Is it art or crazy golf?

Is it art or crazy golf?

We all appreciate the art in designing a truly great golf course. But seeing one exhibited at a gallery or museum has always seemed beyond the realms of possibility. Until now.

Visitors to the New Art Exchange in Nottingham are being offered the chance to immerse themselves in some artistic culture by navigating a miniature golf course, designed and made by 10 contemporary artists.

The Doug Fishbone’s Leisure Land Golf, which premiered at the Venice Biennale in May 2015, is being presented in the UK for the first time and features nine fully-playable holes.

It’s quite a test, too, with one of the holes challenging you to launch the ball into the face of a kneeling hooded figure. Easier said than done with just a putter to hand.

The final hole – a scale map of the UK floating in a canal outside the museum– tests your precision to the limit and requires a ‘pitch’ shot across the ‘English Channel’. Who ever thought art could be so enjoyable? The exhibition runs until June 19. Full details on nae.org.uk.

Photo credit: ‘Doug Fishbone’s Leisure Land Golf, New Art Exchange, Nottingham, April 2016, Bartosz.