Alan Sawyer
The origins of mini golf can be traced back to 19th century Scotland, where the St. Andrews Ladies’ Putting Club first opened a “miniature” golf course designed specially for the fairer sex. The nine-course course was designed with miniature links to accommodate the players’ dainty swings, as it was considered inappropriate for a lady to “take the club back past their shoulders“.
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Miniature golf would arrive in the U.S. in 1916, when James Barber designed a compact course with fountains, gardens, and walkways called “Thistle Dhu”. In the years that followed, the mini-golf course spread around the world and across our nation like wildfire, and there were an estimated 25,000 miniature golf courses in the U.S. alone by 1930.
Today, that number has shrunken considerably (the United States ProMini Golf Association estimates that there are currently around 3,000 courses in the U.S.) But as courses become more complex, obstacles more elaborate, and special effects more stunning, the experience of putt-putt golfing has only become more thrilling.
As a (relatively) safe, socially distanced (usually) outdoor, kid-friendly endeavor, the mini-golfing experience makes a particularly appealing activity for the whole family during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some of the country’s 5 mind-blowing, can’t-miss courses to check out:
Par-King (Lincolnshire, Illinois)
The self-proclaimed “World’s Most Unusual Golf Course”, Par-King is a magical miniature golf course with 19 moving obstacles and seven water holes. Instead of a rickety windmill or wilting grass, the court features inspired obstacles like the roller-coaster-like Super Looper hole and replica of the Sears tower with a moving elevator.
Molten Mountain (Myrtle Beach, South Carolina)
At this North Myrtle beach course, putters play beneath a towering 50-foot volcano that erupts with fire and smoke-filled special effects every 30 minutes. Molten Mountain includes outdoor and an air-conditioned indoor course inside the volcano. If you want to make thinks interesting, you can use the “Mischief Spinner” to add a twist to your game — like playing with your eyes closed or with the golf club behind your back.
Around the World in 18 Holes (Lake George, New York)
Picture a monster-size lobster, towering Paul Bunyan, and a replica of the Taj Mahal. This the backdrop of Around the World in 18 Holes, a travel-inspired outdoor course on Lake George in upstate New York founded more than half a century ago. Afterwards, treat yourself and your fellow golfers to a creamy coconut shake and old-fashioned ice cream.
Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Mini Golf (Gatlinburg and Sevierville, Tennessee)
Ripley’s has two mini-golf courses in Tennessee within 28 minutes of each other. That means after you finish the 36 holes of the Old MacDonald’s Farm-themed court, you can head to the Davey Crockett course for another 36. Fair warning: You will probably be heckled by animatronic crows and pigs. Oh, and word on the street is that you might be able to win a free round if you make a hole-in-one.
The Lexington Ice Center (Lexington, Kentucky)
The Lexington Ice Center houses three indoor mini-golf courses based on stories from the Bible. Each 18-hole course is inspired by a different theme, including the Old Testament, New Testament, and the Miracle of Jesus. As you putt golf balls around these three religion-themed mini-golf courses, keep an eye out for iconographies like Noah’s Ark and the Tree of Knowledge.
By the way, when travel restrictions are lifted, there are plenty of incredible courses around the world — like Championship Adventure Golf in Merseyside, UK or Lauberhorn Crazy Golf in Wengen, Switzerland.
