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Where was miniature golf invented?
As mentioned, the true origins of what we today know as miniature golf have been hotly debated by historians for years. Experts say evidence of mini golf can actually be traced back to China between the years of 937 and 975 A.D. Meanwhile, Dutch historians swear the sport originated in Denmark around 1297.
Who invented the first miniature golf course?
Fun Facts About the History of the Game Nobody knows who the inventor of mini golf is, but James Well Barber is documented as having created one the first mini-golf course in his backyard! Another course rumored to have been the first belonged to the ladies putting club of St.
What is the oldest mini golf course in the world?
Whispering Pines Miniature Golf CourseWhispering Pines Miniature Golf Course holds the world record for oldest golf course that is still in use (since 1930). It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
When was first mini golf invented?
The first iteration of the game we now know as mini golf was documented in the June 8th, 1912 edition of The Illustrated London News. An article in this newspaper introduced the Golfstacle as a concept of a smaller, miniature-sized golf course.
What was the name of the first miniature golf course in the US?
Thistle DhuNorth Carolina: The first miniature golf course in the USA was built in 1916 on the estate of steamship magnate James Barber in Pinehurst, North Carolina. Nearly 100 years later, Pinehurst Resort has built its own 18-hole putting course, named after the original – Thistle Dhu.
Who invented golf?
Charles Blair MacDonald, who attended St. Andrews University and learned the game at the St. Andrews Golf Links, is considered the father of American golf course architects. In 1893, MacDonald built the Chicago Golf Club, which was the country's first 18-hole course.
Where is the largest mini golf course in the world?
Fantasia Fairways was voted the longest and most challenging mini golf course in the world by Golf Digest. Par is 72 for the fairways course....Fantasia Gardens.Club informationLength18 holes11 more rows
What countries have mini golf?
Other strong minigolf countries include Austria and Switzerland, each having a few thousand licensed competition players. Also Italy, Czech Republic and Netherlands have traditionally been able to send a strong team to international championships, even if they cannot count their licensed players in thousands.
How many miniature golf courses are in the United States?
There are only about 5,000 mini-golf courses still in America. But there is a real art to the elaborate design of many of them. Here are six of the most eye-catching around the the country: Par-King Skill Golf: Lincolnshire, Illinois.
Was mini-golf invented in Tennessee?
The next time you're trying to impress a date with your mini-golf skills at Sir Goony's Fun Zone, you can also drop this tidbit of information: the origins of mini-golf started right here in Chattanooga.
How did golf begin?
Golf originated from a game played on the eastern coast of Scotland, in an area close to the royal capital of Edinburgh. In those early days players would attempt to hit a pebble over sand dunes and around tracks using a bent stick or club.
Why was putt putt golf invented?
Don Clayton, the founder of 'Putt Putt Golf Courses' wanted to shake things up a bit, so in 1953, he designed short holes so that a hole-in-one could be scored on each hole with a skillful putt, often through the use of banking the metal rails for accurate rebounds.
When did miniature golf start?
In 1938 Joseph and Robert Taylor from Binghamton, New York, started building and operating their own miniature golf courses. These courses differed from the ones in the late 20s and early 30s; they were no longer just rolls, banks, and curves, with an occasional pipe thrown in. Their courses not only had landscaping, but also obstacles, including windmills, castles, and wishing wells .
Where was the first miniature golf course in Canada?
The first miniature golf course in Canada was at the Maples Inn in Pointe-Claire, Quebec. The "Mapes" was constructed as a summer home in the 1890s but was renovated into a club in 1902, opened to the public in 1914, and had a miniature golf course in 1930. The popular nightspot burned in 1985.
How many strokes in one round of minigolf?
The world record on one round of minigolf is 18 strokes on 18 holes. More than a thousand players have officially achieved this score on eternite. On other playing systems a perfect round of 18 holes-in-one is extremely rare, and has never been scored in an official national or international tournament.
What is the name of the game of mini golf?
The name Putt-Putt is the trademark of an American company that builds and franchises miniature golf courses in addition to other family-oriented entertainment, and the term "putt-putt" is sometimes used colloquially to refer to the game itself. The term "minigolf" was formerly a registered trademark of a Swedish company that built its own patented type of minigolf courses.
When was minigolf invented?
One of the first documented minigolf courses in mainland Europe was built in 1926 by Fr. Schröder in Hamburg, Germany. Mr. Schröder had been inspired by his visit to the United States, where he had seen minigolf courses spreading across the country.
What is the sport of mini golf?
Europe, North America, Japan. Olympic. No. World Games. 1989 (invitational) Miniature golf, also known as minigolf, mini-putt, goofy golf, crazy golf, or putt-putt, is an offshoot of the sport of golf focusing solely on the putting aspect of its parent game. The aim of the game is to score the lowest number of points.
Which countries have minigolf?
These countries include the United States, Japan, China, India and Taiwan. A national minigolf federation exists also in Moldova, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand, but none of these countries has ever participated in international competitions, and probably are not arranging many domestic competitions either.
