Summary

  • Mini-golf courses offer a fun and accessible alternative to traditional golf, with unique themes and visually impressive setups.
  • Popular mini-golf courses can be found in major cities across the United States, offering enjoyable experiences for both locals and travelers.
  • From King Putt in Nevada to Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf in Michigan, there is a wide range of mini-putt courses that cater to different interests and provide memorable experiences.

The experience of mini putt courses presents a fun middle ground between golf and low-risk competition. Traditional golf can be impossible to play with the exclusivity of golf courses, along with the time needed to play eighteen holes. That is just one of many reasons why mini-golf has become a popular experience. The idea of playing themed mini-putt courses gives you a chance to have golfing fun without making your entire day revolve around it. The USA has some of the wildest mini-golf courses in the world.

Mini putt is quite popular in the United States, with beloved courses nationwide. Almost every major city will have a few fun options (Myrtle Beach has many excellent mini-golf courses). They range from having unique themes to just setting up impressive courses to visually impress travelers. Find out just which locations are the absolute best in the entire country. These are the ten best mini-putt golf courses in the United States.

UPDATE: 2023/11/02 14:55 EST BY NOAH STAATS

There Are Even More Mini-Putt Courses To Try In The US!

This article has been refreshed with TWO new mini-golf courses to try, including one in Fabulous Las Vegas and the other in sunny Scottsdale, Arizona. Whether someone loves to play whenever they travel or needs something to do, the US has plenty of great options!

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14 King Putt Mini Golf In Nevada

Panorama of Las Vegas cityscape at sunset in Nevada, United States of America
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Panorama of Las Vegas cityscape at sunset in Nevada, United States of America

For those wanting to spend some family time in Paradise, Nevada, King Putt Mini-Golf is the place to be. Here, guests can enjoy the monster-themed mini-golf chain featuring a glow-in-the-dark indoor course, arcade games & a DJ. This complex also boasts jungle/ocean-themed courses that offer holes, both simple and challenging, for all skill levels of the game. Nevada is usually only known for Las Vegas and its casinos, although King Putt is a way to still have fun in Sin City with the kids or group. It's located just outside the Strip, about 20 minutes from most properties.

King Putt Mini-Golf also regularly sees revamps and changes to courses, so that makes things a bit more exciting.

  • Address: 7230 W Lake Mead Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89128-8301

There are also plenty of surprisingly free things to do in Las Vegas as well.

13 Putting World in Scottsdale, Arizona

Main Street, Scottsdale, Arizona
Visitor7CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Main Street, Scottsdale, Arizona.

The next putt-putt attraction to consider is in sunny Scottsdale, Arizona, Putting World. This indoor mini-golf center boasts 18 holes of fun, including great food, drinks, and climate-controlled play. For those who have been to AZ, it gets rather hot in the summer/fall months, so this mini-golf complex is one of the few indoor ones in Scottsdale. That alone could make it worth the trip! Moreover, Putting World is the first-of-its-kind indoor semi-private entertainment and game improvement facility focused 100% on putting. It's a can't-miss for Arizona travelers.

  • Address: 16259 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85254

Our post on planning a trip to Scottsdale, Arizona, may be helpful.

12 Walker Art Center Skyline Mini Golf In Minneapolis

 Minneapolis, Minnesota
Photo by Josh Hild on Unsplash
An aerial view of Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minnesota is home to the Walker Art Center Skyline Mini Golf with a highly impressive mini putt course. After some challenging seasons, they reopened this summer! Travelers will love how the location gives them gorgeous views of the downtown area to truly soak in the fun of putting on the ten different holes.

Walker Art Center Skyline Mini Golf has a few unique designs for the holes, including one that sees you having to get the ball past a hot dog prop. This is a fun spot in the Minnesota area for anyone hoping to spend a fun day with friends or family.

