How To Play Mini Golf: Rules, Scoring & Pro Tips

Stepping onto a mini golf course for the first time can feel like entering a whimsical new world, but figuring out the rules, scoring, and strategy can be a little confusing. Are you supposed to finish the whole hole before your friend goes? What happens if your ball lands in that little blue river? This guide is designed to take you from a complete beginner to a confident player, covering everything you need to know about how to play mini golf.

To play mini golf, you use a putter to hit a colored ball from a starting tee area into a hole, navigating various obstacles. The player who completes the entire course with the fewest total hits, or strokes, is the winner.

Leveraging a detailed analysis of established mini golf rules and expert strategies, this guide unpacks the entire game into simple, easy-to-follow steps. We’ll cover the essential equipment, the official rules of play, how to keep score like a pro, and five simple tips that will dramatically improve your game. Get ready to sink that winning putt.

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What is Mini Golf? A Beginner’s Introduction

Mini golf, also known as putt-putt or miniature golf, is a scaled-down version of golf that almost anyone can enjoy. Ever wondered what makes this game a favorite for family outings and casual dates? Instead of sprawling fairways and different clubs, the game focuses entirely on the art of putting. The objective is simple: get your golf ball from the starting point into the hole in as few hits—or “strokes”—as possible. What truly defines the experience is the creative and often challenging course, filled with unique obstacles, twists, turns, and themes that make every hole a new adventure.

It’s less about athletic power and more about precision and a bit of creative problem-solving. Think of it as a fun puzzle you solve with a club and ball. The core characteristics that make mini golf so popular include:

Scaled-down version of golf: It takes the most accessible part of golf—putting—and makes it the entire game.
Focuses only on putting: You only need one club, the “putter,” to play the whole game.
Features creative obstacles and themes: From windmills and castles to water hazards and tricky ramps, no two courses are exactly alike.
Accessible for all ages and skill levels: It’s a perfect activity for kids, adults, and seniors, requiring no prior experience to have fun.

The Essential Equipment for a Game of Mini Golf

One of the best things about deciding to play mini golf is that you don’t need to own any special gear. The course provides everything you need to get started. When you arrive, you’ll be handed three simple items that are essential for your game.

Pro Tip: When you pick your putter, stand it next to you. If it comes up to about your waist, you’ve found a good fit for better control!

Here’s a quick breakdown of the equipment and why each piece is important:

Equipment	Purpose & Key Detail
Putter	The only club used; choose one that reaches your waist for better control.
Colored Golf Ball	Brightly colored to easily distinguish your ball from other players’.
Scorecard & Pencil	Used to record the number of strokes each player takes per hole.

How to Play Mini Golf: The Core Rules Explained

While mini golf is a casual game, knowing the fundamental rules helps keep things fair, fun, and moving smoothly for everyone on the course. The gameplay sequence is straightforward, ensuring everyone gets a chance to play without confusion. Ever had a friendly debate about whose turn it is? Here’s the official way it’s done.

The game is typically played in groups of up to four people on a course with 9 or 18 holes. Here is the standard flow of play for each hole:

Tee Off: Every player takes their first shot from the designated tee area at the start of the hole. The order can be decided amongst yourselves.
Determine the Next Player: After everyone has hit their ball once, the player whose ball is the farthest from the hole takes the next shot.
Continue Play: This “farthest-from-the-hole” sequence continues until every player has successfully putted their ball into the hole.
Record Scores: Once a player finishes a hole, they count up their total strokes for that hole and write the number down on the scorecard next to their name.
Move to the Next Hole: After everyone in the group has completed the hole and recorded their scores, the group moves on to the next hole together.

Most courses enforce a stroke limit per hole, typically five to seven shots, to keep the game moving. If you reach this limit, you simply record the maximum score and move on.

There are also specific rules for common situations like your ball going off the course.

If your ball goes out-of-bounds (e.g., into a water feature or off the green), you receive a one-stroke penalty. You then place your ball back on the course where it went out and continue playing.

Starting the Game: Teeing Off

The beginning of a mini golf game is simple and sets the stage for the fun ahead. This is the easy part: simply pick a color that brings you luck! Here’s how to get started on the very first hole:

Pick your favorite colored ball. Each player in your group should choose a different color. This is incredibly important because it allows everyone to easily identify their ball throughout the game.
Go to the first hole’s tee area. This is the designated starting mat or marked-off area where you’ll take your very first putt of the game.
Decide who will putt first. You can let the youngest player go first, the oldest, or simply decide in any fair way. Once the order is set for the first hole, you can rotate who tees off first on subsequent holes.

