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The old Crazy Golf course in Llanfairfechan, Wales

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A revisit to the old Crazy Golf course in Llanfairfechan, Wales.

Crazy Golf course in Llanfairfechan, Wales

While en route to Caernarfon last January we revisited the seaside town of Llanfairfechan in Wales.

Crazy Golf course in Llanfairfechan, Wales

Back on our roadtrip around the Welsh coast in 2009 we'd called in to Llanfairfechan and found only holes 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 remained of the promenade Crazy Golf course.

Crazy Golf course in Llanfairfechan, Wales
The course in August 2009

Crazy Golf course in Llanfairfechan, Wales
As it looked in January 2018

Strangely on this occasion three more holes were visible!? These were hole 1 and holes 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18. There were also traces of another two hole that may have been where the kiosk was at one point.



Shortly after our visit in January 2018 we heard that the course on was completely demolished. Very sad to hear, but I'm very glad we visited it on two occasions.

Crazy Golf course in Llanfairfechan, Wales
We think this was hole 1 - for some reason it wasn't fully on show the last time we were there! We also think the planters are also covering what were once holes

Crazy Golf course in Llanfairfechan, Wales
Hole 13

Crazy Golf course in Llanfairfechan, Wales
Hole 14

Crazy Golf course in Llanfairfechan, Wales
Hole 15

Crazy Golf course in Llanfairfechan, Wales
Hole 15

Crazy Golf course in Llanfairfechan, Wales
Hole 16

Crazy Golf course in Llanfairfechan, Wales
Hole 16

Crazy Golf course in Llanfairfechan, Wales
Hole 16

Crazy Golf course in Llanfairfechan, Wales
Hole 17

Crazy Golf course in Llanfairfechan, Wales
Hole 18

Crazy Golf course in Llanfairfechan, Wales
These look like they used to be holes

Crazy Golf course in Llanfairfechan, Wales
More evidence

Crazy Golf course in Llanfairfechan, Wales
An old 'green'

The course had such a unique look to it. I'd love to see what it looked like in its prime.

Crazy Golf course in Llanfairfechan, Wales
Another angle of the course in 2009

Related blog posts:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
Llanfairfechan
- Wales

Video:
- Crazy Golf course in Llanfairfechan

When eating gluten-free isn’t a choice

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Norwich Family Golf Centre

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A visit to the Congo Rapids Adventure Golf course at Norwich Family Golf Centre.


Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Norwich Family Golf Centre

In May 2017 we swung by Norwich Family Golf Centre to visit the Congo Rapids Adventure Golf course. Unfortunately on the day of our visit the course was too wet to play.

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Norwich Family Golf Centre

It's a nice looking course and we look forward to having a round there in the future.

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Norwich Family Golf Centre

The Congo Rapids Adventure Golf course was the 732nd visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Norwich Family Golf Centre
The rules 

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Norwich Family Golf Centre

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Norwich Family Golf Centre

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Norwich Family Golf Centre

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Norwich Family Golf Centre

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Norwich Family Golf Centre

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Norwich Family Golf Centre

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Norwich Family Golf Centre

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Norwich Family Golf Centre

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Norwich Family Golf Centre

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Norwich Family Golf Centre

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Norwich Family Golf Centre

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Norwich Family Golf Centre

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Norwich Family Golf Centre

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Norwich Family Golf Centre

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Norwich Family Golf Centre

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Norwich Family Golf Centre

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Norwich Family Golf Centre

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Norwich Family Golf Centre

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Norwich Family Golf Centre

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Norwich Family Golf Centre

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Norwich Family Golf Centre

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Norwich Family Golf Centre

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Norwich Family Golf Centre

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Norwich Family Golf Centre

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Norwich Family Golf Centre

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Norwich Family Golf Centre

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Norwich Family Golf Centre

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Norwich Family Golf Centre

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Norwich Family Golf Centre

Check out the Norwich Family Golf Centre website for more information, opening times and prices of the Congo Rapids Adventure Golf course.

