Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Crazy Golf at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Solihull

A look at the old 12-hole Crazy Golf course at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge, Solihull.


Crazy Golf at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge, Solihull
A view of some of the tricky and testing holes on the old Crazy Golf course

We heard today that the course has now been removed.

It was one of the first courses played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour and one we played in many tournaments over the years.

Playing in the 2015 Midlands Minigolf Open at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge

It was such a superb test of putting skill.

Crazy Golf at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge, Solihull
Playing Crazy Golf at the Four Ashes Golf Centre

There is now an excellent 18-hole Adventure Golf course at the centre.

Adventure Golf at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge, Solihull
Adventure Golf at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge, Solihull

Back in September 2008 the old minigolf course became the 72nd played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.


Visit the Four Ashes Golf Centre website for more information.

Crazy Golf at Fletchers Family Garden Centre in Eccleshall

A look at the Crazy Golf course at Fletchers Family Garden Centre in Eccleshall, Staffordshire.


Crazy Golf at Fletchers Family Garden Centre in Eccleshall

We played the course a year ago.

Crazy Golf at Fletchers Family Garden Centre in Eccleshall
Playing Crazy Golf at Fletchers Family Garden Centre

It was the 505th played and 863rd visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.


There's a nice Miniature Railway at the garden centre too.

Miniature Railway at Fletchers Family Garden Centre in Eccleshall
Riding the rails on the miniature railway at Fletchers Family Garden Centre

Visit the Fletchers Family Garden Centre website for more information.

Check out my blog post about Garden Centre minigolf courses.

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

It’s Putter Madness in the world of Crazy Golf

A look into the world of Putter Madness minigolf.


Putter Madness - The Portable Crazy Golf Company

We love travelling around, playing minigolf and having fun. The coronavirus pandemic means we’re in lockdown and are putting at home.


We’ve been chatting to the team at Putter Madness for a while now and although our paths haven’t managed to cross in the outside world we have talked a lot about the world of minigolf on social media.


Putter Madness set up for a private event. Photo by Putter Madness
We're looking forward to playing the Putter Madness crazy golf course on our tour soon

It’s brilliant having guest posts on the blog as we get to hear from different people here in the UK and around the world, as well as seeing a range of different minigolf courses.

Putter Madness set up for a private event. Photo by Putter Madness

Here’s some more info on Putter Madness.

Richard: Can you tell us some more about Putter Madness?
Kieran: Putter Madness was born in 2019. We are an exciting, creative and contemporary portable crazy golf company looking to add fun and some light-hearted competitiveness to all types of events. Our tee-rific courses contain obstacles, humps and bumps, aimed at entertaining guests of all ages and abilities. We have enjoyed setting up our portable crazy golf course at all types of festivals, weddings, corporate events, and family events.

Putter Madness set up at a public event. Photo by Putter Madness

R: What’s the idea behind the madness?
K: In the last few years, my wife and I have become big fans of competitive socialising, especially crazy golf. The first time we experienced competitive socialising was at a wonderful crazy golf venue called Urban Putt in San Francisco, we couldn't believe how much fun it was! Since then we have been to some amazing venues such as Ghetto Golf, Swingers Crazy Golf, Flight Club darts and Bounce Ping Pong.

When we were planning our wedding in the summer of 2019 we decided we wanted something different to entertain our guests that would make our big day that extra bit special. Along with the fact that a wedding can be a very long day we needed something to keep our guests occupied. We thought; what if we could bring our love for crazy golf and competitive socialising to our wedding day, *Light Bulb Moment* that's when our portable crazy golf idea was born.

Putter Madness set up for a wedding. Photo by Putter Madness

Founded in January 2019, we have been lucky to have toured the UK entertaining people with our crazy golf idea and we haven’t looked back! We have been so overwhelmed with all of the interest, enquiries, and bookings we’ve had in our first year.

Putter Madness set up for a public event. Photo by Putter Madness

R: Why did you pick crazy golf?
K: Crazy golf is that one timeless activity. It never gets old and it is an all-ages pleaser. If you're 8 years old or 80 years old it brightens up everyone’s day. We love to see the competitiveness come out when people are playing, especially when they are dressed in glamorous dresses and jewels at a wedding.

Wedding crazy golf. Photo by Putter Madness

Crazy golf works so well as a time filler at weddings and a great way of mixing with people you’ve never met before. It also works well at public events such as festivals and fetes, private events such as birthday parties and celebrations, and corporate events such as product launches and team building days. In fact, it works at any type of event!

