Jackson Reid
In golf, to putt is to hit a ball softly with a club, usually when you are close to the hole. Golfers use a special club called a putter when they are ready to putt. The term putt is also used in the context of mini golf, also known as putt-putt, which is a fun version of golf that can be played on smaller courses or rooftops. The main goal of mini golf and putt-putt is to get the ball into the hole in as few hits or strokes as possible.
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What You'll Learn
Putt-putt vs. mini golf
The terms "mini golf" and "putt-putt" are often used interchangeably to refer to small-scale golf courses. While the aim of both is the same, they are fundamentally two different games. Mini golf is a miniaturised version of regular golf, with similar features such as holes, flags, water hazards, sand traps, and terrain obstacles. It is played with a putter for every stroke due to the confined space. Mini golf is designed to be accessible and fun for all ages, with a small layout that is easy to navigate. The courses can be themed and have entertaining decor, with holes that tend to be straightforward.
Putt-putt golf, on the other hand, is a less traditional branch of golf. It is often considered more appropriate for competition due to the skill level required. Putt-putt courses tend to be simpler than mini golf courses, with obstacles like metal rails, pipes, or small hills, and holes that can usually be completed in one or two putts. They can be themed, but the themes do not come into play, and the courses are often more gimmick-filled and focused on the novelty of the obstacles. Putt-putt has a maximum par of two for each hole, whereas mini golf can have a par of two to six. In terms of gameplay, in mini golf, all players take their first stroke, and then the player furthest from the hole takes the second putt, as in regular golf. In putt-putt, a player must complete the hole before the next player can start, and there is no overarching theme to the course.
The name "Putt-Putt" is the trademark of an American company that builds and franchises miniature golf courses, with a focus on treating mini golf seriously and emphasising skill improvement. The Putt-Putt brand was invented by Don Clayton in the 1950s, and by the late 1950s, the company was exporting its courses worldwide. The name "Putt-Putt" is also associated with a chain of family amusement centres, known for their particular brand of miniature golf.
In summary, while mini golf and putt-putt share similarities and the names are often used interchangeably, there are distinct differences between the two. Mini golf is a miniaturised version of regular golf, designed to be accessible to players of all ages and skill levels, with a variety of themed courses and holes that offer a range of challenges. Putt-putt, on the other hand, is a less traditional form of golf, often considered more suitable for competition, with simpler courses, a focus on gimmicks and novelty obstacles, and a standardised set of rules.
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How to count putts
To putt is to hit a golf ball softly with a club, usually when you're close to the hole. Golfers use a special club called a putter when they are ready to putt.
There are different ways to count putts, and the Rules of Golf do not specify a method. In USGA Championships, a player's first putt is counted once they have made a stroke from the putting green, and all subsequent strokes are counted as putts. Some people count only strokes from the actual green, while others count any shot with a putter or fringe putts.
A common way to evaluate a player's putting performance is to use the Putts-Per-Round (PPR) statistic, which simply involves adding up the number of putts for 18 holes of golf. This provides a basic barometer of effectiveness on the greens and can be compared to the average number of putts for every level of golfer. However, this method counts every putt as the same, regardless of the distance.
To address this limitation, a more nuanced metric called "Putts-Per-Round GIR" (Greens in Regulation) has been created. This method only considers how a player putted when they actually got on the green in regulation, taking into account the effect of missing greens and chipping the ball close to the hole. Another statistic called "Strokes Gained: Putting" compares the number of putts a golfer takes to the PGA Tour average from the same distance, recognizing that longer putts are more challenging.
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Putt-putt history
Miniature golf, also known as minigolf, putt-putt, crazy golf, and shorties, is an offshoot of golf that focuses on the putting aspect of the game. The aim is to score the lowest number of points on a course consisting of a series of holes, usually a multiple of nine. Putt-putt golf is played on shorter courses, usually within 10 meters from tee to cup. The game uses artificial putting surfaces, such as carpet, artificial turf, or concrete, and often features obstacles such as tunnels, tubes, ramps, and walls.
The origins of miniature golf are unclear, but it is believed to have emerged in the early 20th century. The earliest documented mention of a miniature golf course was in the June 8, 1912 edition of The Illustrated London News, which introduced a course called the Gofstacle. Another early course was created by James Well Barber in his backyard. The first recorded game of mini golf took place in Scotland, and the first American mini-golf course opened in Pinehurst, North Carolina, in 1961.