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Norwich Family Golf Centre

The Congo Rapids Adventure Golf course at Norwich Family Golf Centre is the sister course of the one at Ufford Park Hotel in Melton, near Woodbridge in Suffolk.

Visit the Congo Rapids Adventure Golf website for more on the two venues, opening times and prices.

Link:
- Norwich Family Golf Centre

Related blog posts:
- Norfolk
- Norwich
- Adventure Golf
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Congo Rapids Adventure Golf courses in East Anglia

Video:
- Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Norwich Family Golf Centre

British Speedgolf and the 2019 Pairs Championship

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Finding out more about British Speedgolf and the 2019 Pairs Championship.



Details of the 2019 British Speedgolf Pairs Championship

As a fan of fun and interesting sports and games it's always nice to see variations of more traditional pursuits.


In miniature golf the World Minigolf Sport Federation is introducing a more fast-paced version of the game at an international tournament to be held as part of the CSIT World Sports Games in Spain. This is a big change to the more standard, slower-paced, long-form version of the game.



In the world of regular (or BIG) golf the game is being tweaked too with the sport Speedgolf uniting two of the largest athletic communities in the world, Golf and Running.

Last years British Speedgolf Pairs Champions George Boxall and Tom Roberts. Photo by British Speedgolf
Last years British Speedgolf Pairs Champions George Boxall and Tom Roberts

Registration is now open for the British Speedgolf Pairs Championship. The event is being held at Sweetwoods Park Golf Club in Edenbridge, Kent on Saturday 8th June 2019.

Check out the British Speedgolf website for more details of the calendar of events and how you can get involved in events as a player, official or volunteer.

Last years British Speedgolf Pairs Champions George Boxall and Tom Roberts. Photo by British Speedgolf
The 2018 British Speedgolf Pairs Champions Tom Roberts and George Boxall

While our main passion is miniature golf, we do enjoy a game of Pitch & Putt and Par-3 Golf and can definitely see the advantages of playing speedgolf, both from a pacing and a fitness point of view.

Speedgolf is a faster, more athletic version of golf. You can find out the Rules of the game and an FAQ on the British Speedgolf website.

Making the game even more accessible, Speedgolf Pairs adds a social dimension to the sport and with the foursome format, team work is essential. An early tournament start will see Speedgolf Pairs complete 18 holes in time for brunch! Pairs may be single gender or mixed and entries are expected to represent a broad range of golf and running abilities.

Action from the 2018 Pairs Championship. Photo by British Speedgolf

Pam Painter Co-Founder of British Speedgolf says “Speedgolf Pairs adds a thrilling social dynamic to the sport. Whilst it is more physically demanding than the traditional golf game, providing a good work out, it is also a lot of fun.”

Action from the 2018 Pairs Championship. Photo by British Speedgolf

Speedgolf also appeals to people who love playing golf but can’t find the time to play with work and family commitments – and who enjoy running and having fun. With this faster format players can complete a full 18 holes in under an hour by jogging between shots. The challenge is balancing pace with the ability to quickly and accurately play shots to get the lowest score possible.

Action from the 2018 Pairs Championship. Photo by British Speedgolf

In October 2018 a global consensus amongst leaders in public health, public policy and sport backed golf in the race to tackle physical inactivity and the prevention of a range of non-communicable diseases. British Speedgolf is thrilled to be making their contribution by presenting a golf format that adds a fitness element to golf.  Another important Health dimension will see the Melanoma Fund Charity at the British Speedgolf Pairs championship offering melanoma mole checks for players and visitors and providing sunscreen.

Paula Edwards, Marketing Manager of Sweetwoods Park added "Sweetwoods Park Golf Club has been keen to support British Speedgolf and run social Speedgolf sessions every Wednesday. We are delighted to be hosting the Speedgolf National Pairs Championship at our stunning parkland course in an area of outstanding natural beauty and hope to see a great turnout."

Action from the 2018 Pairs Championship. Photo by British Speedgolf

Many players are finding that Speedgolf has enhanced their golf performance, mainly due to the fluidity of the sport which eliminates time consuming practice swings and other rituals, particularly those with a tendency to over think their game.

