Playing The Miniature Golf
Edwin Shackleford
Among the many forms of golfing, miniature golf or mini golf
has started to become a popular past time among busy
professionals and family alike who are either popular fanatics
of the game or prefer to take on a regular gaming activity in
the comfort of their own homes.
History of Miniature Golf
Perhaps, miniature golf was created due to the increasing
demands of golf courses that do not occupy a significant land
area but still able to provide all the amenities expected of
the more conventional golf courses.
This midget type of golfing became surprisingly popular before
World War 1 in 1910 and the early 1920's. It was originally
termed as “Garden Golf” due to the usual scenery characteristic
of a golf landscape.
Contributors to Miniature Golf
Thomas McCulloch Fairbairn was the first to completely initiate
change in the way mini golf courses were designed and played. He
takes on a new role in introducing anatomical changes to the
then current details of midget golf courses.
He was to contribute to the dramatic advancement of mini golf
landscape by replacing the usual objects typical of
conventional golf courses, to artificial greens and physical
hazards.
A mixture of color dyes, cottonseed hulls, tree landscaping,
and the creation of artificial bunkers, curves and rolls and
water hazards (miniature lakes) have successfully replicated
the more traditional golf sport into a geographically
manageable level.
Ensuing Years
The late 1930's further revolutionized the production of golf
courses when Joe Taylor and Bob Taylor added new features to
the then mini golf architecture.
They put up more obstacles that serves to make mini golfing a
more fun game to play. Wells, castles and windmills were
installed along with other physical deterrents.
With their increasing efforts to create a more ideal midget
golf course, a number of industries catering to the production
of these merchandises created the first National Association of
Putting Course Operators, Manufacturers and Suppliers in 1961 in
association with Arnold Palmer and Don Clayton.
Al Lomma together with Ralph Lomma, his brother, of Lomma
Enterprises, Inc. in 1955 introduced a more robust feature and
broke away from the more conventional straight putting.
Current Developments
Mini golf tournaments are now being aired on television
especially pn ESPN suggesting the game’s thriving economic
status.
More and more people are beginning to appreicate the value of
mini golf courses and statistics show that more than 45% among
the players of this popular game are families or groups of
friends.
With this renewed and thriving interest in mini golf games, the
US ProMiniGolf Association, the officially recognized affiliate
organizations in the World Minigolf Sports Federation was
instituted to take over initiatives related to the game.
About The Author: Edwin Shackleford has been helping
individuals improve thier golf game for years. Visit His Site
Today
http://www.improve-your-golf-game.com
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