What age to start mini-golf/putt-putt

[Beth76]

I was thinking about taking my 3yo son to play mini-golf. What age is a good age to start? He's pretty athletically inclined, but may not understand rules. Should I wait until next summer when he's four?

 

[Jenn Lynn]

We took my DD mini-golfing 2 weeks ago on vacation. She lasted about 3 holes and then she was bored. So my Mom took her to get something to drink while the rest of us kept playing.

I think you should at least try it, but be prepared to stop. I wouldn't worry about following the rules too much.

 

[grinningghost]

I think he might be OK now. Just don't hold him to the rules too much. As long as he isn't throwing the balls or hitting them into other people, he can probably have fun just trying to get the balls into the holes. Keeping score probably won't be necessary for the first couple times.

Have fun. I bet he'll love it.

 

[mommytotwo]

I think it's different for all kids. If he shows interest in it, let him try it out or buy him the plastic clubs and balls. Mini golf is a game that kids can have fun playing and hope he does also.

 

[deirdrefitch]

My DH and I took our youngest DS when he was 2. He had a blast! He didn't understand the rules, but got quite a kick out of hitting the little plastic ball into the hole. The next day, DH went out into the backyard and made a couple of small holes for DS to play golf with. Of course DH also bought DS a set of plastic golf clubs to go with the holes. A "Sports" thing for fathers I guess.

 

[decker96]

Our two older kids have been playing since they were both 2 (youngest DD is only 10 months). Oldest DD could have cared less at 2, didn't really get into it until she was 4 and now at 6 begs to go to whenever she sees a minigolf place. DS was somewhat interested at two, but now at 3 1/2 LOVES it. I agree that you do have to be a little loose with the rules though. He usually hits once at the beginning of the hole and then no matter where his ball lands, he picks it up and puts it about 3 inches from the hole and then putts it in. It is pretty funny, but DH keeps telling him, next summer, no cheating! He'll be 4 1/2 so I'm sure he'll understand the rules better then.

 

[Fantasmic303]

Funny you should ask....

I just took the kids I used to babysit mini-golfing today, after months of begging from the littlest guy. There are two girls (12 and 10) and one boy (he's 5). I don't have any feedback regarding how early to start them at mini-golf (except that they ALL loved it!!), but I thought I should warn you...


Be prepared to lose if you're not a mini-golfer, because the lowest score in our group (and, therefore, the WINNER) was also the youngest!!

Yes, a 5 year old beat me at mini-golf, completly legit - there was no sympathy, there was no cheating. He beat us all fair and square, and he'd only been mini-golfing once before.


There's SO going to be a rematch.

 

[slo]

I would listen to your gutt feeling on whether or not you should go. I took my DD for the first time last year when she was 5 yrs old. I knew that if I took her any earlier it would be a disaster because her attention span would be way to short.

When it comes to the rules - my philosophy is "forget the rules and just have fun". I just let my DD continue hitting the ball until she gets it in. If she wants to pick up the ball and put it closer to the hole - I just let her. If you ram the rules down their throat at an early age, they will just not want to go, because it won't be fun. Also, the people that are behind you on the course will be equally grateful, because if you played by the rules w/ a small child you will be there forever. I also don't keep score - we have no winners or losers when we play mini-golf.

Next year, I will start incorporating some of the rules when we go - very slowly. I just enjoy having a fun day w/ my DD.

 

[HollyJoy]

We took our youngest daughter to play minigolf when she was 2 1/2!! She loved it and did great!

 

[aprilgail2]

I took my 4 year old this year for hte first time and she loved it...she probably could have done it last year too but we just never got a chance to go....she also loves going to the driving range and just hitting the balls there. While we were waiting our turn to mini golf once I got her a 100 ball card and she hit all 100 before we golfed..now every time we mini golf she wants to go to the driving range too.

 

[snoopy]

Yep, it depends on the kid. My oldest liked putt putt at 3 or so, the youngest still can't go 18 holes without becoming bored and he is 5. When we were in Williamsburg recently we played, and at around the 11th hole he had enough. So DH and older DS continued while he and I went and got a snack and waited until they were done.

 

[meandtheguys2]

As long as you are not hung up on rules, and have no expectations other than laughing your way through the event, I think you will be fine! Enjoy!

 

[JESW]

I have been taking my kids (DD5 & DS9) to several different mini golf places this summer and they both enjoy it. Sometimes I play and sometimes I don't - depending on how many other people are there. DD was 3 I think when she first played - can't remember DS' first time. My suggestion would be to not even keep score! We don't and it cuts waaaaay back on the competition level. My two are just too into who wins, who comes in first, who lost, etc. so I just get rid of the rules.

BUT...when DH is with us he and I are VERY cutthroat! We are off to Maine in a couple of days and we hope to hit a couple of courses.

Take him to try it...he may be bored...or he may really like it! Just make sure he keeps the club on the ground!

Jill

 

[onecoolmama]

My 3yo was at the beach and his grandparents took him to play 1 round. They played 6 rounds by the end of the week! He loved it.

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

We took DD2 (2 1/2) to play mini-golf just a couple of weeks ago. she started getting bored about halfway thru. We were very loose on the rules also. The funniest thing was that DD gave a whole new meaning to hazard on the course!!