A Beginner’s Guide to Your First Mini Golf Game

What Is Mini Golf?

Mini golf is an accessible version of golf, so there are some similarities between golf and mini golf, including the following:

• How to play: In both golf and mini golf, you hit a golf ball into the hole with a club.
• Objective: The goal in golf and mini golf is to use the fewest shots to get the ball into the hole.
• Hazards: Both golf and mini golf holes have hazards — obstacles — that make it harder to get the ball into the hole.  

Some differences between mini golf and its predecessor:

• Mini golf is affordable: Golfers tend to buy a lot of equipment, including golf clubs, tees, shoes, and balls. For mini golf, putters are provided, and you don’t need any special equipment to play!
• Mini golf is fun: Mini golf courses typically have themes in mind, with interesting designs at each hole to pique players’ interest.
• Mini golf is shorter: It can take four golfers almost four hours to play 18 holes. Depending on the number of players, playing 18 holes of mini golf only takes around 45 minutes. 

The best part? You don’t need any prior experience to enjoy a game of mini golf. 

What To Expect on Your First Visit

The setup makes it easy for beginners to learn how to play mini golf.

• When you arrive and pay, you’ll select a putter. Pick one that’s tall enough for you to swing comfortably, without bending over too far.
• Players will then select balls in different colors to make it easy to identify which player each ball belongs to.
• The course starts with hole # 1. Signs point you to the next hole, making it easy to follow the course through the 18 holes. 

Basic Rules and How To Play

There are a few basic mini golf rules for beginners that you should know:

• Every player takes their first shot from the tee area.
• After everyone’s taken their first shot, the player who goes next is the one whose ball is closest to the hole. 
• Players get a one-stroke penalty if their ball goes out of bounds. 
• Out-of-bounds balls are placed back on the course at the closest point on the course to where they went out of bounds.
• Players have six shots per hole.
• The number of shots each player takes per hole is added up at the end of the game. The player with the fewest shots wins.

Beginner Tips 

Hold the putter lightly with your dominant hand on the grip. Your other hand should be above your dominant hand. The putter’s shaft should line up with your arms, and your feet should be about a foot apart. 

Stand behind the ball and study the direction you plan to shoot it. Look for dips and hills in the course that could affect the ball and alter its course. Direct the ball into obstacles to change its angle and navigate bends. When you’re ready, stand at a 90-degree angle to the target you’re aiming at. 

Although the goal is to use the fewest shots possible, you don’t have to keep score. Some players play against themselves, aiming to beat their last score, rather than worrying about other players’ performances.