The Golden Rule of Turns: Who Hits Next?

After everyone has taken their first shot from the tee, the most common point of confusion is who should hit their ball next. While casual games sometimes have their own “house rules,” there is a standard etiquette that most players follow to ensure the game flows smoothly and fairly.

Quick Fact: Playing ‘farthest from the hole’ first is not just tradition; it helps prevent players’ balls from colliding!

Here are the two common methods for taking turns:

✅ Standard Rule: The player whose ball is the farthest away from the hole always putts next. This is the most widely accepted rule in both mini golf and traditional golf. It’s efficient and reduces the chances of one player’s ball interfering with another’s.
🔵 Casual Variation: Sometimes, especially in very casual family games, one player might complete the entire hole before the next person even starts. While this is less common, it can be a simpler way for very young children to play. The standard rule, however, is the preferred method.

Out-of-Bounds and Stroke Limits

Don’t worry, everyone’s ball goes for a swim sometimes. Here’s how to handle it like a pro. Two key rules exist to handle tricky situations and keep the game from slowing down: what to do when your ball leaves the playing area, and what to do when a hole is just too difficult.

The Out-of-Bounds Rule

If your shot sends your ball off the green, into a water hazard, or anywhere outside the designated playing boundaries, it is considered “out-of-bounds.” Here’s the simple procedure:

Add a penalty stroke to your score for that hole. So, if that was your second hit, you now count it as three.
Place your ball back on the course at the point where it went out. From there, you take your next shot.

The Stroke Limit Rule

Some holes are designed to be very challenging! To prevent frustration and long delays, nearly every mini golf course has a stroke limit. This is the maximum number of shots you can take on a single hole.

This limit is usually 5, 6, or 7 strokes and will typically be posted on the sign at the start of each hole. If you hit the ball that many times and it still hasn’t gone in, you simply pick up your ball, record the maximum score (e.g., a “7”) on your scorecard, and move on to the next hole with your group.

How to Keep Score and Win the Game

Scoring in mini golf is incredibly simple, but it has one key difference from many other games that can trip up new players. It’s simple: just like in regular golf, the goal is to have the lowest score. Every swing counts!

The entire game revolves around counting “strokes.” A stroke is simply one hit of the golf ball with your putter. To determine the winner, follow this foolproof, four-step process:

Count each hit as one stroke. From your first tee shot to your final putt that sinks the ball into the cup, every time you swing and make contact with the ball, you count it as one stroke.
Write the total strokes for each hole on the scorecard. After you complete a hole, write down the number of strokes it took you in the corresponding box next to your name.
At the end, add up the scores from all holes. Once your group has played all 9 or 18 holes, sum up all the numbers in your column to get your final score.
The player with the lowest total score is the winner! This is the crucial part—unlike bowling or basketball, in mini golf, you want the smallest number. A lower score means you were more efficient and completed the course in fewer strokes.

5 Pro Tips to Improve Your Score (And Have More Fun)

Ready to shave a few strokes off your score? While mini golf is all about having a good time, using a little bit of strategy can make the game even more satisfying. These five simple tricks can make a huge difference, helping you navigate tricky obstacles and sink more putts.

These tips are used by seasoned players to get a competitive edge, but they are easy enough for any beginner to learn and apply on their very first game.

1. Master Your Stance and Grip

This might be the single most important tip for immediate improvement. Before you even swing, your setup determines how much control you’ll have over the putt. Positioning is key. A solid, balanced stance is the foundation of a good shot, preventing wobbly or misdirected hits.

Here are the key checkpoints for a perfect stance:

✅ Feet shoulder-width apart. This gives you a stable base of support.
✅ Stand square to the ball. Your feet, hips, and shoulders should be aligned with the direction you want the ball to go.
✅ Maintain a relaxed, comfortable grip. Don’t squeeze the putter too tightly. A gentle but firm grip allows for a smoother, more natural swing.

2. Study the Hole Before You Swing

Think of each hole as a mini-puzzle. The solution is right there if you look for it! Rushing up and hitting the ball without a plan is a quick way to add unnecessary strokes to your score. Take 10-15 seconds to observe the layout and strategize. This “thinking like a pro” approach can turn a potential 4-stroke hole into a 2-stroke one.

