Most combine mini golf with a holiday or holiday event. In any case, with leisure fun in a relaxed atmosphere. However, if you take a closer look, you will discover a very lively sports scene with competitions, club life and a pronounced passion for precision behind this family fun.
When Achim Braungart Zink, sports director of the German Minigolf Sports Association (DMV), tells of his sport, he is enthusiastic. Braungart Zink is currently playing in the Bundesliga, used to be in the national squad and both European and world champions.
“I am fascinated by what you can get out of this sport with the combination of a good impact technique and the training of different strikes. You are focused on the mini golf, the hand-eyes coordination has to be well trained. And mini golf combines creativity and a certain affinity,” says Braungart Zinc.
The variants of the balls, which differ in weight, hardness, jump height and other parameters, seems unlimited. In the lower leagues, players from 50 to 100 different balls choose the right one for the blow.
I agree that the external content is displayed. This means that personal data can be transmitted to third -party platforms. You can find more information in the data protection settings. You can find this at the bottom of our page in the footer so that you can manage or revoke your settings at any time.
However, this is only one of many decisions that must be made in the mini golf. In addition, there is the right impact technique and variant, requirements of the railway and the right racking, after all, the ball should find the way into the hole with as little blows as possible.
“And then concentrate over eight hours a day and that in top sport for up to two weeks, including the preparation for training, for example at international championships, which is a big challenge,” says Braungart Zink.
Mini golf has a long story. However, the modern form of the game goes back to the Swiss garden architect Paul Bongni, who designed the first standardized mini golf course in the canton of Ticino in 1951.
His goal was to make the big golf play in a compact and accessible form for everyone – on standardized paths, space -saving and family -friendly. In Germany, mini golf became particularly popular in the 1960s and 1970s.
I am fascinated by what you can get out of this sport with the combination of a good impact technique and the training of different stroke variants.
Achim Braungart ZinkSports director of the German Mini Golf Sports Association
In 1966 the German Bahnengolf Association was founded, from which the German mini golf sports also emerged. Today, mini golf is an integral part of the sports landscape – with championships, World Cups and international rules.
Berlin offers numerous ways to experience mini golf in a wide variety of facets. If you like it nostalgically, the facility on Hertzbergplatz in Neukölln or in the Volkspark Wilmersdorf is recommended. It has been played, measured and counted there for decades. The 18 lanes in Neukölln are preserved in the original style and have cult status.
There are also mini golf plants with black light
If you are too old-fashioned, you can dive into modern black light mini golf courses. With UV light, fluorescent colors and imaginative installations, mini golf becomes an experience for all the senses that will inspire particularly younger and families.
Some systems also offer a combination of black light tracks and adventure tracks. Rollers and balls can be borrowed anywhere, special clothing is not required.
“Most actually come directly to the sporty mini golf via a free time experience,” says Braungart Zink. “They tried it and caught fire or they were approached in a place by experienced players because they showed themselves talented.” Braungart Zink emphasizes that there is no special entry age for mini golf: “Everyone can play – even into old age.”
There are enough venues in Berlin that are tournament. And there are many clubs that you can join. The Tempelhofer MV 65, for example, trains in the Marienfelde train golf center, which also takes part in the leagues organized by the national association.
Braungart Zink has a wish for his sport, which he shares with many marginal sports: “More attention would be good.” A pioneer in this regard is Sweden. There, mini golf tournaments are also broadcast on television.