NB Details correct at time of review (2001)
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Venue name: |
Dawlish Obstacle Golf <pics> | |
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Address: |
Station Road, seafront [100 m west of railway station] | |
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Cost: |
£1.65 for adults? Cheaper rates for children. | |
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Telephone: |
01626 863873 | |
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Open: |
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Outdoor or Indoor: |
Outdoor |
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Number of Holes: |
18 |
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Par: |
No official par. 36 unofficially. |
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Course record: |
34 (Peter Parr, 30 June 2001) |
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Type of course: |
Swedish Felt Run B-type (i.e., scaled-down version of championship course) |
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Construction Type: |
Standard Swedish Felt Run. (Felt putting surface; wooden perimeter boundaries (continuous); metal tee) | |
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Constructed / Designed by: |
City Golf/Bishop Sports & Leisure | |
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Review |
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Date: |
30 June 2001 |
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Reviewer name: |
BMGA | |
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Weather (if applicable): |
Hot and sunny but with short sharp showers | |
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Overall playability rating: |
10/10 |
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Playability: |
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Design: |
10 |
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Difficulty Level: |
10 if you are using a standard golf or minigolf ball. 6 if you use professional minigolf balls. On a number of holes the cup is located towards the top of a steep slope. Unless you hole the ball it will roll all the way back to the tee. While an ace is possible at every hole, it is also just as easy to take a maximum 7 shots. Two of the holes I would describe as extremely difficult. In particular, the 2nd hole is the hardest I have ever played. In practice it took me 30 attempts (all from the tee) before I managed to hole the ball. | |
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Skill Factor: |
10. Perhaps the best skill-based course in the UK, although unlike White Rock Gardens [link], you will need to use professional minigolf balls to stand any chance of success. Many holes feature narrow obstacles or barriers through which to putt the ball. On other holes (particularly those with slopes), strength of putt needs to be exactly right. Some holes feature both barriers and a slope! There is zero margin for error. On a luck based course, an average player stands a good chance of matching or beating a score posted by a good player. However, this course really separates the wheat from the chaff: scores in a group of six players ranged from 34 to 81. The leading European players would probably be able to post a score of 20, given practice. | |
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Maintenance: |
10. Installed in July 2000. No signs of wear and tear. | |
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Sustainability: |
10. But you'll find it very frustrating unless you have the right minigolf equipment. | |
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Other factors: |
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Appearance: |
9. The course was professionally installed (no gaps between the various sections of the runs) and is perfectly maintained. It is set in attractive landscaped gardens. | |
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Environment: |
8. My only criticism is the close proximity to the main Exeter to Penzance railway line. | |
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Equipment: |
5 | |
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Originality: |
9. While this is a standard Swedish Felt Run B-type course, it is the only 18-hole example of such a course in the UK. It also includes two signature holes (arguably the best holes on the course), not found on any other standardised Swedish Felt Run. The two signature holes are identical in design and construction – although the lie of the land does mean that the path of the ball from tee to hole is not the same. | |
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Venue Facilities: |
8. Dawlish is a small, attractive tourist resort. Other attractions are the beach and amusement arcade. Both are within a stone's throw of the course, as are the mainline station and guest houses. | |
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Vicinity Facilities: |
8. As above. | |
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Value for money: |
10. (Although not if you include the train fare down from London!) | |
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Reviewer comments: |
I would rate this course as being the third best in the country. It is properly installed and well maintained; set in attractive landscaped gardens; and a true test of putting accuracy. There are some very difficult holes, but it is also possible to record a high number of aces. All the holes offer very little margin for error. The 2nd is especially daunting – I took 30 in practice (all strokes on this hole must be played from the tee) – but on the day of the tournament I hit the perfect shot and was rewarded with a hole-in-one. It's all in the mind. While I would thoroughly recommend this course to other players, the one caveat I would add is that to get the maximum enjoyment out of it you will need to purchase a couple of professional minigolf balls (and ideally a rubber-headed putter to go with them). A completely dead ball (i.e., one with no bounce, such as MG1) is worth up to ten shots per round. Professional minigolf equipment is available through the BMGA. | |
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