You can see kids absolutely loving it as they go round and round putting golf balls through the windmills and the spinning obstacles and all sorts of other things. It's hard to imagine that the history of mini golf goes back over 150 years. It started as a very simple putting game and has developed into one of the most popular family activities in the world. So when did mini golf actually get invented and where did it all start?
Mini golf wasn't invented by a single individual and didn't evolve into its modern form overnight. The earliest known version dates back to 1867 in St Andrews, Scotland where The Ladies' Putting Club set up a putting course on natural grass. It was in the US that the game developed into what we know as mini golf, with all sorts of gimmicks and obstacles introduced. The Thistle Dhu course (c.1916-1918) is one of the earliest examples of this and the late 1920s saw the emergence of the Tom Thumb miniature golf course. That's what eventually led to the fun, obstacle course mini golf that families play today.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Mini golf originated in Scotland over 150 years ago with a putting course for women being set up in St Andrews in 1867. That is widely regarded as one of the seminal early antecedents of modern mini golf.
- Mini golf slowly became a fun game in America. In the early 1900s you started to see little courses with all sorts of twists and turns and obstacles. It wasn't just about putting the ball in the hole any more, you had to work out how to get past all the various obstacles along the course.
- Mini golf was a huge hit. In the 1920s and 1930s you had mini golf courses popping up at amusement parks, on vacant lots and even on rooftops. It was a fun thing to do and something you could do with your friends and family.
- Mini golf today. It started life as simple putting greens but has since evolved into quite the creative proposition with courses featuring windmills, castles, waterfalls and even some glow in the dark indoor ones. The game has changed over the years but it's still very much a family favourite.
The Early Origins of Mini Golf in Scotland
To work out when mini golf was invented and where it was invented we have to go all the way back to 19th century St Andrews in Scotland. The modern form of mini golf obviously developed over a number of decades but its origins can be traced back to a putting course for women which was established in 1867. That's a key point in the history of mini golf as it shows how a simple putting course eventually evolved into the popular family pastime that it is today.
Social Expectations in the 19th Century and Women's Access to Putting Greens
In the mid 1800s upper class women in Scotland and England were very much subject to the strictures of their class and society even when they were playing sport. The long, full dresses that they wore and the general notion that a powerful over the shoulder golf swing was entirely unsuited to a woman meant that they were not really welcome in the traditional game of golf. They could only play in the form of gentle putting strokes in the 'women's' areas of the course. The desire for a space in which they could play without contravening the strict social expectations of the period led to the creation of putting courses for women.
The Ladies' Putting Club of St Andrews in 1867
The Ladies' Putting Club of St Andrews was set up in St Andrews, Scotland in September 1867 with a putting course on the natural sand dunes adjacent to the Old Course. The original course had 15 putting holes (rather than the 18 holes you'd expect to find on a golf course). By 1893 the playing area had spread out over the rolling dunes and it acquired the nickname 'The Himalayas'. The putting was up and down the dunes and it was a very significant historic golf site which is still very much alive and visited today.
Laying the Foundation for a Putting-Focused Game
The putting course at St Andrews demonstrated that golf didn't have to be all about the long drive and large expanses of land. You could have a very good game of golf with nothing but a putter, simply by being able to control distance, direction and accuracy to get the ball into the hole. That in itself was a big enough reason to go and play golf and it was that very concept which went on to inspire the development of the small golf courses in North America in the early 20th century.
Mini golf is also a fun way of introducing young kids to the fundamentals of the game. Parents can take a look at our guide on what is golf for kids to find out all about the rules of golf, the equipment and the skills that are appropriate for children of different ages.
How Mini Golf Grew in America
The next big chapter in the history of mini golf was played out in the US in the early 1900s. As designers began to experiment with smaller courses, artificial surfaces and all sorts of gimmicks and obstacles, it slowly evolved from being a very niche putting game into an affordable form of public entertainment.
The "Thistle Dhu" Course (1916–1918) and Edward H. Wiswell's Design
Between 1916 and 1918 James Barber, a transportation man, had Edward H. Wiswell, a designer, build a putting course called 'Thistle Dhu' on his Pinehurst property. This was a different kind of putting course from the earlier ones which had been built on natural grass. This one had brick paths, a whole lot of geometric features and obstacles to keep the balls from going off the course.
According to a rather well known anecdote, when Barber saw the course complete he just went "That'll do!" and that's where the name Thistle Dhu came from (a rather cheeky reference to Scotland). It's regarded as one of the early examples of a modern miniature golf course with defined fairways and obstacles.
Artificial Cottonseed Hull Surfaces and the Tom Thumb Golf Chain
As mini golf took off and more and more people started playing, the problem of maintaining natural grass became a real one as the surface would wear down so quickly. The solution to this was the development of artificial playing surfaces by people like Tom Fairbairn. These were surfaces made from crushed cottonseed hulls mixed with a binding agent and oil. They were fairly smooth, very durable and the balls would roll quite consistently on them.
Businessman Garnet Carter went on to use the improvements in course design and materials he had made at his Lookout Mountain resort (near the Georgia/Tennessee border) to develop the 'Tom Thumb Golf' concept. He filed a patent application for his course design in 1930 and was granted the patent in 1931, which in turn helped to take mini golf into the commercial and franchised arena.
