Mini golf may be a scaled-down version of traditional golf, but around the world, it’s been elevated into an art form. From glow-in-the-dark caves to courses inside museums, designers have reimagined the game with wild themes, epic landscapes, and unexpected twists. Here are some of the most unique mini golf courses you’ll want to add to your travel bucket list.
1. Urban Putt – San Francisco, USA
This high-tech indoor mini golf course brings a touch of Silicon Valley flair to the game. With mechanical marvels, kinetic sculptures, and a hole where your ball is literally shot out of a cannon, Urban Putt is a whimsical fusion of engineering and fun. Bonus: it’s set in a restored Victorian building with a full restaurant and bar.
2. Volcano Island Mini Golf – Florida, USA
Feel the heat at Volcano Island, where players putt through tiki huts, erupting volcanoes, and lush tropical landscapes. This course is a thrilling blend of water features and fire effects, giving it a theme-park vibe. A must for anyone visiting Florida with family.
3. Schlosspark Mini Golf – Bavaria, Germany
Set on the grounds of a 13th-century castle, this mini golf course is surrounded by historical architecture, cobblestone paths, and old-world charm. The course blends traditional mini golf design with German landscaping, offering a relaxed yet surreal atmosphere.
4. Monster Mini Golf – Various Locations, USA & Canada
Step into a blacklight nightmare (in the best way) with Monster Mini Golf. Each location has glow-in-the-dark monsters, haunted castle themes, and spooky sound effects. It’s part mini golf, part haunted house, and completely unforgettable.
5. Aloha Mini Golf – Reykjavík, Iceland
This indoor tropical-themed mini golf course offers warmth and color in contrast to Iceland’s chilly climate. Featuring a Polynesian theme, palm trees, and tiki bars, Aloha Mini Golf is an exotic escape with clever hole designs and even karaoke nights.
6. Swingers Crazy Golf – London, UK
More cocktail bar than kiddie course, Swingers combines adult nightlife with classy mini golf. Think street food, DJs, and two 9-hole courses inspired by British seaside resorts and 1920s golf clubs. It’s strictly 18+ and perfect for a quirky night out.
7. Around the World Mini Golf – Lake George, New York, USA
This legendary course features two 18-hole courses themed “Around the World” and “Around the USA.” Putt past the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, Niagara Falls, and even a life-sized New York City subway car. It’s kitschy, educational, and one of the oldest themed courses in the U.S.
8. Holey Moley – Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore
Holey Moley turns mini golf into an over-the-top party with pop culture references at every turn. Play through Simpsons-themed holes, a Game of Thrones castle, or a hole designed like the set of The Bachelor. It’s loud, bright, and absurd—in the best way.
9. Ice Golf – Greenland
Yes, this is real. While technically closer to regular golf, “ice golf” in Greenland transforms into a mini golf-like challenge as players maneuver their balls across snow drifts and frozen lakes. It’s one of the most extreme and breathtaking versions of the sport.
10. Cementland Mini Golf (Unfinished) – St. Louis, Missouri, USA
An artistic oddity, Cementland was the dream of sculptor Bob Cassilly, who intended to turn an abandoned cement factory into a surreal art-and-mini-golf park. While the project halted after his passing, it remains a cult landmark among fans of eccentric mini golf.
Final Thoughts
Mini golf isn’t just a fun pastime—it’s a creative canvas for designers and dreamers. Whether you’re dodging a fire-spewing volcano or putting under the eyes of a tiki god, each course tells a story. So next time you travel, skip the usual tourist stops and grab a putter instead.
