The people of Minnesota take a certain pride in their biggest pastime. There are few things they enjoy more than taking a long skinny stick and hitting a small round object toward a stationary target. But when they can't play hockey, there's always miniature golf to give Minnesota's residents a healthy outlet for family fun. The twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul offer quite a few options for a game of putt-putt.
Links at Dred Scott
The Links at Dred Scott shies from the typical cliches of miniature golf courses. Here, you won't find the windmills, badly sculpted animals and clown faces that used to define the game. The Links at Dred Scott, amid Bloomington's Dred Scott Playfields, instead includes nine water holes in its par-48 course, including a hole where your ball needs to jump a water hazard. In 2010, a round at The Links cost $6 and $5 for children 12 and under.
Centennial Lakes Park
Don't be ashamed if you're one of those golfers who get in a round of miniature golf before hitting the big links to shake off winter rust from your putting game. A lot of golfers do it. Centennial Lakes Park in Edina has what they call "golf in miniature." All 18 holes in the par-51 layout are constructed not from wooden planks, cement and artificial turf, but real bentgrass. Centennial Lakes--which can only be played seasonally--cost $8 per round in 2010. Centennial Lakes also offers croquet and lawn bowling.
Lilli Putt
There's not much lilliputian about the holes at Lilli Putt. The greens at the course near Coon Rapids Dam are actually quite large. But the holes are relatively flat and littered with white gravel "bunkers," two-ply bits of turf doubling as rough and the usual array of castle walls and wooden block "bankers." So it's just like your typical miniature golf course. In 2010, a round of 18 cost $6.
Spring Lake Park
Formerly known as Goony Golf, Spring Lake Park Amusement offers three 18-hole courses. The two "goony golf" courses, replete with fiberglass animals and storybook characters, each play at an easy par-42. The third course, referred to as the executive course--no ties and sportcoats required, though--plays at a much more challenging par-62. The whole complex, a haven for birthday parties and team-building events, also includes an arcade, kiddie cars and water-balloon battle zones. In 2010, a round of 18 cost $8, with additional rounds for $4.
Island Lake Golf
Cement walkways? Check. Gravel bed landscaping? Check. Artificial turf and holes randomly placed in between? Check and check. The Island Lake Golf and Training Center in Shoreview may not have the most unique or creative design, or even the most undulating and challenging greens, but it does have the cheapest round of miniature golf in the Twin Cities. In 2010, a round of miniature golf cost only $3.50 for adults and $2.50 for children. Additional rounds were only $1.
Goodrich Golf Dome
You'll find more than putting practice at the Goodrich Golf Dome in Maplewood. If the large indoor driving range isn't enough for you, try the indoor chip-and-putting area. Or go outside and try your hand at 18 rolling, curving hills of miniature golf. The mini golf course may be made of the typical cement, gravel and artificial turf, but it's part of a much bigger golfing experience. In 2010, a round cost $5 for adults and $4 for kids. Additional rounds were $3.
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