DINOLANDIA Park of Amusement in Inwałd

Minigolf » The international rules of minigolf

General rules

Minigolf is played with a ball and club on positions which should be clearly marked, fenced and compatible with the norms. The purpose of the game is to hit the ball into the hole with the smallest possible number of hits. The game is played with golf balls and clubs.

The ball/club

On every position, only one ball may be used.
The diameter of the ball should be 37-43 mm.
If, during a distance hit, the ball is lost and is not found within 5 minutes, it may be replaced with another. In this case, a player receives an additional point. A new hit is from the place from which the previous ball was hit.
The ball which is damaged during the game to a degree that makes the repair service or the umpire decide, having inspected the ball, that the game cannot be continued in a normal manner, may be replaced with another one. The player receives an additional point in this case as well. A following hit is performed from the place determined by the umpire.
While preparing to hit the ball, one needs to place it in the field assigned for that purpose with their own hands. An exception are the disabled or people in whose case such an action is counterindicated by a physician.
The ball which is being used in the game may only be moved by performing a hit with a club, and may be neither pushed, nor moved by hand. It may only be played from a stationary position and only touched with a club upon hitting.
Prior to hitting, a correct position is assumed. The club is moved with both hands (an exception are the disabled). The hit is performed when the club touches the ball and the ball is set in motion by it.
The hits are scored when the ball is being played. Moving the ball non-deliberately without undeniable readiness to hit it is not counted as a hit.

Preparation for a hit

The state of readiness to hit the ball is regarded as reached when the player, after placing the club in a correct position, raises it and moves away from the ball with an intention to perform a hit. Possible movements of the club backwards or forwards are also regarded as the readiness to perform a hit .

The ball being played

The ball is being played, when:

it is on the way from the take-off to the border line or an obstacle
after crossing the border line properly, it stops within the game field or beyond the target

Every hit is counted as one point. Additional points are added if the ball, being played, after crossing the border line properly leaves the position, or if the target has not been reached within six hits. The largest possible number of points on one position is 7 (exception: penal points).

Playing on a position

on a given position, playing the game is possible if the previous player has concluded the game and left the position.
in case of a group game, every position must always be played in the same order. On the next position, one may only play when the last member of the group concludes playing on the previous position.

A hit

On every position, the game is commenced from the marked starting point, also if the ball has not crossed the border line properly after hitting. On positions without obstacles, the game is played from the starting point, if the ball does not reach the border line as well. In any other case, the ball is hit from the place at which it stops and becomes motionless. The game on 18^th position is always commenced from the starting point.
On 7^th position, the game may be commenced after lifitng the ball (sand cone or stick of wood).

If, after hitting and crossing the border line properly, the ball leaves the position, the game is recommenced again from the place at which the ball left that position.
If the ball, being played, after crossing the second or every subsequent obstacle, leaves the predicted game track (the improper order of getting through obstacles), it is put behind the obstacle (the last properly got through) at the place, where it left the predicted game track.
If the ball, being played, stops directly on the obstacle or the border of the position, moving it under the correct angle is permitted (but only manually), for the distance, making it possible to perform the hit: in case of an obstacle for up to 30 cm in the direction of the hit, in any other case for up to 20 cm.
If the ball, being played, stops on the obstacle (inside it), it must be moved to the starting place. In such a case, on 3^rd and 4^th positions, the ball is rolled into manually by another player or an umpire in the direction of the obstacle without an additional point. On 7^th position, in case of the ball stopping on the grass in front of the hole, while behind the obstacle, it is permitted to play further from that place or, with adding one point, transfer the ball on the side line of the circle with the hole.
When the ball, being played, crosses the border line, turns back and stops in front of it, the following course of action is adopted: 1. In case of positions with obstacles, the game is played further from the place, at which the ball crossed the borderline (taking the side lines into consideration) 2. In case of positions without obstacles, the game is played further from the place at which the ball stopped (taking the side lines into consideration).
If the game on a given position is only possible from the marked place, every hit must be performed from that place.
The ball must touch the marked starting place with its surface.

