Friday, February 21, 2020

Jurassic Putt Crazy Golf at Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure in Lenwade, Norwich

A look at the Jurassic Putt Crazy Golf course at Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure in Lenwade, Norwich, Norfolk.


Jurassic Putt Crazy Golf at Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure in Lenwade, Norwich. Photo by Christopher Gottfried, February 2020

My brother Christopher and his family recently visited Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure in Lenwade, Norwich and while there spotted the Jurassic Putt Crazy Golf course.


Jurassic Putt Crazy Golf at Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure in Lenwade, Norwich. Photo by Christopher Gottfried, February 2020

It's an 8-hole layout and play on the course is included with entry to the park.


Jurassic Putt Crazy Golf at Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure in Lenwade, Norwich. Photo by Christopher Gottfried, February 2020

Check out the Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure website for more information.

Jurassic Putt Crazy Golf at Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure in Lenwade, Norwich. Photo by Christopher Gottfried, February 2020

With Christopher's visit to Lenwade the combined total of the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour is now at 971 courses visited!

An old postcard from Bournemouth's Lower Gardens minigolf course

A look at an old postcard showing Bournemouth's Lower Gardens minigolf course.


After writing about the old J. Arthur Dixon postcard showing the Mini-Golf course at the Lower Gardens in Bournemouth, Dorset I had a look through our collection to find the earliest posting date we had on a card of the course.


It was this one, posted 40 years ago this year!

Miniature Golf in Central Gardens, Bournemouth. Postcard by The Photographic Greetings Cards Co Ltd, London. Posted 24 July 1970
The 'Miniature Golf in Central Gardens, Bournemouth' postcard by The Photographic Greetings Cards Co Ltd, London was posted from Bournemouth to Cleveleys in Lancashire on the 24th July 1970

You can see what the Lower Gardens Mini Golf course looks like now on the course's Facebook Page.

We're looking forward to replaying the course later this year.

New minigolf courses in the UK

Details of new miniature golf courses opening in the UK.


Details of new adventure golf, crazy golf and mini-golf courses opening in the UK

Do you want to have a guess where the next new minigolf course will be opening in the UK?


So far this year new miniature golf courses have been announced to be opening / have opened in Walsall, Pembrey, Crawley, Northampton, Edinburgh, Newcastle upon Tyne, Norwich, Hull (two venues), Rochdale, York, Leeds (two venues), King's Cross London, Harrow in London, Reading, Milton Keynes and Glasgow.


There's also going to be a new adventure golf course at Les Mielles Golf & Country Club in Jersey.

If you know of a new minigolf course opening do let us know in the comments.


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 Glasgow

A look at the miniature golf courses in Glasgow, Scotland.


Details of places to play minigolf, crazy golf and adventure golf in Glasgow, Scotland

We were last up in Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and a lot has changed on the crazy golf scene since then.


The first course we played in the city on a visit in 2009 was a grass Putting Course set up on a Bowling Green in Victoria Park. That course was the 89th on our travels. We've now been to 947 in total.

On that trip we also found an abandoned Crazy Golf course in another part of the park.

There are two indoor 18-hole courses at Paradise Island Adventure Golf at intu Braehead. They were among some of the first indoor minigolf courses that opened in the UK.

There is a Jungle Rumble Adventure Golf venue in the city centre where you will find two indoor 18-hole courses.

Fore Play Crazy Golf has two 9-hole indoor courses at the venue in the city centre.

Outside the city centre is Jurassic Parrr Adventure Golf, an 18-hole course at Great Western Golf

Jungle Creek Adventure Golf is a 12-hole indoor course located at SoccerWorld Glasgow.

Queen's Park is home to a Pitch & Putt miniature golf course.

There will be a new indoor minigolf course when Ghetto Golf Glasgow opens its doors later this year.

There are also plans for a Treetop Adventure Golf course to open in the city.

We're looking forward to a return visit to Glasgow and playing the courses on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

If you know of any other minigolf courses in Glasgow do let us know in the comments below.

Ghetto Golf opening in Glasgow

Glasgow Ghetto Golf course opening soon.


Ghetto Golf is heading to Glasgow

The team at Ghetto Golf are opening a new venue in Glasgow.


