Showing posts with label Hans Olofsson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hans Olofsson. Show all posts

Monday, February 11, 2019

Golfbaren Bangolf in Kristineberg and Hägersten

Visiting the Golfbaren minigolf courses in Kristineberg and Aspudden.


Last February we headed to Sweden for a mini-minigolfing trip to celebrate the first anniversary of the opening of the excellent Swing by Golfbaren indoor miniature golf course and speakeasy run by our friend and minigolf rival Hans Olofsson.


Golfbaren Aspudden minigolf course in Sweden
A minigolf hole between two trees at Golfbaren Aspudden

While in Sweden we managed to visit nine courses in 42 hours. The visit to Swing by Golfbaren was also the 800th course visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Richard and Emily Gottfried at Golfbaren Aspudden minigolf course in Sweden
At Goflbaren Aspudden

Before we left Hans gave us a tour of two of the other courses he owns. Both are outdoor layouts in the Stockholm suburbs - one in Kristineberg and another in Hägersten.

Golfbaren Kristineberg is right next to the railway station
Golfbaren Kristineberg is right next to the railway station

Even though the courses were covered in snow it was was brilliant to see the locations and explore outside of the city centre.

Golfbaren Aspudden
Golfbaren Aspudden

Golfbaren Kristineberg was the 803rd course we've visited overall on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour and the 34th overseas. Golfbaren Aspudden in Hägersten was the 804th overall and 35th overseas.

Golfbaren Kristineberg

Golfbaren Kristineberg

Golfbaren Kristineberg

Golfbaren Kristineberg

Golfbaren Kristineberg

Golfbaren Aspudden

This way to Bangolf

Golfbaren Aspudden in Hägersten, Sweden

Golfbaren Aspudden in Hägersten, Sweden

Golfbaren Aspudden in Hägersten, Sweden
   
Golfbaren Aspudden in Hägersten, Sweden

Golfbaren Aspudden in Hägersten, Sweden
A plaque on one of the holes tells the story of the course's history and former owner 

Aspudden in Hägersten, Sweden
There was a small farm park at Aspudden too

Aspudden in Hägersten, Sweden
A rabbit eating an old Christmas tree

Check out the Golfbaren website for more information, opening times and prices.

Golfbaren Kristineberg
An advert for the indoor Swing by Golfbaren venue at the outdoor Kristineberg course

Related blog posts:

- Sweden
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- From Stockport to Stockholm on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Link:
Golfbaren

Saturday, March 10, 2018

Swing by Golfbaren in Stockholm, Sweden

Visiting our 800th minigolf course on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.


Swing by Golfbaren indoor minigolf and speakeasy in Stockholm Sweden
Swing by Golfbaren

In September 2006 we began what would become our epic quest to visit every miniature golf course in the UK. Back then there were approximately 600 courses. We're now up to 806 course visits, 37 of which have been overseas.

Swing by Golfbaren indoor minigolf and speakeasy in Stockholm Sweden
The upstairs main course

The game is booming in the UK and our friends in Sweden are also experiencing a rise in popularity. Our 800th course visit was to the Swing by Golfbaren indoor minigolf course and speakeasy in Stockholm.

Swing by Golfbaren indoor minigolf and speakeasy in Stockholm Sweden
Emily in the Art Deco swing of things

Swing by Golfbaren recently celebrated its first anniversary and our friend, minigolf rival and legend of the sport Hans Olofsson invited us to be guests at the party. We had a marvellous time and must say Swing by Golfbaren is one of the best minigolf venues we've visited.

Swing by Golfbaren indoor minigolf and speakeasy in Stockholm Sweden
Acing hole 12

Swing by Golfbaren indoor minigolf and speakeasy in Stockholm Sweden
The green of the 12th and final hole can be a round wrecker

The course has a 1920's theme and is a truly unique layout. There's an 'upstairs' 12-holes open for all to play, while hidden 'downstairs' are a further 6-holes which can be booked for private events.