The Urban Mini Golf Boom and New York Rooftop Courses in 1930
Thanks to artificial surfaces and compact designs you could build mini golf courses on vacant lots, in basements and even on the rooftops of the tall buildings. There was a real mini golf boom in New York circa 1930 with some historical accounts suggesting there were as many as 150 courses, including some on the rooftops of Manhattan.
During the Great Depression, the playing fees were just a few dozen cents so mini golf was very much an affordable form of entertainment for a lot of city folk.
The increasing popularity of mini golf also served to introduce a lot of people to the fundamentals of golf (taking turns, counting shots, respecting the other players etc). Nowadays you can teach the basics to your children through the simple game of mini golf or by using the golf rules for kids.
From Classic Putt-Putt to Modern Mini Golf Courses
The history of mini golf continued to develop in quite interesting ways in the mid 20th century with the game going down two very different paths. One was all about the putting and the competitive element, the other was all about the fun factor and introducing all sorts of creative obstacles for the whole family.
Don Clayton and the Birth of Putt-Putt in 1954
In 1954 Don Clayton set up the Putt-Putt brand in Fayetteville, NC with the intention of creating a form of mini golf that was based on skill rather than luck. The courses were fairly level, had fairly simple barriers and relatively few of the complex moving obstacles that you'd find on other courses.
Each hole was normally a par 2 so you could in theory hole the putt if you'd correctly assessed the direction and strength of your putt. Putt-Putt therefore became a very competitive form of mini-golf, requiring a great deal of concentration, accuracy and a touch of sportsmanship.
The Lomma Brothers and the Mechanical Obstacle Revolution of 1955
In 1955 the Lomma brothers (Ralph and Al) came up with Lomma Miniature Golf in Scranton, PA. They took a much more entertaining approach to course design than just having a series of putting lanes. They incorporated all sorts of mechanical features such as windmills with spinning blades, multi-level ramps and seesaw bridges which made the ball's path very difficult to predict.
These designs were a real treat for the players, particularly the kids. The Lomma brothers went a long way to popularise the concept of the brightly coloured, obstacle laden miniature golf course by producing prefabricated miniature golf holes which could be put together on site.
The Rise of Adventure Golf and 21st-Century Entertainment Technology
From the 1980s onwards, mini golf continued to evolve with Adventure Golf courses becoming increasingly popular. These were courses designed as miniature theme parks where you'd be putting through artificial waterfalls, pirate caves, dinosaur exhibits and all sorts of other realistic jungle-type environments. They were essentially an adventure in themselves and a very good way to spend a family day.
Mini golf today is also very much a technology driven sport with Blacklight Mini Golf using UV lighting to create the glow in the dark effect indoors. Some courses will have golf balls with electronic chips and automatic scoring so you don't need a scorecard at all.
From the simplest of putting greens to interactive entertainment attractions of all kinds, mini golf has continued to evolve and provide a fun and varied experience for generations of players.
How to Share the History of Mini Golf with Your Child
There's no need for any complex lessons or long-winded explanations when you're exploring the history of mini golf with kids. A simple way to turn a run of the mill mini golf session into a learning experience is to tell them a few short bits of history, point out the various bits of course that are interesting and ask questions. That's all it takes.
Turn a Round of Mini Golf into a Fun History Adventure
At the very first hole, parents can tell their children about the women in St Andrews, Scotland, who established their own putting course in 1867, more than 150 years ago. This is a great opportunity to explain that mini golf began wiWhen the family get to a windmill hole the parents can introduce the course designers of the mid 20th century who were instrumental in popularising the use of moving obstacles to make the game more difficult. The little stories that go with the holes can be a great way for the kids to discover something interesting at every hole rather than just having the one aim of getting the ball in the cup.teresting at every hole instead of focusing only on getting the ball into the cup.
Valuable Lessons from Mini Golf History
The history of mini golf offers simple lessons about creativity and adaptability. When there wasn't enough space for a full-sized golf course, people developed smaller putting courses. When natural grass became difficult to maintain, they found ways to use more durable artificial materials. Parents can use these examples to encourage children to think creatively and find solutions when facing challenges.
Mini golf also shows how sports can bring people together across different ages and skill levels. From putting courses for women in Scotland to modern family entertainment centers, the game has gradually become more accessible to everyone.
During each round, parents can also teach children to wait patiently for their turn, follow the rules, and happily congratulate other players. These positive habits help children develop sportsmanship and communication skills.
Three Fun Mini Golf History Questions for the Ride Home
After the game, parents can help their children remember what they've learned with three simple questions:
- Where was the famous women's putting course established? Answer: In St Andrews, Scotland, in 1867.
- What funny phrase inspired the name "Thistle Dhu"? Answer: "This'll do!" meaning "This is good enough!"
- When did mechanical obstacles like windmills become popular? Answer: During the mid-20th century, especially with the development of miniature golf course designs in the 1950s.
These short quizzes can help children remember historical facts naturally without feeling like they're studying. If your child becomes interested in the sport, parents can explore how to play golf for kids for guidance on basic golf skills and age-appropriate ways to play.
Conclusion
The history of mini golf shows how a simple game can grow into a beloved activity enjoyed by generations, thanks to creativity and the desire to make sports more accessible. From the early putting course in Scotland in 1867 to today's modern mini golf attractions, each stage of its development has helped create a fun experience that brings families together. The next time you take your child mini golfing, share some of these interesting stories to make your family outing even more meaningful. Don't forget to explore Swaddlean's golf collection to find cute, comfortable outfits for your little golfer.
