Mini Golf with a 2 year old?

[mrsminniemouse]

DD is fascinated by the fact Daddy plays golf so we thought we might take her to one of the WDW mini golf places. Anyone done this with a 2 year old? (She is 2 and a quarter) Is it just a recipe for disaster or did your 2 year old manage at all?

Thanks!
Mandy

 

[justKim]

I took my DS 6 and DD 2 1/2 to play minigolf this summer near our house. We had a lot of fun, but in no way did we have 18 holes of tournament play. I tried to teach them the rules, but DD would only putt her ball 2-3 inches from the hole. If there was a tough water obstacle, we skipped the hole. DD would easily go head first into a pond to get her pretty yellow ball. She'd pick up my ball and move it so she could play again. (that I firmly put a stop to, I'm serious about my mini golf score) I called it "speed putt putt". We plan on going to the Fantasia golf during our February trip.

If you want to go, I'd go. If you want to play by the real rules, it may be a disaster. I think flexibility is key in doing anything with a 2 year old.

Have a great trip.

 

[GEM]

And, of course, make sure the poor people playing behind you aren't stuck waiting forever while your little one "plays". We once played behind a family who was letting their toddler hit the ball about 300 times on each hole.

 

[tmarquez]

I just had a recent experience with this. I can tell you...they CHEAT! It started off ok...we explained what to do...helped her take a few practice swings...ok...looks good!

We get to the first hole, and daddy goes first (to show us how it's done ). I went next, and then DD2. She placed her ball on the little mat at the start of the hole, and (on the third swing)hit it about half way down the green. Ok...daddy's turn again, right? NO! She isn't done...she MUST get the ball in the hole. Fast forward about 10 minutes (no...there was nobody waiting behind us).

She finally manages to get it in...score...umm maybe around 67.

We were just cracking up the whole time. On the second (and all the rest) hole she decided we were stupid and it was MUCH easier to get the ball in quickly if you set it down right next to the hole...she got a hole in 1 almost every time!

You might also want to know that the blue water they have on the waterfalls (and is apparently a toddler magent) does NOT come off of white sneakers and socks without some bleach.

 

[KristiKelly]

Just be sure not to leave your "patience" in the room that day. We took our kids to play at the beach when DD was about 18 monthes. It was hot, muggy and took FOREVER!!! As long as you're not in a hurry everything should be fine.

 

[mrsminniemouse]

Thanks everyone for the replies. We might take her for a little game but I must admit it is starting to sound like not such a good idea. As you know, at 2 children are easily frustrated so maybe the golf is best avoided. There is a load of fun stuff at WDW that she can do after all.

Thanks again,
Mandy

 

[justKim]

And, of course, make sure the poor people playing behind you aren't stuck waiting forever while your little one "plays". We once played behind a family who was letting their toddler hit the ball about 300 times on each hole.

Too true. Like I said, we flew through using Molly's rules. And we were dodging day care groups.

We were just cracking up the whole time. On the second (and all the rest) hole she decided we were stupid and it was MUCH easier to get the ball in quickly if you set it down right next to the hole...she got a hole in 1 almost every time!

Exactly my DD's thinking!

 

[Mister Incredible]

Go have fun! Let you DD pick up the ball and put it in the hole if she wants! Let Dad help her, let people behind you play through. It's meant to be fun, she doesn't have to be Anika Sorrenstam! Who cares if she takes 100 strokes on the first hole, if she is smiling it's worth every penny!

 

[FayeW]

We took the kids to play mini golf when my son was 2, and he got a hole-in-one!

 

[gr8ful4Him]

I think flexibility is key in doing anything with a 2 year old.

AMEN!
We haven't ventured into mini golf with our 3yo dd yet, although our 12yo ds wanted to try taking her. I figure we'll have to give it a shot next summer maybe....

 

[Laura22]

We went mini golfing with my son in Myrtle Beach when he was 2. He had a lot of fun running wild all over the turf and playing with the ball and plastic club, but after about 9 holes he started to get bored and grumpy and it wasn't much fun after that.

Now he's 4 but my daughter is 2. We are going to try Fantasia mini golf one night, I don't plan to do anything other than let the kids have a good time. Once they get grumpy, we'll leave!

 

[JMSMommy]

we've taken the boys quite a bit (youngest is now 2.75 years)...best advice I have is to have Daddy and DD play while you "help" some....or man the camera.

Fantasia has real metal clubs for the little ones (they also have the huge plastic one) and when DS #2 was 18 months he HAD to have that metal one to be like Daddy and brother (watch your legs).

It's quite cute to play with them, just go with the idea that it's going to be a "non-scoring" game and HAVE FUN! DS#2 was surprised by the "buckets" shooting out water and laughed hysterically....DS#1 (5 at the time) "danced" with the hippo...Dh and I dodged golf clubs, dodged hit balls flying toward our knees, and "water" when DS#1 figured out the buckets were on sensors. Hey and Dh only had his golf ball moved 3 times on each hole by DS#2 (Daddy had the RED ball and Samuel wanted RED).

We went on a "day off" around 2pm and had the place to ourselves.

 

[ajwolfe]

I'm happy to read this and realize I wasn't the only one even considering taking a 2 yr old. Have fun if you decide to go!!

 

[Servants of Evan]

I guess it's just me, but we recently took our 4 year old to a minature golf course. I wouldn't call myself a purest, but I also know we wouldn't do it again. My DW and I are pretty competitive, and it totally drove us nuts to make it through the 18 holes with the Master picking up the balls as he saw fit, trying to see if he could drive for distance on a 10' technique hole, etc. (Okay I admit it -- we need lives).

In short -- it depends upon your temperment. If you can totally go with the flow then sure, have at it. If you need a little structure in your day, golfing with a toddler will have you raiding the honor bar for certain...

Servants of Evan