Back in 2005 UrbanCrazy’s very own Jon Angel, who was then captain of the Great Britain Minigolf Team, asked me to join them for that year’s World Minigolf Championship. Although a little nervous, I agreed, and had a great time learning the finer details of how to play professional minigolf.
The man responsible was team coach, Thomas Zeininger from Austria, who had a unique style of getting the best out of me – my victories on the British Minigolf Tour owe a lot to what I picked up on that trip. Now the time is right (I’m getting on a bit to play all of the time) to put back into British Minigolf what I have learned over the years.
I’ll be coaching the Great Britain Minigolf Team at this year’s World Championships in Lahti, Finland which will be a huge challenge. I’ve also offered my coaching services to all players throughout this coming season and I hope that many will take up my offer. There is so much to learn, from ball choice to technique and spin to shot selection. My ultimate goal is to help someone win a tournament, but as a bare minimum, I would expect to move all players I help several places up the rankings.
Aside from the tour I really enjoy going along to new course openings, many of which have been built by UrbanCrazy and where the general public can get to see what playing minigolf is all about. These events are a far more relaxed way of passing on the tips of the trade but just as rewarding.
Fingers crossed that I have a successful season playing the game I love, but also that my coaching turns out to be as good as I think it should be!
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Chris Harding is the reigning and three-time World Crazy Golf Champion (2007, 2010, 2014), British Champion (2007) and has won 2 caps for Great Britain (2005, 2011). To contact Chris about coaching opportunities, please email chairman@minigolf.org.uk including “Chris Harding coaching” in the Subject box.