Wedding crazy golf. Photo by Putter Madness

R: How are things for you at the moment?
K: We are currently living through some very surreal times. Unfortunately due to the COVID-19 outbreak a number of our upcoming events, including a lot of weddings have had to be postponed to later dates in the year. Luckily so far, we have been able to rearrange suitable future dates.

In the meantime, we have been able to put our free time to good use, by giving our crazy golf course some TLC and we're also using our time to come up with new and exciting ideas for the near future, watch this space!

Putter Madness set up for a wedding. Photo by Putter Madness

R: What are you plans in the near future?
K: We have big plans for Putter Madness including adding additional portable courses to our existing layout and plans to appear at more and more events around the UK. In our first year alone, we couldn’t believe how many bookings we were getting, especially for weddings. We hope to keep our fun, light-hearted business going for people to have fun with. This is only the beginning.

For more information about Putter Madness visit their website.


If you’d like to guest blog on the Ham and Egger Files do get in touch. It’s brilliant finding out about new minigolf courses, businesses, innovations and more.

Happy birthday Nintendo Game Boy

Happy 31st birthday to the Nintendo Game Boy.


Nintendo Game Boy

The Nintendo Game Boy was released in Japan on this day in 1989.

Nintendo Game Boy

I got mine in 1992 or 93. I've still got it too.

Lazlos' Loop for the Nintendo Game Boy
Lazlos' Loop for the Nintendo Game Boy, the last game I bought for the Game Boy. I picked this up earlier this year

Game Boy Minigolf


We've seen a few Game Boy inspired minigolf holes, obstacles and artwork on our travels.

This Game Boy inspired hole can be found at Teezers Retro Golf in Coventry.

Teezers Retro Golf in Coventry
Teezers Retro Golf in Coventry

This Game Boy inspired graffiti art can be found on the Ghetto Golf indoor minigolf course at the Custard Factory in Digbeth, Birmingham.

Ghetto Golf in Digbeth, Birmingham
Ghetto Golf in Digbeth, Birmingham

This Game Boy inspired graffiti art can be found at Ghetto Golf in Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne.

Ghetto Golf in Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne
Ghetto Golf in Newcastle upon Tyne

Happy National Tea Day

Today is National Tea Day.


Putters Adventure Golf at Superbowl Warrington
A tea-themed minigolf hole

Hole 1 of Putters Adventure Golf at Superbowl Warrington is tea-themed.

Putters Adventure Golf at Superbowl Warrington
Teeing-off on hole 1 of the tea cups hole

2020's National Tea Day is the fifth edition of the event.

For more info visit the National Tea Day website.

Putters Adventure Golf at Superbowl Warrington
The tea cups obstacles on hole 1 of the Superbowl minigolf course

National Tea Day supports Mind, the UK’s leading mental health charity.

Monday, April 20, 2020

Minigolf in and around Birmingham

A look at miniature golf courses in and around Birmingham.


We should've been at a friend's birthday part in Birmingham at the weekend. Unfortunately the coronavirus pandemic lockdown put paid to that trip.


Joe Joe Jim's Crazy Crazy Golf at Fletcher's Arcade in Cofton Hackett, Birmingham
Playing hole 1 at Joe Joe Jim's Crazy Crazy Golf at Fletcher's Arcade in Cofton Hackett

While we were there we would very likely have grabbed a game at one of the many minigolf courses in the city.


The last new indoor course we played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour was at That Funky Golf Place in Wythall, Birmingham.

That Funky Golf Place in Wythall, Birmingham
That Funky Golf Place in Wythall

The first course we ever played in Birmingham was Adventure Island Mini Golf at Star City back in 2008.

Adventure Island Mini Golf at Star City in Birmingham
Adventure Island Mini Golf at Star City

En route to that layout to play in the weekly Monday night league I used call in at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge, Solihull. There's an adventure golf course there now. That's in addition to the older minigolf course.

Adventure Golf at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge, Solihull
Adventure Golf at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge, Solihull

There's an 18-hole indoor crazy golf course at Ghetto Golf at the Custard Factory in Digbeth.

Ghetto Golf at the Custard Factory in Digbeth, Birmingham
Ghetto Golf at the Custard Factory in Digbeth

The city's Cannon Hill Park is home to two 18-hole Golden Putter Adventure Golf courses.

Golden Putter Adventure Golf at Cannon Hill Park in Birmingham
Golden Putter Adventure Golf at Cannon Hill Park

In Cofton Hackett you will find probably the craziest crazy golf course in the UK. It's called Joe Joe Jim's Crazy Crazy Golf and can be found at Fletcher's Arcade.