The indoor crazy golf course will be the first from Ghetto Golf in Scotland following Liverpool, Birmingham and Newcastle upon Tyne.


There will be another of the adults-only courses opening in Leeds this year too.

Part of the Ghetto Golf course in Digbeth, Birmingham

Visit the Ghetto Golf website and Glasgow Ghetto Golf Facebook Page for more info.

Thursday, February 20, 2020

A postcard from Rylstone Crazy Golf and Tea Gardens in Shanklin on the Isle of Wight

A look at an old postcard from the Rylstone Crazy Golf and Tea Gardens in Shanklin, Isle of Wight.


While browsing through the many boxes at the Stockport Postcard Fair we spotted this nice old postcard showing the Rylstone Crazy Golf course and Tea Gardens at Shanklin on the Isle of Wight.


Rylstone Crazy Golf and Tea Gardens, Shanklin, Isle of Wight. Jarrold Publishing, Norwich postcard CKIW 2309
Rylstone Crazy Golf and Tea Gardens, Shanklin, Isle of Wight. Jarrold Publishing, Norwich postcard CKIW 2309

The card is un-posted but has had the year 1999 written on the reverse. The photo on the card was taken a long time before then.


We visited the course on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour back in 2008. It was incredibly well signposted then, and still was on our return in 2016.

Rylstone Tea Gardens Crazy Golf course in Shanklin, Isle of Wight in 2016
Rylstone Tea Gardens Crazy Golf course in Shanklin, Isle of Wight in 2016

In 2008 the course still looked very much like it does on the postcard. However due to decades of wear and tear the base of the 'tables' meant that a new concrete layout had to be created to house the original obstacles.

Rylstone Tea Gardens Crazy Golf course in Shanklin, Isle of Wight in 2008
Rylstone Tea Gardens Crazy Golf course in Shanklin, Isle of Wight in 2008

Visit the Rylstone Tea Gardens & Crazy Golf course on Facebook for more info, opening times, events and prices.

It's the second copy of the postcard we've got as we received one in the post from the Isle of Wight itself after our friend Cat - aka WightHot on Twitter - found some in a charity shop on the island.

Wednesday, February 19, 2020

A mini-golf postcard from Bournemouth

A look at an old mini-golf postcard from Bournemouth.


One of the old postcards we found at the recent Stockport Postcard Fair was this J. Arthur Dixon card showing the Mini-Golf course at the Lower Gardens in Bournemouth, Dorset.


Mini-Golf at the Lower Gardens, Bournemouth, Dorset. J. Arthur Dixon postcard. PDO/89332 Posted August 1990
Mini-Golf at the Lower Gardens, Bournemouth, Dorset. J. Arthur Dixon postcard. PDO/89332 Posted August 1990

It was sent from Bournemouth to Uttoxeter, Staffordshire in August 1990.


It's one of a number of postcards we've got that show the Lower Gardens minigolf course. By the look of the card the photo is from at least the early 80's.

We'll be down in Dorset soon and are looking forward to replaying the course.

The Bournemouth Gardens Classic Mini Golf course in the Lower Gardens has been in the gardens for decades. It re-opened following a refurbishment a few years ago. We first visited in 2009 and returned in 2013. The Lower Gardens have been home to miniature golf courses since 1931 when the first Putting Green was introduced to the park.

Bournemouth Gardens Classic Mini Golf in the Lower Gardens
Minigolf at Bournemouth Lower Gardens

A Crazy Golf postcard from Sandbanks

A look at a long-gone Crazy Golf course in Sandbanks, Poole.


We found some brilliant old postcards at the recent Stockport Postcard Fair in the Town Hall.


One of which was this Dennis Publications postcard showing the Crazy Golf and Rockery in Sandbanks, Poole, Dorset.


Crazy Golf and Rockery, Sandbanks, Poole. P.2674 Dennis Productions Postcard. Postally used. Date unknown
Crazy Golf and Rockery, Sandbanks, Poole. P.2674 Dennis Productions Postcard. Postally used. Date unknown

The card was sent from Bournemouth to Winchester.

While that particular Crazy Golf course is no longer there, you can still play minigolf in Sandbanks on a much larger layout.

Sandbanks Crazy Golf is an fun and tricky 18-hole course. We've played tournaments there in the past.

