Best Miniature Golf courses

[Rastuso]

OK, forgive me if a thread like this already exists but I couldn't find it. I always like searching out unique miniature golf courses on my travels. Places like the incredible Par King, or even Ellen's Amusement Center, which I'll be talking about in a TR if I ever get it on here. Courses that are unique, and the holes have tunnels, obstacles, and ramps. Not tons of theming between the holes, with fairly standard holes to play with maybe a rock in the middle, like so many courses are now.

 

I remember my childhood vacations, and the awesomeness that was Goofy Golf. The courses were full of cool stuff, but alas, I don't think any survived the 80s.

 

There are a few top 10 lists online, but they lose all integrity when they have Par King followed by fricken Putting Edge!

 

I think TPR needs to become the top miniature golf source too. I know Eric and Misty do their best to cover all of them in Gatlinberg and Florida, but we need more. We need a resource for the best courses near amusement parks. I think this thread can become that.

 

I don't want a lot of folks saying: "I love Fred's Meciocre Golf in Bland, OH because me and my friends have fun there, and they have a big Dinosaur next to the 13th hole"

 

I want a list of unique courses. And, yes, I have an alterior motive. My son and I are heading to the East Coast, and I want to hit a few. Right now, I'm looking at Village Greens in Strasburg, PA, which I believe is highly rated.

 

So, I"ll start off with a few that meet the requirements:

 

California

 

Sherman Oaks - Castle Park - 3 courses

 

Carnelian Bay - Magic Carpet Golf

 

South Lake Tahoe - Magic Carpet Golf

 

 

 

Illinois

 

Chicago (Lincolnshire) - Par King

 

 

Indiana

 

Evansville - Midget Links

 

 

Kentucky

 

Lexington - Bible Themed Golf - 3 courses

 

 

Pennsylvannia

 

Strasburg - Village Greens

 

 

Texas

 

Dallas (Cedar Hill) - Ellen's Amusement Center

 

Galveston - Magic Carpet Golf

 

 

Vermont

 

Burlington - Pizza Putt

 

 

 

 

-RO

Edited May 18, 2011 by Rastuso

[cfc]

There are three good ones in the Lake Tahoe area.

 

Magic Carpet Mini-Golf in Carnelian Bay and in South Shore (both on the California side): Dinosaurs, a cave, a "haunted house"--all kinds of great, cheesy homemade obstacles (many of which are animated)

 

Kings Beach Mini Golf (California side): This one has ample shade and plenty of challenges, such as a slot machine, roulette wheel, holes on top of humps (OK, that sounded wrong), and really nice atmosphere.

 

The Kings Beach course was owned and run by a gent named Boberg for more than 30 years. At the beginning of each summer, the North Lake Tahoe Bonanza newspaper would run a picture of him on the front page hanging up his "Open" sign.

Edited May 17, 2011 by cfc

[robbalvey]

This is actually a GREAT thread! We've had so many mini-golf places discussed sporadically in other threads, but nothing dedicated to them. Would love to see more information and pics about the top locations out there!

 

--Robb

[alpengeistfan1]

I read in a book somewhere about a Bible themed mini golf course somewhere, it had like the old testament as course, the new testament as the second course, and miracles as the third course? Something like that. I'm not exactly sure where it was though.

[TPDave]

I can't remember the name of the place, but the one we went to on the 2009 West Coast trip was really good!

 

Dave

[Hilltopper39]

I read in a book somewhere about a Bible themed mini golf course somewhere, it had like the old testament as course, the new testament as the second course, and miracles as the third course? Something like that. I'm not exactly sure where it was though.

 

That would be located in Lexington, KY at the Lexington Ice Center. I played there a hundred times as a kid but honestly don't remember anything about the course other than the Mt. Sinai hole where you have to putt up into a volcano thingy. I remember it being a decent course, fun obstacles and layout, a little run down but what do you expect for a seasonal golf course in Kentucky?

 

here's the link http://www.lexingtonicecenter.com/

[robbalvey]

I can't remember the name of the place, but the one we went to on the 2009 West Coast trip was really good!

That would be either Castle Park or Scandia in Ontario. Castle has some pretty good courses, but Scandia is pretty "standard" for the big outdoor So Cal mini-golf type places.

[Stephen G]

My all time favorite mini golf course would be Magic Carpet in Galveston Texas.

[Snowboard246]

There are a couple places in my area that offer laser tag such as Big Kahunas Water Park and The Track. But I feel the best homemade one I have seen is the one at the place I work, Destin Laser Tag. The business opened October 2009 and has prospered since. The owner designed and built the 18 hold indoor black light mini golf course on his own with the help of the employees such as I.

[Nrthwnd]

I miss Putt-Putt courses.

 

 

It was a franchise of mini golf courses, mainly in the USA, but there were a few in Canada.

 

Simple layouts, but challenging nonetheless.

And they had cross-franchise tournaments

and big money events, back in the day.

 

There was one here in Vancouver, and I remember going to it at least once a month.

 

(EDIT to add: There's actually a course out at Playland {Adventure Golf}, and I keep reminding myself

that even though it's an upcharge, it's certainly worth trying out, at least once during a park visit.)

[Ejectorbater]

Im going with Magic Mountain in Columbus, OH on Hamilton Rd. Phenomenal course with a fantastic batting cage and some sweet Go Carts. One of the best for sure.

[Erik Johnson]

Whenever I think of mini-golf, I always think of our game of super speed golf.

