Golfing doesn’t have to be reserved for the elites only, you can still experience golfing with another kind of golfing called Mini Golf or sometimes referred to as Putt-Putt Golf. While it may not be entirely like what Tiger Woods play, you can still have plenty of fun playing mini golf and still feel like a champ.
Aside from the pricing, the primary difference between mini golf and mainstream golf is the distance from where you swing and where the hole is. For normal golf, a typical drive is somewhere between 200-300 yards on average, whereas a mini golf putt is only a few yards at most. A round of golf is usually 4 hours long whereas it’s maybe 45 minutes for mini golf.
So, what other differences are there? Well, let’s “putt” about it. Okay, you can go ahead and club me with that club.
The Obstacles of Golf
In golf, the obstacles are the force of the wind, the level and types of geography, and the flag pole, that dang flag pole.
In mini golf, they pretty much said forget all that, we will even remove the flag pole. All we are going to do is to decorate the heck out of this golf course and so they do. Adding windmills, gators, loop de loops, and more. To dot the I’s and cross the “Tee”s, mini golf have all the obstacles already laid out for you, all you’ve got to do is to putt the ball into the hole by using the terrain to your advantage.
Similarly to a game of billiard, you are allowed to use the perimeter and the props of the obstacles to calculate the trajectory for a perfect putt. Compare that to normal golf, after the golf ball’s leaves the golf tee, it’s simply in free fall until it lands with nothing to bounce off of except the ground.
To keep people coming back to the course, obstacles are often rearranged ever so often to retain enthusiasm amongst the players. More than likely you’ll find the additions of moving mechanic props as well as oddly leveled surfaces.
How do you Play Mini Golf?
The rules to mini golf is quite simple with a few differences from normal golf.
To get started you’ll need:
- A putter
- A pen
- A score card
- Golf balls
You’d play mini-golf just like normal golf, your goal is to get the ball into all 18 holes, preferably a hole in one. When you play mini-golf you’ll use a putter hence the other name putt-putt golf. A putter is shorter in length than a golf club and is only used when you need the ball is about 20 yards away from the hole. Since you’re playing mini golf, you’ll be using the putter for the entirety, so don’t be silly and as for a golf club.
To start the game, place the golf ball on the green (Green Section), then you will need to analyze the course before you putt the ball.
Once you do, count the number of times it takes you to putt to get the ball in the hole. Do that for all 18 holes and tally up the scores, the person with the lowest number wins.
There’s usually a limit as to how many tries you can make per hole as to not hold up the other players and the upcoming games, so try your best to make every shot count as though if it is your only shot.
Too Cheap For My Blood
Contrary to popular belief, golfing doesn’t have to be expensive, especially if it is mini golf. For around $15 for adults (18+), every other age group are usually given a discount from elders of $10 to children of under $5. Do a family bundle and save even more!
For $15, it seems fairly cheap until you realize that’s for 30-45 minutes. Comparing to regular golf that will get you 4 hours of play time for $35, double the price, but quadruple the time.
Does that mean mini golf isn’t worth it? Absolutely, not! Mini golf is still really fun! In fact, there’s so much love for the mini-golf that there are associations and federations completely dedicated to miniature golf. There are over 40,000 registered golfers devoted to mini golf according to the World Minigolf Sport Federation. There are even leagues and tournaments just like regular golf.
Mini golf is more than just putt-ing in at an obstacle course, it really takes a lot of skills especially when the obstacles becomes more and more complex over time. As the obstacle courses becomes increasingly difficult, golfers had to respond by developing various trick shots to get the golf ball in the hole, no matter how wacky the shots may look.
Isn’t Mini Golf Outdoors?
You’d be right saying that, but did you know that they have indoor mini golf as well. Better yet, they have glow-in-the-dark mini golf, can your outdoor mini golf do that?
Glow-in-the-dark mini golf is not something you’d see every day, in fact they’re are gradually dwindling in numbers, but if you can find one they’re an absolute gem. All the novelty of cosmic bowling compacted into 18 holes of non-stop excitement.
The best part of it all is that it’s around the same price as normal mini golf or less, which is oddly surprising, some courses offering a round as low as $8.
Even if you do ended up deciding to do outdoor mini golf, just know that you won’t need to wear a pro golf attire. No polos or caps needed; it’ll make you look really professional, but it won’t help with your swings. A simple set of casual wear will suffice.
Mini Golf Rentals
Maybe you can’t find a mini golf course in your area, if you’re very interested in trying it out, you can generally rent a full 9 course mini golf along with putters for around $350 or under for 4 hours.
I would only recommend this if you have a party of over 10 people, any less than that would not be worth it, but you can decide that for yourself.
Easy there! I know you want to get swinging, but you’ll need to know a few things about mini golf before you putt.
Things to Know Before you Swing
When you putt, you’ll want to swing from the shoulder, not from your wrist. Your swing will also be based on the length of the putter which affects your overall posture. I suggest that you bring a putter of your own to avoid renting or using the ones offer at the golf course.
The rentals are usually worn out and typically you won’t find one that’s the right length for your height. You can find a cheap putter for $20, but you get what you paid for.
For a decent putter, the price usually starts around $50 and for a good one you get to show off at the big boy group, it’s gonna cost you around $300. Since this is a game for you, your friends, and your family, there’s no need to buy a professional putter unless you have the means to.
With that said, stand nice and straight with your feet spread, bend just a little at your hips to lower the putter and swing with your shoulders. That’s about all there is to it.
Common techniques used at the mini golf course is to use the walls to bounce the ball at the angle that you want. With different terrains, wavy hills and more hurdle than the Indian Jones franchise, you’ll need to prioritize timing and force of the swing above all else.
A fast swing would likely cause the ball to lift off the ground or go out of bound. A soft swing will not generate enough force and speed to clear the obstacles or reach the hole.
Most place will have a tee off area at the start where you can position your ball anywhere within that square or rectangle. Decide on the placement of your ball for the angle you want. Not all courses will offer this, so there might be an additional challenge to start.
It doesn’t matter if this is your first time golfing or your eight time golfing, mini golf is one of those group activities that won’t grow old.