World Crazy Golf Championships 2024: Schedule, rules and prize money as 162 players fight for glory at the seaside

IT’S the biggest fight in Hastings since 1066 – the World Crazy Golf Championships have returned to the seaside town with huge prizes on offer.

Now in its 21st year, the Pro event will see 162 players from nine countries battling it out to be crowned world champion.

Adam Kelly is currently the player to beat, having won the last two titles, although the field will be chock full of talent with players flying in from across Europe, North America and

There are also Junior and Novice events over the course of the weekend, which starts on Friday and concludes Sunday afternoon.

While most see crazy golf as a fun day out for family or a date, this is a serious event with rules and etiquette.

Read on to find out everything you need to know about WCGC 2024.

World Crazy Golf Championships rules

There are a number of rules and regulations that make the World Championships different from a quick go around for fun – and players definitely do NOT keep their own score.

Pros will likely bring their own clubs and balls to play rather than trust those on offer, while many will play in golf shirts, although spikes are not allowed.

Officials will also clear the holes with a leaf blower to make sure they are free of debris.

Playing order

• For rounds 1 to 6 inclusive each player plays the hole in turn. i.e. Player, one completes the hole.
• Then player 2 completes and then player 3.
• The order remains the same for each round (holes 1 to 18) but will change for each subsequent round.
• The only round where all balls are in play is the final.

Scoring

• Players do not score for themselves. Player 3 scores for player 1. Player 1 for player 2 and player 2 for player 3.
• There is a 6-shot limit for each player on each hole. If a player has not holed out after 6 shots, they will score a 7 for that hole.
• Tee off area – these will be marked out with chalk on Monday,
  June 3.

Tee Off and Shot Time

• There will be 3 distinct tee off areas for each hole (a different tee off area for each round of the day). These will be highlighted accordingly.
• Players have a maximum of 30 seconds for each shot.
• No practice shots are allowed throughout the event once official practice ends each day.

Relief

• Players can get up to 22cm relief from the hole borders (edges).
• There is no other relief allowed. The ball must be played from where it lies with the exceptions listed below.

Specific Hole Rules

• There are a number course specific rules – in each case, there are no penalty shots added and each shot counts.
• Hole 2 – if the ball fails to reach the green (where the cup is), player tees off again.
• Hole 5 (Windmill) – if the ball fails to pass the windmill off the tee, player tees off again.
• Hole 7 – if the ball fails to reach the lower green (with the cup), player tees off again.
• Hole 8 (waterwheel) – if the ball fails to pass through the waterwheel, player tees off again.
• Hole 11 – if the ball fails to pass all the way through the obelisk, player tees off again.
• Hole 16 (the mini jump) – if the ball drops into the ditch and rolls under the overhang, player can reposition up to 22cm from either side of the ramp (but in the ditch – they cannot reposition onto the green).
• Hole 17 (Lighthouse) – if the ball fails to pass by or through the lighthouse, player tees off again. With the new tee positions playing around the lighthouse is permitted.
• Hole 18 – If the ball fails to pass through the entire loop the loop, player tees off again.

Scoring and Play-offs

• If scores are equal for final places ‘aces’ will be used, if scores are still level, then ‘difference’ will be used.
• In the event of players tied for any of the prize money places, a sudden death play off will take place from hole 1.
• Only odd number holes will be used.

Other Rules

• No smoking or vaping on the course.
• All mobile phones to be switched off or silent.
• Only active players and tournament officials are allowed on the course whilst play is in progress.

World Crazy Golf Championships 2024 schedule

Friday, June 7

• Until 5pm – Free practice
• 6pm – Team Event
• 8.30pm – Free practice

Saturday, June 8

• Until 7.45am – Free practice
• 8am – Novice Tee Off
• 8am – Pro Tee Off (qualifying)
• 4.45pm – Junior practice
• 5.30pm – Novice Final Tee Off
• 6pm – Junior event presentation
• 6.45pm – Novice event presentation

Sunday, June 9

• Until 7.45am – Free practice
• 8am – Pro Tee Off (qualifying)
• 2pm – Pro Final Round
• 3.30pm – Presentation

World Crazy Golf Championships 2024 prize money

The championships has a total prize pool of almost £6,000 – there is a share of £3,750 up for grabs in the pro event, £1,750 in the novice event and the winner of the junior event will earn a £50 Amazon voucher.

The full breakdown is as follows:

Pro Event prize money

• Winner: £1,250
• Second: £850
• Third: £550
• Fourth: £400
• Fifth: £250
• Sixth: £200
• Seventh: £150
• Eighth: £100

Novice Event prize money

• Winner: £750
• Second: £450
• Third: £250
• Fourth: £150
• Fifth: £100
• Sixth: £50

Junior Event prize money (Amazon vouchers)

• Winner: £50
• Second: £30
• Third: £15

Previous WCGC Winners

• 2003 – Tim Davies
• 2004 – Tim Davies
• 2005 – Tim Davies
• 2006 – Tim Davies
• 2007 – Chris Harding
• 2008 – Tim Davies
• 2009 – Keith Kellard
• 2010 – Chris Harding
• 2011 – Michael Smith
• 2012 – Michael Smith
• 2013 – Olivia Prokopova
• 2014 – Chris Harding
• 2015 – Michael Smith
• 2016 – Michael Smith
• 2017 – Olivia Prokopova
• 2018 – Marc Chapman
• 2019 – Marc Chapman
• 2020 – Cancelled due to Covid-19
• 2021 – Marc Chapman
• 2022 – Adam Kelly
• 2023 – Adam Kelly