2026-08-26 03:27:00
There's a first time for everything, even saving a kingdom's supply of dragon eggs. If you've never picked up a putter before and your first outing happens to be mini golf Blackpool, you might be wondering what you're actually walking into. Good news: you don't need any golf experience, any wizarding background, or even much of a plan. You just need a bit of curiosity and a willingness to read a riddle or two. Preparing for your first crazy golf game is less about technique and more about knowing what to expect, so here's everything a first-timer should know before they tee off.
Crazy golf gets lumped in with regular golf because of the putters and the holes, but the two games have almost nothing in common once you're actually playing. There's no dress code, no strict etiquette, and no need to have ever swung a club before. A little preparation still goes a long way toward making your first round feel less like guesswork and more like an adventure you're in on from the start.
Every course tells its own story, and Blackpool's is about a rather serious problem: fending off the evil spirits. You're not just putting a ball toward a flag, you're a trainee witch or wizard trying to solve the mystery hole by hole. Talking portraits, a mysterious lake, and a creepy castle are all part of the investigation.
Knowing this before you arrive changes how you play. Instead of treating each hole like an obstacle to get past quickly, you'll want to slow down, read the clues, and actually take in the scenery. First-timers who go in expecting a normal round of golf are often surprised. First-timers who go in expecting a story tend to have a much better time.
It also helps to know that you're not locked into just one storyline. Our courses in York, Chester, and Leeds each have their own mystery to solve, so if you enjoy your first round at Blackpool, there's more waiting for you elsewhere. Most first-timers don't realize this going in, and it's part of why so many end up planning a second visit before they've even finished their first.
Forget anything you've seen about golf attire. There's no need for polo shirts or proper golf shoes here. What actually matters is comfort, since you'll be walking, crouching to line up tricky shots, and occasionally leaning over a low wall to spot where your ball rolled off to.
A few practical choices make the experience smoother for a first-timer:
Flat, closed-toe shoes rather than sandals or heels
Clothes you don't mind getting a little dusty near the castle and lake areas
A layer you can take off if the day warms up, since you'll be moving between holes
Pockets or a small bag for your phone, so your hands stay free for putting
None of this is strict. It's just the difference between focusing on the riddles and constantly adjusting your shoes.
The good news for first-timers is that crazy golf rules are refreshingly simple crazy golf etiquette for families. Each hole, you're trying to get your ball into the cup in as few strokes as possible. Lowest total score across all nine holes wins, if you're keeping score at all. Plenty of first-time groups skip scoring altogether and just enjoy working through the story together.
A quick primer covers most of what you need:
Take turns in the order you arrive at each hole, not by score
If your ball gets properly stuck, most groups agree on a free drop rather than fighting it out with the putter
There's no penalty stroke system to memorize. If it takes you eight goes on one hole, you just move on
Kids and beginners are welcome to take a mulligan (a redo shot) without anyone minding
The relaxed rules are part of what makes crazy golf such a good starting point if you've never played any kind of golf before.
This is the tip most first-timers need to hear most: you really don't need technique. Regular golf rewards years of practice on your swing. Crazy golf rewards a light touch and a bit of patience. Most shots only need a gentle tap, not a full swing, and the courses are designed with plenty of forgiving angles so a slightly off shot can still work out.
If your ball goes wildly off course, that's normal, not a sign you're doing it wrong. Half the fun on a first visit is watching a shot bounce off a wall you didn't even notice was there and somehow end up near the cup anyway. Treat your first few holes as practice and don't worry about your score until you've got a feel for how the ball reacts to each surface.
Watching the group ahead of you tackle a tricky hole can also save you a few strokes. You'll often spot the angle that works, or the one that clearly doesn't, before it's your turn. There's no shame in borrowing a good idea, and regulars do it just as often as first-timers.
The biggest mistake a first-timer can make is treating crazy golf purely as a competition. Yes, you're trying to sink the ball, but the riddles and story are what make the whole thing memorable. Read the clues out loud with your group. Guess at the answers even if you're not sure. Let yourself get a little invested in whether you'll actually help track down those missing dragon eggs.
Groups who lean into the story parent tips for crazy golf outings tend to remember specific holes and moments long after the round ends, not just their final score. That's really the whole point of a first visit: not to master the game, but to enjoy the adventure enough that you want to come back and try another course.
Your first game of crazy golf doesn't require practice, proper gear, or any golf knowledge at all. Know the story going in, wear something comfortable, keep the rules loose, don't overthink your shots, and let yourself get pulled into the mystery. That's really all the preparation a first-timer needs.
Once you've had a go at solving the case of the missing dragon eggs, you'll probably understand why so many people come back for a second round. Grab a putter, choose your fate, and see if you've got what it takes to save wizarding golf on your very first try.
by Stuart Jarman
