Putterfingers Crazy Golf

On Sunday morning we awoke to find some new visitors to our garden – what a lovely sight!

Of course the children were delighted to think that the ducks could become our new pets and quickly ran to the bread bin to throw out some stale bread!

We aptly named them George and Mildred, even though the children had no idea of the 70’s sitcom!

Well to our surprise the ducks returned again at lunch – perfectly timed at midday as I was preparing the Sunday Roast, yet again the bread was thrown on the garden by the children for the ducks to devour!

This happened again on Monday, Tuesday and a pattern was emerging that our family of 4 mouths was extending to 6!

Today I was greeted by a third duck – another drake. The two males protectively sat back and watched Mildred munch her way through yet another round of bread! Obviously, the ducks had spread the word about the excellent service our family offer!

So why is this relevant – well it has reminded me of the basic principles of customer service, to whichever target market you are aiming for.

So here are my top 3 tips for ensuring excellent customer service:

1. Treat every potential customer the same

2. Deliver and exceed customer expectations

3. Listen to your customer and offer a product that suits the needs of the customers

In summary, excellent service brings along repeat business and referrals in this instance, our growing number of visiting ducks!

Not that we have ever had ducks for customers, but like people, George, Mildred and Co expect a friendly welcome, a reliable service, timely delivery of their goods and a product that meets their needs – everything we aim to offer here at Putterfingers!

Now I am going to sign off before you think I have gone quackers!

Happy Easter to you all – friends, family, customers old and new!

Well our family is much divided for this morning.

My son and husband are gearing up for a football match, and my daughter and I are busy preparing for visitors as today is Easter Sunday.  The lamb is seasoned, the vegetables are prepared and we have a gorgeous chocolate mousse, decorated with chocolate mini eggs for dessert.

One thing we will be enjoying together later today is the Easter egg hunt I have prepared for the garden (if this glorious heat doesn’t melt the chocolate!).

All these Bank Holidays have been lovely for me personally and not too bad for our business.  It has been a good time for our event customers, who have been busy booking crazy golf courses for parties, fetes and fundraisers in the coming weeks. 

If you have a party coming up, or are on the events committee and need a unique attraction for your corporate or fundraising event, then do drop us a line at info@putterfingers.co.uk

But back to my question, round or oval – what do you prefer? 

The boys in our house definitely prefer round – football certainly comes before anything else in our family, golf naturally a close second.  Whether it is a bit of putting practise or chipping in the garden for my son or a full 18 holes on the greens for my husband.

The girls in our house certainly aren’t into rugby so the only way oval applies to us, is those yummy Easter eggs that the bunny must have delivered while we were sleeping. Or of course diamonds, but at 6, she is still a bit young for that!

So in summary, definitely oval all the way!

So how will you be spending Easter Sunday?

Here is the latest press release from the BMGA, who have today announced the Great Britain Minigolf Squad for World Minigolf Sport Federation International events in 2011. All teams have been announced for the World Adventure Golf Masters host in the UK this May, the Nations Cup in Stockholm this June, and the World Minigolf Championships also in Stockholm in August.

The BMGA Great Britain Minigolf Squad for 2011 is as follows: 
•   Michael Smith
•   Marc Chapman
•   Sean Homer
•   Chris Harding
•   John ‘Ted’ McIver
•   Brad Shepherd
•   Tony Kelly
•   Richard Gottfried
•   Scott Lancley
•   Marion Homer
•   Emily Gottfried
•   Freddie Blackburn-Shaw
•   Seth Thomas

This year’s squad of International players is led by National Team Manager Marc Chapman; he said “I’m thrilled to be able to announce the squad and teams for 2011. This is the strongest line-up the Great Britain National Minigolf Team has had for many years, with not only the top four ranked players in the country involved, but also a really good depth of emerging talent that we’ll be looking to develop over the next few years. I’m really pleased that Great Britain will have a full showing of Men and Mixed Teams at all of the World Minigolf Federation’s International events this year.”

The team at Putterfingers.co.uk would like to wish the BMGA Great Britain Mini Golf Squad the best of luck for all Mini Golf events in 2011! 

For further details about the BMGA and UK Minigolf and Crazy Golf please email mail@minigolf.org.uk, or visit http://www.minigolf.org.uk.

Here at Putterfingers.co.uk - we are always interested in the fun side of golf - what else is Crazy Golf but fun??!!

So we were pleased to recently find this amusing website related press release.

Fun Golf Clubs, a resourceful website for Golf lovers has debuted on the internet. Fun Golf Clubs can be of great help to people who are looking for golf courses to spend their golf vacation around Europe, South America and Asia.

The leisurely and exhilarating game of golf has a history that dates back to the twelfth century. Golf vacations are very popular especially among the Europeans and golf fanatics love to scour around the globe looking for golf courses that can make their golf vacation worth remembering. Business enterprises have set up golf courses in places where playing is not just about game but also about enjoying the picturesque beauty of the place for having a exotic time on the whole.