Action from the 2018 Pairs Championship. Photo by British Speedgolf
As in all forms and variations of golf, the proof is still in the putting

For more details about Speedgolf and how to register to compete at this year’s Championship events visit the British Speedgolf website. Registration is now open and with a limited field don’t delay securing your place.

Links:
- British Speedgolf
- British Speedgolf on YouTube
- Sweetwoods Park Golf Club

Paradise Island Adventure Golf in Manchester

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Playing the Paradise Island Adventure Golf courses at the Trafford Centre in Manchester.


Since November last year Emily and I have been regularly playing the Paradise Island Adventure Golf courses at the Trafford Centre in Manchester.


Paradise Island Adventure Golf courses at the Trafford Centre in Manchester

Back in April 2009 the Tiki Hut Trail and Temple Ruins Adventure courses at PIAG Manchester became the 85th and 86th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. We've now visited 859 courses and since we moved north in 2016, Paradise Island Adventure Golf's Trafford Centre location is our local course.


Paradise Island Adventure Golf courses at the Trafford Centre in Manchester

In our nine-event challenge contest running from November to January we played a total of eleven rounds, with six games on the Temple Ruins course and five on the Tiki Hut Trail.

Emily teed-off the series on the 14th November 2018 with a win on the Temple Ruins course with a 37 to 39 result. I followed this up with a 33 to 39 win on the Tiki Hut Trail. We tied our round on the Temple Ruins on the 27th November.

On the 6th December I shot a 32 to Emily's 42 on the Tiki Hut Trail, while Emily beat me 34 to 36 on the Temple Ruins on the 18th December.

In our first rounds of the New Year I won 33 to 36 on the Temple Ruins and 36 to 37 on the Tiki Hut Trail on the 2nd January.

On the 16th January I hit a 32 to Emily's 35 on the Temple Ruins and then followed up with a 35 to 37 victory on the Tiki Hut Trail on the 23rd January.

Our final rounds saw us shoot a 33 and a 36 on the Tiki Hut Trail and a 34 and a 37 on the Temple Ruins.

Overall I scored a total of 205 on the Temple Ruins, with Emily recording a total of 214. On the Tiki Hut Trail I shot 169 to Emily's 191.

Paradise Island Adventure Golf has courses in Manchester, Cheshire Oaks, Derby, Glasgow, Livingston and Sheffield. A new PIAG course is also being built at Rushden Lakes in Northamptonshire. Check out the Paradise Island Adventure Golf website for more details of the PIAG courses, opening times and prices.

Paradise Island Adventure Golf at the Trafford Centre in Manchester

Last July I won the Paradise Island Adventure Golf Open Championship held at the course, a title I'd wanted to win for years!

Richard Gottfried - Paradise Island Adventure Golf Open Champion 2018
Paradise Island Adventure Golf Open Champion 2018

Videos:

- Hole in one on hole 1
- Hole in one on hole 5
- Hole in one on hole 15

Related blog posts:
Paradise Island Adventure Golf
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Manchester

Link:
Paradise Island Adventure Golf

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Ufford Park Hotel

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A visit to the Congo Rapids Adventure Golf course at Ufford Park Hotel.


Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Ufford Park Hotel

In May 2017 we swung by the Ufford Park Hotel in Melton, near Woodbridge, Suffolk to visit the Congo Rapids Adventure Golf course.

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Ufford Park Hotel

It's a brilliant looking course and we look forward to having a round there in the future.

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Ufford Park Hotel

The Congo Rapids Adventure Golf course was the 736th visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Ufford Park Hotel

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Ufford Park Hotel

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Ufford Park Hotel

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Ufford Park Hotel

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Ufford Park Hotel

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Ufford Park Hotel

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Ufford Park Hotel

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Ufford Park Hotel

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Ufford Park Hotel

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Ufford Park Hotel

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Ufford Park Hotel

Congo Rapids Adventure Golf at Ufford Park Hotel

Check out the Ufford Park Hotel website for more information, opening times and prices of the Congo Rapids Adventure Golf course.

The Congo Rapids Adventure Golf course at Ufford Park Hotel is the sister course of the one at Norwich Family Golf Centre.

