout

Photo: Special Birdies Pop Up Cupcakes for the launch night were made by Hey Little Cupcake

Photos of the launch event can also be found in the Birdies Pop Up photo gallery.

Links:
- Birdies Pop Up Golf website
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Crazy Golf at Fantasy Island on Canvey Island (re-visit Dec 11)

On Sunday 4th of December 2011 we made a revisit to Canvey Island and went to check out the 9-hole Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf course at Fantasy Island (formerly 'Cheeky Monkey's Outdoor World'!).

Crazy Golf at Fantasy Island on Canvey Island

The course is still there and appeared to have had a bit of a paint job since my last visit, when I got to play the course, in April 2009. The course is still un-felted though.

Crazy Golf at Fantasy Island on Canvey Island

Crazy Golf at Fantasy Island on Canvey Island

Crazy Golf at Fantasy Island on Canvey Island


Previous Canvey Island Crazy Golf Blog Posts:
- November 2008 - 10 Minutes in Canvey Island
- April 2009 - Minigolf Course Visit No. 87 - Canvey Island

Video: Canvey Island's Fantasy Island Amusement Park - Out of Season (Dec 2011)

Related blog posts:
List of courses visited and played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
Minigolf and Crazy Golf in Essex
Canvey Island

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Las Vegas on Canvey Island

On our way back from Southend-on-Sea we made a revisit to Canvey Island where we found another Las Vegas Amusement Arcade.

Photo: Richard Gottfried outside the Las Vegas Casino in Canvey Island. He won one token from the 2p pusher
Richard outside the Las Vegas Casino in Canvey Island. He won one token from the 2p pusher

Related blog posts:
- Little Las Vegas in Wallingford
- Skeg-Vegas!
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour #248 Hunstanton (Vegas Amusement Arcade) - Crazy Golf
- BIG Buttons in Liverpool
- 10 Minutes in Canvey Island
List of courses visited and played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
Minigolf and Crazy Golf in Essex
Canvey Island

Check out other Blog Posts about 'Las Vegas'.

Friday, December 16, 2011

The Bay Museum on Canvey Island, Essex

On our drive to the seafront in Canvey Island on the 4th of December I spotted a sign, next to a white building beside the sea wall, which said that the Bay Museum was open. On our previous visits to Canvey Island I hadn’t noticed the building or museum.

The Bay Museum on Canvey Island, Essex

Emily and I are always travelling around looking for new places to visit and things to do and so we popped in to have a look around. We found out it was formerly a Degaussing Station for passing ships during The Cold War and became a Museum of Military History in 2010.

We were very impressed to see the number of exhibits that are displayed in the relatively small space available inside the two storey building and the knowledge of the Curators was excellent. I particularly enjoyed finding out about the Fencing Musket that was displayed, as I’d never heard of the ‘weapon’ before visiting, and one of the Curators allowed me to ‘use it’ too!

The Bay Museum is open on Sundays and Bank Holidays. Entry is free (donations welcome) and it is well worth a visit.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Early Details of the 2nd Annual Putter King Miniature Golf Scavenger Hunt Released!

Early details of the 2nd Annual Putter King Miniature Golf Scavenger Hunt have been released on twitter!

The event will begin on Thursday 1st of March 2012 and you can follow the action on twitter by using the hashtag #PKSH2

The Putter King has announced to his followers to stay tuned for more teasers ahead of the event...

Photo: Me and Putty, the Putter King Mascot

Results & Links from the 1st Annual Putter King Miniature Golf Scavenger Hunt in which I was the runner-up to Australia's Allan Cox.

Vote for my Minigolf Hole Design 'The Jewel In The Crown' as part of the Putter King Hole Design Contest.

Latest Laser Tag Rankings - Update after Laser Tag Battle at MegaZone Rayleigh in Essex

On Sunday 4th December 2011 Emily and I teamed up and joined the ranks of the foot soldiers of the Yellow team as we faced-off in a 27-player three-team Laser Tag Battle against the Reds and the Blues at the MegaZone in Rayleigh, Essex.


