Jackson Reid
The sport of miniature golf, also known as mini-golf, has various names worldwide, including midget golf, crazy golf, adventure golf, and putter golf. It is a novelty golf game played with a putter on a miniature course with tunnels, bridges, sharp corners, and obstacles. While the World Minigolf Sport Federation (WMF) prefers the name minigolf, there is no consensus on whether the term mini golf should be capitalized, as long as the usage is consistent throughout a text. The sport has a rich history, with the first standardized minigolf courses emerging in the early 20th century and a national day dedicated to it in the United States.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Names | Miniature golf, mini-golf, minigolf, midget golf, goofy golf, shorties, extreme golf, crazy golf, adventure golf, mini-putt, putter golf, putt-putt |
| Governing Body | World Minigolf Sport Federation (WMF) |
| Course Features | Tunnels, bridges, sharp corners, obstacles, alleys, ramps, loops, targets, tubes |
| Holes | 18 |
| Par | 2-6 |
| Hole-in-one Rewards | Free game, discount ticket, scratch-off game card, orange ball |
| Course Materials | Concrete, short-nap outdoor carpet, metal rails, rocks, brick, smooth artificial greens |
| Course Themes | Clown, glow-in-the-dark, cosmic |
| Course Locations | Liverpool, Wirral, Southport, Tampa Bay, Rochester NY, Pinehurst NC, Lookout Mountain TN, San Rafael CA, Branson MO |
| Course Designers | Thistle Dhu, Tom Thumb, Garnet Carter, Thomas McCullough Fairbairn, American Putt-Putt company, Don Clayton |
| Course History | First standardized courses in 1916, boom in early 20th century, decline in Great Depression, resurgence with franchises like Putt-Putt |
| Tournaments | The Harris Cup, Old Hickory Imagination Library Miniature Golf Tournament, ESPN-televised Putt-Putt tournaments |
| World Record | 18 strokes on 18 holes |
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What You'll Learn
- Miniature golf is a novelty version of golf played on a miniature course
- The World Minigolf Sport Federation (WMF) prefers to use the name 'minigolf'
- Miniature golf is also known as mini-golf, crazy golf, adventure golf, and more
- Miniature golf courses often feature tunnels, bridges, sharp corners, and obstacles
- Miniature golf has been played since the early 20th century
Miniature golf is a novelty version of golf played on a miniature course
Miniature golf, also known as mini-golf, midget golf, goofy golf, shorties, extreme golf, crazy golf, adventure golf, mini-putt, putter golf, and putt-putt, is indeed a novelty version of golf played on a miniature course. The World Minigolf Sport Federation (WMF) prefers to use the name "minigolf", but the game has several names that vary across countries. Miniature golf is played with a putter and a golf ball on a miniature course featuring obstacles such as alleys, bridges, tunnels, boulders, windmills, ramps, loops, and more. The courses are usually constructed with smooth concrete covered with short-nap outdoor carpet and bordered by metal rails or extruded aluminum barriers.
The sport of miniature golf is now governed internationally by the WMF, which is headquartered in Göteborg, Sweden. Miniature golf first became accessible to the masses in the early 20th century with the emergence of geometrically shaped courses made of artificial materials. The first standardized minigolf courses to enter commercial mass production were the Thistle Dhu ("This'll Do") course in 1916 in Pinehurst, North Carolina, and the 1927 Tom Thumb patent of Garnet Carter from Lookout Mountain, Tennessee. The game was further revolutionized in 1922 by Thomas McCullough Fairbairn, a golf fanatic who formulated a suitable artificial green made from a mixture of cottonseed hulls, sand, oil, and dye.
By the late 1920s, miniature golf had spread across the United States, with over 150 rooftop courses in New York City alone and tens of thousands across the country. This American minigolf boom came to an end during the Great Depression in the late 1930s, when nearly all minigolf courses in the country were closed and demolished. However, the sport survived and thrived in the following decades, with the American company Putt-Putt building and franchising miniature golf courses worldwide.
Putt-Putt miniature golf differs from other varieties in several ways. For instance, par is consistently set at 2 for each hole, and the holes are designed so that a hole-in-one is achievable with a skillful putt. The obstacles in Putt-Putt courses are also more limited in scope, typically consisting of small hills, metal blockers, pipes, and occasionally small water hazards. In contrast, miniature golf courses can feature a wide range of obstacles, including those that move.
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The World Minigolf Sport Federation (WMF) prefers to use the name 'minigolf'
The World Minigolf Sport Federation (WMF) is the governing body for the sport of miniature golf, which is played on a miniature course with obstacles such as tunnels, bridges, and sharp corners. The WMF was established in 1993 and has its headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden. The WMF organizes World Championships and Continental Championships, and it prefers to use the name "minigolf" to refer to the sport.
The use of the name "minigolf" by the WMF is likely due to the historical connection of the sport with Sweden. The Swedish Minigolf Federation, founded in 1937, is the oldest minigolf sport organization in the world, and the earliest documented minigolf course following the norms of Paul Bongni is in Ascona, Switzerland. The term "minigolf" was also formerly a registered trademark of a Swedish company that built its own patented type of minigolf courses.
The WMF's preference for the name "minigolf" is also practical, as the sport has several other names that vary between countries, including mini-golf, midget golf, goofy golf, crazy golf, and adventure golf. Using a single, consistent name helps to unify the sport internationally and avoid confusion.
Additionally, the WMF's use of "minigolf" may be a way to distinguish the sport from similar activities that are not governed by the WMF. For example, the term "putt-putt" is sometimes used colloquially to refer to miniature golf, but it is also the trademark of an American company that builds and franchises miniature golf courses.
