THE new Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf course near Bournemouth Pier officially opens today on the former Imax cinema site.

The attraction is available at £9.60 for adults, £6.60 for children aged under 12, a group ticket for a family of five costs £28 and a group of four adults can play for £36.

With an 18-hole course delivering a mix of obstacle-lined challenges, the offering is likely to test even the most seasoned mini golf fan.

Yessica Falcon, who runs the resort information centre and oversees the operation of Smugglers Cove, said: “It has been amazing. I have never worked on anything like this before, so being part of it has been absolutely incredible.

“We had people visiting in the past couple of days before the launch and the feedback has been phenomenal.”

The BCP Council-funded project is located at Pier Approach and hopes to enhance the town’s seafront offering, which attracts more than seven million visitors a year.

Each hole is named after a landmark location or prominent person connected to the Bournemouth area, such as Howe’s Bunker after the Cherries boss and Gullivers Chine in recognition of the many narrow ravines that run to the Dorset coast.

The course was built by Hampshire-based firm Greenspan Projects Ltd and was their largest project to date.

Elements of Smugglers Cove were built with recycled materials, including 800 metres of recycled groyne timber and 28 recycled barrels to add to the design.

“Anyone who tries the course can expect smuggler-themed adventure golf, which really plays on Bournemouth and the surrounding area’s history,” said Ms Falcon.

“It is something that suits all ages. I would say it is challenging for anyone, from zero up to 100, but a really great experience and maybe what people are used to with mini golf – this is more like a theme park.

“I think all of the holes have a different level from easy to difficult but it offers something that can give people a good laugh.”