Visit the Congo Rapids Adventure Golf website for more on the two venues, opening times and prices.

Link:
Ufford Park Hotel

Related blog posts:
- Suffolk
Adventure Golf
Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
Congo Rapids Adventure Golf courses in East Anglia

A return to Fantasia Adventure Golf in Felixstowe

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Playing another round at Fantasia Adventure Golf in Felixstowe, Suffolk.


Fantasia Adventure Golf in Felixstowe

In December we returned to East Anglia to visit family and friends and while in Felixstowe  we swung by our most visited course, Fantasia Adventure Golf in Felixstowe. Luckily the weather was really nice and the course was open to play!


Fantasia Adventure Golf in Felixstowe

My opponents on this occasion would be Karl Moles and his daughter Arabella. Karl, the Suffolk Coastal champion defeated me on the course in our first round way back in May 2011. I'd gained a win back against Karl in our rematch in June 2014 so we were all set for a very competitive round on the 9-hole layout.


Fantasia Adventure Golf in Felixstowe
Hole 1 at Fantasia Adventure Golf

Karl started with a pair of threes, while I dropped shots picking up a pair of fours - the same scores as the debuting Arabella.

Fantasia Adventure Golf in Felixstowe
Hole 1 can certainly be a puzzler

We all shot a three on the third hole - Twister - before Karl extended his lead with a hole-in-one on hole 4 - Humpy.

Fantasia Adventure Golf in Felixstowe
Karl helping Arabella with a shot on hole 2 - or is it the other way round?

Threes followed on the fifth, fours on the sixth and twos for all on the seventh. Amazingly Arabella, with a little help from her mum Sophia, shot a three on the eighth hole, while Karl and I both hit fours.

Fantasia Adventure Golf in Felixstowe
Arabella with a tricky second shot on hole 2

Richard Gottfried at Fantasia Adventure Golf in Felixstowe
Holing out for a four on hole 6 - Evil Eye

Threes all round on the ninth hole meant that Karl had won with a round of 26. Arabella (and Sophia) placed second with a 28, while I won the bronze with a score of 29!

Karl Moles at Fantasia Adventure Golf in Felixstowe
The Champ

The Fantasia Adventure Golf course on Sea Road in Felixstowe is well worth a visit and is a tricky little layout. A two is as good as an ace on many of the holes.

Fantasia Adventure Golf in Felixstowe

Fantasia Adventure Golf in Felixstowe

Fantasia Adventure Golf in Felixstowe

We're looking forward to returning once again. Perhaps the challenge series needs to be best-of-five games...

Fantasia Adventure Golf in Felixstowe

Related blog posts:
- Fantasia Adventure Golf
- Felixstowe
- Karl Moles

Happy Groundhog Day

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Happy Groundhog Day 2019.

Will Punxsutawney Phil, the Seer of Seers, Prognosticator of all Prognosticators see his shadow and predict six more weeks of winter, or will he predict an early spring?

Check out the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club website and live feed from the event.

Groundhog Day VHS cassette tape
Today is the perfect day to watch Groundhog Day on tape. Again

New Angry Birds Adventure Golf courses opening in the UK

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New indoor Adventure Golf attractions to open with an Angry Birds theme.


New Angry Birds Adventure Golf courses opening in the UK

A series of new indoor Adventure Golf courses with an Angry Birds theme are set to open in the UK.


The team at Rovio Entertainment, owners of the Angry Birds brand, are teaming up with Namco Funscape to create the new minigolf courses. Five locations are planned to open over the next three years.

We've bowled at Namco a fair bit over the years and in September 2017 we played Namco's first Adventure Golf course at Namco Funscape in Tamworth.

Namco's Adventure Minigolf course 

Namco's Adventure Golf course in Tamworth is half indoors, half outdoors

That course has a medieval-theme linking in with local history. It became the 774th visited and 460th played overall on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Playing at Namco's Adventure Golf course in Tamworth

We're now up to 859 courses visited and with new minigolf venues opening up all the time our quest to visit them all keeps on getting extended!

