Tuesday, March 23, 2021

City Golf Tour in Sweden

A new minigolf tournament circuit has been announced in Sweden.


City Golf Europe in Stoke Park, Guildford, Surrey, England

A new minigolf competition tour has been created in Sweden with qualification events due to take place at various venues this year.

The City Golf Tour varies from many other events in Sweden, other parts of Scandinavia and continental Europe as the events will be taking place on what is technically known as Minigolf Open Standard (MOS). To most players in the UK, USA, Australia and New Zealand these courses would be recognisable as minigolf or adventure golf layouts.

The City Golf Tour has been created by Svenska MOS-Alliansen (Swedish MOS Alliance). The organisation is an alliance of seven Swedish minigolf clubs that are members of Svenska Bangolfförbundet (Swedish Minigolf Federation), a member of the World Minigolf Sport Federation (WMF).

City Golf Europe in Stoke Park, Guildford
In the cup at Guildford

Visit the City Golf Tour website for further details and entry information.


Jiggers Miniature Golf in Thorpeness, Suffolk

About City Golf

City Golf Europe was formed in Sweden in the 1930's and since then has gone on to build and supply more than 2,500 minigolf courses and 250 adventure golf courses around the world.

How to play minigolf - in three languages
How to play minigolf - in three languages

City Golf layouts range from permanent Adventure Golf and Mini Golf courses, to more traditional Swedish Felt types of course.

The Swedish Felt Crazy Golf course on Southend Pier
The Swedish Felt Crazy Golf course on Southend Pier

Playing City Golf courses

We've played a lot of City Golf courses on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour travels, including an indoor course at the Mall of Scandinavia in Solna, Sweden.

Sports World Mini Golf at O'Leary's in the Mall of Scandinavia
Playing the Ice Hockey hole on the Sports World Mini Golf course at O'Leary's in the Mall of Scandinavia

Check out the City Golf Europe website for more information on their work.


Jiggers Miniature Golf at Thorpeness Golf Club & Hotel in Suffolk
Playing Jiggers Miniature Golf at Thorpeness Golf Club & Hotel in Suffolk

Winning on City Golf layouts

We've competed in a number of independent and official BMGA tournaments on City Golf courses and back in 2009 I won the Pleasure Beach Open competition on the 12-hole course in Blackpool.

Richard Gottfried playing in the Pleasure Beach Open in Blackpool
On my way to victory and with the superb trophy at the Pleasure Beach Open

Signs of the coronavirus pandemic times

A look at signs of the Coronavirus pandemic, social distancing and lockdown.


Social distancing world champion floor sticker at a pub in Chesterfield

I've been documenting the coronavirus pandemic in a number of ways, one of which is by photographing the different signs and posters I see on my walks and limited travels.

We're one year into lockdown in the UK and in that time I've collated some 922 of these (and counting) on my Instagram account.

One of the very first signs I snapped was this one during a local walk that passed by Cheadle Angling Club on Demmings Road in Cheadle.

Coronavirus sign at Cheadle Angling Club


Social distancing at Bruntwood Park Pitch & Putt in Cheadle

There is certainly a real variety of warnings, instructions and directional signage to do with social distancing, and I was amused by this photo Emily took of the social distancing measures in place on an escalator in M&S!

Social distancing on an escalator in M&S, Chesterfield

Surely the 2 metre apart distance stickers should be on the moving walkway as well, rather than the static sides of the escalator? I wonder how many people adhere to the rule and wait for the person ahead of them to reach the first marker?

Have you seen any interesting, quirky or amusing signs during these pandemic times? Do let me know.

Monday, March 22, 2021

Jurassic Links Adventure Golf at Kingsway Golf Centre in Melbourn

A look at the Jurassic Links Adventure Golf course at Kingsway Golf Centre.


Jurassic Links Adventure Golf at Kingsway Golf Centre in Melbourn. Photo by Simon Baker, HM Adventure Golf, March 2021

The brand new Jurassic Links Adventure Golf has been completed at Kingsway Golf Centre in Melbourn, Cambridgeshire and is gearing up to welcome players when minigolf courses are allowed to open to the public again.

Jurassic Links Adventure Golf at Kingsway Golf Centre in Melbourn. Photo by Simon Baker, HM Adventure Golf, March 2021
The gates are waiting to open up to the course

Jurassic Links Adventure Golf is planned to open on the 29th March.

Jurassic Links Adventure Golf at Kingsway Golf Centre in Melbourn. Photo by Simon Baker, HM Adventure Golf, March 2021

Check out the Jurassic Links Adventure Golf website for more information.


Many thanks to Simon Baker from HM Adventure Golf for sending over the snaps.