Sandbanks Crazy Golf
Sandbanks Crazy Golf

Savage Golf scorecard from the minigolf pop-up in Norwich

Many thanks to my brother and Crazy World of Minigolf Tour member Christopher Gottfried for saving me a scorecard from his visit to the Savage Golf minigolf pop-up in Norwich last December.

Savage Golf scorecard from the minigolf pop-up in Norwich

The Savage Golf pop-up crazy golf course was only open for a month last year.

Savage Golf minigolf pop-up in Norwich. Photo by Christopher Gottfried
Savage Golf minigolf pop-up in Norwich. Photo by Christopher Gottfried

Adventure Golf at Furzton Lake in Milton Keynes

New Adventure Golf course opening in MK.



A new 27-hole Adventure Golf course is being built at Furzton Lake in Milton Keynes.


Work is due to begin later this year.


We've played minigolf in Milton Keynes quite a bit over the years. When we lived down in Luton we popped over to the Centre MK when they had pop-up courses.

We also played Adventure Golf at Willen Lakes and Mr Mulligan's Pirate Golf at the Abbey Hill Golf Centre.

You can also find two indoor minigolf courses at Mr Mulligan's Lost World Golf and a Construction Golf course in the JCB Zone at Gulliver's Land in MK. We're yet to play those courses on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Three years of Swing by Golfbaren

A look at the Swing by Golfbaren minigolf course and speakeasy in Stockholm, Sweden.


Swing by Golfbaren minigolf course and speakeasy in Stockholm, Sweden

We visited Swing by Golfbaren in February 2018 to celebrate the first birthday of the course.


Swing by Golfbaren minigolf course and speakeasy in Stockholm, Sweden

It was the landmark 800th course visit overall and our 31st overseas.


Swing by Golfbaren minigolf course and speakeasy in Stockholm, Sweden

We're looking forward to playing at the course again in the future. There are a number of other Golfbaren courses we want to play too.

Check out the Swing by Golfbaren website for more information.

During our trip to Sweden we managed to visit nine courses in 42 hours.

Monday, February 17, 2020

Minigolf at Dobbies Garden Centre in Peterborough

A look at the Peterborough Minigolf course at Dobbies Garden Centre.


Minigolf at Dobbies Garden Centre in Peterborough

While traveling around East Anglia last week we stayed over the road from Dobbies Garden Centre in the Hampton area of Peterborough. We had to call in to check out the Peterborough Miniolf course there.


Minigolf at Dobbies Garden Centre in Peterborough

Time has flown since we played it back in July 2015.


Minigolf at Dobbies Garden Centre in Peterborough

The course was the 382nd played and 662nd visited overall on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. We've now been to 947 courses in total since September 2006.

Minigolf at Dobbies Garden Centre in Peterborough

It's an excellent 12-hole course and looks to be in great condition.

Minigolf at Dobbies Garden Centre in Peterborough

Minigolf at Dobbies Garden Centre in Peterborough

Minigolf at Dobbies Garden Centre in Peterborough

Minigolf at Dobbies Garden Centre in Peterborough

Minigolf at Dobbies Garden Centre in Peterborough

Minigolf at Dobbies Garden Centre in Peterborough

Minigolf at Dobbies Garden Centre in Peterborough

Visit the Peterborough Minigolf website for more information, opening times and prices.

Minigolf at Dobbies Garden Centre in Peterborough

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Minigolf at Dobbies Garden Centre in Peterborough
The approach to the Peterborough Minigolf course at Dobbies Garden Centre

Minigolf at Priory Golf Centre in Wimblington, March

While on an East Anglian road-trip last week we swung by the Priory Golf Centre in Wimblington, March, Cambridgeshire as our friend and minigolf rival Steve Lovell had told us there was an Adventure Golf course there.


Unfortunately the centre was closed last Friday afternoon.


Priory Golf Centre in Wimblington, March

Steve tells us that the Adventure Golf course is looking in a lot better condition than when he first played it a few years ago.


Minigolf at Priory Golf Centre in Wimblington, March

It appears that the whole of the Priory Golf Centre is undergoing a refurbishment.

Minigolf at Priory Golf Centre in Wimblington, March

There is also a Par-3 Pitch & Putt course there and the signs at the entrance also mention Putting Greens.