Related blog posts:
- Namco
- Castle Adventure Golf at Namco Funscape in Tamworth

Links:
- Rovio Entertainment
- Namco Funscape

Paradise Adventure Golf at Täby Centrum in Sweden

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A visit to the Paradise Adventure Golf courses at Täby Centrum in Sweden.


Paradise Adventure Golf at Täby Centrum in Sweden

Last February we visited Sweden and during our trip we managed to visit nine courses in 42 hours. Two of those layouts were at the Paradise Adventure Golf venue at Täby Centrum shopping centre.

Paradise Adventure Golf at Täby Centrum in Sweden

There are two 18-hole minigolf courses at Paradise Adventure Golf - Inca and Explorers.

Paradise Adventure Golf at Täby Centrum in Sweden
Minigolf exploration in Sweden

The Inca course was the 474th we played and the 805th visited on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour, while the Explorers course was the 475th played and 806th visited. The courses were the 36th and 37th visited overseas.

Paradise Adventure Golf at Täby Centrum in Sweden

Paradise Adventure Golf at Täby Centrum in Sweden

Paradise Adventure Golf was designed and built by the team at Castle Golf.

Paradise Adventure Golf at Täby Centrum in Sweden

Check out the Paradise Adventure Golf website for more information, opening times and prices.

Paradise Adventure Golf at Täby Centrum in Sweden

Related blog posts:
- From Stockport to Stockholm on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Sweden

Link:
Paradise Adventure Golf website
Täby Centrum shopping centre

Pirates Cove Adventure Golf at Kingswood Golf Centre in Hatfield

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A visit to the Pirates Cove Adventure Golf course at Kingswood Golf Centre near Doncaster.


Pirates Cove Adventure Golf at Kingswood Golf Centre in Hatfield

While en route to Cleethorpes last May we discovered there was a minigolf course at Kingswood Golf Centre in Hatfield near Doncaster. We had to swing by for a look.

Pirates Cove Adventure Golf at Kingswood Golf Centre in Hatfield, near Doncaster

Pirates Cove Adventure Golf at Kingswood Golf Centre in Hatfield, near Doncaster

The nice 12-hole pirate-themed Adventure Golf course was the 817th visited and 481st played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Pirates Cove Adventure Golf at Kingswood Golf Centre in Hatfield, near Doncaster
 
Pirates Cove Adventure Golf at Kingswood Golf Centre in Hatfield, near Doncaster

Pirates Cove Adventure Golf at Kingswood Golf Centre in Hatfield, near Doncaster

Pirates Cove Adventure Golf at Kingswood Golf Centre in Hatfield, near Doncaster

Pirates Cove Adventure Golf at Kingswood Golf Centre in Hatfield, near Doncaster

Pirates Cove Adventure Golf at Kingswood Golf Centre in Hatfield, near Doncaster

Pirates Cove Adventure Golf at Kingswood Golf Centre in Hatfield, near Doncaster

Pirates Cove Adventure Golf at Kingswood Golf Centre in Hatfield, near Doncaster
Hole 1

Pirates Cove Adventure Golf at Kingswood Golf Centre in Hatfield, near Doncaster
Hole 2 

Pirates Cove Adventure Golf at Kingswood Golf Centre in Hatfield, near Doncaster
Hole 3

Pirates Cove Adventure Golf at Kingswood Golf Centre in Hatfield, near Doncaster
Hole 4

Pirates Cove Adventure Golf at Kingswood Golf Centre in Hatfield, near Doncaster
Hole 4

Pirates Cove Adventure Golf at Kingswood Golf Centre in Hatfield, near Doncaster

Pirates Cove Adventure Golf at Kingswood Golf Centre in Hatfield, near Doncaster
Hole 5

Pirates Cove Adventure Golf at Kingswood Golf Centre in Hatfield, near Doncaster

Pirates Cove Adventure Golf at Kingswood Golf Centre in Hatfield, near Doncaster
Hole 6

Pirates Cove Adventure Golf at Kingswood Golf Centre in Hatfield, near Doncaster
Alligator or crocodile?