Who built the first miniature golf course in New York City?
In 1926, Drake Delanoy and John Ledbetter built New York City’s first outdoor miniature golf course on top of a skyscraper. Delanoy and Ledbetter copied Thomas Fairborn's process of using crushed cottonseed hulls and infringed upon Fairborn's patent.
Who built the miniature golf course in Tennessee?
There were also patented processes that related to the game. Garnet Carter built his miniature golf course on Lookout Mountain in Tennessee to draw traffic to the hotel he owned. His wife, Frieda Carter did most of the designing of the course's obstacles which had a fairyland theme.
What is miniature golf?
According to the American Heritage Dictionary, miniature golf is a novelty version of golf played with a putter and golf ball on a miniature course and featuring obstacles such as alleys, bridges, and tunnels.
Who made Tom Thumb miniature golf?
Carter founded the Fairyland Manufacturing Corporation, which by 1930 manufactured and sold over 3000 of his Tom Thumb miniature golf course franchises.
Who invented the game of Tom Thumb Golf?
Garnet Carter was the first person to patent a game of miniature golf which he called "Tom Thumb Golf" in 1927. However, there were a few earlier unpatented versions of miniature golf type games. For example, in 1916, James Barber of Pinehurst, North Carolina had a miniature golf course on his estate called the Thistle Du.
Who was the first person to patent a game of miniature golf?
Garnet Carter was the first person to patent a game of miniature golf. Mary Bellis,was an experimental artist, film director and producer, and freelance writer.
Who used cottonseed hulls on his golf course?
Eventually, a financial arrangement was arrived at between Delanoy and Ledbetter and Fairborn that let the cottonseed hull process be used over 150 roof top miniature courses in New York City. Garnet Carter also had to pay a royalty to Fairborn since he used the cottonseed hull surface on his miniature golf course.
Who built the first mini golf course?
However, Garnet Carter of Tennessee generally gets the credit for the first public mini-golf course, which he called Tom Thumb Golf. He built the course on Lookout Mountain in Tennessee to draw customers to his hotel. His wife, Frieda Carter, did much of the design of the course, which had a fairyland theme.
Where did mini golf originate?
Most trace the origins of mini-golf in Europe to German Frederick Schroder, who constructed a course on his estate in 1926 after seeing courses on a trip to the United States. The Swedish developed an appreciation of the game, forming the first sporting association for mini-golf back in 1937.
Where is mini golf played?
The international governing body for the sport – the World Minigolf Sport Federation – has its home in Goteborg, Sweden. So playing mini-golf now connects players to a long and rich history of a fun sport that remains popular both in the United States and Europe.
Who designed the Tom Thumb course?
His wife, Frieda Carter, did much of the design of the course, which had a fairyland theme. By 1930, Carter had created the Fariyland Manufacturing Company and licensed 3,000 of his Tom Thumb courses all over the country.
Is mini golf hard to master?
Many people play golf, a long and tough-to-master game that can lead to as much frustration as joy. Many, many more people play mini-golf, a fun game that is not tough to master, provides far more fun than frustration and features cool things like windmills and treehouses along the course. The game has reached such high popularity in ...
When did miniature golf start?
Although earlier examples of what was called "garden" or "lawn" golf appeared in the United Kingdom, it wasn't until 1919 when James Wells Barber completed construction of a course on his Pinehurst estate in Moore County that the game most Americans would recognize today as miniature golf came into being.
What is the first state to play miniature golf?
North Carolina is not only " First in Flight ," but also first in the flight of fancy that is miniature golf. The tiny courses now covering not only the United States but the world were born in the state. Although earlier examples of what was called "garden" or "lawn" golf appeared in the United Kingdom, it wasn't until 1919 when James Wells Barber completed construction of a course on his Pinehurst estate in Moore County that the game most Americans would recognize today as miniature golf came into being.
What were the artificial structures in miniature golf?
Besides natural impediments, artificial structures such as mounds of concrete (a favorite material of miniatures to come) were positioned to obstruct the progress of the ball. The tiny greens were rimmed with bricks, and rules for penalty shots, should your ball exit the green, applied.
How many feet is the longest hole in golf?
The longest hole was only seventy-one feet; the shortest, a mere twelve. Rather than the traditional grass, the putting surfaces were made of compacted and architecturally drained sand. Each of the holes could supposedly be made in a single shot.
Who designed the golf course in the garden of his estate?
There, he contracted with another enthusiastic golfer and amateur architect, Edward H. Wiswell, to design a miniature course in the garden of his estate for the entertainment of guests. This Wiswell did and upon looking at the completed garden, either Barber or Wiswell (the record here is in dispute), uttered, "This'll do.".
Is Thistle Dhu a private course?
Thistle Dhu remained a private course throughout its existence. Write-ups and photographs in magazines and newspapers made it known to the public -- a public that was soon to go wild for a new game called miniature golf.
Where did mini golf originate?
