One of the sports with unique and intriguing origins is miniature golf or mini-golf. Some also refer to it as crazy golf, mini putts, and midget golf. While it can consist of 9, 18, 27, or 36 holes, it only focuses on the same putting aspects as regular golf. The very first dedicated course for mini-golf was made in 1917. It was not long after the game became popular and became what we know it as today.
If you are looking for more information about mini-golf, you’re in the right place. In this post, we are going to give lots of info about the game, including its history, rules, and more. Read on to find out more interesting things about mini-golf. Aside from these tips, here is a comprehensive guide on finding the best aussie online casino.
The Invention of Mini-golf
The Scots take the credit for inventing putting in the late 1800s. It was made by a group of women called the Ladies’ Putting Club in retort to social guidelines at the time, stating it was un-feminine to swing a golf club above your shoulder. That is why they created a form of golf where you “putt” the ball instead. The game was not as detailed as the mini-golf we have today, but it is also played on a yard that measures just a few meters. It is considered to be possibly the first version of mini-golf that was ever played.
As time went on, people who did not have backyards or enough space for a mini-golf course became more creative. They built courses on rooftops in the early 1920s, and by 1926, there were hundreds of rooftop golf courses in the United States as the game became more and more popular.
However, the Great Depression after World War I changed many things in the world, including in the game. People could no longer afford to create quality mini-courses to play golf. But the interest in the game did not change. A lot of people went for locally available materials on the streets to create their courses, making their mark on the game with newfangled and unique obstacles that were never seen before.
The new designs of mini-golf became very popular, and soon, there were unique designs with lots of wacky additions to challenge mini-golf players. During that time, it is estimated that more than 4 million people were playing the sport in the United States.
Don Clayton decided to add a new feature to the mini-golf courses in 1953 by designing short holes that enabled scoring holes-in-one by clever players. This is done by adding banking metal rails to allow accurate rebounds and boost unique play. His idea was pushed into the market. Soon, the new design became popular around the world.
There were also other organizations that improved the designs by giving mechanical obstacles, such as animated hazards, windmills, flashing lights, and rotating ramps.
Other Interesting Mini-golf Facts
Here are some of the other interesting facts about mini-golf that you need to know. And remember that you can also learn about the best online casino in the USA by referring to legit sources online.
- Mini-golf is short for miniature golf.
The game is globally recognized and played professionally by golf enthusiasts. It is governed by the World Mini-golf Sports Federation or WMF. There are over 40,000 registered players from more than 30 countries.
- Mini-golf has a lot of names.
The game of mini-golf comes with a lot of names. It is called crazy golf, putt-putt, shorties, goofy golf, midget golf, mini putt, and more.
- The oldest known mini-golf course is in Scotland.
The Ladies Putting Club of St. Andrews is home to the oldest known mini-golf course in the world, and it is found next to the legendary St. Andrews Golf course in Scotland, which is a regular site of the British Open.
- Mini-golf had fancy barriers and themes.
In the early years of the game, mini-golf courses featured pipes, barrels, old tires, and rain gutters as obstacles to challenge the skills of the players. These were used as people did not have much money to create high-quality courses after the war.
- The first mini-golf in the United States opened in 1961.
The very first mini-golf in the US was at Pinehurst, California, which was launched in 1961. It was referred to as Thistle Dhu, pronounced as “that’ll do.” It was a name that was a play on words, indicating that a mini-golf course would work in place of a full golf course.
- Mini-golf’s popularity grew exponentially by the late 1920s.
By that time, 150 mini-golf courses were already available in New York City alone. A lot of these were on the rooftops of some of the popular high-rise buildings in the city. However, most of them were also closed down after the Great Depression.
- There were various tournaments for mini-golf.
There are four main tournaments for mini-golf that are recognized by the WMF. These are Felt Golf, Mini-golf Open Standards, Miniature Golf, and Concrete Golf.
- There are glow-in-the-dark mini-golf courses.
These golf courses were first introduced in Scandinavian countries like Finland. It was due to the fact that northern countries experienced long nights and short days. The glow-in-the-dark courses allowed them to enjoy the game the whole year. In fact, even the balls used are glow-in-the-dark.
- There is a mini-golf day.
Every September 21st, the global mini-golf day is celebrated by mini-golfers around the world. This is a great opportunity for players to plan a visit to any mini-golf course around.
- Mini-golf is a timeless attraction.
Mini-golf has been around for decades, and it is still very popular today. In fact, its popularity does not show any signs of slowing down. This makes it a timeless attraction. Whether you are visiting mini-golf courses to play or you have your own mini-golf course at home, it is a game that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
Conclusion
These are some of the interesting things to know about mini-golf. Now that you know lots of things about mini-golf, including its story, you are ready to go out there and try the sport yourself. It is one of the best sports that you can play alone or together with your family and friends. We hope this post helped you learn more about mini-golf.