Swing by Golfbaren indoor minigolf and speakeasy in Stockholm Sweden
Playing minigolf in the 'Living Room'

Throughout the venue you can find out about the history of miniature golf, with displays, ephemera, stories and memorabilia from the 1800's to the modern day.

Memorabilia at the Swing by Golfbaren indoor minigolf course and speakeasy in Stockholm Sweden
A fine display of minigolf history
 
Memorabilia at the Swing by Golfbaren indoor minigolf course and speakeasy in Stockholm Sweden
A close up look at some of the merch and ephemera

Memorabilia at the Swing by Golfbaren indoor minigolf course and speakeasy in Stockholm Sweden
The early years

Memorabilia at the Swing by Golfbaren indoor minigolf course and speakeasy in Stockholm Sweden
The 50's

Memorabilia at the Swing by Golfbaren indoor minigolf course and speakeasy in Stockholm Sweden
The modern era

Memorabilia at the Swing by Golfbaren indoor minigolf course and speakeasy in Stockholm Sweden
More memorabilia in the Living Room

Swing by Golfbaren indoor minigolf course and speakeasy in Stockholm Sweden
Swing's balls

Swing by Golfbaren indoor minigolf course and speakeasy in Stockholm Sweden
A nice set of scorecards - and branded pencils

If you like minigolf you will love Swing by Golfbaren.

Swing by Golfbaren indoor minigolf course and speakeasy in Stockholm Sweden
Holing out for a two

Swing by Golfbaren indoor minigolf course and speakeasy in Stockholm Sweden
There's a wonderful Wall of Fame at Swing by Golfbaren

Swing by Golfbaren indoor minigolf course and speakeasy in Stockholm Sweden
Hole 9 in the spotlight

Check out the Swing by Golfbaren website for more information. It really is a must visit course.

Swing by Golfbaren indoor minigolf course and speakeasy in Stockholm Sweden
Swing by Golfbaren can be found at Surbrunnsgatan

The Swing by Golfbaren vans outside the indoor minigolf course and speakeasy in Stockholm Sweden
The Swing by Golfbaren branded - and turfed - vans!

While we were in Sweden we managed to visit nine minigolf courses - including another two of Hans' Golfbaren courses in Kristineberg and Aspudden. You can see more in our blog post 'From Stockport to Stockholm on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour'.

Related blog posts:
- Swing by Golfbaren
- Stockholm
- Sweden
- From Stockport to Stockholm on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Links:
- Swing by Golfbaren website
- Golfbaren website

Sunday, February 18, 2018

From Stockport to Stockholm on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

A Crazy World of Minigolf Tour update from our trip to Sweden.


Swing by Golfbaren
The 800th course we've visited - Swing by Golfbaren

Last weekend we headed to Stockholm for a mini-minigolfing trip to celebrate the 1st anniversary of the opening of the excellent Swing by Golfbaren miniature golf course run by our friend and minigolf rival Hans Olofsson.

Golfbaren Aspudden
Hans and me at his minigolf course in Aspudden

While in Sweden we managed to visit nine courses in 42 hours. The visit to Swing by Golfbaren was also the 800th course visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Golfbaren Aspudden
At Golfbaren Aspudden

The nine minigolf courses we visited on the trip were:

  • 798 (29th overseas) Solna, Sweden (Solna Bangolfklubb) - Eternit Miniature Golf
Solna Bangolfklubb
The Eternit Miniature Golf course at Solna Bangolfklubb
  • 799 (30th overseas) Solna, Sweden (Solna Bangolfklubb) - NIFO Steel Minigolf
Solna Bangolfklubb
This was the first NIFO Steel minigolf course we've seen
Swing by Golfbaren
Emily on the 'secret' downstairs course at Swing by Golfbaren 
  • 801 (32nd overseas and 473rd played) Solna, Sweden (Mall of Scandinavia) - Sports World Minigolf at O'Leary's
Indoor minigolf at the Mall of Scandinavia
Playing Ice Hockey on the indoor minigolf course at the Mall of Scandinavia
Bangolf Vasaparken
The Bangolf course at the Vasaparken in Stockholm
  • 803 (34th overseas) Kristineberg (Golfbaren Kristineberg) - Minigolf
Golfbaren Kristineberg
Golfbaren Kristineberg - it's right next to Kristineberg railway station!
  • 804 (35th overseas) Hägersten, Sweden (Golfbaren Aspudden) - Minigolf
Golfbaren Aspudden
A great looking obstacle on a downhill hole at Golfbaren Aspudden
Paradise Adventure Golf at Täby Centrum
Playing hole 2 of the Inca course at Paradise Adventure Golf course in Täby 


We're now up to 806 minigolf course visits since we began our travels in September 2006. There are a lot of new courses opening up too, so who knows what number we'll end the year on!

Sunday, February 11, 2018

Minigolf course visit 800!

We've reached another big minigolf milestone - the 800th course visit on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

This weekend we were in Stockholm, Sweden to visit our friend, and minigolf legend, Hans Olofsson and help celebrate the 1st anniversary of his 1920's themed indoor minigolf course and speakeasy at Swing by Golfbaren.

Richard Gottfried playing at the Swing by Golfbaren indoor minigolf course in Stockholm, Sweden
Swinging into action on the brilliant indoor minigolf course

The course is one of the best we've ever played, it's a real must-visit venue.

Minigolf explorers Emily and Richard Gottfried at the Swing by Golfbaren indoor minigolf course in Stockholm, Sweden
We loved the 1920's theme at Swing by Golfbaren and really enjoyed the big celebration party on Saturday night

Check out the Swing by Golfbaren website for more info.

We had a brilliant time in Stockholm and visited a total of nine courses in 36-hours! What a wonderful trip on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

We've got LOTS of great photos, videos and blog posts to follow from the trip.

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Golfbaren minigolf in Sweden

Finding out about the Golfbaren minigolf courses in Sweden.


The indoor Swing by Golfbaren course in Stockholm
The indoor Swing by Golfbaren course in Stockholm

I've been chatting with my friend, minigolf rival and legend of the sport Hans Olofsson about his brand of minigolf over in Sweden - Golfbaren.

You can find the Golfbaren courses in Kristineberg, Aspudden (Hägersten) and Allén (Gothenburg) and the Swing by Golfbaren indoor minigolf course in Stockholm

Translated as Golf Bar, there are now four Golfbaren venues in total, with three outdoor courses and an indoor venue. It's a great concept and proving incredibly popular.

Golfbaren in Aspudden, photo by Mikaela Thörn
Golfbaren in Aspudden, photo by Mikaela Thörn

You can find the Golfbaren courses in Kristineberg, Aspudden (Hägersten) and Allén (Gothenburg), and the Swing by Golfbaren indoor minigolf course in Stockholm. The indoor course has a 1930's Speakeasy theme with plenty of food and cocktails to go with the miniature golf.

We met up with Hans and miniature golf professional Andreas Sollman for a game of Crazy Golf at Plonk Golf in Brixton while they were visiting London in February 2016. That course was the 676th we've visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. How time flies!

We've also visited the wonderful city of Stockholm - where we represented Great Britain in the 2011 WMF Nations Cup tournament played on the Tantogårdens Bangolf courses in Tantolunden Park, Södermalm. It'd be marvellous to return to the city to explore even more of it.

Check out the Golfbaren and Swing by Golfbaren websites to find out more about the courses. Each of the locations is also on Facebook and Instagram.

Links:
- Golfbaren Kristineberg
- Golfbaren Aspudden
- Golfbaren Allén
Swing by Golfbaren

Related blog posts:
- Stockholm
- Sweden

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Plonk Golf at the Duke of Edinburgh pub in Brixton

Playing the new Plonk Golf minigolf course at the Duke of Edinburgh pub in Brixton.