 

[Vigil]

^^^There's a Putt-Putt here in Charlottesville, VA, the only mini-golf course around really. Simple, but fun...

[BeemerBoy]

Not necessarily the "best" course, but Hillbilly Golf in Gatlinburg is certainly unique, and worth playing. I mean, c'mon, you need to take a JJ credit to get to it!

[Rastuso]

OK.

 

Some good suggestions, so I updated teh first post list. I may work on getting some pictures added too. I've got some more to add too, sometime.

 

It seems that the Magic Carpet courses were a chain, connected to the old Goofy Golfs. Hmmm. I'm really liking this thread, glad I started it.

 

And I'm pretty sure Putt Putt still exists. We used to play the Polar Bear Putt Putt tournament back in the day, sometime in January. SOme holes would have ice on them. I also remember a Putt Putt on the roof of a mall in Seoul a few years back.

 

It seems like AgilityNut.com is a great miniature golf resource. Maybe we should add to it's beginning list.

 

-RO

[cfc]

^I think there's still a Putt Putt operating in Newport News, Va. When I was a kid, we used to play at the one in Modesto, Calif.

[rcdude]

Usually when I play mini-golf, I just go to Boomers Irvine or Boomers Fountain Valley. It isn't that great of a golf course, however, and has become somewhat run down. I only go there because it is the closest to where I live. My favorite mini-golf course is at a place called Camelot Golfland in Anaheim, CA. Not only does this place have five different mini-golf courses, but they are relatively challenging as well. In addition, they feature somewhat unique holes and are maintained well.

 

I didn't try any, but the Pigeon Forge area of Tennessee looked like it might have some good ones. Also, my favorite course at an actual amusement Park is the one at Castle Amusement Park in Riverside, CA.

[larrygator]

Not a fan of Putt Putt. Obstacles in the form of ramps, windmills , loops and fiberglass animals are a necessity.

[DirkFunk]

This thread needs a lot more Myrtle Beach, Ocean City (MD), and Cape Cod. Those areas all have a disgusting amount of weird and wacky courses.

 

Also worth mentioning are the old-old-old school Tom Thumb courses. I know one operates in Geneva On The Lake in OH and another operates in a state or country park in Indiana. The oldest mini golf in the country runs in Lake George and there's also a pretty wild course there called Around The World Golf that's pretty extravagant. Wherever you seem to find a resort town near water, lots of mini golf seems to follow.

[Solid Gold]

While I've played many mini-golf courses in the past, Course Two at Sir Goony's in Chattanooga is still far and away the best one I've come across.

 

 

At Professor Hacker's Lost Treasure Golf in Pigeon Forge you have to take a miniature train to get to the start of the course, which has a bunch of caves.

 

Hillbilly Golf in Gatlinburg is definitely a top honoree too. There's the tram followed by a bunch of ridiculous hillbilly theming.

 

Goofy Golf in Sandusky Ohio has one hole where the ball goes down a trough on a bridge across a stream which is pretty cool.

[STR8FXXXINEDGE]

This is a GREAT idea! I absolutely LOVE playing. I try to track down as many places as I can find to take my Mom to.

 

Can't forget about Pirate's Cove, which is in at least 14 different states.

 

Then there's 2 of my favorite places in Wisconsin...

Timber Falls Adventure Park, which also has the AMAZING Hell Cat!

Pirate's Cove in the Dells which has 5 different course totaling 91 holes!!!

 

There's also a few that are just down there street from me here in MI

Kokomo's, which also has a coaster in Saginaw, MI

Dutch Village Adventure Park in Bay City, MI

Alpine Mountain Golf in Birch Run, MI

Buoy 18 in Bay City, MI

 

There's also a really nice one that has two 18 hole courses in Traverse City, MI that is just down the street from Pirate's Cove called Pebblebrook Fun Park.

 

After digging for these and searching for a few others, I've got to say that I'm really surprised how many places out there don't have websites. Stupid business decision if you ask me. It's ridiculous how much searching and digging it takes just to get any info. Hopefully if this thread keeps up it will be at the top of the list when Googling Miniature Golf/Putt-Putt Golf Courses.

 

EDIT: Just want to apologize for posting all of these that aren't crazy unique (Besides Pirate's Cove in the Dells. 91 holes??! Seems unique enough to me). I guess I got excited when I saw a potential place to list all Miniature Golf places.

Edited May 18, 2011 by STR8FXXXINEDGE

[scooterdoug]

Great thread! I grew up a couple of miles from Castle Park in Sherman Oaks. I used to go there all of the time. That's some top notch mini golf. The theming and scenery is thorough and immersive. Went to many a birthday party there during my elementary school years. The arcade was (I haven't been there in at least a decade) pretty good as well. I look forward to seeing more golf courses in this thread.

-Doug

[Jew]

^Castle Park is pretty weak now. The themeing hasn't changed at all since you were a kid (they've just repainted it), and the city doesn't do a very good job maintaining the carpets on the course.

 

My favorite is actually the Fantasia Gardens pro course. I love the challenge.

 

As a side note: does anyone remember when ESPN2 actually showed the Putt-Putt world championships?

[STR8FXXXINEDGE]

^ I do remember that! I remembered thinking "I can't believe these people are getting payed to play Putt-Putt!", haha.

[Coastinmiller]

As stated on the first page Village Greens in PA is my current favorite, but they were affiliated with a second course Pine Creek in West Amwell NJ which was even better, but it looks like it closed up.