• January 28, 2026
  • Mini Golf,
  • Georgie

Mini golf courses in 2026 can maximise revenue and appeal by shifting from simple concepts into high-tech, experiential, and socially driven destinations. Starting a mini golf business means understanding the best way to place yourself in this expanding market.

Whether your target market is young, old, families, couples, or more, people are increasingly asking for more at their fingertips – entertainment that’s easily accessible, with maximum fun and minimal fuss.

In this blog post, we’ll be looking at our top five mini golf trend predictions and how businesses can capitalise on them to increase profits in 2026.

Five 2026 Mini Golf Trend Predictions:

1. Tech Enhanced Courses

Venues are incorporating Augmented Reality (AR), projection mapping and interactive LED to make holes more challenging and entertaining. The futuristic technology is a huge part of the entertainment that allures today’s mini golfers.

Apps are being used for automatic scoring, real-time digital leaderboards, and responsive audio-visual effects. Track scores, share them with fellow golfers, and easily share them to social media for bonus marketing!

2. Indoor Hybrids

With increasingly unpredictable weather, indoor, climate-controlled, and flexible layouts are becoming dominant. Indoor setups ensure the venue remains profitable regardless of the weather. Hot days, cold days, rainy days – it doesn’t matter if your golfers can head indoors to air conditioning, heating, and comfort. 

 

3. Family Entertainment Centres

Entertainment centres with several offerings to keep families busy are looking to mini golf as a profitable addition. Mini golf courses can also expand their offerings into full family entertainment centres.

Mini golf is great for families as it requires minimal skill, making it ideal for mixed-age groups ranging from young children to grandparents. They can all enjoy an atmosphere that’s fun but sometimes competitive. 

Also, the themes of your courses can be catered to families, with child-friendly props and decor that simultaneously engage an older audience.

4. Immersive, Artistic, and Themed Environments

People starting a mini golf business in 2026 are creating highly themed, Instagram-worthy, and artistic, mind-bending experiences. Mini golf courses can be blended with props to turn them into pop culture or history immersive experiences, art galleries, cinemas, or out-there settings like spaceships. Specialised lighting and sound effects add to the engagement of the experience. 

 

5. Food and Beverage Options

Venues are pairing mini golf with food options for a full night or day out experience – the idea is they never have to leave, because all they need is easy to access. Sometimes called ‘eatertainment’, this mix of a meal, a drink, and an activity appeals to all age groups. Add QR code menus and online ordering for a high-tech instant gratification touch.

 

How Can Mini Golf Courses Capitalise on these Trends?

Upgrading a mini golf course for the best profits in 2026 is about high-impact, low-cost improvements to tap into the trends we discussed above.

Strategic, modular, or phased renovations will allow you to modernise your business to meet these new demands without ever having to close. Complete mini golf construction is possible but not the only option. There are great ways to start moving into the new year!

Some ways to start upgrading to meet the tech and amenity-based 2026 trends include:

  • Online Booking/Self-Service: Add online booking systems and, if possible, self-service check-in kiosks. This reduces staffing needs during slower periods. 
  • Native Plants & Solar Lights: Integrate drought-tolerant native plants and solar-powered lights. This reduces water and energy costs while appealing to environmentally conscious, modern consumers. 
  • Partnerships (F&B): Instead of building a full kitchen, partner with local food trucks or set up a small snack kiosk to increase revenue.
  • LED Lighting: Install vibrant, colour-changing LED lighting to transform the atmosphere, making the course more attractive for evening play and enhancing aesthetics.
  • Social Media Photo Ops: Create Instagram or TikTok worthy moments by adding specific, themed, or visually interesting props to certain holes that encourage social sharing. 

Contact us at Mini Golf Creations

There are so many great ways to upgrade your mini golf course to meet 2026 trends by playing with mini golf course layout ideas. This encourages new customers to visit, boosts repeat visits, and creates free marketing by making your business social media shareable.

If you want to build a mini golf course or upgrade your existing one, talk to the global experts at Mini Golf Creations. Call us now.