Obstacles

The obstacles should be got through in a manner which is proper and compatible with the regulations. An obstacle is regarded as got through, when the ball crosses the border line or touches it with its surface.

Target (hole)

The target is reached when the ball stops in the hole.

The end of the game

The game on a given position is concluded when either the target has been reached, or 6 points have been recorded.

The track of the ball

The player may move the ball, being within the area of the position and being played, only under the control of the co-player or the umpire (exception: moving the ball onto the side line). If a need to clean the ball arises, one should clearly mark its location prior to lifting it.
Every player is responsible for keeping the position clean. Accidental damage may not be removed as long, as the ball is in motion.
After hitting with the club, the player is not permitted to influence the track of the ball being played (it is permitted to shelter it from the wind as long as this takes place beyond the area of the position).
If track of the ball is changed due to the causes independent of the players (it does not apply to weather changes), then it is permitted to hit the ball again without favourising or discriminating the players by any umpire.
If the change of the track of the ball takes place prior to crossing the border line, a new hit may be commenced from the starting line without regarding the previous hit as valid.
If the change of the track of the ball takes place after crossing the border line, it is permitted to perform an additional hit from the place in mid-distance between the hole and the barrier.
All hits are counted as points.
If the ball, being played, undeniably stops, and next is set in motion again by independent causes, it must be moved back to the place of initial stopping.

The order of the game and entering the positions

On positions, game is played according to the order. Entering the positions directly is only possible upon permission.

Exceptional provisions

In case of the position having non-typical features, it is permitted not to follow the determined rules or to have the new ones determined by the National Minigolf Association, of which public shall be notified.

Other

Making changes to the positions by the players during training and tournaments is forbidden.

Actions ordered and forbidden to the participants of the tournaments

Every participant of a minigolf tournament follows the rules of the game, sport code and the provisions of the club or sports association.
Every participant of the tournament is obliged to follow the instructions of the organizers of the tournament and umpires.
Every player possesses water-resistant writing set (e.g. a ballpoint or water-resistant felt-tip pen).
None of the players may make changes to the positions on their own.
All deficits and faults are to be reported to the main umpire immediately. If they are not removed, a protest should be submitted to the main umpire prior to the commencement of the tournament.
During the welcome ceremony and in the course of announcing the winners, the uniform outfit of the entire team must be ensured.
Every participant, particularly taking minutes, is obliged to observe watchfully the partner in the course of their playing. At that time, it is not permitted to have a conversation with anyone or engage in any other activity.
All transgressions on the part of the partner should be reported to the umpire.
Attention should be paid to the fact, whether the competitors follow the rules (e.g. the improper placing of the ball, incorrect position of the club etc.). After performing a hit neither the player, taking minutes, nor the observing players have the right to file a complaint.
The player, taking minutes, records the result obtained on a given position therein.
Prior to recording the result, it must be announced.
Recording the final result in the minutes should be performed very carefully.
The player, taking minutes, is the partner in the game or an umpire, assigned to perform this task. In case of groups of more than 2 contestants, the last is taking minutes for the first, the first for the second etc.
If it has not been agreed otherwise, it is forbidden to have the results of the entire group recorded in the minutes by one player.
In case of erroneous records in the minutes, this fact should be reported to the umpire. In case of making an error in the records three or four times, the recording is taken over by the umpire.
The group must play the first transition in the determined order of players.
After each transition, this order is changed; the first plays as the last, the second as the first etc.
The order of the playing groups is properly determined and should be maintained if the umpire does not decide otherwise.
If the next position is occupied, a player should wait on the position just played from until the subsequent one is free.
On every position, only one group may be playing.
In case of ambiguities or failure to understand the rules, an umpireˊs assistance is requested. It is forbidden to discuss such matters in groups.
Delaying of the progress of the tournament needlessly and without justification is forbidden.
Every player should be ready to play on a given position as soon as the preceding one correctly crosses the border line.
If the previous player has hit the ball at first attempt, the next one has 1 minute to perform a hit. The same time is permitted for performing every subsequent hit.
In two-people groups, 1 minute is permitted for performing a hit after recording the result in the minutes.
The playing group is obliged to commence the game on the next position as soon as it is possible.
After concluding the round, every player is obliged to sum up the results of oneself and the partner, and next, after the approving the compatibility, the minutes should be signed. In order to do so, one should leave the last position, so that the next group could proceed with the game.
In the course of the tournament, it is strictly forbidden to perform trial hits, as well as to test the ball by rolling it on the position.
The test of skoczności of the ball may only be performed once.
With the exception of the playing one, all other persons must maintain a distance of at least 1 m from the ball, being played.
In the course of the tournament, no outside items may be placed on the field of the position, or on the obstacles.
Locating signs on and directly near the positions by a player with the use of writing equipment, golf clubs or other devices prior to and during the tournament is forbidden. Containers for balls or other devices may be placed in the distance of at least 30 cm from the position.
Using or possessing auxiliary devices such as e.g. view-finders, spirit levels, cooling or heating devices is forbidden for persons, staying on a minigolf course. It is also forbidden to use the plans of the positions during the game.
The balls may not be removed from the hole with the help of so-called sucking device (an exception is the case of motorically-disabled players).
Mutual lending of the balls by players if permitted if it does not interfere with the course of the tournament.
During the game, it is not permitted to disturb players in any manner.
A player may stop the game and depart from the team only for a short time and under the supervision of an umpire. After the return, the player must report to the umpire and will be re-introduced into the game.
During tournament games, silence must be observed. Calling, throwing a ball, running, walking without a valid reason and making inquiries about the results etc. may disturb the contestants and it is thus forbidden.
The decisions of the umpire are followed without questioning. Protests on the matter may be submitted in writing within a 10 minute-period following the conclusion of the tournament game by the team of the player that deems itself wronged to the office of the tournament.
Stopping the game by a player is only possible in a justified case and only upon the permission of the main umpire.
Breaching the code of conduct (e.g. throwing a golf club, a deliberate mishit, failure to follow the decisions of the umpire or the organizers) is forbidden.

