By now, here in mid-May millions of golfers take to the links every chance they can get. These warm sunny days beckon the call to come and play 18.
If you can find a foursome, you are in golf heaven.
42 years years ago, at the height of a joke, I may have gotten Optimist Club “banned” from a golf course amid laughter from a few friends.
However, decades have now passed and it’s time for me to return to the links of the wonderful world of miniature golf.
Be assured, I am not banned in any shape or form, and I will grace the carpets of of any course with loving care and my putter in hand.
WHAT EXACTLY IS MINIATURE GOLF?
During my high school years, I had heard of miniature golf and my curiosity got to me big time. It originated as standardized ‘miniature golf’ in 1954 in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
However, the earliest documented miniature golf courses were called the “Golfstacle’ which appeared in London, England in 1912.
Here in America, the first standardized courses were developed in 1916 and 1927.
Today, miniature golf is franchised across the United States and is a recognized brand of family entertainment.
The key was to make it affordable and enjoyable for family fun and certainly to become a favorite of young America while out on a date.
As you may remember, the courses were designed with high quality outdoor carpets, aluminum bump boards with unique obstacles that ensured a consistent roll or bounce, while emphasizing skill over chance.
The mini game quickly took the country by storm as it was being called ‘Mini-Golf’, ‘Crazy Golf’, ‘Goofy Golf’, or just simply miniature golf. It evolved from traditional golf with the focus solely on putting.
Make no mistake, the mission was to embed its image into American culture synonymous with that of family – friendly miniature golf.
IS IT TOUGH TO GET A HOLE IN ONE?
For the books, the world record on one round of mini golf is 18 strokes on 18 holes! Think about that.
I find that just incredible. But I guess it happened.
In fact, more than a thousand players have officially achieved this score so the record shows.
However, if you have played the game on the carpets, you have found it almost impossible.
Usually, the final holes will be the 18th hole or a bonus 19th hole where if a hole-in-one is scored, the golfer receives a Free Game.
Just for fun, here is some game nomenclature you can have some fun with while playing the game:
· FORE – a verbal warning for a long shot
· GILLIGAN – the opposite of a mulligan asking an opponent to play the shot again
· MULLIGAN – a request to do the shot over again
· BUNKER – a sand trap
· EAGLE – a score of 2 under par on a single hole
· ACE – a hole in one
· BIRDIE – a score of 1 under par on a single hole
· BOGEY – one over par on a single hole
· KNEE KNOCKER – a short putt that you missed even though you should not have
· LIP – the edge of the cup
· PAR – the number of strokes it should take a player to complete the hole.
So, with the merry month of May it’s a good time to bring your family and friends to a miniature golf course near you.
Perhaps a nice meal out in the town, then onto a miniature golf course near you.
In fact, recently I challenged Mrs. T (Jo) to a game with the stakes very high.
If I win, Jo will make me a huge pan of her high-octane incredible Rice Crispy Peanut Butter Fudge. Thus, our annual game is to be known as “The Peanut Butter Cup.”
No pun intended.
In contrast, Jo demanded high stakes and demanded a $20 bill payable after her victory. So, a few days later, with a cloudless sky and a warm 70 degrees; we arrived at World of Golf in Florence for the showdown of 18 holes.
I gave Jo a mulligan if she wanted to back out, it would be ok she stated loudly while practicing with her putter.
After 5 holes, Jo led by two strokes. The wind must have affected my swing. Then, she got into overdrive and after 10 holes, she led me by 6 which included a “hole in one” on the 8th hole!
By now, I asked if she had been practicing somewhere. She just grinned.
By the completion of 15 holes, we both had dumped the little ball in the ponds a couple of times, but I had cut her lead down to only four.
3 Holes to go.
Jo reached for her true grit and finished at 55, while I went down to defeat by one stroke at 56 and that included my “hole in one” on the 18th.
For me, I sadly lost a huge pan of her super powered Rice Crispy Peanut Butter Fudge. But you can’t lose something you didn’t have.
Jo demanded $20 and reluctantly she got it on the spot.
We both had a lot of fun playing a game we had not even thought of for many decades. However, we both must admit that our “holes in one” was quite a thrill.
76 years ago in 1950, the Arthur Murray Dance Party debuted on national television with a great audience. Arthur’s wife, Kathryn, always ended the show with this dynamic invitation – “Put some fun into your life, try dancing!”
For Mrs. T and me, we proudly proclaim, PUT SOME FUN IN YOUR LIFE – TRY A ROUND OF MINIATURE GOLF