Anxious contestants gather at the Clambers course in Hastings for the start of the British Open - minigolf's showcase event
British Minigolf Association secretary Bill Bullin takes a seat and displays his match balls before the action starts
Players can use a different ball on each hole and select balls with properties to suit the varying demands of each hole
Balls come in many sizes and materials and are often given names - The Dodo (top left) is so-called to describe its 'dead', slow behaviour and lack of bounce
Through intense practice, players know exactly which ball to use on each hole and even manipulate the temperature of the balls to affect speed, bounce and behaviour
The putters used are similarly sophisticated, fronted with a rubber face to provide enhanced sensitivity for delicate shot play and precise positioning
Tournament referee Jon Angel demonstrates the wide-footed stance used by many of the top European minigolf players
BMGA media officer and England international Lionel Bender illustrates the best angle of attack on the treacherous first hole in Hastings
Players warm up for the international tournament with a competition to decide Britain's top player
No detail is overlooked as Brighton-based competitor Richard Penfound continues his quest for pure putting perfection
Russ Dent and Giselle Leeb take a break from competition to catch their breath in Hastings' picturesque surroundings
Olivia Prokopova, 12-year-old Czech minigolfing sensation, puts in some practice as she looks to improve on her third-place finish at last year's British Open
Course manager Ted Skelton keeps the competitors topped up with sugary snacks when he's not busy maintaining an immaculate competition facility
Tim Davies holds his nerve to take the British Players Championship with a hole in one on the first hole of a sudden-death play-off
The ultimate champion - German Karsten Hein claimed the British Open title proper with the help of his trusty Deutschmann 085 ball - the perfect ball choice for the second at Hastings
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