Penalties and penal points

For the following misdemeanours, at least the following penalties are applied:

Breaching the sport code – depending upon the gravity of the matter, cautioning or disqualification and a four-week suspension period.
Outfit incompatible with the regulations – being forbidden to participate.
Consumption of alcohol on the area of a sports facility ̶ disqualification and a four-week suspension period.
Participation in the game in spite of being forbidden to do so or suspended - disqualification and an eight-week suspension period.
Offending the umpires, organizers or club bodies ̶ disqualification and an eight-week suspension period.
Proven forgery of the records ̶ disqualification and a three-month suspension period.
Blows and fights of any kind – disqualification with simultaneous sending off the field and a year of suspension.
Forgery of the records in the minutes of the game – a caution and, additionally, 1-10 penal points for the culprit. The difference between the proper recoord and the forged one is added to the given penal points.

Any violation of the rules of the game is every time punished with a caution.

Moreover, for the following transgressions, additional penalties are applied:

Non-permitted changing the ball on the position or in the course of the game with the use of the ball which does not match the requirements in the regulations, or is not a golf ball compliant to the regulations: 7 points on a given position.
If the ball is not placed on the position with hand or is not moved by hitting, or when a golf club is not used with both hands: 1 penal point.
Commencing the game on a position prior to the previous playerˊs conclusion of the game on it, or, in case of a group game, when the player commenced the game with a violation of the order, or commenced the game on the next position, prior to the last player of their group locating the ball in the hole: recommencing the game with adding 1 point to the score for a given position.
If the commencement of the game occurs from an improper place or a ball if played from the starting point, with a violation of the regulation: repeating the hit with adding 1 point to the score for the game on a given position and penal point.
In case of moving the ball without a fellow contestantˊs control /with the exception of putting the ball aside on the border and side lines/: 1 penal point.
In case of changing the movement of the ball, being in motion after hitting it by a player: 7 points on a given position.

Upon the second caution in the course of the tournament, the player is disqualified.