Golfers may be eager to spend money on golf vacations but they aren’t quite sure where to go. So to help golfers choose a proper golf resort with details on its feasibility and facilities, Fun Golf Clubs comes into play. The website provides detailed information on golf resorts scattered across several continents and also explains why they are popular. For example, the golf courses in Scotland are all set in the high mountains where playing amidst highlands greenery is pure bliss. On the other hand, golf courses in South Africa have their own way of captivating golfers where they can spend time gazing at the beautiful wildlife comprising of zebra, giraffe, African elephant etc. All such information is at the disposal of golfers at Fun Golf Clubs.

Visitors can also interact with other golf vacationers through discussions and comments; inquire about details on a golf course and more. Users can also share their most memorable pictures from the days of their golf vacations.

The articles on Fun Golf Clubs also guide visitors on how they can spend their time sightseeing around the place. For example, the articles suggest how people flying over to Dublin for a golf vacation can enjoy the magnificent view of the mountains and spend the evenings at the pubs of Dublin with Irish Coffee and Guinness.

Fun Golf Clubs can be the ultimate rendezvous for golf vacationers to locate the most appropriate golf resort for their next golf vacation.

For more information, http://www.fungolfclubs.com

1.  Easy Assembly

Do you like jigsaw puzzles?  If yes then you will love our course!  Transform your garden or party venue into a full 9 hole golf course in under 30 minutes!

2. Crazy Obstacles

Whether you dare to tackle the curves of ‘volcano’, or prefer the twists and turns of ‘acapulco’, there is plenty to challenge any age or level of golfer.

3. Professional Putting Surface

Using interlocking astro grass tiles, the surface is very playable and sure to challenge all ages and abilities of golfer.  Make your desired length in metres and watch the golf ball roll cleanly and into the hole!

4. Hire a Course by Post

You don’t have to be beside the seaside to enjoy our mini golf!  Our courses transport easily to your chosen venue so that you can enjoy for as long as you like…….a one day event, a weekend hire or long term if you require.

5. Putting the ‘FUN’ into Fundraising

With a Crazy Golfathon at your school or a busy community event, you could raise in excess of £1K for your chosen charity or fund.  Imagine………..9 holes, 10p per hole, 5 sponsors per child, 250 children = ££££’s

6. Perfect for Weddings

Getting married?? What a unique way for your guests to enjoy the grounds of your venue….or even a great way to distract the children during the photographs!

7. Any Weather (even all round British weather!)

Not just for outside, the course is rubber backed and won’t mark floors indoors.  Have you an unused space – unutilised sports court, school assembly hall, hotel atrium, roof top terrace, empty office? 

8. Ice Breaker

Need to break the ice at a company conference, exhibition, speed dating event or networking event?  You can hire a single hole and run your own Challenge Putt; soon everyone will be mingling together.

9. Modular Flexibility

Need to create a zone to keep the children entertained?  Whether it is at a Soft Play or Leisure Centre, interlock the 1 metre square mats to form a square or rectangle to suit the shape or size floor area (anything is possible!), outline with foam edging and create your own Mini Golf Zone!

10. Nice people to deal with!!

I had to check you were still with me at this point!  A great reason to hire from us, we always have availability, the team at Putterfingers are friendly and efficient, we strongly believe in our concept - so why not let us help you with something different at your event this year…….?

There are many more, but I have chosen my favourites.  View the Putterfingers website and our client testimonials to see for yourself!

I have attended many exhibitions over the years and am usually attracted to those offering something unique, different or slightly zany.

Exhibitions are a hub of creativity, buzzing with delegates scouring the venue for new ideas, exciting new ways to develop their knowledge or business and looking for unique exhibitors that stand out from the crowd.

What better way to attract them to your exhibition stand, than with a hole of mini golf?  After all everyone enjoys the fun element of golf and it is an easy way to get talking.

The benefits of offering exhibition golf are endless………

-A way to ‘landmark’ your exhibition stand to invited guests and to create a talking point about what your stand has to offer.

-A fun addition to your exhibition invitation material ‘meet me for a hole of golf on stand A356’ or ‘see you on the green on stand B101’

-A unique way to engage with potential clients and a great ice breaker.

-Opportunity to communicate your sales message while encouraging some competitive spirit.

-Running a Challenge Putt competition acts as a ‘pull’ to potential clients and to collect those all important prospect business cards.

-Encourages your potential clients to spend more time on your stand.

-Increased lead generation by 400% for one exhibitor from the previous year.

So if you fancy offering a hole of golf at your next exhibition, please get in touch.  We offer everything to get you started - putters, low bounce balls, obstacles, matting and edging.

The delegates at the SAP User Conference in Manchester Central (pictured) certainly enjoyed themselves!

