Golf Glossary
Minigolf (Putt Course)
In short
Minigolf is a form of golf in which you use one club, usually a putter, to play a small ball over short courses with obstacles into the hole. The player with the fewest strokes wins. Minigolf needs no previous experience, suits all age groups and is for many people their first contact with the game of golf.
Minigolf: what it is and how it works
In minigolf you play a round of usually 18 holes. On each hole the ball sits on a starting area, and the target is a hole at the other end. The course is usually only a few metres long. In between there are obstacles such as hills, ramps, tunnels, tubes, walls or turning windmills.
You play with a single club. This is usually a putter, which at leisure venues is normally handed out at the entrance. The balls are usually made of plastic or rubber and are often coloured so that each player recognises their own.
Play is in turn. Whoever has reached the hole writes the number of strokes on the scorecard. At the end of the round all holes are added up. The player with the fewest strokes wins. A hole in one means the ball is in the hole with the first stroke. This happens more often on simple holes than on holes with obstacles.
Minigolf can be explained to a beginner in a few minutes. That is exactly its charm: everybody can play together, including children, parents and grandparents.
Course systems: concrete, Eternit, felt and leisure courses
In minigolf there are two worlds: leisure venues and sport venues.
At leisure venues the courses are designed in different ways. There are fixed obstacles, themed holes and artificial turf or concrete as the surface. The rules depend on the operator and are usually displayed at the entrance or on the scorecard.
The sport has standardised course systems. The World Minigolf Sport Federation (WMF) recognises four types: concrete, Eternit, felt and the Minigolf Open Standard. Standardised courses are built the same way everywhere at tournaments. Tournament players there often bring a whole selection of balls that differ in hardness and bounce. According to commonly quoted figures concrete lanes are about twelve metres long and a little over a metre wide, with a fixed sequence of obstacles.
For beginners the difference matters if they enter a tournament. For an afternoon with the family it makes no difference. The advice is to read the rules of the venue before you start. Balls and clubs belong to the operator, and the house rules may include waiting times, a maximum number of strokes and weather rules.
Rules and scoring in minigolf
There are a few basic rules for scoring that are similar at most venues:
- Every player starts from the starting area. The group agrees the order, which usually stays the same throughout the round.
- Every stroke counts one point. This also applies if you miss the ball.
- The ball is played from where it comes to rest. If it leaves the course, it is replaced at the spot the venue rules provide for. Usually that is the point where it left the course.
- After a maximum number of strokes the hole is stopped. In competitive minigolf this is six strokes, and the hole is then scored as seven points. At leisure venues the maximum is usually displayed at the entrance, often also six.
- Whoever finishes first enters the score and the group moves to the next hole together.
One principle of etiquette applies in minigolf: wait until the group in front has left the hole, and keep play moving. At many venues the next players are already waiting.
Origin: from putting course to leisure fun
The history of minigolf cannot be pinned to a single date. A precursor often mentioned is the putting course The Himalayas in St Andrews, laid out in 1867 for the local ladies club. Only putting was played there, but it already had small hills on the green.
The first standardised courses for the mass market are generally considered to be American, from the early 20th century. Mentioned are the Thistle Dhu course of 1916 in Pinehurst, North Carolina, and the patent application for Tom Thumb Golf by Garnet Carter in 1927. Carter built his courses with fairy-tale figures and artificial obstacles. In the years that followed thousands of courses sprang up in the United States.
In Europe the sport developed differently. According to the usual accounts the first standardised course with concrete lanes was built in 1954 in Ascona, Switzerland. The first German course followed in 1955 in Traben-Trarbach, and the first European championship in 1959. Since then minigolf in Germany has been both a leisure pastime and an organised sport with tournaments.
Minigolf and golf: similarities and differences
Minigolf and golf share the idea and the scoring: a ball is to go into the hole in as few strokes as possible. But almost everything else is different.
- Clubs: in minigolf you play with one putter, in golf with up to 14 clubs.
- Length: a minigolf hole measures a few metres, a golf hole several hundred.
- Terrain: minigolf has fixed lanes with artificial obstacles. Golf is played on a course with fairway, rough, bunkers and water.
- Scoring: in minigolf the total number of strokes counts. In golf it is compared with the par of the hole, with terms such as birdie or bogey.
- Entry requirement: minigolf needs no previous experience. For a normal golf course in Germany the Platzreife is usually required.
Minigolf is therefore a good first contact. Anyone who plays it practises putting without noticing: feel for distance, reading a line and a calm stroke. That helps later on the green. For beginners, though, minigolf does not replace a golf course. The full swing with irons and woods is only learnt on the driving range and in lessons.
Tips for better minigolf rounds
A few principles will improve your game straight away:
- Try a ball before you play. This gives you a feel for speed and roll.
- Play at an even speed. The club swings like a pendulum, without a jerk. Strokes that are too hard jump out of the lane.
- Use the walls. Many holes can be played more safely off a wall than directly.
- Study the line to the hole carefully before the stroke. During the stroke itself keep your eyes on the ball.
- With obstacles that have time windows, such as windmills, wait for the right moment.
- Stay calm. Keep your head down until the ball has gone.
For families: let children keep the score. That turns the game into a small maths exercise too. A hole in one becomes a moment of success, a botched stroke a story for the evening.
Playing minigolf: routine, etiquette and weather
A visit to a minigolf venue usually follows the same routine. You check in, receive clubs, balls and a scorecard and go to the first hole. Groups of up to four people are usual. Larger groups split up.
Etiquette includes a few points: stay behind the player who is currently playing. Do not step onto the lane while somebody is playing. Play briskly so that following groups do not wait. Do not leave clubs and balls lying on the lane.
The weather plays a part. Wet lanes change how the ball rolls, and outdoor venues close during thunderstorms. Check the current opening times of the venue before you go.
If you are looking for minigolf near you, in Hamburg or elsewhere, check the opening times, weather rules and group sizes of the venue before you go. This saves waiting in front of closed gates.
Try it at Golf Lounge
You can play minigolf at Golf Lounge Resort Hamburg in Hamburg-Moorfleet on the 9-hole putt course, the Blue Course. It offers nine short holes with manageable distances and clear lines, for all age groups and up to four people per booking. Clubs are provided, and you need neither previous experience nor the Platzreife. The putt course also stays open in winter. If you want more golf afterwards: the 6-hole short course, the Red Course, can be played without the Platzreife.
Frequently asked questions
What is minigolf?
Minigolf is a form of golf with short courses and artificial obstacles. You play with one club, usually a putter, and want to get the ball into the hole in as few strokes as possible. A round usually consists of 18 holes. The player with the fewest strokes overall wins.
How many strokes may you take per hole in minigolf?
In competitive minigolf the limit is six strokes per hole. The hole is then scored as seven points. At leisure venues the operator sets the maximum, often also six. The rule is posted at the entrance or printed on the scorecard.
How does minigolf differ from golf?
In minigolf you play with a putter on short fixed lanes with obstacles. Golf is played with several clubs on a large course. In minigolf the total number of strokes counts, in golf the comparison with par. For minigolf you need no previous experience and no Platzreife.
What is a putt course?
A putt course is a facility for putting, that is, playing short strokes into the hole. The term is also used as a name for minigolf venues. Short holes, manageable distances and clear lines are typical. It suits beginners and all age groups.
From what age can you play minigolf?
There is no fixed age limit. Children can play once they can hold the club securely and get the ball moving towards the hole. Young children should be accompanied by adults. At some venues shorter clubs provided by the operator help.
As of: October 2026