About Putt Path

Mini golf from above. Each hole is a walled fairway that bends round corners, from the tee at one end to the flag at the other. Drag back from the ball like a slingshot to aim — the further you pull, the harder you hit — and let go to putt. The ball rolls out, slowing as it goes, and bounces off the walls, so the shortest way to the cup is often a bank shot off the side rather than the long way round.

Sand drags the ball to a stop. Water costs a stroke and puts the ball back where you hit it from. Round bumpers kick it away, and angled boards turn it. Come into the cup too fast and the ball skips straight over; roll it in gently and it drops. If a hole really isn't going your way, the ball is picked up at four over par.

Every hole has been played by computer to set its par. The daily round is nine holes, the same for everyone, ranked by total strokes — with a little scorecard of squares to share. The 18-hole course is always there to practise on, and keeps your best round.

Tips to win

• Look for the bank shot: a wall can do the turning for you
• Near the cup, putt softly — fast balls skip over
• Play safe round water rather than over it
• A bumper sends the ball back faster than it came: aim past it