  • Address: 725 Vineland Pl, Minneapolis, MN 55403
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11 Conservation Course In The Everglades

Blue skies reflecting on the still waters of the swamps in Everglades National Park in Florida as tourists take airboat tour to see alligators in the wild
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Blue skies reflecting on the still waters of the swamps in Everglades National Park in Florida as tourists take airboat tour to see alligators in the wild

Most of the mini-putt courses on the list have a fun theme, but the Conservation Course is mostly just a great idea. There aren’t wacky hole designs to play into any theme. The names of the holes are the most interesting element in the play, as they are named after indigenous plants or animals in the Everglades National Park. But, the stunning environment travelers play through makes the course memorable.

Conservation Course is located at the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium in the West Palm Beach area of Florida. The golf course is fun on its own without a theme, but the association with the conservation focus adds another layer to make it worth seeking out.

  • Address: 4801 Dreher Trail N, West Palm Beach, FL 33405

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10 Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf In Florida

Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse playing in front of a castle with a backdrop of a cloudy sky at Orlando Walt Disney World
Photo by Igor Menezes on Unsplash
Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse playing in front of a castle with a backdrop of a cloudy sky at Orlando Walt Disney World

Disney often has their hands in every form of entertainment, given the countless brands it has under its umbrella. The Winter Summerland Miniature Golf gives Disney an in for the mini putt world with this location in a Walt Disney World park in Florida. This is a great location to include while visiting Disney World.

Various winter-themed props make up the design of each hole, with items like candy canes, snowmen, an ice castle, and a surfing Santa all in play. This is the perfect mini-putt course for families with members of all ages. Disney brings out the child in everyone, and that extends to mini golf as well.

  • Address: 1548 W Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

These are some of the cheapest Disney area hotels for travelers to consider.

9 Mini Golf At Big Cedar Lodge In Missouri

A scenic view of Branson, Missouri, USA
Shutterstock
A scenic view of Branson, Missouri, USA

The Mini Golf at Big Cedar Lodge in Branson, Missouri, provides some of the most relaxing mini-putt experiences in the United States. With nine holes, each with its own unique setup, travelers will have an incredible opportunity to test their skills here.

One of the holes that stands out the most features the golfer putting the ball into the mouth of a big Bass fish. The visual set-up of Big Cedar Lodge is already beautiful, and the mini golf experiences give it a well-deserved spot as a top-tier course in the country.

  • Address: 190 Top of the Rock Rd, Ridgedale, MO 65739

8 Duffer's Mini Golf In New Jersey

Jersey City sunset
Praneeth ThallaCC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
 
Sunset from the water overlooking Jersey City, NJ, USA

Travelers can discover Duffer's Mini Golf in New Jersey. The course has a nautical Finding Nemo theme, complete with the popular characters that travelers will be excited to see. These characters are complimented by an array of chatty pelicans, massive sharks, an octopus, and, of course, a shipwreck. At Duffer's, travelers can also enjoy their arcade, their full-service restaurant, and perhaps even a gargantuan ice cream sundae. It is a truly stunning little oasis of fun just off of the beach. It is a definite must-visit location for fans' mini golf.

  • Address: 5210 Pacific Ave., Wildwood, NJ 08260

7 The Fringe Mini Golf In Georgia

Roswell, Georgia
Shutterstock/Michael O Lowe
Old Mill Park, Roswell, Georgia

As part of a section of the popular Area 51 entertainment complex in Roswell, Georgia, The Fringe is an underrated mini golf course. Travelers will find two family-friendly 18-hole miniature golf courses. One of the courses has a pirate theme. The other showcases the area's history, including Roswell Mill and its ties to the Civil War. The mills were where the "Roswell Gray" fabric for Confederate military uniforms was made.

Some standout ones include nods to the Roswell Mill and the Civil War. All the themes play into the Roswell area of Georgia. It is meant to both give you a fun day of mini putt along with a look into the history of celebrating the area.

  • Address: 5100 Commerce Pkwy, Roswell, GA 30076

6 Shoot For The Stars Mini Golf In Missouri

Skyline city view of the fountain show on the Branson Landing in Branson, MO, Missouri, USA
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Skyline city view of the fountain show on the Branson Landing in Branson, MO, Missouri, USA

The Shoot for the Stars Mini Golf course in Missouri attempts to celebrate Hollywood with the theme in play here. This colorful course is already visually beautiful when visiting, but it does provide some themed elements to take it to the next level.

