Holey Moley (Australian TV series)
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment, Television |
| Founded | February 1, 2021 |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Key people | Greg Norman (resident pro), Rob Riggle (commentator), Matt Shirvington (commentator), Sonia Kruger (host) |
| Products | Reality game show |
| Parent | Seven Network |
Holey Moley is an Australian reality game show derived from the American original, where participants face off in sudden-death, one-on-one contests on an oversized miniature golf obstacle course. The program features golf professional Greg Norman, with commentary by experts Rob Riggle (also part of the U.S. version) and Matt Shirvington, and is hosted by Sonia Kruger.
The show debuted on 1 February 2021, delivering a single season composed of 11 episodes, supplemented by two specials: Celebrity Holey Moley aired on 28 February, followed by Holey Moley Junior on 1 March 2021.
Although the premiere attracted over a million viewers, audience numbers dropped subsequently, and the series was not included in Seven Network's 2022 programming announcements. While no formal cancellation has been declared, the show's continuation remains uncertain.
Format
Each installment showcases eight competitors matched in pairs to battle through a two-stage miniature golf elimination event featuring diverse obstacles. The final trio—consisting of the two-round winners plus an additional victor from a playoff among second-round losers—contests for a distinctive plaid jacket and a golden putter. Those who prevail advance to a grand finale with a $100,000 cash prize at stake.
In the Holey Moley Junior variant, children navigate the course as their parents tackle the obstacles, competing for a $10,000 golf equipment shopping spree along with the iconic plaid jacket and golden putter.
Production
In October 2019, Seven Network revealed plans for an Australian version produced by Eureka Productions. Initially named Mega Mini Golf due to trademark conflicts with an existing "Holey Moley" restaurant chain, Seven secured rights to the original title by February 2020. Golf legend Greg Norman was appointed as the resident pro, accompanied by commentators Rob Riggle and Brian ‘BT’ Taylor, with Olympia Valance serving as sideline reporter. The series was scheduled for an August 2020 launch following the postponed 2020 Summer Olympics.
Filming commenced in March 2020 at Sable Ranch in California alongside the American show's second season. The production involved over 500 personnel from Seven and Eureka Productions, including 50 Australian contestants who were flown in. However, shooting was interrupted due to COVID-19 exposure risks and adverse weather conditions. By June 2020, production resumed on a purpose-built Australian set targeting an early 2021 broadcast window. Casting was broadened to incorporate children aged 8 to 12 accompanied by adults.
By October 2020, Sonia Kruger had replaced Valance as host and sideline reporter, while Matt Shirvington took over commentary duties from Taylor due to his AFL commitments. Filming occurred in Thornlands, Queensland, featuring 96 contestants over a two-week period. Additionally, two special episodes—a celebrity edition and a parent-child format—were produced.
The Thornlands facility was designed for reuse by international versions from Germany, the UK, and France. The production of an Australian second season depended financially on these adaptations proceeding. Unfortunately, pandemic-related travel restrictions prevented this collaboration before Eureka’s site lease expired on 29 July 2023. Meanwhile, local residents petitioned Redland City Council to move future filming elsewhere due to noise disturbances caused by late-night shoots.
Courses
The expansive mini-golf layout introduced in the inaugural season showcases a variety of oversized, themed holes such as:
- Dutch Courage: Competitors putt through a miniature windmill situated between two large, rotating windmills that can disrupt their ball and cause penalties. The hole is positioned beyond the second windmill on a gradient.
- Polcano: Instead of crossing a water hazard, players use a zipline to reach a narrow totem pole. Falling into the water results in penalty strokes.
- Uranus: Players navigate around Uranus's outer ring, aiming for a hole-in-one opportunity within a channel. They then move across four planets to reach the green, with falls incurring penalties.
- Parbeque: Players putt through a rotisserie and must climb over another without falling into hot coals to avoid penalty strokes.
- Putt the Plank: Contestants putt across the bow of a pirate ship targeting a red X, receiving courtesy chips from pirate captain Dead Eye Dicko. Afterwards, they cross a lagoon atop a shark’s back, avoiding falls and penalties.
- Slip N' Putt: Players race uphill on an icy slope to gain ball placement advantage before putting through polar bear legs and sliding down to the green.
- The Distractor: Competitors attempt a challenging 12-foot putt amid various distractions.
- Fowl Play: Exclusive to the Australian edition, players putt up a ramp that splits into three chicken coop channels; only the center channel offers a hole-in-one chance, while the others lead to hazards.
- Hole Number Two: Players putt along a narrow ridge bordered by water and porta-potties, then sprint before doors open to avoid falling and incurring penalty strokes.
- Surf N Turf: Players strike balls up a 30-foot wave ramp, launching backward onto an island green; missing requires an extra stroke following a penalty.
- Putter Ducky: Similar to Hole Number Two, players putt along a narrow bridge featuring bubble baths and rubber ducks, then navigate a momentum-dependent ramp. Falls result in penalty strokes.
- Dragon's Breath: Wearing fireproof armor, players putt beneath a drawbridge while dragons breathe fire, aiming to lower the bridge and complete the hole.
- Frankenputt: Players traverse electrical nodes within Dr. Frankenputt’s lair; each stroke delivers an electric shock.
- Clowning Around: Competitors are spun inside circular devices before putting upside down with magnetized balls; misses lead to whipped cream pies thrown by clowns.
- The Tomb of Nefer–Tee–Tee: The season finale hole designed by Greg Norman stretches nearly 100 feet and consists of three parts: the tee area, a spinning disc featuring Egyptian pyramids, and the green surrounded by walls and a crypt containing the Jeweled Putter. Each player has one shot per round; the first to score an ace wins $100,000 and the grand prize. If no player succeeds, rounds continue until someone achieves it.
Celebrity Holey Moley
The special edition Celebrity Holey Moley, broadcast on 28 February 2021, included these celebrities:
| Celebrity | Known for | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Barry Hall | Former AFL athlete | Winner |
| Steven Bradbury | Olympic gold medalist | Finalist |
| Mat Rogers | Former NRL athlete | Finalist |
| Erin Holland | Beauty pageant titleholder | |
| Angela Clancy | Previous Big Brother participant | |
| Ali Oetjen | Former contestant on The Bachelorette | |
| Eden Dally | Ex-contestant on Love Island | |
| Denise Drysdale | Entertainment personality | Retired due to injury |
Distinguished Participants
- Michelle Cowan – Previously served as Fremantle AFLW head coach and currently holds the position of assistant coach with the West Coast Eagles.
Sources
- Articles with short description
- Seven Network original programming
- 2020s Australian game shows
- 2021 Australian television series debuts
- 2021 Australian television series endings
- 2020s Australian reality television series
- Australian English-language television shows
- Sports entertainment
- Miniature golf
- Golf on television
- Television series by Eureka
- Australian television series based on American television series
- Television productions suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Golf in Australia