While the WMF prefers "minigolf," it is worth noting that there is no universal rule for capitalizing the name of the sport. Some sources may use "mini-golf," and both variations can be considered correct as long as the usage is consistent within a text or publication. Ultimately, the key is to provide clear and consistent communication about the sport, regardless of the specific capitalization of its name.
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Miniature golf is also known as mini-golf, crazy golf, adventure golf, and more
The sport of miniature golf, also known as mini-golf, is an offshoot of traditional golf that focuses solely on the putting aspect of the game. It is played on a miniature course with a putter and a golf ball, and the aim is to score the lowest number of points. Miniature golf courses usually consist of a series of 9 or 18 holes, each with its unique design and obstacles such as tunnels, bridges, and sharp corners. The sport is governed internationally by the World Minigolf Sport Federation (WMF), headquartered in Göteborg, Sweden.
Miniature golf has various other names and variations, including mini-golf, putt-putt, and crazy golf. Crazy golf is a more whimsical and eccentric variation of mini-golf, with themed courses and imaginative obstacles. It emphasizes fun and a lighthearted atmosphere, making it perfect for social and family outings. The courses often feature elaborate themes, such as pirate ships, haunted houses, or jungles with animatronic animals.
Another variation of miniature golf is adventure golf, which is similar to crazy golf in that it offers a more playful and entertaining experience. Adventure golf courses may feature unique challenges, such as a tube that propels the ball with pressurized air to a collection area or a higher elevation.
The terminology used for miniature golf can vary, and there is no consistent capitalization of the term "mini golf." Some sources may use "mini-golf," while others may prefer "mini golf." Ultimately, the key is to be consistent in your usage throughout a text, whether it is a thesis, blog post, or other form of writing.
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Miniature golf courses often feature tunnels, bridges, sharp corners, and obstacles
Miniature golf, also known as mini-golf, midget golf, crazy golf, adventure golf, and putter golf, is a novelty golf game played with a putter on a miniature course. Miniature golf courses often feature tunnels, bridges, sharp corners, and obstacles. These obstacles can include boulders, windmills, castles, wishing wells, and other moving obstacles. The courses may also have themes, such as a storybook or religious theme.
The game typically uses artificial putting surfaces such as carpet, artificial turf, or concrete, and includes a variety of obstacles and non-traditional putting lines. Miniature golf courses can vary widely in design and difficulty, with some courses designed to be extremely challenging, while others are meant to be more accessible and entertaining for players of all skill levels.
The name "Putt-Putt" is the trademark of an American company that builds and franchises miniature golf courses, emphasizing skill and player improvement. Putt-Putt courses typically have a more serious and competitive focus, with holes designed to reward skilled putting. In contrast, miniature golf courses often feature more whimsical obstacles and themes, prioritizing fun and entertainment over competition.
The capitalization of "mini golf" is not consistent across sources. Some style guides and publications may have specific rules or preferences regarding the capitalization of "mini golf" or "miniature golf." However, in general, as long as the usage is consistent within a text or publication, either "mini-golf" or "mini golf" can be considered acceptable.
In conclusion, miniature golf courses often feature tunnels, bridges, sharp corners, and a variety of obstacles, creating a fun and challenging experience for players. The design and theming of these courses can vary widely, from whimsical and entertaining to more serious and skill-focused. The capitalization of "mini golf" may vary, but consistency in usage is generally more important than a specific rule.
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Miniature golf has been played since the early 20th century
Miniature golf, also known as minigolf, putt-putt, crazy golf, and by several other names, has indeed been played since the early 20th century. The game is an offshoot of traditional golf, focusing on the putting aspect of the full game. It is played on a miniature course, usually consisting of a series of holes, often with tunnels, bridges, sharp corners, and other obstacles.
The earliest documented mention of a miniature golf course is in the 8 June 1912 edition of The Illustrated London News, which introduces a minigolf course called the Gofstacle. The first standardized miniature golf courses to enter commercial mass production were the Thistle Dhu ("This'll Do") course in 1916 in Pinehurst, North Carolina, and the 1927 Tom Thumb patent of Garnet Carter from Lookout Mountain, Tennessee.
In the late 1920s and early 1930s, there was an American minigolf boom, with over 150 rooftop courses in New York City alone and tens of thousands across the United States. The sport was also gaining popularity in Europe during this time, with one of the first documented minigolf courses in mainland Europe built in 1926 in Hamburg, Germany. The first miniature golf course in Canada was at the Maples Inn in Pointe-Claire, Quebec, which opened to the public in 1914 and added a miniature golf course in 1930.
The American minigolf boom came to an end during the Great Depression in the late 1930s, and nearly all miniature golf courses in the United States were closed and demolished. However, the sport lived on in Europe, and new courses with more obstacles, such as windmills, castles, and wishing wells, were introduced in the late 1930s. The game has continued to evolve and remains a popular pastime today, with various names used interchangeably, including mini-golf, midget golf, goofy golf, and putter golf.
As for the capitalization of "mini golf," there does not appear to be a definitive rule. Some sources use capitalized forms like "miniature golf," while others use the uncapitalized forms like "mini golf" or even "mini-golf." Ultimately, the key is to be consistent in your usage throughout a text.
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Frequently asked questions
Both are correct. While the World Minigolf Sport Federation (WMF) prefers to use the name "minigolf," the game has several other names that vary between countries, including "mini-golf," "mini golf," midget golf, goofy golf, shorties, crazy golf, and adventure golf.
The hyphenated version of the name is used to distinguish it from regular golf and emphasize that it is a novelty or miniaturized version of the sport.
The capitalized version of the name, "Mini Golf," is used to highlight the uniqueness and excitement of the game, presenting it as a brand or trademark.
Yes, some other names for the game include midnight golf, extreme golf, mini-putt, putter golf, and putt-putt.
