indoor miniature golf
Indoor miniature golf or Putt putt, the name by which the game is known is a little brother of the world renowned game, golf. Miniature golf uses a smaller version of a golf club known as a putter, hence the name putt putt.
Invented between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, the miniature golf ball has grown a lot with the appearance of miniature golf courses; training courses and real playing fields, mini golf tournaments and professional players who have taken up the sport as a career. More recently, miniature golf has gone from being played on outdoor courses to becoming an indoor sport adorned with glow-in-the-dark lights, adding color to the game, especially when played at night.
Away from the history and growth of the sport, let’s play a little miniature golf. Just like in the game of Jack Nicklaus, the main objective of miniature golf is to get the golf ball into a hole with as few strokes as possible. You should select a putter that is approximately the height from your feet to your waist. At this point, you are halfway to becoming a putt-putt master.
How to hold a putter
Just like in regular golf, the second key in miniature golf is grip. This is how you hold the putter to make sure your stroke directs the ball exactly where you want it to go. Remember that you must put the ball in the hole with the least number of strokes possible. The hand that goes first for a perfect grip is your dominant hand, that is, the hand that is the ‘go to’ hand whenever you are required to use them. Reach your hand toward the putter and make a motion toward the putter shaft. The second hand comes after the first but places it behind the handle. Other forms of grip are the forehand grip and the overhand grip. The two are not used more often, however, it is important to know, as different people may have a preference for one grip or the other, basically due to the structure of the body. The forehand is similar to the backhand but has the hands further apart from each other. It uses the strength of the upper body leaving less effort in the hands compared to the backhand. Finally there is the overlap. Here the dominant hand is held under the less dominant hand. This grip concentrates much of the grip’s power on maintaining control of the putter and is the least popular among professional miniature golfers.
posture for the swing
Having mastered the grip, you are almost ready to start playing. Position the ball in front of you and make sure the ball and the tips of your toes form a triangle in relation to each other. This is known as the posture. Your feet should be about 12 inches from each other, pointing straight ahead. The stance is used to get a good swing without losing your balance and consequently having a bad swing. In the words of Jack Nicklaus, “Setting up correctly gives you a good chance of hitting a reasonable shot even if you swing a mediocre one.” The farther the feet are from each other, the more stability there is, but consequently the more force needed for the pendulum motion to roll the ball.
Then comes the target. The putter has a line across the top. This line is known as the line of sight. It helps tell you the direction the ball will roll after your swing. Therefore, the line of sight must always point to the hole, so the ball will roll in that same direction. Make sure the putter is aligned horizontally with the ground before you take a shot.
taking the swing
Finally the swing. For a novice, it would be tempting to have a Tiger Woods swing, but remember that the acres of open field in golf aren’t here, so such a swing can do damage considering he’s playing indoors. Miniature golf uses one putt stroke, not much effort is required. The putter should be turned but never above waist level. Sometimes the smaller the strokes, the fewer times you need to put the ball in the hole.
Test run
Having practiced these skills, you are ready for the course. Have the ball at the beginning of the green. It is usually demarcated with a black mark where you put the ball. If it is a competition, everyone in the game must choose a different colored ball to avoid confusion during the game. Everyone strikes their first blow. The person whose ball is closest to the hole receives the next stroke. If the ball has not entered the hole on the sixth swing, then it is the person with the next closest ball who must swing.
While playing indoor miniature golf, you may find yourself in a position where the ball comes to rest against a wall. According to the rules, you are allowed to move the ball twice the length of the clubhead to achieve a proper swing.
Generally, miniature golf is a wonderful game to share as a family on a weekend. The rules are quite simple and victory does not depend heavily on physical strength, so youngsters and grandparents don’t feel disadvantaged by participating. The weather or time is also not a factor when playing, considering that it is indoors, which adds to the fun. As for the advantages, miniature golf can also be improvised using old cups for the holes and a small putter. Pillows and chairs can act as hazards to make the game more challenging. By keeping score, the outdoor experience can be replicated with the same or even more fun.