FLYING full-back Jack Stacey revealed how playing mini-golf with his team-mates had helped him settle in at Cherries – even if he twice had to fork out for dinner.

The 23-year-old, a £4million summer signing from Luton, has hit the ground running during his start to life in the Premier League.

In two top-flight appearances, the Ascot-born star has impressed during 3-1 victories over Everton and Southampton, meaning he is currently unbeaten at England’s elite level.

The same however cannot be said for his performances on the mini-golf course, with the Mighty Claws Adventure setting at Iford proving his nemesis.

Stacey’s struggles with the putter meant his team-mates could tuck into meals at his expense.

But the former Reading youngster did not mind, having found himself engrained as part of the squad from the get-go.

He told the Daily Echo: “With the lads, getting to know all of them has helped me a lot.

“A lot of the younger lads have been going round playing mini-golf, with the loser paying for dinner and stuff like that.

“I think I have been stitched up a little bit, I had lost two out of two. I need to start improving! But that meant I have settled in quite quickly.”

He added: “It was at Iford, at the dinosaur one. I was seven shots clear going into the 17th and there was one that’s like a volcano, lava hole.

“It was a nightmare. I ended up losing.

“Meps (Chris Mepham) was last behind me and then got a hole-in-one. Travs (Mark Travers) is a very good golfer and he was never involved. There was a good group of us there.

“A lot of us have been going out for dinner, playing mini-golf or going out for coffee after training, so it’s nice that they have helped me settle in like that.”

One player also starting out on his top-flight journey this season is goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.

And the England under-21 international revealed how Stacey’s arrival to the mini-golf scene had hit the defender’s wallet.

He added: “Jack Stacey (lost) once in La Manga when we went over there and once down at Iford. His first few weeks were heavy!

“Then he got his pay cheque and he was all right. We have not seen him since. I think he has been practicing on his own!

“But off the pitch we have a great group. Whether it’s playing mini-golf, going to the cinema or for coffee.

“We just get away and chat about random things. It just takes your mind off football, especially with certain players being injured, it’s good for us all.”

Stacey and Ramsdale could be involved when Cherries on Wednesday make the trip to League One Burton Albion in the third round of the Carabao Cup (7.45pm).