Miniature Golf – Are There Any Putting Lessons To Be Had?

Playing a game of miniature golf with friends or family, some of whom might never have held a golf club before in their lives, can be a reality check for the seasoned golfer. In my case, perhaps I am not so competent at golf as I thought. Just because I play golf on the golf links does not mean I can transfer those skills easily to the game of miniature golf, as I proved to myself recently while on holiday.

My daughter fancies herself as being a bit useful with a putter so I took her on at miniature golf. Trying to sink those short putts in the same firm manner I use on the golf course proved to be really costly for me on some of those holes. The greens were so fast that I hardly touched the ball and it seemed to carry on rolling for ever. Yes, they were lightening fast.

Of course, success at mini golf is also about hitting the angles correctly. If you cannot identify with what this means, it is hitting solid objects at a certain spot so as to get the ball to go in the direction of the flagstick. It’s not that easy. It helps if you play snooker, pool or billiards as well because the same principles apply in certain situations in those games.

So what value does putting on lightening fast, artificial greens have to do with putting on the normal links golf greens? Quite a lot really. For one thing it taught me the importance of striking the ball firmly at the hole with the putter. OK, if you miss the hole, you are faced an even longer putt back. If you see this exercise as a confidence builder, then there is value to be had in playing miniature golf.

The moral of this?. Decide on your line. Decide how hard you are going to hit the ball. Play the putter confidently, every time. Keep that confidence every time you putt.