With The Open swinging into action this week, there’s no doubt lots of us will feel the need to sink a putt or two.

But who needs St Andrews when there are dinosaurs, pirates and dragons – and significantly less walking?

Adventure golf is great summer holiday fun and we’ve unearthed five great courses in south London you should try.

Jurassic Encounter, New Malden 

If there’s one thing that’s likely to make your golf more of an adventure and your putting slightly shakier, then it’s a dinosaur.

Jurassic Adventure has nine of them – life-sized, roaring and moving. Aside from the scaly beasts, you’ll be golfing among cascading waterfalls, island greens and prehistoric caves.

Prices from £9 for adults and £7 children, with deals for families and second rounds on the same day. Go to jurassicencounter.com

Your Local Guardian: The recently opened 'Lost Island Encounter' adventure golf course at Sidcup GC

Lost Island, Sidcup 

Not one but two 18-hole courses of exotic island-themed fun. There are bridges, an abandoned 4x4 and, you’ll never guess, more dinosaurs!

It’s floodlit for night games and doesn’t close until 10pm Monday to Thursday.

It costs £8 adults and £6 juniors with family rates and second round offers. Unlimited adventure golf costs £10. Go to worldofgolf.co.uk

Your Local Guardian:

Dragon Quest, Croydon 

It seems there is always peril at adventure golf – it’s not dinosaurs here, but dragons. Apparently the fire breathers are slumbering on a horde of gold and it’s up to you to try to get your share.

The colourful 18-hole course costs £8 adults, £6 juniors and it is open 9am to 7pm. Go to worldofgolf.co.uk



Your Local Guardian:

Putt in the Park, Wandsworth Park (and, as of this month, Battersea Park)

For those that prefer something pretty and scenic rather than dragons or dinosaurs, there’s Putt in the Park. Sat next to the Thames in Wandsworth Park, there’s a clubhouse cafe for coffee and cake after.

It’s open 9am til dusk and costs from £5.

Your Local Guardian:

Pirate Cove, Bluewater

Ahoy there, mateys! Sail just a little out of south London and into Kent for pirate-themed adventure golf.

There are two 18-hole courses of tricky holes for buccaneers, with scenery and obstacles including a ship, a waterfall, a sunken boat and a smuggler’s cave.

The golf costs £9 adults and £7 children, with offers available. And as if the golf is not enough, Pirate Cove is also home to pedalos, remote control galleons and mini landrovers and an aerial adventure.

Go to piratecove.co.uk