Golff Bach, in Llangefni, Anglesey, will be the first of its kind in the UK and will open next week
Hole 15 is a challenging 40ft par 3(Image: Golf Môn)
Britain’s first American-style golfing experience will launch in Wales next week, despite a legal bid from Tiger Woods’ business company. The 18-hole mini-golf facility features rolling artificial turf holes, white sand trap areas and offers evening play under floodlighting.
The enterprise, located in Llangefni, will include a pizza outlet alongside a Halfway House bar where participants can enjoy refreshments before continuing their game. Unlike conventional crazy golf layouts, it’s designed as a scaled-down replica of authentic golf courses.
Windmills or novelty clown features are notably absent, reports North Wales Live.
A glazed extension has been added to the site’s Popty Pizza restaurant so that diners can follow the Golff Bach action(Image: Golf Môn)
What’s also missing is its intended original title – it was planned as a tribute to PopStroke, a Tiger Woods-backed enterprise that has revolutionised premium mini golf across America.
However, upon learning of the venture’s proposed name, legal representatives for the golf legend dispatched a “cease and desist” notice.
All usage was to be prohibited in print and digital formats within a fortnight. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What’s On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here
Golf professional Matthew Wharton, who operates the Golf Môn facility in Llangefni, initially considered disregarding the demand.
“It was a bit of a game, to be honest,” he said.
“I’d always hoped Tiger’s lawyers would be in touch because of the publicity it would generate. But my wife was less keen – she didn’t like the idea of legal action.”
He added: “I promptly changed the venture’s name at Companies House and we haven’t used it since. The new name is perfect anyway as it references the Welsh language.
“We live in a Welsh language heartland and, really, I always wanted the name to reflect that. I’m a Mancunian but the rest of my family are Welsh.”
Matthew working for BBC Sport at the British Open(Image: Golf Môn)
Golff Bach, he explained, is designed to cater to both seasoned golfers and complete novices. The aim is to make the sport more accessible and laid-back, all within an American-inspired setting.
This extends to the cuisine, with bagels and pizzas served up by Popty Pizza, a restaurant located right on the course, boasting a wood-fired oven. “Come for the golf, stay for the pizza,” is the venture’s slogan.
It’s a stark contrast to the offerings of its nearby neighbour, the Oriel Môn art museum and gallery.
The restaurant’s floor space was recently expanded with the addition of a large fully glazed extension. A “glass box”, as Matthew fondly refers to it.
“It provides panoramic views of the course and the surrounding trees,” he added.
“I’ve installed feeders in the trees to attract wildlife, along with a red squirrel gym. We’re fortunate to be one of the few places still home to red squirrels and if they’re around you can observe them from the glass box.”
The Halfway House will serve snacks as well as beer and wine: slices of pizza will also be available here. Golfers who over-indulge after nine holes may find their performance suffers during their rounds.
Another recent addition is a reception building housing an Adidas golf clothing shop. This also features a state-of-the-art Trackman simulator, which can be rented by the hour for indoor golfing on world-renowned courses.
Matthew, a former golf professional from Llandudno and Bangor, funded the entire project himself. “I’ve not paid myself for two-and-a-half years,” he revealed.
“It’s been hard work but this has been a cherished dream for a long time and I hope the results show it was worth it.”
The final hurdle, just three days before opening, involved DIY asphalting of the surrounding paths.
Around 500,000 tonnes of road-building stone were used to shape the contours of Golff Bach before they were covered with artificial grass. Some holes are more challenging than others, but all have banks on the sides to eliminate the need for boundaries.
The Golf Môn complex continues the tradition of golf in Llangefni, being situated on an old municipal course and driving range. The council facility shut down in 2018 and was sold off, but a driving range remains: 16 covered bays give big hitters the opportunity to aim at scrap cars and a double-decker bus.
Finishing touches being added to the course and, inset, Golff Bach’s logo(Image: Golf Môn)
As Golff Bach is illuminated, it will offer longer opening hours than most golf courses, turning it into an evening dining experience as well as a daytime activity.
This concept is already popular in the US, where PopStroke provides upscale clubhouses, ice cream shops and children’s playgrounds. Since 2019, 17 courses have been built and three more are under construction.
Originally, the company had plans for up to 50 courses. However, now they’re setting their sights on a broader range of 150–200 locations.
According to Matthew, the concept could be making its way to the UK, where luxury mini golf is already gaining popularity in the south of England.
“But ours will be the first of the mini golf concept in Britain,” he stated. “And we want it to be the best.”
