IT’S been a holiday season magnet for families, couples and bored teens, but there’s another rather surprising group taking to the greens of Tamworth’s new putt putt golf course – the competitor.
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Since Thorny’s Putt Putt opened at Longyard last month, a new breed of steely-nerved stroker has emerged around the smoothly landscaped course.
The sound of high-fives slapping and roars of “c’monnnn” can be heard amid the giggling schoolgirls and whispering couples as grown men attempt to beat the course record – and each other.
Longyard Golf Club head professional Steve Myers said there had even been a number of fiercely contested skins matches held.
“The beauty of putt putt is anyone can play it and you will often see golfers on high handicaps beat those on low handicaps,” Mr Myers said.
“People can get quite competitive.”
He said the course was averaging about 60 people a day since opening.
It boasts a 36-hole layout, replete with rough, bunkers and even a number of tricks, requiring players to hit the ball over a ramp and jump a hazard.
Mr Myers holds the course record for the more challenging course at five-under par, while Longyard greenkeeper Justin Kellett has shot a low of four-under on the easy course.
So what’s the secret to mastering the often-frustrating art of putt putt?
“The thing about this course is you have to get the pace right,” Mr Myers said.
“With a lot of other courses you have to bounce it off walls but here it’s all about the pace.”
He said the new attraction had the dual benefit of supporting the club and giving new players a soft introduction to the game of golf.