Visit the HM Adventure Golf website to see more of their work and courses they have created.


Emily and I are looking forward to giving the course a play on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour in the future.

Minigolfing at Kingsway Golf Centre

We've played minigolf at Kingsway Golf Centre on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour before. The golf centre was home to a Crazy Golf course that became the 200th we visited on our travels in 2009. That layout was replaced with the Himalayas Putting Course in 2010.

Crazy Golfing in Melbourn

For a small village Melbourn has been home to a lot of minigolf courses over the years! As well as the crazy golf, putting course and adventure golf courses at Kingsway Golf Centre the village has been home to pop-up miniature golf courses at the annual fete and The Dolphin pub was once home to a 4-hole crazy golf course!

Crazy Golf at Millets Farm near Abingdon

I've found out there's a Crazy Golf course at Millets Farm Centre near my hometown of Abingdon in Oxfordshire.

There's a crazy golf course at Millets Farm Centre near Abingdon

The Crazy Golf course is part of the Maize Maze attraction part of Millets Farm Centre in Frilford, near Abingdon.

I haven't been to Millets Farm for years, but have got lots of great memories of visiting with my family when I was growing up. It was brilliant fun doing Pick Your Own and going on the tractor rides there.

It'll be nice to revisit and have a game on the Crazy Golf course as part of our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour in the future.

Visit the Millets Farm Centre website for more information.

New mini golf course opening at Planters Garden Centre in Tamworth

A new mini golf course is opening at Planters Garden Centre in Tamworth, Staffordshire.


A new mini golf course is opening at Planters Garden Centre in Tamworth, Staffordshire

The new 12-hole mini golf course will have a Mountains of the World theme and it is planned to open on the 17th April.

It's another new course for us to play on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour in the future.

Visit the Planters Garden Centre website for more information.


Garden Centre Minigolf


Crazy Golf at Coal Drops Yard in London

Pop-up Crazy Golf at Coal Drops Yard in King's Cross, London.


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

The pop-up Crazy Golf course at Coal Drops Yard in King's Cross, London is returning next month.

The 9-hole rave-inspired art-based pop-up minigolf course is planned to be set-up at Coal Drops Yard from the 6th April to the 9th May, with the course open to bookings between 12pm and 8pm.

Artists Baker & Borowski created the 9-hole themed Crazy Golf layout inspired by the rave culture in the King's Cross area back in the 1980's and 90's.

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


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

Visit the Coal Drops Yard website for more information and bookings.

Sunday, March 21, 2021

Putt18 World Pro League Week 5 - Results

I scored rounds of 79, 74, 71 and 75 for a total of 299 in week 5 of 7 in the Putt18 World Pro League.


Putt18 Golf Putting Game System

You can see my rounds on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour Facebook Page.

As well as the usual individual rounds, week 5 has included a fun team event with groups selected in a draw. It'll be interesting to see where our bunch of Putting Wonders has finished.

I'll be playing my next games in the league at 6pm on Saturday 3rd April and my final four rounds of the season at 6pm on Saturday 17th April.

Richard Gottfried - Putt18 World Pro League Player

21 players from the UK, Australia, New Zealand and the USA are competing in the seven event series to find the world's best putter on the Putt18 Golf Putting Game System.

Saturday, March 20, 2021

Charlie's Mini Golf in Folkestone, Kent

Charlie's Mini Golf is opening on Folkestone Harbour Arm in April.


Charlie's Mini Golf is opening on Folkestone Harbour Arm in April

A new minigolf course is opening on Folkestone Harbour Arm in Folkestone, Kent on the 2nd April.

For more information visit Charlie's Mini Golf website.

Week 5 of the Putt18 World Pro League 2021

I'll be teeing-off in week five of the Putt18 World Pro League at 6pm tonight (Saturday 20th March).


Putt18 Golf Game Putting Mat

You can watch my rounds on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour Facebook Page.

Friday, March 19, 2021

Bagman and Robin in Exmouth Market, London.

Bagman and Robin in Exmouth Market, Clerkenwell, London. March 2019.


Bagman and Robin in Exmouth Market, Clerkenwell, London. March 2019.

Thursday, March 18, 2021

Minigolf at Fayre on the Square in Salisbury

An event is planned to take place in Salisbury, Wiltshire this summer and it'll feature a pop-up minigolf course.


A pop-up event is planned to take place in Salisbury, Wiltshire this summer and will feature a minigolf course

The Fayre on the Square in the city's Guildhall Square will also include a bar and food vendors.

More information can be found on the Salisbury Business Improvement District (BID) website.

Wednesday, March 17, 2021

New Crazy Golf course at Barleylands in Billericay

There are plans for a new Crazy Golf course at Barleylands farm park in Billericay, Essex.


