Mini golf is a fun outing that the whole family is sure to enjoy but many people probably never think too much about which name they call it, but did you know that there actually is a difference?
Related Blog: How Do You Play Mini Golf?
What Is ‘Putt-Putt’?
Putt-putt is a fun version of mini golf that has a little different history. Its name was actually trademarked and popularized as a form of mini golf. Putt-Putt however, had some slightly different quirks than regular mini golf.
Where Did The Name Putt-Putt Come From?
The name Putt-Putt 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 toward branding all of his courses and centers with high-quality standards that they still continue today.
How Do You Play Putt-Putt?
While it has a different name, Putt-Putt is generally played the same as mini golf, or regular golf for that matter. The main goal is to get the tiny ball into the hole in as few hits as possible.
What Is ‘Mini Golf’?
Mini golf is the game that literally comes from a smaller version of golf. Instead of going out to the green, needing a golf cart rental, and being sweaty for hours, you can play a round of mini golf in as little or as much time as you want! Plus, you can bring the whole family to this golf game!
The History of the Name ‘Mini Golf’
There are several varied accounts of the history of mini golf, but it seems that the first recorded game was in 1912. Back in 1917, before mini golf was called mini golf, the first dedicated course was established and quickly grew in popularity.
People without backyards or enough space were eager to play but had to get creative with their course setup. It became more and more common to build golf courses in small outdoor spaces like rooftops, eventually leading to the emergence of the name ‘mini golf’!
How Do You Play Mini Golf?
Mini golf is very similar to a regular game of golf and Putt-Putt in that the primary goal is to get your ball into the hole with as few strokes of your putter as possible. It also favors regular golf in that there are different goals, or pars, for each hole in the game.
When you’re playing mini golf, the par score for each hole can range from 2 to 6, but in Putt-Putt, each hole has a maximum par of 2. This means that sometimes you only have two strokes, while other times you have six. The key to winning is having the lowest number of strokes at the end of the game in your group.
Putt-Putt v.s. Mini Golf: What’s The Difference?
While both games have similarities and are both technically miniature versions of golf, they have some clear differences.
Course Obstacles
Mini golf courses usually have more obstacles, making the course more challenging. Putt-Putt courses usually have very minimal, basic obstacles such as small hills or sandpits. Where mini golf courses have every type of obstacle imaginable, including water features, life-sized statues, and all kinds of waves and dips.
Themes
With their varied obstacles, this means another key difference is that mini golf courses usually all have individual themes. Typically, each course will have a fun theme that they will center all the obstacles around, which creates added fun for everyone!
You will feel like you've stepped into a new world with all the fun themes at your mini golf course. Putt-Putt courses typically keep their courses minimal and more similar to a regular golf course green, so you're not likely to see a tyrannosaurus or aliens at the Putt-Putt course!
These days, though, the names are interchangeable and both represent the beautiful game of putting that families across the world love.
If your family is looking to have a friendly competition of mini golf, Smugglers Cove has five locations in Florida, each with its own fun theme for you to enjoy. Check us out at one or all of our locations and brush up on your mini golf skills today!
