Mini golf is an interesting outdoor game where even grandparents can join along with parents and children. To learn how to play mini golf, you only have to pick up the right putter and the ball, then stand in the tee box and putt around any obstacles and into the hole.
In this guide, we will discuss all that beginners should know about mini golf including its rules, equipment, techniques, how to score, and safety for children.
Key Takeaways
- Follow 4 simple steps: Choose a properly sized putter and a colored ball, start in the tee area, putt the ball through obstacles, and record your strokes on the scorecard once it reaches the hole.
- Know the course and timing: Most mini golf courses have 18 holes, while some offer a shorter 9-hole round. An 18-hole game typically takes 45–60 minutes, depending on group size, course traffic, and the children’s ages.
- Understand the rules and scoring: The player with the fewest total strokes wins. Let the player farthest from the hole putt first, and check the course’s house rules for stroke limits and ball relief.
- Keep safety and family fun first: Never swing a putter above knee height, avoid running or climbing on course features, and encourage children to enjoy each shot rather than focus solely on winning.
Getting Ready for Your First Mini Golf Game
Prior to embarking on the course, some preparation can go a long way to ensure that your first mini golfing experience will be a bit smoother. The key to knowing how to play mini golf lies in having the proper equipment, understanding the course layout, and wearing comfortable clothing.
Choosing the Right Putter and Ball for Kids
When you buy a comfortable putter for a kid, it will be easier for him to regulate the ball's movement. You should allow your kid to experiment with several club lengths and find such one that can help him stand normally, release his arms, and hold the club's head in the proper way.
You shouldn't provide children with adult-size putters because they will be too large for him and he won't be able to hold the club properly.
To identify each participant's ball during the game, it is possible to select colored balls for each player. There are such colors as red, blue, yellow, and orange.
How Many Holes Are in Mini Golf?
The majority of outdoor and resort mini golf courses have 18 holes, whereas some indoor facilities as well as children’s mini golf courses have 9 holes. In case you are asking yourself how many holes in mini golf you should play, think about your family's schedule as well as how long the children will be able to remain interested.
A game consisting of 18 holes usually takes from 45 to 60 minutes for four people. But the real time will depend on the length of the course, crowds and children's age. In case you have young children with you, 9 holes can be a good start.
What to Wear and Bring for Mini Golf
Dressing comfortably in appropriate footwear will ensure that the kids are comfortable walking along the course. The best footwear to bring is either sneakers or athletic shoes with great grip so that there are fewer chances of sliding over the steps and elevated areas.
For sunny days, a hat for protection against the sun would be ideal, together with a water bottle to keep the kids hydrated between holes. Not too much equipment is required apart from what the course gives you. If you are new to this game, check our post on “What is mini golf”.
How to Play Mini Golf Step by Step
How to Play Mini Golf will be easy to master if the game is divided into four simple steps. Starting from ball placement on the tee box all the way through avoiding obstacles and finally getting that hole-in-one, every step makes things easy for beginners. Take a look at the following tips on how to master the game of mini golf.
Step 1: Beginning from the Tee Spot
The tee for each hole is always marked with either a rubber mat or two markers, and players should tee off from within this designated ground. The ball should be stationary and located on the putting surface.
In the case of the first hole, families may give the youngest player the chance to shoot the first shot to involve him or her more in the game. Check the course's mini golf rules before starting, as some venues may use slightly different procedures.
Step 2: Learning to Perform the Pendulum Putting Stroke
A controlled putting stroke allows novice players to control the ball without striking it too strongly. The player should have his feet spread apart at shoulder length and be in an easy stance beside the ball. He should focus on the ball and should aim in the desired direction.
The player should hold the club loosely and try not to snap his wrists while making a smooth back-and-forth swing similar to that of a pendulum. It is advisable for kids to use short and gentle strokes until they can learn how to vary their strength.
Step 3: Overcoming Obstacles & Bank Putts
There are many obstacles in mini golf games such as tunnels, ramps, curves, and even windmills. Before hitting the ball, look at these obstacles and choose the easiest path to the hole and the amount of force that will be necessary for this shot.
Sometimes, a ball can be hit in such a way that it will bounce off from a side wall and avoid the obstacle. Such shots are called the bank shots, and their success is determined by the angle, surface, and speed of the shot, and sometimes it is difficult for the beginners to calculate these factors, and thus, several attempts may be necessary.
If there is some kind of moving obstacle like the windmill, the player should watch the pattern of its movement and wait until the obstacle opens, and then hit the ball with the steady speed.
Step 4: Putting and Moving to Next Hole
After the ball goes into the hole, the best technique is a light stroke that guides it in. Sometimes more power does not result in good results; when the ball is near the hole, a light strike will be sufficient, but hitting the ball too hard may cause it to pass the hole.
When the ball gets into the hole, pick it up, go off the playing field, and only after that write the score. Remember that each hit counts towards your total, even if it was a miss. Write your score and proceed to the next tee box.