There are plans for a new Crazy Golf course at Barleylands farm park in Billericay, Essex

Barleylands farm park in Billericay, Essex is planning to create a new 18-hole crazy golf course.

The layout will have a number of themed area including farm yard, jungle, desert, arctic and antarctic zones.

For more information visit the Barleylands Farm Park & Village website.

Barber Streisand in Exmouth Market, London

Barber Streisand in Exmouth Market, Clerkenwell, London. March 2019.


Barber Streisand in Exmouth Market, Clerkenwell, London. March 2019.

Terry's Traditional Crazy Golf in Cleethorpes

A look at Terry's Traditional Crazy Golf course in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire.


Terry's Traditional Crazy Golf in Cleethorpes

We first visited Terry's Traditional Crazy Golf course in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire back in 2011 and returned for a game in May 2018.

Terry's Traditional Crazy Golf in Cleethorpes

It's a fun an unique 9-hole layout with some very tricky holes and obstacles.

Terry's Traditional Crazy Golf in Cleethorpes

You can also find a Putting Green next to the Crazy Golf course.

It'll be nice when we can visit the seaside resort again.

Mini Golf at Flip Out Croydon

There will be a mini golf course at the new Flip Out centre in Croydon.


There will be a mini golf course at the new Flip Out centre in Croydon

Flip Out are creating a new super centre full of indoor entertainment at the Centrale Shopping Centre in Croydon, London.

The venue is planned to open this summer.

As well as mini golf the location will be home to inflatables, laser tag, an ice rink, an assualt course, interactive football, arcade games and a bumper car track.

Visit the Flip Out website for more information.

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Cornhill Cove returning to Lincoln this year

The Cornhill Cove seaside-style pop-up will be returning to Lincoln city centre this summer.


The Cornhill Cove seaside-style pop-up will be returning to Lincoln city centre this summer

Last year the outdoor retailtainment pop-up featured a crazy golf course, bar and street food vendors.

Check out the Cornhill Cove Facebook Page for more information.

Oddballs Crazy Golf course in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire

A look at the Oddballs Crazy Golf course in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire.


Oddballs Crazy Golf course in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire

We first visited Oddballs Crazy Golf course in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire in May 2011 and returned in May 2018. It'll be wonderful if we could get back there again.

Oddballs Crazy Golf course in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire

The 18-hole Oddballs Crazy Golf course was the 226th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Monday, March 15, 2021

Happy 9th Anniversary to KISS by Monster Mini Golf!

Today is the 9th Anniversary of KISS by Monster Mini Golf in Las Vegas.


Congratulations to the Monster Mini Golf team on the milestone.

KISS by Monster Mini Golf in Las Vegas


Emily putting into The Demon's mouth at KISS Monster Mini Golf in Las Vegas
Emily putting into The Demon's mouth at KISS Monster Mini Golf

You can now find KISS by Monster Mini Golf at the Rio Hotel & Casino. Visit the Monster Mini Golf website for more information.

I was last in Las Vegas ten years ago so haven't played the course yet.

We're looking forward to a return to Las Vegas in the future and playing both the KISS Monster Mini Golf and Twilight Zone Mini Golf courses in the city.

Peterborough Glo Golf

The new Peterborough Glo Golf course in Peterborough city centre is planned to open on Tuesday 18th May.


Peterborough Glo Golf is opening in May 2021

The indoor-glow-in-the-dark venue will be home to a 16-hole space-themed layout.

Visit the Peterborough Glo Golf Facebook page for more information.

Happy Shopper in Lowestoft

The easternmost Happy Shopper shop in the British Isles.


I was looking through my photo archive and happened to find a snap I took of the Happy Shopper shop in Lowestoft, Suffolk in August 2011!

Happy Shopper shop in Lowestoft
I'm a big fan of the classic brand. I was both amazed and pleased that you can still find the original branding on some of the stores - this one is of particular interest as the classic cheeky chappy face is not included on the sign. From memory and looking online other signs on the shop have other versions of the logo

It's a brand I remember from growing up in the 1980s and 90s. Happy Shopper underwent a rebrand in 2000, but if you are lucky you can still find the original branding and signage on some shops.

Happy Shopper still exists as both convenience stores and own brand food & drink products. It has been part of the Booker Group since 1996. Booker itself is now owned by Tesco.

The Happy Shopper newsagent, general store and off licence can be found at 121 London Rd South in Lowestoft. As with many things in the seaside town it's the easternmost thing of its kind in the British Isles.

On our visits to Lowestoft we've played the easternmost adventure golf course and putting green in the British Isles.