Use this simple mental checklist before you putt:

[✓] Check the angles. Look at the slopes and breaks on the green. If there’s a slope to the left, you may need to aim slightly to the right to compensate.
[✓] Note the obstacles. Is there a ramp, a windmill, or a bumper you need to navigate? Plan whether you’re going through, over, or around it.
[✓] Observe the surface. Is the turf fast or slow? A quick look will help you judge how much power you’ll need.

3. Focus on Control, Not Brute Force

It’s tempting to try a powerful shot, but the gentlest touch often wins the hole. One of the most common mistakes beginners make is hitting the ball far too hard. Mini golf is a game of finesse, not strength. A ball hit with too much force will lip out of the hole, bounce wildly off obstacles, or even fly off the course entirely.

“Precision and control are more effective than brute strength in mini golf.”

Think of your swing as a pendulum. A short, smooth backswing followed by a gentle push through the ball will give you far more accuracy. A slower-moving ball is also more likely to be “captured” by the hole’s edge and drop in, whereas a speeding ball can roll right over it.

4. Use the Course Walls to Your Advantage

Think like a pool player! The walls are your best friends on a tricky course. Many beginners see the side walls as something to avoid, but experienced players see them as a strategic tool. Using the walls to “bank” your shot is a fantastic way to navigate difficult layouts.

Using a bank shot can help you:

Get around tricky corners. Instead of trying a difficult curving putt, a simple shot off the wall can perfectly line you up.
Avoid obstacles directly. Sometimes the best path to the hole isn’t a straight line. Bouncing the ball off a wall can bypass a tricky obstacle altogether.
Line up a better second shot. Even if your bank shot doesn’t go in, it can leave your ball in a much better position for an easy tap-in on your next stroke.

5. Remember the Most Important Rule: Have Fun!

A missed putt is a perfect excuse to laugh it off and enjoy the moment. That’s what the game is all about! While the tips above will help you improve your score, the ultimate goal of mini golf is to enjoy a lighthearted, social experience. It’s a game that encourages communication and friendly competition.

Don’t take missed shots too seriously; laugh them off and focus on the social aspect of the game with your friends and family.

Getting too competitive can take the joy out of the experience. Celebrate great shots (both yours and your opponents’), embrace the silly nature of the obstacles, and focus on making memories. After all, the fun is the entire point.

To get the most out of your game, having a reliable personal putter and a set of quality golf balls can make a real difference in your consistency and enjoyment.

FAQs About Playing Mini Golf

What are the most important rules of minigolf?

The most important rules are to take turns, with the player farthest from the hole hitting next. Adhere to the hole’s stroke limit (usually 5-7 strokes). If your ball goes out-of-bounds, take a one-stroke penalty and place the ball back where it left the course.

How do you score mini golf correctly?

You score by counting every hit of the ball as one “stroke.” At the end of each hole, write down the total number of strokes you took. After all holes are completed, add up your scores. The player with the lowest total score wins the game.

Is there a trick to winning at mini golf?

The biggest “trick” is to focus on control over power. Study the hole’s layout, slopes, and obstacles before you putt. Use the course walls to your advantage for bank shots, and maintain a steady, balanced stance for better accuracy on every shot.

Do you take turns or does one player finish a hole completely?

The standard rule is to take turns. After every player has taken their first shot, the player whose ball is farthest from the hole takes the next turn. This process continues until everyone has sunk their ball into the hole for that round.

What is the maximum number of strokes allowed per hole?

Most mini golf courses have a maximum stroke limit per hole, which is typically between 5 and 7 shots. If you reach this limit without getting the ball in the hole, you record the maximum score on your card and move to the next hole.

How to play mini golf for kids? Is it different?

The rules are exactly the same for kids, but the focus should be on fun rather than strict rule enforcement. It’s a great game for developing motor skills and communication. Let them enjoy the colorful courses and silly obstacles without worrying too much about penalties or high scores.

Final Thoughts: You’re Ready to Play Mini Golf

Now you know everything you need to confidently step onto a mini golf course and have a fantastic time. From picking the right putter to understanding the “farthest away” rule and using course walls to your advantage, you’re no longer a beginner. You have the knowledge to play, score, and even strategize like a seasoned pro.

Remember the key takeaways to guarantee a great game:

Objective: Lowest score wins.
Gameplay: Take turns, with the player farthest from the hole going next.
Strategy: Control over power, and use the course walls.
Golden Rule: Have a great time!

Now that you know the rules and have some pro tips in your back pocket, it’s time to find a course and put them into practice

Last update on 2025-09-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

How to Play Mini Golf: Rules, Scoring & Pro Tips