So what is the meaning of Crazy Golf?  I found this definition – ‘A variation on golf, played on a smaller scale, where players have to putt the golf ball into a hole, past various obstructions.’

So yes maybe true, but why does it have to be termed ‘crazy’?  The putter and ball are the same as used in golf, but of course the obstructions, or in our case obstacles - are great fun and certainly not crazy!

Our Mini Golf Obstacles  are made from injection moulded plastic and come in a variety of exciting and challenging pieces.

My favourite has to be Towers; those four ramparts are definitely designed to improve the accuracy of your putting.  You need just the right swing to get the ball through the loop on the 360 or to ride the curves of the Daytona and if you dare take on Acapulco, it could be several attempts before the right power is achieved to get up the spiral and into the hole. 

The good thing with these obstacles is that every time is different and always a challenge.  It really doesn’t matter if you are 6, 25 or 80 – the obstacles certainly bring fun to your putting surface. 

So maybe Crazy / Mini Golf is not so crazy after all……….Chris Harding certainly isn’t, after winning the last championship of 2010 in Hastings back in October.  He now holds the No.1 position in the end of year rankings by the British Mini Golf Association for 2010. 

Well done Chris and good luck for 2011!

Well after all I have been good this year! 

So Santa, here’s why I deserve a visit from you:

 - I have been polite and helpful to all potential and new crazy golf course clients;

 - I have been nice to all the children at our mini golf events;

 - I have tried to keep the office tidy;

 - I have made our team copious amounts of coffee and brought in lots of cakes;

 - I have remembered to promote www.putterfingers.co.uk at every opportunity!

Does that mean you will come and visit me on 25^th December?

What a nice surprise I had when I visited the office late last week!

A very kind client of ours had sent me an advent calendar in the post.  Now you are never too old to open an advent calendar, especially one that has 24 doors of chocolate!

Laura Essex from Experior Group, had hired a Challenge Putt modular golf course from Putterfingers.co.uk for an important SAP User Conference at the Manchester Central exhibition venue in late November.  With her company being the conference sponsors she was looking for something a little different to help network with the exhibitors and delegates. 

She reported the modular putting as being a huge success with the delegates and other exhibitors and a great opportunity to communicate and engage in her sales message, while indulging in a little golf at the same time!

As for the success of the advent calendar, number 7 was delicious, the children and I are comparing our shaped chocolaty pieces at breakfast time – now which is a reason to be jolly!

Most of the males I know are ‘fair weather’ golfers and certainly don’t practise their putting and swing enough in the winter months. The cold temperatures shouldn’t stop you practising your skills.  Winter can be an annoyance to some, as it is too cold to play an outdoor sport.  The males I know wait for warmer days to get in a round of golf on the green……

A simple alternative is to play golf indoors as that winter option.  This will allow for those keen golfers to improve and perfect their putting skills in the comfort of their own home or office.  That would certainly tempt those who do not want to brave hours in the wind, cold or even rain!

There are many items available including talking putting aids and returners, portable putting greens, chipping nets and a variety of mats, all that can be easily set up in the home or office.

This means you could keep practising all winter long and be ready for those warm spring days! Fancy a game of indoor golf anyone………?

We’re excited to launch our new modular Portable Putting Greens - just in time for Christmas!

Text below is taken from our press release at http://www.prlog.org/11076040-golf-equipment-retailer-launches-modular-portable-putting-greens.html.  View product information directly at http://www.putterfingers.co.uk/putterfingers-golf-training-aids.htm, or just read on…

Bury St Edmunds based web retailer www.Putterfingers.co.uk has added a new range of Modular Portable Putting Greens to their existing range of mini golf equipment and general golf training and practice aids.  These new astrograss based portable putting surfaces have been introduced at an extremely competitive price point - making these an excellent Christmas gift idea, or perfect office-based executive perk! 

The putting greens consist of a number of one metre square interlocking astrograss tiles that are assembled as easily as a jigsaw puzzle!  These may be assembled as a straight putting surface for a distance shot, or perhaps as a dog leg to provide a more challenging putting green.  As more and more tiles are added, so more layouts become available. 

Each portable putting green consists of a number of interlocking tiles, a putt returner (to save the legs!), a deluxe putting cup, and one or more putters and balls.  Each green may be put together within about 5 minutes, for instant indoor or outdoor golf, and they pack up just as quickly into a single large and flat box - easy to store out of the way when not needed. 

Made from very high quality astrograss, these portable putting greens meet various European Safety Standards and are perfect for the home, schools, leisure centres, offices and general public spaces.  They are waterproof, UV treated against sun damage, stain resistant and may be cleaned easily with any modern vacuum cleaner!

 Priced from just £199, inclusive of VAT and free mainland UK delivery – these have got to be the best value quality portable putting surfaces available! 

Contacts:

Reseller and affiliate information at http://www.putterfingers.co.uk/affiliates.

Trade enquiries to Shelley Barrett, shelley [at] putterfingers.co.uk.