Best Of

Best Mini Golf Courses In Minnesota

July 7, 2016 / 7:00 AM CDT / CBS Minnesota

If lugging big irons to the fairway isn't your golfing style, miniature golf might be more to your liking. Players of all ages are welcome as long as they can hoist a miniature golf club. Some sports enthusiasts have the impression that miniature golf is mostly for kids. But adults also gravitate to the sport. Miniature golf has turned many adults and kids into avid golf players. On these major mini courses, mazes, ponds and rolling landscapes with waterfalls seldom detract from the game.

Big Stone Mini Golf & Sculpture Garden
7110 County Rd., 110 Ext.
Minnetrista, MN 55364
(952) 472-9292
www.bigstoneminigolf.com

This mini golf course with cute sculpture garden could be the Stonehenge that Fred Flintstone would build. A 40-minute drive from Minneapolis, Minnetrista is 25 miles off the beaten path from St. Paul's sister city. One might tend to pass through Minnetrista without a backward glance at Big Stone. But if happenstance brings you to the County Road extension, you might spot the Big Stone signs and the landmark Stonehenge replica. Travelers who have discovered Big Stone return to tour the garden and enjoy mini golf rounds. If you weren't a miniature golf enthusiast before, you might become one. Big Stone is an enchanting place for a miniature golf game. And if you don't believe Minnesota has a Stonehenge, you haven't seen Minnetrista.

Crosswoods Golf Course
35878 County Rd. 3
Crosslake, MN 56442
(218) 692-7888
www.crosslakegolf.com

The golf courses are open to pro, amateur and novice players. Crosswoods has an enhanced mini golf facility built to simulate a traditional golf course. Called Dark Moon, the mini golf addition to the original Whistling Wolf has golf holes ranging in length from 50 ft. to 140 ft. For a miniature golf course, these are mighty large holes. Its construction created three additional nine-hole courses, expanding the facility to one of the largest mini golf complexes. You might want to speak with the golf course's architect to discuss the math behind the whole project. But what's the difference? If the regular golf course is filled up, you can play miniature golf on a grand scale.

Traditions Mini-Golf Fun Park
24228 State Hwy. 210
Deerwood MN 56444
(218) 534-9250
www.traditionsminigolf.com

Miniature golf can become as deeply pensive as any golf game. Traditions is a playground for kids and adults who want to lighten up with a little mini golf. If ya wanna get technical, the miniature golf course has 18 holes with an average length of 40 ft. You, your pals, and the family can golf to music throughout the entire course. Playing at night under the lights can be either a magical or moonlit experience. The landscape is stunning with fountain ponds, bridges, and a steep waterfall. But be careful when putting, because some of the golf ball holes are close to the water's edge.

Wildwedge Golf & RV Park
32792 Paul Bunyan Trail Dr.
Pequot Lakes MN 56472
(218) 568-6995
www.wildwedge.com

Jump into your RV, SUV or ATV for a pleasant day of mild adventure and golf. The contact info here is for the golf and mini golf courses. For the RV park, Wildwedge has different contact information. Isn't miniature golf the reason for coming to the RV park? The miniature golf course, open to children and adults, is a challenging one. Inspiration for its design came from adults and young people in a research group. The group came up with ideas while playing over 4,000 holes of mini golf. The miniature golf landscape has a maze, pools, and a tranquil waterfall. Once in a while, a bear enters Wildwedge as a surprise guest. One of the golf courses (don't know which) has a large bear paw pattern. Maybe the bear thinks it's the footprint of a fellow friend.

Putt'er There
Como Park
1300 Midway Parkway
St. Paul, MN 55103
(612) 619-1800
www.putterthere.com

Known as a popular playground and venue for children, Como Park also has a miniature golf course. Family owned, it's one of the most popular mini golf courses in Twin Cities. The course has 18 holes. If you have the stamina to play a full 18-hole game, the prize is a chance to win a free game. The mini golf club house is a historic street car from the original Como-Harriet streetcar line. To ride along this historical mass transit line, jump onto another trolley. On the other hand, simply puttering along might be better.

Linda Cameron has written home design, home improvement and lifestyle articles for The Boston Globe and City Shopper Magazine. She has related interests in the building industry, travel, real estate and financing. She is a contributor to Examiner, House Spot, Techsling and Behance, covering topics on career, people, businesses, education and technology.