Crazy Golf in London at the Duke of Edinburgh pub in Brixton

On Friday 26th February we visited the 676th course on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour when we headed to the Plonk Golf course that is set-up in a marquee in the giant beer garden of the Duke of Edinburgh pub in Brixton, London.

Crazy Golf in London at the Duke of Edinburgh pub in Brixton
Plonk Golf in Brixton

The course was the 392nd played on our tour since September 2006.

Crazy Golf in London at the Duke of Edinburgh pub in Brixton
A view of the interior of the Plonk Golf course located in the outside of the Duke of Edinburgh pub

We were joined on this leg of the tour by Swedish minigolf legend Hans Olofsson - a winner of multiple tournaments around the world - and miniature golf professional Andreas Sollman who were on a short trip to the UK.

Crazy Golf in London at the Duke of Edinburgh pub in Brixton
The crazy golfers at Plonk Golf

In our match-up Emily won with a round of 20, including one ace. I was runner-up with a round of 21, aceing the first hole. Hans was the bronze medallist shooting a 23, with Andreas taking home the wooden spoon after scoring a 29.

Crazy Golf in London at the Duke of Edinburgh pub in Brixton
Emily on her way to victory. Fuelled by wine

There is certainly talk of a rematch!

Crazy Golf in London at the Duke of Edinburgh pub in Brixton
The path to the course in the big beer garden at the Duke of Edinburgh

Crazy Golf in London at the Duke of Edinburgh pub in Brixton
Hole 8 looked like a great hole-in-one opportunity. It'll need a bit more practice to make the shot though

Crazy Golf in London at the Duke of Edinburgh pub in Brixton
Andreas on the 1st hole

Crazy Golf in London at the Duke of Edinburgh pub in Brixton
Emily on the 2nd hole

Crazy Golf in London at the Duke of Edinburgh pub in Brixton
Hans in a tricky predicament

Crazy Golf in London at the Duke of Edinburgh pub in Brixton
The 6th hole has a classic Plonk Golf volcano on it. It's a very tall minigolf volcano indeed!

It's always great to see new minigolf courses opening in London. Until fairly recently there was a real dearth of places to play Crazy Golf in the capital, but this is certainly changing for the better.

Crazy Golf in London at the Duke of Edinburgh pub in Brixton
Lining up the right angle on the 9th hole

The Plonk Golf course costs £7.50 a round for 9-holes, and while a bit on the pricey side, it was very good fun. In a relatively small space the Plonk Golf team have put together a great layout. Many of the holes had good hole-in-one opportunities and there were a few very tricky holes too.

Crazy Golf in London at the Duke of Edinburgh pub in Brixton
The course is well made and sturdy. It looks good too

Playing Crazy Golf in a pub is also a nice novelty. We've played a few Minigolf and Crazy Golf courses in Pub Beer Gardens over the years. In fact Plonk Golf are opening more pub courses - with set-ups at The Four Thieves pub in Clapham and The Peoples Park Tavern in Hackney.

An urban fox at the Duke of Edinburgh pub in Brixton
We spotted an urban fox on the prowl outside the marquee before our game

Visit the Plonk! Golf website for more information.

Links:
Plonk! Golf website
Plonk! Golf on Facebook
Plonk! Golf on Twitter
Duke of Edinburgh pub website
Duke of Edinburgh pub on Facebook
Duke of Edinburgh pub on Twitter
The House of Revelry website

Related blog posts:
Minigolf and Crazy Golf courses in and around London
Minigolf and Crazy Golf courses in Pub Beer Gardens
Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
Indoor Minigolf, Crazy Golf and Adventure Golf courses
Plonk! Golf
Plonk! Golf Crazy Golf at Efes Snooker Hall in London
Plonk! Golf in Dalston, London
New Plonk! Crazy Golf course open in Brixton, London

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