How Do You Play Mini Golf?

May 21, 2021
Mini Golf,
Geoff Bennell

So how do you play Mini Golf? Mini golf is a fantastic game for anyone looking for a good time; it requires just a little bit of skill and invites laughter and encouragement between friends and family. The goal is the same as that of regular golf; to complete a hole with as few strokes as possible.

High quality mini golf courses are just like a real golf course that’s been shrunk down in size. They have different levels of terrain, landscaping, obstacles and even water features. Below is our step by step starter’s guide on how to play mini golf, with some bonus helpful tips along the way!

How To Play Mini Golf

The first step is to select a golf ball and putter. If you have any experience with golf, you’ll know that there are different types of clubs; however in mini golf the only one used is a putter due to the short range nature of the course. Putters are the most varied of all the golf clubs, but the most important thing to know as a beginner is that the putter you select should come up to your hip or waist.

Next, you’ll decide who in your group is going to first. The first putter will place their ball in the designated position and take their hit, then the second and so on until everyone has completed their first stroke.

Now, the player whose ball is furthest from the hole has another five strokes to attempt to sink their golf ball. Then you move on to the person second furthest from the hole and so on. Once every person has completed six strokes or sunk their ball, make sure to record everyone’s score before progressing to the next hole.

How to hit the ball

To begin with, assess the terrain and layout of the hole before you make your shot. Look at the angles, different levels and any obstacles that will affect the trajectory of your ball.

When you step up to take your hit, position your feet on either side of the golf ball, so that your feet and the ball make a triangle shape. Next, grip the putter in your dominant hand and place your non-dominant hand slightly below it.

Make sure you have lined up your shot and are going to hit it in the direction you want the ball to go. If you need to adjust the angle of your body, now is the time to do so.

As you are hitting with a putter, you should use a putting stroke, which means the swing should stay below your waist. Hit the ball with a firm but controlled stroke. It can be difficult initially to judge how much force you need the hit the ball with; too little and it won’t go far enough, too much and it will bounce out of bounds. Once you’ve completed your first stroke, you’ll have a baseline that you can use to inform your subsequent hits.

Obstacles and Angles

Another important thing in mini golf is to play the course.

Mini golf courses are often designed with well-thought out obstacles and the involvement of many angles. Use these to your advantage; for example, you can use a downward slope to increase the momentum of your ball, or hit your ball so that it bounces off an obstacle or edge to change its direction and maneuver it around a corner.

Short Puts

Our last tip is to commit to your short putts. Once you have gotten your ball close to the hole, the stroke you’ll need to use is known as a short putt. More often than not, in mini golf courses, these are straight putts with no break or obstacles in the way.

The key to successful short putts is to line up your shot accurately and then be decisive about your stroke. You’ll need to hit the ball smoothly to ensure that it stays straight, with enough force to make it into the hole, but no so much that it skips over the top. After a few tries, you’ll be a pro in no time!

We hope this blog has given you some insight into how to play mini golf and the confidence to enjoy this brilliant game!