Pirates Cove Adventure Golf at Kingswood Golf Centre in Hatfield, near Doncaster
Hole 7

Pirates Cove Adventure Golf at Kingswood Golf Centre in Hatfield, near Doncaster
Hole 8

Pirates Cove Adventure Golf at Kingswood Golf Centre in Hatfield, near Doncaster
Hole 9

Pirates Cove Adventure Golf at Kingswood Golf Centre in Hatfield, near Doncaster
Hole 10

Pirates Cove Adventure Golf at Kingswood Golf Centre in Hatfield, near Doncaster
Hole 11

Pirates Cove Adventure Golf at Kingswood Golf Centre in Hatfield, near Doncaster

Pirates Cove Adventure Golf at Kingswood Golf Centre in Hatfield, near Doncaster
Hole 12

Pirates Cove Adventure Golf at Kingswood Golf Centre in Hatfield, near Doncaster
The ball collector final obstacle

Pirates Cove Adventure Golf at Kingswood Golf Centre in Hatfield, near Doncaster
Hole 12

Visit the Kingswood Golf Centre website for more information, opening times and prices.

Pirates Cove Adventure Golf at Kingswood Golf Centre in Hatfield
There is also a nice little adventure golf putting green next to the main course 

Pirates Cove Adventure Golf at Kingswood Golf Centre in Hatfield

Pirates Cove Adventure Golf at Kingswood Golf Centre in Hatfield

Pirates Cove Adventure Golf at Kingswood Golf Centre in Hatfield

Related blog posts:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Doncaster
- Hatfield

Coalville Miniature Railway

Crazy Golf course at Pontins Prestatyn Sands Holiday Park

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Revisiting the Crazy Golf course at Pontins Prestatyn Sands Holiday Park.


Crazy Golf course at Pontins Prestatyn Sands Holiday Park

Last September we made our third visit to the Pontins Prestatyn Sands Holiday Park in Wales for a Holiday on the Buses Weekender. While on the camp we swung by the Crazy Golf course.

Crazy Golf course at Pontins Prestatyn Sands Holiday Park
The course is housed within a fort

The ten-hole course was the 348th played and 582nd visited overall on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour when we first stayed at the camp in September 2014. We also visited in September 2017.

Crazy Golf course at Pontins Prestatyn Sands Holiday Park

Crazy Golf course at Pontins Prestatyn Sands Holiday Park

Crazy Golf course at Pontins Prestatyn Sands Holiday Park

Crazy Golf course at Pontins Prestatyn Sands Holiday Park

Crazy Golf course at Pontins Prestatyn Sands Holiday Park

Crazy Golf course at Pontins Prestatyn Sands Holiday Park
While you're staying at the camp the course is free to play

Related blog posts:

- Crazy Golf at Pontins Prestatyn Sands Holiday Camp
- Crazy Golf at Pontins Prestatyn Sands Holiday Park
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Holiday on the Buses
- Prestatyn
- Pontins

Link:
- Pontins Prestatyn Sands

Monorails and Minigolf at Butlin's Minehead

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A look back at the Monorails and Minigolf course at Butlin's Somerwest World holiday camp in Minehead.


My brother Christopher was recently looking through some old family photos and spotted this snap of us riding the monorail at Butlin's Minehead back in the early 90's.


Riding the Tango branded Monorail at Butlin's Minehead in the early 1990's. Photo from the Gottfried family photo archive
Riding the Tango branded Monorail at Butlin's Minehead in the early 1990's

My family holidayed at the camp a number of times in the late 80's and early 90's and I've got brilliant memories of the monorail, funfair, laser tag and arcades there. It's little wonder that even now I'm such a big fan of the British seaside, monorails, crazy golf and video-games.

Emily and I also had one of our first holidays together at the camp in 2004 and we remember playing the Arnold Palmer Putting Course you can see in the postcard below. This card is from the time the camp was known as Butlin's Somerwest World from 1987 to 1999. Sadly we haven't got any photos of us from our pre-Crazy World of Minigolf Tour game on the course.

