Crazy Golf

Crazy golf is a small, playful version of golf where you only ever putt. Each hole is a short course with ramps, bends, bumps and obstacles to steer around, and the aim is to get your ball in the hole in as few shots as you can. It's gentle, sociable and easy to pick up, so every age can play together.

They're all close cousins. Mini golf, or minigolf, is the general name for putting games played on small, short holes. Crazy golf usually means the quirkier kind, where holes are full of tunnels, bridges, loops, windmills and wonky walls. Adventure golf tends to be a themed course, with landscaping, water features and scenery to wander through as you play. In America you might hear it called putt-putt.

Every time you hit the ball, that's one shot, also called a stroke. Count your strokes on each hole and add them up at the end. The lowest total wins. Some courses give each hole a par, which is the number of strokes a good player should need. Get your ball in with your very first shot and you've scored a hole in one, the moment everyone hopes for.

Hold the putter with both hands and stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart, with your eyes over the ball. Swing gently from your shoulders, like a pendulum, rather than flicking with your wrists. Before you hit, look at the hole and think about the route. Sometimes the best shot is a bank shot, bouncing the ball off a side wall to get round a corner. Judging how hard to hit is the real skill, and it gets better with every hole.

Yes, it's a lovely game for families. Children can play on equal terms with grown-ups, because a careful putt matters more than size or strength. It's a great way to practise aim, patience and taking turns, and there's plenty of laughter when a ball rolls straight back to your feet. Keeping score adds a bit of friendly competition, if your family enjoys that sort of thing.

You might also like Marble Run, Board Games and Wooden Play Sets.

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