In the 1950s, Don Clayton invented the Putt-Putt brand, with a focus on treating minigolf as a serious skill-based game. Putt-Putt courses featured 2-par holes involving ramps or angled blocks that could be mastered through practice. The company franchised its miniature golf courses in the 1950s, and the brand quickly spread across the United States and internationally. By the late 1950s, almost all supply catalogs carried Putt-Putt obstacles. Today, the Putt-Putt Fun Centers offer a range of attractions in addition to miniature golf, including go-karts, bumper boats, and laser tag.
Putt-putt golf has become a popular pastime for people of all ages, offering a fun and affordable entertainment option for families. The game has also given rise to competitive organizations such as the Professional Putters Association (PPA), which has awarded over $8 million in prize money to some of the best putters in the world. The sport of miniature golf is now governed internationally by the World Minigolf Sport Federation (WMF), which is headquartered in Sweden.
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Mini golf obstacles
To putt is to hit a golf ball gently with a club, usually when you are close to the hole. Golfers use a special club called a putter when they are ready to putt. Miniature golf often features specific obstacles on holes along with theme elements to add visual appeal and enhance the game experience. Obstacles can be custom-made to match the theme and colours of your course. For example, standard geometric shape obstacles are made in a variety of colours using HDPE (faux lumber) or heavy-duty power-coated aluminium for the ball to bounce off or around. AGS Golf and Sports offers several faux wood obstacle packages for their Mini-Links courses, as well as a variety of specialty obstacles made from powder-coated aluminium.
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What club to putt with
When it comes to putting in golf, there are a few things to consider when choosing the right club. Putting is typically done when you are close to the hole, and it involves hitting the ball softly to make it roll into or near the hole. The club used for putting is called a putter, and it is specifically designed for this purpose.
The putter is a crucial club in any golfer's bag, and it is often tailored to the player's preferences. Putters come in various styles, with different lengths, grips, and head shapes. Some putters have a straight shaft, while others may have a slight bend or "offset" near the head. The choice of putter can depend on factors such as the player's height, their stance when putting, and their personal comfort and confidence with the club.
While the putter is the traditional and most commonly used club for putting, it is not the only option. In certain situations, golfers may choose to use other clubs for their shot around the green. This is known as "chipping" and is usually done when the ball is further away from the hole or when there is an obstacle between the ball and the hole. Chipping requires a slightly different technique and swing compared to putting, and golfers may use a variety of clubs such as a pitching wedge, sand wedge, or even a 7-iron, depending on the distance and the desired trajectory of the shot.
However, it is important to note that the rules and etiquette of golf consider any stroke made with a putter as a putt, regardless of where it is hit from. This distinction is made to standardize the way putts are counted during a round of golf and to help calculate statistics and performance metrics. Therefore, if a golfer uses a putter for a shot that is not on the putting green, it is still considered a putt according to the rules of the game.
Ultimately, the choice of club for putting depends on a combination of factors, including the distance to the hole, the lie of the ball, and the golfer's skill and comfort with different clubs. While the putter is the traditional and most precise option for short distances, golfers may opt for other clubs when faced with unique challenges or when playing on different types of courses. Practicing with a variety of clubs and understanding their capabilities can help golfers make informed decisions on the course and improve their overall performance.
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Frequently asked questions
A putt is a golf stroke made on a putting green to cause the ball to roll into or near the hole.
To putt is the action of hitting a golf ball softly with a club, usually when you're close to the hole. The club used to putt is called a putter.
A chip is a type of shot that is played with a more lofted club than a putter and is used to get the ball onto the green from the fringe or rough around the green. A putt is a shot that is played with a putter on the green with the intention of rolling the ball into the hole.
Putt-putt golf is a fun version of mini golf. The name comes from an actual place in Fayetteville, NC, named the Putt-Putt Fun Center, which was founded in 1954. The owner, Don Clayton, copyrighted the name and worked to brand all of his courses and centers with high-quality standards. Putt-putt golf courses typically have very minimal, basic obstacles such as small hills or sandpits.
There is no definitive rule on how to count putts. In USGA Championships, a player has made their first putt once they have made a stroke from the putting green, and all subsequent strokes are counted as putts. It is up to the committee in charge of the event to determine how putts will be counted.