Joe Joe Jim's Crazy Crazy Golf at Fletcher's Arcade in Cofton Hackett, Birmingham
Joe Joe Jim's Crazy Crazy Golf at Fletcher's Arcade in Cofton Hackett

At Mr Mulligan's Space Golf you'll find three 12-hole indoor adventure golf courses at the Broadway Plaza just outside the city centre.

Mr Mulligan's Space Golf at the Broadway Plaza in Birmingham
Mr Mulligan's Space Golf at the Broadway Plaza 

As well as minigolf you can also find a Pit-Pat Table Golf course at The Floodgate in Digbeth.

Pit-Pat Table Golf at The Floodgate in Digbeth in Birmingham
Pit-Pat Table Golf at The Floodgate in Digbeth

The midlands has a number of minigolf courses and we've enjoyed games in Warwick, Stratford-upon-Avon, Coventry, West Bromwich, Tamworth, Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield and Walsall.

Where are you looking forward to playing minigolf after the COVID-19 lockdown?

Crazy Golf at Penwith Pitch & Putt in St Erth, Cornwall

A look back at the Crazy Golf course at Penwith Pitch & Putt in St Erth, Hayle, Cornwall.


The Crazy Golf course at Penwith Pitch & Putt in St Erth, Hayle, Cornwall

It was one of 62 courses we visited during our two week holiday around the South West coast back in 2015.

The 18-hole course was the 37th visited on our South West trip, the 375th played and 636th course visited.

Crazy Golf at Penwith Pitch & Putt in St Erth, Hayle, Cornwall
Playing Crazy Golf at Penwith Pitch & Putt in St Erth, Hayle, Cornwall

We've now been to 948 courses since September 2006.

Visit the Penwith Pitch & Putt website for more information.

Sunday, April 19, 2020

Saw something on my daily walk. Made a meme about it

Saw something on my once a day outdoor exercise walk. Made a meme about it.

Saw something on my daily walk. Made a meme
What do you read it as?

Friday, April 17, 2020

It's just not cricket

All this nice weather and we can't play minigolf (or cricket).


Where are you looking forward to playing minigolf when the world reopens after the coronavirus pandemic lockdown?


We've seen a couple of interesting cricket-themed holes on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Adventure Golf at Romsey Rapids Sports Complex in Southampton
Adventure Golf at Romsey Rapids Sports Complex in Southampton 

Trailer Trash Jim's Crazy Golf at Level Preston
Trailer Trash Jim's Crazy Golf at Level Preston

We've got 40 more courses to visit to tick off all of the original 600 courses we set out to visit when our travels began in 2006.

Hundreds more have opened during the minigolf boom of the last decade.

There are quite a few in Nottingham and the wider East Midlands. The Highfields Park Adventure Golf course also has a cricket-themed hole.

Thursday, April 16, 2020

A Typical Butlin Monorail

A look at an old Butlins postcard from Skegness.


I'm always on the lookout for old minigolf postcards and when I'm sorting through them at fairs, car boot sales, or in charity or antique shops I always keep an eye out for holiday camp postcards too.


This is one of the wonderful Butlin's cards from the late 1960's and it ticks a number of my interest boxes.


Firstly it's got a prominent view of a miniature golf course being played.

Secondly it's a Butlin's holiday camp card.

And thirdly it's got a monorail on it!

A Typical Butlin Monorail. I have two other versions of this card, but with the caption of 'Butlin's Skegness Monorail' instead. One was postally used on 27th July 1971
A Typical Butlin Monorail. I have two other versions of this card, but with the caption of 'Butlin's Skegness Monorail' instead. One was postally used on 27th July 1971

Two firsts


Skegness was the first Butlin's holiday camp and it opened its doors on the 11th April 1936.

The camp at Butlin's Skegness was the location for the UK's first commercial monorail. It opened in 1965.

Since then a number of camps opened and closed, underwent facelifts and rebranding exercises and offered marvellous holidays to millions of people.

Holidaying at Butlin's


My parents met at the Butlin's holiday camp in Clacton-on-Sea in the 1970's. My family often went on holiday to the Butlin's holiday camp in Minehead. We also had one stay at the Bognor Regis and Ayr camps. I spent many summers in the 80's and 90's at the Barry Island Holiday Camp, itself a former Butlin's camp.

I have not yet visited the Skegness camp, but have had some brilliant holidays in Skeggy itself.

We also used to ride the monorail at Butlin's Minehead all the time.

Butlin's Somerwest World Monorail. From the Gottfried family photo archive 2019
My brother Christopher foudnd this snap of us riding the monorail at Butlin's Minehead back in the early 90's while looking through some old family photos

Guess the Crazy Golf course location?

Guess the minigolf course location...


(If you were allowed out) where would you find this Crazy Golf course?