In the 30-minute shootout the mighty Yellow team was victorious beating the Blue team by just under 20,000 points!

In the match I was ranked 3rd overall, with Emily in 5th place in the 27-player field.


The Laser Tag Rankings have been updated following the contest and the top three places remain unchanged in the 11-player rankings. I am ranked #1 (with six wins from eight battles), while Oliver 'The Machine' Florence is #2 (with a 100% win/loss record from his four games) and Emily is #3 (with four wins from seven outings).

Click to enlarge ranking list

In the Seemingly Everlasting Laser Tag War waged between the forces of the REDS, BLUES, GREENS, and YELLOWS players in the Laser Tag Rankings have taken part in Laser Battles in 'laser-war-torn' places including Birmingham, Hemel Hempstead, Bristol, London, Peterborough, Crawley, New Brighton, Cannock, Whitstable, Skegness and Rayleigh.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Adventure Island's Aztec & Inca Adventure Golf in Southend-on-Sea (re-visit Dec 11)

On Saturday 2nd of December 2011 we replayed the two 9-hole Adventure Golf courses that were originally the 14th and 15th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour back in March 2007!


We also played the Aztec Adventure Golf course in 2003, way before our 'proper' Tour began.


On this occasion our Emily defeated (destroyed!) me in our Irregular Mini Golf Tour Match-up with a score of 22 to my 28 on the Aztec Adventure course and a 22 to my 30(!?) on the Inca Challenge course.


Photo: The courses do not contain any fake Crocodiles, or Alligators, but does have a turtle on the 9th hole of the Aztec Adventure course


In April 2007 I made my Professional Minigolf Debut in the BMGA British Masters tournament held on the Adventure Island courses in Southend-on-Sea, where I finished 24th in the field of 28 players and was the runner-up in the Novice Category.

Video: Playing Adventure Island Minigolf Golf in Southend-on-Sea (Dec 11)



Previous Blog Posts
- Crazy Golf and Adventure Golf in Southend-on-Sea - Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Minehead & Southend on Sea - pre-Crazy World of Minigolf Tour course visits
- From the Minigolf Archives - Results of our first-ever game of Adventure Golf against each other!
- Minigolf in Southend on Sea - The Southend Masters

Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Southend-on-Sea's Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf (re-visit Dec 11)

On Saturday 2nd of December 2011 we revisited the 16th course we played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - Southend's 18-hole Arnold Palmer Mini Golf course.


The course was closed for the season so we didn't manage to play it on our visit.


The site used to have two 18-hole Crazy Golf courses - the East & West courses. Only the East course remains.





The site of the old West course is now just an empty patch of grass.


Previous Southend-on-Sea Crazy Golf Blog Posts
- Crazy Golf and Adventure Golf in Southend-on-Sea - Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Arnold Palmer in Southend...
- Derelict Crazy Golf in Southend...
- Then & Now – Southend Arnold Palmer ‘West’ Course
- Minigolf in Southend on Sea - Arnold Palmer West Course
- Minehead & Southend on Sea - pre-Crazy World of Minigolf Tour course visits
- From the Minigolf Archives - Results of our first-ever game of Adventure Golf against each other!
- Minigolf in Southend on Sea - The Southend Classic 2010

Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Friday, December 09, 2011

Cliff Lift Funicular Railway in Southend-on-Sea

While in Southend-on-Sea on Saturday 2nd December 2011 I had a ride on the Cliff Lift Funicular Railway. The lift was built in 1912 and reopened in 2010 following its closure in 2003.

You can get some great views from the carriage and it's 50p well spent to go on the 'trip'.

Cliff Lift Funicular Railway in Southend-on-Sea

Cliff Lift Funicular Railway in Southend-on-Sea

Cliff Lift Funicular Railway in Southend-on-Sea