A Butlin's Holidays postcard of Somerwest World. Postally unused. Undated
A Butlin's Holidays postcard of Somerwest World. Postally unused. Undated

While looking at the history of Butlin's for a feature in Picture Postcard Monthly to mark the 80th birthday of Butlin's in 2016 I found that the UK's first commercial monorail was opened at Butlin's Skegness in 1965! The Skegness holiday resort is the one remaining camp I haven't been to.

It's brilliant collecting old postcards of minigolf courses, monorails and holiday camps as they are superb pieces of social history, as well as bringing back some great memories.

Related blog posts:
- Butlin's
- Postcards

Link:
- Butlin's

The Golf Dome in Seaton Carew

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A visit to the Golf Dome in Seaton Carew.


The Golf Dome in Seaton Carew

Last September we visited Hartlepool and were looking forward to having a game on the Golf Trail adventure putting course at the Golf Dome in the seaside resort of Seaton Carew. Sadly it had closed down.

The Golf Dome in Seaton Carew
The Golf Dome 

The Golf Dome in Seaton Carew
You can see the Golf Trail Mini Golf course in the background

The Golf Dome in Seaton Carew
Sadly the course and Golf Dome had closed down 

The Golf Dome in Seaton Carew
Posters for The Golf Dome

The Golf Trail Mini Golf course was the the 846th course visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Related blog posts:
Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Swing by Golfbaren indoor minigolf course and speakeasy in Stockholm

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A year ago today we visited our 800th minigolf course. The location was Swing by Golfbaren, a superb indoor minigolf course and speakeasy in Vasastan, Stockholm, Sweden.


The Swing by Golfbaren course was the 472nd we played and the 31st overseas course we've visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour




The course has a 1920's theme and is a truly unique layout. There's an 'upstairs' 12-holes open for all to play, while hidden 'downstairs' are a further 6-holes which can be booked for private events.





Throughout the venue you can find out about the history of miniature golf, with displays, ephemera, stories and memorabilia from the 1800's to the modern day.




Check out the Swing by Golfbaren website for more information, opening times and prices.




When our minigolfing travels began back in September 2006 we had no idea we'd reach such a huge number of minigolf courses. Back then we'd seen there were 600 courses in the UK. To date we've visited 859 courses in total, with 821 of them in the British Isles.

Link:
- Swing by Golfbaren

Related blog posts:
- Stockholm
- Minigolf course visit 800!
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Swing by Golfbaren in Stockholm, Sweden
- From Stockport to Stockholm on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Sports World Mini Golf at O'Leary's in the Mall of Scandinavia

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A visit to the Sports World Mini Golf course at O'Leary's in the Mall of Scandinavia.


Sports World Mini Golf at O'Leary's in the Mall of Scandinavia

Last year we visited Stockholm for a whirlwind 42 hours of minigolfing where we visited nine courses.

Sports World Mini Golf at O'Leary's in the Mall of Scandinavia
Hitting a home run

One of those was the Sports World Mini Golf course at O'Leary's bar, restaurant and entertainment centre in the Mall of Scandinavia.

Sports World Mini Golf at O'Leary's in the Mall of Scandinavia

It's a nice indoor venue where each hole is themed on a different sport.

Sports World Mini Golf at O'Leary's in the Mall of Scandinavia
Racing to a two

Sports World Mini Golf at O'Leary's in the Mall of Scandinavia
Tennis in a cage! 

Sports World Mini Golf was the 801st course we visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. It was the 32nd overseas course we've been to and the 473rd we played overall.

Golfbaren Bangolf in Kristineberg and Hägersten

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Visiting the Golfbaren minigolf courses in Kristineberg and Aspudden.


Last February we headed to Sweden for a mini-minigolfing trip to celebrate the first anniversary of the opening of the excellent Swing by Golfbaren indoor miniature golf course and speakeasy run by our friend and minigolf rival Hans Olofsson.


Golfbaren Aspudden minigolf course in Sweden
A minigolf hole between two trees at Golfbaren Aspudden

While in Sweden we managed to visit nine courses in 42 hours. The visit to Swing by Golfbaren was also the 800th course visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Richard and Emily Gottfried at Golfbaren Aspudden minigolf course in Sweden
At Goflbaren Aspudden

Before we left Hans gave us a tour of two of the other courses he owns. Both are outdoor layouts in the Stockholm suburbs - one in Kristineberg and another in Hägersten.