Where would you find this Crazy Golf course?
Clue: It's not in Brazil

The Big Apple Kiosk at the Mumbles in Swansea

A look at the The Big Apple Kiosk in Swansea.


During our road-trip around the Welsh coast in August 2009 we spent a day playing petanque and crazy golf at the Mumbles in Swansea.


While we were there the strange Big Apple building near the pier caught our eye.

From our seaside travels archive


Looking through our photo archives I found this snap of it in a bit of a state. Apparently it had been hit by a vehicle just days prior to our visit!

The Big Apple Kiosk at the Mumbles in Swansea

Looking online it appears that the kiosk was granted listed building status last year.

The Big Apple kiosk was created in the 1930s as part of a promotional campaign for the Cidertone cider brand and at one time others could be found at seaside locations around the UK.

Unfortunately the Big Apple at the Mumbles is the last one standing.

A return is planned


We haven't been to Swansea since, but it is on our revisit list as there's a new crazy golf venue in the town.

We love visiting Wales and the Welsh coast and can't wait until the coronavirus pandemic is over so we can return.

Minigolf around the world - guest blog posts

It's always brilliant to see and hear about minigolf courses around the world.


Minigolf around the world

Over the years I've published guest blog posts about minigolf courses in 21 countries:

- Bermuda

- Canada

Faroe Islands

- Finland


Mini Golf in Civray, France by Thomas at Boîte de Timbres, 2019
Mini Golf in Civray, France by Thomas at Boîte de Timbres, 2019

- Germany


- Greece (Rhodes)

- Guernsey

- Italy

- Latvia

- Netherlands

- North Korea

- Oman

- Portugal

- Slovakia

- South Africa

Putt-Putt course in Three Anchor Bay in Moullie Point Sea Point, Cape Town, South Africa by PJ Goedhals, 2019
Putt-Putt course in Three Anchor Bay in Moullie Point Sea Point, Cape Town, South Africa by PJ Goedhals, 2019

- Spain (Lanzarote, Majorca and Tenerife)

- Sweden

- Switzerland

- UK

- USA

Plus on the high seas from Italy, to Montenegro, to Greece on the MSC Opera cruise ship!

Miniature golf course on the MSC Opera by Sophia and Karl Moles, 2019
Miniature golf course on the MSC Opera by Sophia and Karl Moles, 2019

Combined with our own Crazy World of Minigolf Tour that's a total of 32 countries blogged about on the Ham and Egger Files.

Emily, Christopher and I have been to courses in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Finland, France, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, and the USA.

Within the British Isles we've been to courses in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Jersey and the Isle of Man.

Do you have a favourite course near you?


If you'd like to guest blog on the site please do get in touch.

The A-Z of the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Together with my brother Christopher we've visited a total of 973 miniature golf courses around the world since September 2006.


A hole on the Crazy Golf course at Ancaster Karting in Grantham, Lincolnshire
A hole on the Crazy Golf course at Ancaster Karting in Grantham, Lincolnshire

Emily and I have been to 948 courses while Christopher has been to 34 on his own branch of the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. We've been to nine of the 34 Christopher's visited.


A for Abingdon


The first minigolf course that Christopher and I ever played was the Crazy Golf course at the Abbey Meadows in Abingdon-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

The Crazy Golf course at the Abbey Meadows in Abingdon-on-Thames
The Crazy Golf course at the Abbey Meadows in Abingdon-on-Thames

Sadly that course was closed and removed at the end of the 2016 season.

Z for Zeltingen-Rachtig


In 2018 Christopher visited a number of courses during a cycling trip in the Mosel Valley, Germany. One of those was the Beton Minigolf course in Zeltingen-Rachtig.

The Beton / Concrete Minigolf course in Zeltingen-Rachtig, Germany
The Beton / Concrete Minigolf course in Zeltingen-Rachtig, Germany

Together we've visited minigolf courses in 18 overseas countries:

  1. Australia
  2. Austria
  3. Belgium
  4. Croatia
  5. Finland
  6. France
  7. Hong Kong
  8. Indonesia
  9. Italy
  10. Luxembourg
  11. Netherlands
  12. New Zealand
  13. Poland
  14. Singapore
  15. Spain
  16. Sweden
  17. Turkey
  18. USA


Within the British Isles we've been to courses in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Jersey and the Isle of Man.

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic we were closing in on visiting the final 40 courses of the original 600 we set out to play in 2006.

Check out our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour page for the list of, and links to, all of the courses visited on our travels.

Crazy Golf at Ancaster Karting in Grantham, Lincolnshire

Do let us know if there's a minigolf course out there that you think we should play once the world is again open for business.