Priory Golf Centre in Wimblington, March

BUNKER Mini Golf & Bowling Lounge heading to Reading

A new minigolf and tenpin bowling venue is opening in Reading.



Reading will be home to a new indoor minigolf venue as BUNKER Mini Golf & Bowling Lounge opens at the Broad Street Mall in the town.


There will be a 12-hole minigolf course and two tenpin bowling lanes.

Visit the BUNKER Mini Golf & Bowling Lounge website for more information.

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Putt Crazy at Playgolf London in Harrow

Two new minigolf courses are now open at Playgolf London in Harrow.


There are two new Putt Crazy minigolf courses at Playgolf London at Northwick Park in Harrow

Playgolf London at Northwick Park in Harrow now has two new indoor 9-hole minigolf courses.


In a first that I've seen one of the courses has been designed specifically for children, while the other is a little trickier and designed for adults.


The Putt Crazy courses have a Mayan-theme.

For more information, opening times and prices visit the Putt Crazy website.

The Mini Majors minigolf course at Northwick Park was one of the first courses we played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour back in July 2008. It was number 59. We've now been to 947 courses since September 2006.

On The Chase. Again

My episode of The Chase is going to be on Challenge TV again.


Richard Gottfried on The Chase

Series 5, episode 16 is scheduled to be on at:


8pm today, Monday 17th February.

Richard Gottfried on The Chase

9am on Tuesday 18th February.

Richard Gottfried on The Chase

1am on Wednesday 19th February.

Thursday, February 13, 2020

Minigolf in Newcastle


A look at minigolf courses in Newcastle upon Tyne.



We've been to Newcastle a number of times over the years and played minigolf at the city's various layouts.

Parklands Golf Club Mini Golf

Parklands Golf Club at Gosforth Park is home to an 18-hole Harris Miniature Golf course. We played there in 2009.

Mini Golf at Parklands Golf Club
Playing Mini Golf at Parklands Golf Club in 2009

Lane7 Mini Golf

Lane7 in the city centre has a very nice 9-hole Mini Golf course. You can find the course next to the bowling lanes in the basement of the competitive socialising venue. We've played the course on both of our recent visits to Newcastle.

Lane7 minigolf in Newcastle
Lane7's indoor minigolf course

Mr Mulligan's Adventure Golf

Mr Mulligan's Space Golf has three 9-hole courses - the Inventors Hangar, Lunar Crash and Cosmic Storm. We played them all on Miniature Golf Day in 2018.

Mr Mulligan's Space Golf in Newcastle
Playing Mr Mulligan's Adventure Golf

Ghetto Golf indoor crazy golf

You can find a Ghetto Golf indoor crazy golf course at Hoults Yard in Byker. We visited when we were last up in Newcastle last summer.

Ghetto Golf in Byker, Newcastle
One of the intriguing holes at Ghetto Golf

Junkyard Golf

There is a new Junkyard Golf venue opening in the city this year. The site will be home to three 9-hole crazy golf courses.

Junkyard Golf is opening in Newcastle in 2020
Junkyard Golf in Newcastle will be home to three indoor courses

Exhibition Park

There used to be a Crazy Golf course at Exhibition Park. Sadly that is long gone. There is a miniature railway there though.

Crazy Golf course at Exhibition Park
The lost crazy golf course in Exhibition Park

Other spots for a game in the area

You can also find courses South Shields - Smuggler's Cove Adventure Golf - and Tynemouth - the Lost World Adventure Golf at Tynemouth Park. We played both in 2009.

Smuggler's Cove Adventure Golf at South Shields, Tyneside
Smuggler's Cove Adventure Golf at South Shields, Tyneside was the 100th course I played. We've now been to 945 courses

Lost World Adventure Golf course in Tynemouth
Playing the Lost World Adventure Golf course in Tynemouth

Minigolfing in other Newcastles...

We've also played the miniature golf courses at The Clubhouse Stoke in Newcastle-under-Lyme and at Henllan Station on the Teifi Valley Railway in Newcastle Emlyn.

There's also an Adventure Golf course at Golf Centre Newcastle in Newcastle, Northern Ireland. We haven't played there yet.

