Minigolf

Synonyms / Other Terms Used

Miniature Golf, Mini-putt, Midget Golf, Crazy Golf

Category

Sports, Activities, Recreation, Tourism

Message / Function

To indicate the location of facilities for playing minigolf

	Source	Description
	SSRS	Human figure in putting position, perspective view of part of putting surface
	Aicher & Krampen	Human figure with putter, putting surface indicated by vertical line
1)	ÖNORM A 3011	Human figure with putter plus ball, putting surface ending in obstacle
	Wien BfS	Human figure with putter plus ball and perspective view of course
2)	ON Testdesign	Human figure with putter plus ball and obstacle
	Mecanorma	Human figure with putter plus ball and obstacle
	Scheiber	Human figure with putter plus ball
	La Clusaz	Human figure with putter plus ball
	Erco	Human figure with putter
	Jadran	Putter and ball, perspective view of course with hole
	SN 640 827	Putter and ball, obstacle
	Unknown	Putter and ball, obstacle
	Herget	Putter and ball, obstacle
	OP 82	Putter and ball, obstacle with text 'mini'
	Unknown	Putter behind ball, letter m above
	Unknown	Putter and ball

Discussion

When searching for pictograms and symbols for Minigolf only a very limited number can be found in publications and the internet. The selection above shows that no specific visual stereotype exists, and some pictograms even can not ensure a clear differentiation from sports like Golf and Hockey.

In our research we discovered a few test results regarding Minigolf:

When Gehringer (1976) examined four variants for the referent Minigolf in an Appropriateness Ranking Test, the pictogram variant labelled SSRS (Swedish Standard Recreation Symbols, from Modley & Myers, Handbook of Pictorial Symbols) depicting a human figure in putting position plus perspective view of part of putting surface was ranked first.

In a later Appropriateness Ranking Test (Brugger, 1984), among eight variants again pictograms showing a human figure in putting position plus perspective view of part of putting surface were ranked best. The variant from Aicher & Krampen, were the putting surface is indicated by vertical line only was judged as least appropriate.

Comprehension Test results (Brugger, 1990) indicate that showing a perspective view of a part of the putting surface as in the ÖNORM A 3011 variant facilitate correct comprehension. Compared to this a very similar testdesign showing a human figure with putter plus ball and obstacle (marked 2) in the table above) elicited about 15 % more responses related to golf. Variant 1) reached 81.8 % correct responses versus 62.1 % for the variant marked 2).

Recommendation

Minigolf

Based on test results available we recommend the use of symbol No 122 of ÖNORM A 3011 Part 7 to signify 'Minigolf'. This pictogram offers a clear distinction from Golf.

Tests of pictograms of referent Minigolf

Brugger, Ch. (1984): Reihungstest 1984. Report to the Austrian Standards Institute (ON) dated 19/84, Vienna.

Brugger, Ch. (1990): Abschlußbericht über den Verständnistest. Report to the Austrian Standards Institute (ON) dated 10/90, Vienna.

Gehringer, J. (1976): Reihungstest über 18 Begriffe aus dem Sportwesen - Priorität I. Report to the Austrian Standards Institute (ON) dated January 1976, Vienna.