If there are situations when the ball gets trapped or moves out of bounds, refer to the local rules for further instructions. The same procedure must be followed at each hole so that everyone could maintain an order of play.
Mini Golf Rules and Scoring Made Simple
Knowing the mini golf rules will make it possible to score in family games, solve difficult situations, and not be confused. Although professional games are conducted under the rules established by the organization, other organizations conducting recreational mini-golf games can use different rules regarding strokes, positioning of balls, and out-of-bounds shots.
How to Keep Score in Mini Golf: A Simple Scorecard Example
In mini golf, every stroke is scored as 1 on the scorecard. Players write down all their strokes on every hole of mini golf and then count them after completing all holes. The person who scores least wins the game. For instance, if one player makes 3 strokes on three different holes, he gets a total of 9.
Moreover, some courses have an additional feature of writing par which is the total number of strokes needed to complete a hole. This helps in judging players’ performance against their opponents, but still the winner is judged on the basis of total strokes made in the game.
Official Rules vs. House Rules: What Families Should Know
The official rules of competitive mini golf games are outlined, for example, in regulations that apply to World Minigolf Sport Federation (WMF). The list includes timing, equipment and stance regulations. In the case of recreational courses, you can find the house rules where the number of strokes allowed per hole and other special rules regarding the ball can be defined. At first, the parents have to explain the existing rules of the course to their kids. To make the game easier, it is possible to discuss your own family rules where, for example, a child can repeat his or her first throw.
Stroke Limits and What to Do When a Ball Gets Stuck
The majority of mini golf courses have a limit on the number of strokes one can make while trying to sink the ball, which is normally not more than six or seven strokes. If one exceeds this limit without making a hole, he or she would have to note down the maximum number of strokes allowed and proceed further.
At times, a ball can get stuck very close to the wall or some other decoration of the course, leaving no space to place the putter. It is possible that the course allows you to move the ball a short distance away from the object so that the next shot becomes possible.
Ball Collisions and Out-of-Bounds Rules
When your ball strikes another ball that belongs to a fellow golfer, the next move is contingent upon the regulations that apply on the course. One method is to leave the rolling ball as it comes to rest while placing the other ball back to its original location.
In case the ball goes beyond the perimeter of the course and rolls into a walkway or grass, players can be required to put the ball back to where it was previously or the point from which it went out of bounds. The consequences are contingent upon the regulations of the facility. For more help with teaching children how to follow the sports regulations, check out our guide to golf rules for kids.
Fun and Safe Mini Golf Tips for Kids and Families
Mini golf is not just a game for those who can score the lowest in order to win the match. It is also the process of training kids how to behave, how to cope with their mistakes, and how to treat other people on the golf course. It takes only a couple of basic rules for kids to feel comfortable and safe on the course.
Waiting for Turns and Practicing Good Course Etiquette
Following proper course etiquette will help you all have a great time playing mini golf without feeling any kind of pressure or hindrance by each other. It is important to teach kids about waiting patiently, giving some room to others and realizing that there is a group behind you which might want to pass through.
Kids should always wait for their turn in a place which is behind the playing area while the other person plays his shot. One must wait till the ball comes to rest and then he can get ready for his own turn. It is important to keep yourself at least two or three steps away from the putting action of another person.
Handling Frustration and Keeping Mini Golf Fun
A failed shot can be upsetting, particularly for children who want to hit the ball into the hole. Besides the focus on the scorecard, it is better to appreciate smaller successes, like passing the ball through an unusual tunnel or hitting the ball more accurately. In this way, children will consider mini golf a process of learning and having fun rather than a contest.
Let your child know that even professionals can make mistakes. Tell him or her to take a deep breath, to try again, and to pay attention to what he or she should change in order to succeed in the future attempt. Do not praise him or her according to how many scores they have got compared to others. The attitude of parents will determine the attitude of children.
Essential Mini Golf Safety Rules for Kids
Mini-golf is an easy game to play, but there are some important safety rules for children to learn. Teach them how to strike the ball with the putter without swinging it too much, but rather sliding it on the ground. Do not allow kids to swing the golf club as if it was a baseball bat and raise the clubhead above knee height, which might cause an injury to people around. In addition, make sure other participants are at a safe distance from the swing path before striking the ball.
In addition, remind children not to run during the game but to walk instead and not to climb the walls, ramps or other decorative objects since they may have uneven surface and be near the hazard. For parents who want to introduce children to golf beyond mini golf, our guide on how to teach kids golf offers additional tips for building basic skills in a supportive way.
Conclusion
Learning how to play mini golf will allow the entire family to enjoy the great outdoors, learn some easy tactics, and be physically active as well. Using a good golf putter and learning some essential golfing skills and rules that correspond to the age of the kid is all that you need in order to have some easy but memorable golf sessions. Are you ready to equip your little golfer? Check out our golf baby clothes of comfortable golf clothing and accessories for the whole family!
