According to Golf Australia’sParticipation Report published in 2023,2 million Australians play “off-course” golf – largely mini golf and driving ranges.
“It’s had a massive resurgence,” says Geoff Bennell,whose Capalaba-based company,Mini Golf Creations,designs and builds mini golf courses,with 14 across Australia to date.
Geoff Bennell tests out one of his mini-golf courses mid-construction.Mini Golf Creations
While miniature golf courses have long existed as theme parks,Bennell’s clientele is actual golf clubs. His company just completed a new course at Pacific Golf Club in Carindale,and it previously built the course at Meadowbrook Golf Club in Logan.
“People are using mini golf to add on to their current business or to build a viable,sustainable place where people can come and eat,drink,and have fun,” he says.
Bennell has played golf since the age of five and was apprenticed as a golfing greenkeeper,working his way up to course superintendent.
In 2010,he started Turf Green,an artificial grass and landscaping business.
“People back then were asking us to build putting greens in their backyards. That eventually evolved into what we now build – 2500-square-metre courses.”
Building a new one can take between 14 and 20 weeks. “We have bridges,creeks,obstacles and pipework where the golf ball disappears underground and pops out somewhere else.
“We’re always looking for something to bring that wow factor to experienced players,but also to kids and mums and dads who have never picked up a golf putter before.”
A bit like chiropractors versus physios,there’s a schism between contoured “mini golf” and flat-floored “putt putt”. The latter is more associated with windmills,clowns and novelty obstacles,while the former seeks to replicate the golfing experience on a smaller scale.
“[Mini golf courses] bring a slightly different challenge where you’re actually putting to the golf cup,whereas with the old style,you were ricocheting the ball off a piece of timber or something to get close to the hole.”
But putt putt is equally on the rise. In July,“competitive socialising” company Funlab is opening an eighth indoor Holey Moley centre in Queensland at Westfield Mt Gravatt,hoping to capture the Griffith University student market.
“We have a great following in south-east Queensland,” says Funlab chief executive Michael Schreiber.
“The funny thing about mini golf is,the more the merrier,right? Because everybody is building their own bespoke takes on the courses,so it’s a different experience for people wherever they go.”
If you’re keen to try your hand at mini golf,or are wanting to get back in the swing,our guide to Brisbane’s courses is a great place to start.
Pacific Golf Club Mini Golf Course is one of 14 to date designed and built by Capalaba’s Mini Golf Creations.Pacific Golf Club
Opened in May 2024,this course is an elegantly landscaped 18 holes next to the brand-new clubhouse. The play moves between granite boulders and rocky gardens,with bridges,humps and artificial sand traps. The elevated position affords views of Carindale and the golf course. Players can choose between the blue holes or the slightly harder red ones.
430 Pine Mountain Road,Carindale. 07 3343 0888. Mon-Sun 8am-9pm. $14-$20.
Golf Central Brisbane Airport themes the greens to different nations.Nick Dent
Golf Central is a popular driving range near the airport,next to the DFO. Its landscaped mini-golf course has 18 holes,each one named after a country that you can fly to from Brisbane. An additional round costs just $5.
40 The Circuit,Skygate. 07 3087 7800. Mon 9am-10pm;Tue-Sun 7am-10pm. $12-$19.
Hillstone St Lucia Mini Golf overlooks St Lucia Golf Links.Nick Dent
This gorgeous course snakes down and up a shady hillside with rolling views of the elegant St Lucia Golf Links. There are bridges,ricochet walls,mountainous rocks and swinging poles. The golf club’s restaurant can make you a lovely lunch afterwards. The only downside? It’s just 12 holes.
Carawa Street,St Lucia. 07 3870 3433. Mon-Tue 9am-6.30pm;Wed-Thu 9am-8pm;Fri-Sat 9am-9pm;Sun 9am-7pm. $5-$18.
Mount Gravatt Mini Golf and Foot Golf has mini golf,putt putt,and “foot golf” with a soccer ball.Claire Sandford
“Foot golf” is a game whereby you kick a soccer ball around a large field trying to get it into various holes. It’s worth a go after you’ve tried the two mini-golf courses – one an undercover putt putt and the other a landscaped outdoor challenge.
