VISITORS to Basingstoke Golf Centre can get a taste of the greens at Augusta on a brand new mini golf course.

The nine-hole course, the first of its kind in the area, is designed with hillocks, depressions, twists and turns to provide a fun challenge for all ages and abilities.

It is laid with a special carpet that provides a speed equivalent to the famously slippery greens at Augusta National, where professional golfers, including north Hampshire’s Justin Rose, will compete for The Masters next month.

The mini golf course is the latest addition to the facilities at the centre, in Worting Road, West Ham, which also boasts a nine hole par three golf course, a putting green and a floodlit driving range.

It was officially opened by Councillor Clive Sanders, leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, who had the honour of playing the first round.

“It is good to have a facility like this to get families in playing the game,” he said. “Beginners can learn the fundamentals before moving on to the driving range and then the course.

“Hopefully, people who may not have played the game before will come down and go away thinking that they like golf. Once you are hooked, you stay hooked.”

The Basingstoke and Deane Community Leisure Trust, which owns the centre, invested £65,000 towards the scheme as part of their objective to increase childhood activity levels and enhance existing facilities to meet community needs. Prices begin at £1.20 for children and £2 for adults, with advance booking necessary and all equipment provided.

Bill Dempsey, golf centre manager, added: “It is a very good introduction to the game and having this facility here makes Basingstoke Golf Centre one of the best training facilities in the south of England.

“We have a driving range, putting green and short course available, all at an affordable price, which is the key.”

To celebrate the opening of the mini golf course, an open day is being held at the centre between 10am and 4pm this Sunday.

People will get the chance to play a round of mini golf for free and members of the British mini golf team will be on hand to give out tips and showcase their skills. In addition, there will be a nearest the pin competition, a putting challenge, an Easter Egg hunt and face painting.

Visit www.basingstokeleisure.com/basingstoke_golf for more information.