Golfbaren Kristineberg is right next to the railway station
Golfbaren Kristineberg is right next to the railway station

Even though the courses were covered in snow it was was brilliant to see the locations and explore outside of the city centre.

Golfbaren Aspudden
Golfbaren Aspudden

Golfbaren Kristineberg was the 803rd course we've visited overall on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour and the 34th overseas. Golfbaren Aspudden in Hägersten was the 804th overall and 35th overseas.

Golfbaren Kristineberg

Golfbaren Kristineberg

Golfbaren Kristineberg

Golfbaren Kristineberg

Golfbaren Kristineberg

Golfbaren Aspudden

This way to Bangolf

Golfbaren Aspudden in Hägersten, Sweden

Golfbaren Aspudden in Hägersten, Sweden

Golfbaren Aspudden in Hägersten, Sweden
   
Golfbaren Aspudden in Hägersten, Sweden

Golfbaren Aspudden in Hägersten, Sweden
A plaque on one of the holes tells the story of the course's history and former owner 

Aspudden in Hägersten, Sweden
There was a small farm park at Aspudden too

Aspudden in Hägersten, Sweden
A rabbit eating an old Christmas tree

Check out the Golfbaren website for more information, opening times and prices.

Golfbaren Kristineberg
An advert for the indoor Swing by Golfbaren venue at the outdoor Kristineberg course

Related blog posts:

- Sweden
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- From Stockport to Stockholm on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Link:
Golfbaren

Golf, FootGolf and Car Booting at Burnage Rugby Football Club in Stockport

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Last September we finally made it along to the very very very busy car boot sale at Burnage Rugby Football Club in Heaton Mersey, Stockport.


Car boot sale at Burnage Rugby Football Club in Stockport
Car boot sales - a competitive sport

It was nice to find a Par-3 Golf course and a FootGolf layout at the sports site too.

Par-3 Golf and FootGolf at Burnage Rugby Football Club in Stockport
The first tee

Par-3 Golf and FootGolf at Burnage Rugby Football Club in Stockport
Hole 1
 
Par-3 Golf and FootGolf at Burnage Rugby Football Club in Stockport
One of the shared Par-3 Golf and FootGolf greens

We're looking forward to the start of the Burnage Car Boot Sale season and a return to Burnage Rugby Football Club. The first car boot sale is on Sunday 14th April.

Golf at Burnage Rugby Football Club in Stockport
Signage in Burnage

Links:
- Burnage Rugby Football Club
- Burnage Car Boot Sale

Related blog posts:
- Stockport
- Footgolf
- Par-3 Golf
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Mini Golf Putting Course at Rhyl's Botanical Gardens

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A visit to the Mini Golf Putting Course at Rhyl Botanical Gardens.


Mini Golf Putting Course at Rhyl's Botanical Gardens
The Putting course sits on either side of this pathway

Last September we visited the Botanical Gardens in Rhyl to have a look for the grass Putting Green.

Rhyl Botanical Gardens

Our friend and minigolf rival Peter Jones had let us know of the course's existence. We'd been to Rhyl a number of times over the years, but had never been to the Botanical Gardens as it's a bit of a drive from the seafront.

Rhyl Botanical Gardens

Sadly the course wasn't open when we visited.

Putting Course at Rhyl Botanical Gardens
One of the greens on the Putting Course

The Mini Golf Putting Course in Rhyl's Botanical Gardens became the 839th course visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Putting Course at Rhyl Botanical Gardens

Putting Course at Rhyl Botanical Gardens

Putting Course at Rhyl Botanical Gardens

Putting Course at Rhyl Botanical Gardens

Putting Course at Rhyl Botanical Gardens

Putting Course at Rhyl Botanical Gardens

Putting Course at Rhyl Botanical Gardens

Link:
- Rhyl Botanical Gardens

Related blog posts:
- Rhyl
Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
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