Mt Gravatt Showgrounds,Broadwater Road,Mount Gravatt. 07 3107 3218. Mon-Fri 9am-8pm;Sat 9-10pm;Sun 9am-6pm. $5-$15.
Meadowbrook Golf Club Mini Golf is the first mini-golf course to be built in Logan.Nick Dent
Logan’s first mini-golf course is a clean and well-maintained course with water features,rocks,bridges and multiple holes per tee. A tall net protects players from stray missiles from the nearby driving range,and the speakers pump with 1990s hits.
Golf Course Drive,Meadowbrook. 07 3299 6653. Sun-Thu 6am-9pm;Fri-Sat 6am-10pm. $14-$20.
TopStroke Oxley Golf Club Mini Golf has unusually long greens suited to experienced players.Nick Dent
This outstanding course was designed by a pro golfer and has greens that are roughly twice as long as other mini-golf courses,offering a genuine challenge,even for practised players. There’s a cupholder at every tee-off,so you can bring a coffee or other beverage around the entire course.
Oxley Golf Club,290 Boundary Road,Oxley. 07 3379 6322. Mon-Thu 10am-8pm;Fri 9am-10pm;Sat 8am-10pm;Sun 8am-8pm. $14-$20.
Holey Moley is one of the most successful “competitive socialising” brands in Australia.Holey Moley
Holey Moley’s flashy,funny,indoor putt putts are enormous fun. These courses are packed with pop-culture references and Rube Goldberg-like obstacles – even pneumatic tubes. Some Holey Moley branches also feature arcade games,karaoke rooms and escape rooms;cocktails are served (kids are generally not allowed in the evenings). Expect staff to come running with prizes if you score a hole in one.
Various locations,prices and opening hours;package deals available.
The Alex Hills Hotel is one of Brisbane’s mega pubs – it even has a mini-golf course.Nick Dent
The Alex Hills is a huge pub with accommodation,a nightclub,a bistro and a mini-golf course. The course has boulders,rock gardens,a waterfall,a fountain and palm trees,with tables and chairs positioned among the holes so you can keep an eye on your kids and have a drink as they practise their golf skills.
332 Finucane Road,Alexandra Hills. 07 3824 4444. Mon-Sun 6am-10pm. $14-$19.
Snakes,jeeps,and ancient idols all feature in Mini Golf Safari at The Jungle Adventure Play,Tingalpa.The Jungle Adventure Play
This large kids’ adventure centre has rock climbing,an electric flying fox,a three-storey “Jungle Jump”,and more. But its newest attraction is Mini Golf Safari,an indoor-outdoor putt putt with an Indiana Jones theme. Saturday nights are for adults only,with cocktails served at the adjoining tiki bar.
31 Proprietary Street,Tingalpa.07 3147 8013.Sun-Thu 9am-5pm;Fri-Sat 9am-8pm.$20.
Undersea Putt and Play is decorated with elaborate sea creatures.Nick Dent
This elaborate indoor putt putt attached to a video arcade in Redcliffe has an apt maritime theme,with crocodiles,sharks,pirates,breaching whales and coral.
Cnr Anzac Avenue and Sutton Street,Redcliffe. 07 3883 4414. Thu 10am-3pm;Fri 10am-4pm;Sat-Sun 9am-5pm. $13.50-$18.50.
Victoria Park Putt Putt is one of the most popular mini-golf courses in town with sessions frequently booking out.Stephanie Adams
Victoria Park’s course is well known for its decorative themes – check out the witches and clowns at Halloween,Santa and his helpers at Christmas,or gummy bears and lollipops for autumn’s Candyland. Always book in advance – players come from far and wide.
309 Herston Road,Herston. 07 3252 0666. Sun-Thu 6am-10pm;Fri-Sat 6am-11pm;public holidays 6am-10pm. $14-$20.
You can also try:
– These indoor putt-putt courses have elaborate designs,with food and cocktails also on offer.
– Nicely landscaped in a rainforest setting,this course is one of several adventure activities on offer at the park.
– This golf simulator centre also has an adult-oriented mini-golf course of 18 holes,open Friday to Sunday.
Did we forget anything? Let us know at nick.dent@nine.com.au.