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Crazy Golf at Coal Drops Yard, King's Cross, London

Information about the pop-up Crazy Golf at Coal Drops Yard in King's Cross, London.


There will be a pop-up Crazy Golf course at Coal Drops Yard in King's Cross, London

Coal Drops Yard in London will be home to a pop-up crazy golf course from the 19th February to the 29th March.


The artist designed 9-hole course has been inspired by the rave culture in the King's Cross area back in the 1980's and 90's.


Players can tee-off on the course midday to 8pm Monday to Saturday, with games costing £5.

Artists Baker & Borowski have created the rave-themed layout.

Visit the Coal Drops Yard website for more information.

Minigolf in Bournemouth, Boscombe, Southbourne, Poole and Sandbanks

A look at the miniature golf courses in the Bournemouth, Boscombe, Southbourne, Poole and Sandbanks area of Dorset.


We're gearing up for a minigolfing road-trip to the Bournemouth area in the spring and are looking forward to visiting and playing the courses down there.


We've visited the area a number of times over the years but our last trip there was in 2013. Since then a number of new courses have opened up, while some of the others have been refurbished.


If you know of any other minigolf courses in the Bournemouth, Boscombe, Southbourne, Poole or Sandbanks area do let us know.

Boscombe

Boscombe Chine Gardens is home to the Squirrel Café and mini golf. We played competitions on the course in 2009 and 2013.

Boscombe Chine Gardens Mini Golf course in 2009

Boscombe Pier was home to an eco-friendly Crazy Golf course for a while, we're not sure if it's still there though. The balls in use were made of fish food and the last hole had a drop into the sea!

Bournemouth

Mighty Adventures Crazy Golf at Playgolf Bournemouth is a relatively new 18-hole adventure golf course.

The Oasis Fun Centre in Bournemouth is home to an indoor jungle-themed adventure golf course.

Bournemouth Gardens Classic Mini Golf in the Lower Gardens has been in the gardens for decades. It re-opened following a refurbishment a few seasons ago. We visited in 2009 and 2013. The Lower Gardens have been home to miniature golf courses since 1931 when the first Putting Green was introduced.

Mini Golf in the Lower Gardens, Bournemouth
Mini Golf in the Lower Gardens, Bournemouth in 2013

Smuggler's Cove Adventure Golf on Pier Approach in Bournemouth opened last year and is an 18-hole layout.

Mr Mulligan's Space Golf in Bournemouth is home to three 9-hole indoor adventure golf courses.

There used to be a derelict Crazy Golf near the Lower Gardens on Exeter Road in Bournemouth. It'll be interesting to see if it's still there and what state it's in now.

Derelict Crazy Golf course on Exeter Road in Bournemouth
We checked out the course in 2009 and 2013

There's a Crazy Golf course at Tuckton Tea Gardens, Bournemouth. It looks like a fun layout.

Solent Meads Golf Centre in Bournemouth is home to a par-3 course as well as a Putting Green.

Christchurch

There's a Crazy Golf courses in Christchurch. We've known about it for a while but it's always been slightly off our route.

Poole

Harbour Pirates Glow Golf in Poole is a pirate-themed indoor UV minigolf course.

Poole Park Crazy Golf is a 12-hole outdoor course. We've also played a Putting Course next to the Crazy Golf. The park is also home to a miniature railway.

Poole Park Crazy Golf
Poole Park Crazy Golf in 2010

Sandbanks

Sandbanks Crazy Golf is an interesting 18-hole layout. We've played tournaments on the course in the past.

Sandbanks Crazy Golf
There are some big obstacles on the Sandbanks Crazy Golf course

Southbourne

Cafe Riva in Southbourne is home to a Crazy Golf course. We played the course in 2009 and revisited in 2013. On our return we saw the venue is also home to a Putting course and a Pitch & Putt layout.

Crazy Golf course at Cafe Riva in Southbourne
The Crazy Golf course at Cafe Riva in Southbourne back in 2013

Holiday parks

Two holiday parks in the area are home to courses:
Sandford Holiday Park in Sandford, Poole has a minigolf course.
Merley Court Touring Park in Merley, Wimborne, near Poole has a 9-hole minigolf course.

It should be a marvellous trip to the seaside.


What are the odds we find a few other hidden putting greens or pop-up crazy golf courses while we're down there?