Indoor mini golf
Indoor mini golf or Putt putt, the name by which the game is known is a little brother to the world-renowned game, golf. Miniature golf uses a smaller version of a golf club known as a putter, hence the name putt putt.
The miniature golf ball, invented between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, has grown enormously with the appearance of miniature golf courses; training courses and real playing fields, miniature golf tournaments and professional players who have taken the sport as a career. More recently, mini golf has evolved from being played on outdoor courses to an indoor sport adorned with glow-in-the-dark lights, which adds color to the game, especially when played at night.
Away from the history and growth of the sport, let’s play miniature golf. As in the Jack Nicklaus game, the main objective of miniature golf is to get the ball into a hole with the fewest number of strokes possible. You should select a putter that is approximately the height from the feet to the waist. At this point, you’re halfway to becoming a putt-putt master.
How to hold a putter
As in normal golf, the second key to miniature golf is grip. This is just how you hold the putter to make sure your stroke is directing the ball exactly where you want it to go. Remember to get the ball into the hole with as few strokes as possible. The hand that goes first for a perfect grip is your dominant hand, that is, the hand that is the hand to ‘go to’ whenever you need to use them. Reach toward the putter and wave your hand toward the putter handle. The second hand comes after the first, but place it behind the handle. Other forms of grip are the forehand grip and the overlay grip. The two are not used more frequently, however, it is important to know about them, as different people may have a preference for one grip over another basically due to the structure of the body. The forehand is similar to the backhand but has the hands further apart. Utilizes upper body strength leaving less strain on the hands compared to the backhand. Lastly, there is the overlap. Here, the dominant hand is held under the less dominant hand. This grip concentrates much of the grip power on maintaining control of the putter and is the least popular among professional miniature golf players.
Swing posture
Having mastered the grip, you are almost ready to start playing. Place the ball in front of you and make sure the ball and the tips of your toes form a triangular shape with each other. This is known as posture. Your feet should be approximately 12 inches from each other, pointing straight ahead. Posture is used to achieve a good swing without losing your balance and consequently having a bad swing. In the words of Jack Nicklaus, “a correct set-up gives you a good chance to make a reasonable shot even if you swing a mediocre swing.” The further the feet are, the stability increases, but consequently the force required for the pendulum motion to roll the ball increases.
Then comes the goal. The putter has a line across the top. This line is known as the target line. It helps show you the direction the ball will roll after your swing. Therefore, the line of sight should always point to the hole so that the ball will roll in that same direction. Make sure the putter is horizontally aligned with the ground before taking a shot.
Taking the swing
Finally the swing. For a newbie, it would be tempting to have a Tiger Woods swing, but remember that acres of cleared field in golf aren’t here, so such a swing can cause damage considering you’re playing indoors. Miniature golf uses a putt stroke, not much effort is required. The putter should swing but never above the waist. Sometimes the smaller the shots, the fewer the number of times you need to get the ball into the hole.
Test run
Having practiced these skills, you will be ready for the course. Have the ball at the beginning of the green. It is usually delimited with a black mark where you place your ball. If it is a competition, everyone in the game must choose a different colored ball to avoid confusion during the game. Everybody takes their first blow. The person whose ball is closest to the hole takes the next swing. If the ball has not entered the hole on the sixth swing, then it is the person who has the next closest ball to swing.
While playing indoor miniature golf, you may find yourself in a position where the ball comes to rest next to a wall. According to the rules, you are allowed to move the ball two clubhead lengths for a proper swing.
Generally, miniature golf is a wonderful game to share with the family for a weekend. The rules are quite simple and victory does not depend heavily on physical strength, therefore young people and grandparents do not feel at a disadvantage when participating. The weather or the weather are not a factor when it comes to playing either, as the interior adds to the fun. As for the advantages, miniature golf can also be improvised using old hole cups 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 imitated with just as much fun, or even more.
