Miniature golf, or putt-putt, can be a great way to spend quality time with friends, family or coworkers. Although you probably won't break a sweat playing mini golf, you will be able to stretch your legs outside to enjoy a leisurely stroll around the course. Washington State hosts several miniature golf course facilities for all ages and skill levels.
History
Miniature golf started on the East Coast in the 1930s, when the United States was recovering from the Great Depression. Families were looking for a cheap way to spend time together outside, and mini golf offered an attractive alternative to expensive golf clubs. The trend spread to the West Coast in the 1950s. According to GolfLink, there are now 24 mini golf courses in the state of Washington.
Location
Mini golf courses are available in every major city in Washington State, including Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Redmond and Pullyup. One of the most popular places in the Seattle area is the Rainbow Run Putting Course in Redmond. It's a great place to play mini golf and get some fresh air. Because of its popularity, you may have a longer wait at each hole, but Rainbow Run is worth it. Interbay Golf Center is another popular course in the state of Washington; in fact, it is the largest golfing facility in Seattle. On a hot summer day, the trees provide ample shade, and the waterfall and ponds create a relaxing environment in the midst of the big city.
Features
Rainbow Run Putting Course in Redmond is both challenging and scenic; it consists of a series of tricky slopes, sand traps and underground tunnels, all located in a picturesque parklike setting complete with ponds, fountains and bridges. Call 425-883-1200 for more information.
Interbay has a putting green, two-level driving range, and a mini golf course. The mini golf course does not have the quirky bells and whistles that you would find at a family fun park; instead, obstacles such as rocks, curves and steep slopes offer a challenge for even the most experienced golfer. Call 206-285-2200 for hours and prices.
Misconceptions
You may think that mini golf is a boring, low-key activity, but Parkland Putters in Tacoma will prove you wrong. Mini golf doesn't have to be a laid-back game if you don't want it to be. Parkland Putters in Tacoma is a fun place to go mini golfing if you have a competitive spirit; the facility offers four different courses with various levels of difficulty. You can also vie for one of the 1st, 2nd or 3rd place ribbons. Parkland Putters may even reward you with a trophy. Call 253-588-2977 for more information.
Other Activities at Miniature Golf Facilities
Most mini golf facilities offer much more than an 18-hole putting course. Triple Play is technically located in Idaho, but it is the closest miniature golf facility in the Spokane area. Triple Play hosts 20 smoke-free bowing lanes, an 860-foot-long track with 12 go-karts, a 1,600-square-foot laser tag arena complete with fog machines and black lights, a pond with electric bumper boats, an arcade, a climbing wall and an indoor playground. If that's not enough, Triple Play also has two mini golf courses: The 9-hole course is inside and the 18-hole course is located outside. For hours and rates, call 208-762-7529.
Although Pullyup is a little out of the way if you live in the city, The Putting Zoo is well worth the drive. The Putting Zoo isn't just a cute name for a mini golf course, it's also a great way for active families to spend time together outside. It offers go-karts that can go up to 20 miles per hour, batting cages with baseball, softball or fast pitch settings, and 18 holes of whimsical miniature golf that will entertain all ages and skill levels. Call 253-841-1234 for more information.
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