The origins of mini golf can be traced back to Scotland, The Ladies Putting Club of St. Andrews, built in 1827 for women golfers.
What is the history of mini golf?
The history of mini golf; inspired by the sport of golf, is a game enjoyed by people of all ages. It uses artificial structures such as carpet and concrete, and obstacles such as tunnels, ramps, windmills, concrete and metal walls.
What is a mini golf course?
Standardised mini golf courses became popular with the Thistle Dhu (which means This’ll Do) golf club in North Carolina and Tom Thumb golf club by Garnet Carter in Tennessee. Thistle Dhu courses comprised of concrete and pressed sand with fountains and gardens. The use of artificial green, which was a mixture of cottonseed hulls, sand, oil and dye made the construction of courses cheaper and more accessible. Soon after, golf courses on rooftops of buildings in New York started springing up.
What made golf courses cheaper?
The use of artificial green, which was a mixture of cottonseed hulls, sand, oil and dye made the construction of courses cheaper and more accessible. Soon after, golf courses on rooftops of buildings in New York started springing up.
How did the Great Depression affect golf?
The Great Depression changed the history of the golf course as it became expensive, and people turned to mini golf courses. The mini golf courses also started using cheaper alternatives such as obstacles like tires, barrels and old drain pipes.
Where did Montegue build his golf course?
Montegue had learned about golf in Scotland and decided to build his own golf course right outside of his home, which served as the Oakhurst Links Clubhouse for many years. The first competition at Oakhurst was held in 1888. Although Oakhurst is the oldest golf course, it has not been in continuous operation.
What year was the first 18 hole golf course in the US?
The new Chicago Golf Club course hosted the 1897, 1900 and 1911 U.S. Opens, the 1897, 1905, 1909 and 1912 U.S. Amateurs and the 1903 U.S. Women’s Amateur. The Chicago Golf Club is still going strong today and considers itself the first 18-hole golf course in America.
How many acres are there in Foxburg Country Club?
Area: 61 acres (24.7 ha) photo source: Wikimedia Commons. The Foxburg Country Club is another golf club that’s brought up any time there is a discussion over which golf course is the oldest in America. The club’s founder was Joseph Mickle Fox, a descendant of the land and oil rich Fox family from Philadelphia.
When was Quogue Field Club founded?
The Quogue Field Club is an old private golf course in New York, which dates back to 1901. However, the club was founded in 1887 , but they did not initially play golf. A rough 9-hole course was laid out in 1896 by RB Wilson, who has head pro at nearby Shinnecock Hills.
When did Chicago Golf Club move to Downers Grove?
The Chicago Golf Club continued to play golf at the Downers Grove course until 1895, when it moved to a new course built again by MacDonald in nearby Wheaton, Illinois. After this, the golf course was passed around to different owners before it was purchased by the Downers Grove Park District in 1968.
When was Chicago Golf Club founded?
The Chicago Golf Club was founded in 1892 and its first golf course was built that same year in nearby Downers Grove by Charles Blair MacDonald, who is widely considered the founding father of golf in America.Over the next few years golf grew in popularity in America and so did the Chicago Golf Club.
Who built the Oakhurst Links?
Oakhurst Links was designed and built in 1984 by a man named Russell Montegue and his friends.
Overview
History
Geometrically-shaped minigolf courses made of artificial materials (carpet) began to emerge during the early 20th century. The earliest documented mention of such a course is in the 8 June 1912 edition of The Illustrated London News, which introduces a minigolf course called Gofstacle.
The first standardized minigolf courses to enter commercial mass-production …
Nomenclature
While the international sports organization World Minigolf Sport Federation (WMF) prefers to use the name "minigolf", the general public in different countries has also many other names for the game: miniature golf, mini-golf, midget golf, goofy golf, shorties, extreme golf, crazy golf, adventure golf, mini-putt, putter golf and so on. The name Putt-Putt is the trademark of an American company that builds and franchises miniature golf courses in addition to other family-oriented e…
Course types
All competitions approved by World Minigolfsport Federation are played on standardized courses, whose design has been checked to be suitable for competitive play. The WMF currently approves four different course types:
• Beton (abbreviated B, sometimes called "Bongni" and named after Paul Bongni of Geneva, Switzerland, "Minigolf" or "Abteilung 1")
Competitions
Nearly all European countries have an official national federation for promoting minigolf as a competition sport. The bi-annual European Championships attract competitors from more than twenty European countries. As of 2012, Chris Beattie has been the holder of the European Championship title. Outside Europe only a small number of countries have participated in international minigolf competitions. These countries include the United States, Japan, China, Ind…
See also
• Clock golf
• Défi mini-putt, a 1990s RDS televised minigolf series from Quebec
• European Minigolf Sport Federation
• M.C. Mini Masters, a unique annual amateur miniature golf tournament
External links
• A Couple of Putts - Miniature Golf Course consultation and design duo with a website that reviews mini golf courses around the world, including a number of temporary and artist-designed courses
• World records in minigolf
• WMF - World Minigolfsport Federation (WMF)