Some landmarks tied into a few holes include the Hollywood Bowl and Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. The comedy involved adds to the fun, as few golf courses do have a story in motion for the theme. You get the best of both worlds with pure golfing fun and the Hollywood dream story with Shoot for the Stars.

  • Address: 3110 W 76 Country Blvd, Branson, MO 65616
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5 Pelly's Mini Golf In Southern California

Aerial view of San Diego and Shelter Island
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Aerial view of San Diego and Shelter Island

Visitors will discover two golf courses with eighteen holes each when visiting Pelly's Mini Golf in Southern California. The first one is beloved under the name of Pelly’s Ocean Adventure, with the designs including sculptures of sea animals like dolphins, sharks, and whales.

Pelly’s Surfin’ Safari is the second course, with the holes having designs dedicated to surfing. The beautiful setup at Pelly's Mini Golf makes it one of the coolest mini putt courses in the entire country, especially if you have any love for sea animals or surfing.

  • Address: 15555 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar, CA 92014

4 Philly Mini Golf At Franklin Square

A Street View of Downtown Philadephia
Photo by Heidi Kaden on Unsplash
A picture of Downtown Philadelphia, capturing the nightlife of the city. 

Philadelphia sees its history celebrated with the Philly Mini Golf playing into the local theme. Every hole has a theme paying tribute to a different landmark in the city. Some standout ones include the Liberty Bell, Ben Franklin Bridge, and Independence Hall.

The Franklin Square location makes it ideal to spend an entire day there. Even when finished with the mini golfing, there is a carousel, and a beloved café to eat at. Philly Mini Golf is impressive enough to make everyone in other cities wish we had such a course to honor its history.

  • Address: 200 N 6th St, Philadelphia, PA 19106

3 Crave Golf Club In Tennessee

Pigeon Forge, TN
I, Brian StansberryCC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Entrance sign to Pigeon Forge, TN

Not many people would expect Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, to have the coolest mini putt course in the United States, but Crave Golf Club stands out for all the right reasons. The course features a theme of sweet treats, all designed in the most colorful of designs.

Obstacles like ice cream, candy canes, and jellybeans provide the challenge for you to golf around to put up a good score. There are actual sweets once you get the temptation, with giant chocolate bars, a milkshake bar, and many other treats offered. Crave Golf Club gives you a fun mini-putt experience with an enjoyable theme in a colorful world.

  • Address: 2925 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

2 Par-King Skill Golf In Illinois

Downtown Chicago and Navy Pier from Lake Michigan
Moses8910CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Downtown Chicago and Navy Pier from Lake Michigan

Par-King Skill Golf billets itself as the “World’s Most Unusual Golf Course.” It has a mini golf Taj Mahal, a replica of the Willis Tower, a mini Mount Rushmore, and a series of elaborate obstacles dotting its 18-hole courses. The obstacles include 19 moving obstacles and seven water holes that provide a challenging yet fun experience for novice golfers and experienced golfers alike. It has been voted one of the best in the nation, but one will need to wait for the next season. Par-King Skill Golf's next season starts in the spring (April), so plan ahead and have some good old family fun together. During the summer (from June 10th) it is open every day from 10.30 am to 10.00 pm.

  • Address: 21711 N Milwaukee Ave, Lincolnshire, IL 60069

1 Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf

Traverse City, Michigan, USA
Shutterstock / Matthew G Eddy
Traverse City, Michigan, USA

Pirate's Cove boasts some 25 family-friendly courses spread around the nation. As the name suggests, it offers a family-friendly plunge into the legendary world of 18th-century buccaneers! Go putting with the family through mountain caves, over footbridges, under cascading waterfalls, and even across a full-scale pirate ship.

It was voted the best mini golf in 2021 by Lake George and never ceases to capture the kids' pirate imaginations. Explore their world of meticulously-kept landscaping and enchanting pirate lore. Pirate's Cove was established in 1983 and has since grown and spread out across the nation with locations in many of the states.

  • Address: 1710 US-31 North, Traverse City, MI 49686