Selects: How Miniature Golf Works - Stuff You Should Know Recap

Podcast: Stuff You Should Know

Published: 2025-12-27

Duration: 48 minutes

Summary

This episode explores the history and evolution of miniature golf from its Victorian roots to its modern-day iterations. It highlights significant figures and innovations that have shaped the game into a beloved recreational activity.

What Happened

Miniature golf originated with the Ladies Putting Club of Saint Andrews in 1867, designed for women who were not allowed to take full swings during the Victorian era. The course, known as the Himalayas, set the stage for the development of mini golf as a distinct activity. In the United States, the first mini golf course was Thistle Dhu in Pinehurst, North Carolina, established by James Barber, where the term 'miniature golf' was first used in competition accounts.

By 1926, miniature golf gained popularity across America, with entrepreneurs like Drake Delinois and John Ledbetter opening courses, while Garnett and Frieda Carter enhanced the game by adding obstacles and statuary at their Fairyland Club, branding it Tom Thumb Golf. This period saw exponential growth, with 25,000 courses in the U.S. by 1930, despite the economic challenges of the Great Depression.

Don Clayton of Fayetteville, North Carolina, revolutionized the game in the late 1950s by creating the Putt-Putt franchise, focusing on skill rather than whimsy, such as clown mouths or windmills. He and his father invested $5,200 in their first course, recouping the investment in just 29 days, and the Putt-Putt franchise eventually expanded to 256 courses worldwide.

North Carolina, home to pioneers like Clayton and Barber, is considered the spiritual home of miniature golf. Ralph and Al Loma further innovated the game in 1955 by introducing mechanized courses with moving obstacles, mass-producing components that resulted in about 5,000 courses globally.

The 1990s saw a resurgence of traditional miniature golf, with involvement from professional golfers like Jack Nicklaus. The sport continues to thrive with professional associations, such as the US Pro Mini Golf Association, hosting competitions and the World Mini Golf Sports Federation organizing events internationally.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, renowned as the world capital of miniature golf, boasts over 50 courses within a 30-mile radius, featuring attractions like Molten Mountain with its erupting volcano. Unique courses also include a funeral home in Illinois with a death-themed course and a Kiss-themed course in Las Vegas.

Key Insights

• Miniature golf originated in 1867 at the Ladies Putting Club of Saint Andrews, Scotland, as a way for women to play golf without taking full swings, which were deemed unladylike during the Victorian era.
• The first miniature golf course in the United States, Thistle Dhu, was established in Pinehurst, North Carolina, by James Barber, where the term 'miniature golf' was first used in competition accounts.
• The Putt-Putt franchise, created by Don Clayton in the late 1950s, focused on skill-based play rather than whimsical obstacles, and rapidly expanded to 256 courses worldwide after recouping its initial investment in just 29 days.
• Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is known as the world capital of miniature golf, featuring over 50 courses within a 30-mile radius, including attractions like Molten Mountain with its erupting volcano.