Mini golf is having a moment – and no, it’s not just your imagination!
Those little windmills and fake grass carpets you remember from childhood holidays are now at the centre of trendy new bars, pop-up events, and family outings alike. Across the UK (and beyond), mini golf – also lovingly known as crazy golf – is experiencing a resurgence in popularity. But what’s driving this mini golf renaissance in 2025? How did a quaint seaside pastime transform into a booming leisure activity, drawing in hip young adults on a Friday night and nostalgic families on a Sunday afternoon? Grab your putter (or maybe your cocktail) and let’s explore the factors behind the mini golf comeback. Spoiler: it’s a mix of social media, socialising, and good old-fashioned fun.
From Putt-Putt to Party: The Experience Economy
One big reason mini golf is back in the limelight is the broader trend towards “experiences” over things – especially among younger generations. Instead of going to a pub to just drink, 20- and 30-somethings increasingly crave an activity to do with friends. Enter the competitive socialising venue. Pioneers like Swingers in London (which opened mid-2010s) combined mini golf courses with street food, swanky bar areas, and DJs – effectively turning mini golf into a nightlife experience. It worked like a charm. Soon you had places like Junkyard Golf Club, Ghetto Golf, and Birdies popping up in cities across the UK, all offering crazy-themed courses (think UV neon holes, bizarre props, and tongue-in-cheek course names) alongside cocktails and music. This evolution of mini golf into a social party game tapped right into the millennial/Gen Z desire for unique, Instagrammable outings. Instead of the standard bar or bowling night, a group can say “let’s do mini golf” and it’s instantly something a bit different and photo-worthy (giant rainbow elephants and graffiti-covered obstacles make great backdrops!). A half-decade ago, few would’ve predicted that mini golf would become a staple of stag dos and corporate team-building events, but here we are. The numbers back it up: the leisure industry analysts noted a surge in urban mini golf venues – as of 2019 there were over 50 indoor mini golf bars across the UK and more in the pipeline. Post-pandemic, that growth resumed with gusto as people sought fun ways to reconnect.
This experience-driven boom isn’t just for the young’uns. Families, too, are leaning into doing activities together rather than, say, passively watching a film. Mini golf fits the bill perfectly (as we’ve covered in other sections – accessible to all ages). Courses at places like Putt in the Park in London or many seaside adventure golf attractions saw increased footfall as domestic tourism rose. When people vacationed within the UK or had more outdoor meetups, mini golf was a go-to. It’s open-air, naturally distanced, and relatively affordable – all attractive in recent times. Genuinely, some operators reported record summers for mini golf in 2021-2022 when other entertainment was limited, and those habits have stuck. The fact that London’s high-end shopping centre Westfield even installed a pop-up crazy golf course during holidays shows how mainstream it’s become as a family draw.
Nostalgia and Novelty: A Powerful Combo
Another driving force behind the mini golf revival is nostalgia, served with a twist of novelty. Many adults have fond childhood memories of playing mini golf on school trips or with family at coastal resorts. Revisiting it now, but in a cooler setting or with absurd themes, brings a warm sense of nostalgia blended with the excitement of something new. It’s similar to how board games or retro arcades have come back – there’s comfort in the familiar, but it’s even more appealing when reimagined for today. A great example is the variety of themes modern mini golf takes on: you can golf through a junkyard (literally at Junkyard Golf), around famous landmarks (some courses do mini Big Ben, etc.), through horror movie sets, or even a UV “intergalactic” space theme. This is a far cry from the generic windmill and clown face of yore. People collect experiences, and each new mini golf venue offers a different “collectible” experience – something to try and talk about. Social media plays a role here: #CrazyGolf and #MiniGolf have millions of views on TikTok and Instagram. Viral videos of inventive hole designs or people celebrating outrageous bank shots have piqued curiosity. Who wouldn’t want to try the hole they saw online where the ball bounces off three drums and into a toilet (yes, that exists at Junkyard Golf)? Seeing others have a blast makes more people say, “Hey, that looks fun, let’s give it a go this weekend.”
The nostalgia factor isn’t only for those who played before; even teens who grew up more with video games find mini golf charmingly retro. It’s analog fun in a digital age – kind of kitschy, kind of cool. As one 17-year-old visitor at a new Liverpool indoor course said in an interview, “It’s like we’re doing something our parents did, but it’s our hangout spot now” (capturing that sentiment of reclaiming an old pastime on their own terms). Data from Google Trends shows searches for “mini golf near me” have steadily risen in the last 5 years, especially among 18-34 year olds. This suggests a renewed interest not solely driven by kids/families, but by young adults.
Tech-Enabled and Competition
While the essence of mini golf is wonderfully low-tech, technology has also helped boost its popularity recently. Some venues incorporate modern touches: from digital scorekeeping apps (no more pencil and soggy paper) to augmented reality features. Take Puttshack for example – a concept that started in London – it uses ball tracking and automated scoring with lots of digital visuals and effects, basically “the world’s first tech-enabled mini golf”. This appeals to the gadget generation and proves mini golf can innovate. Tech also means easier booking (all those new courses have slick websites for online reservations, making it frictionless to plan a visit) and better marketing outreach (targeted ads inviting nearby demographics to come try). Additionally, the competitive aspect has been played up in a fun way. We’ve seen televised mini golf competitions (ABC’s “Holey Moley” in the US got attention globally via YouTube clips, showing mini golf as a serious/funny competitive sport). And in the UK, competitive leagues and tournaments, while still niche, got media coverage – e.g., the annual World Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings continue to draw players from around the world and even had a £1,000 prize. The R&A’s recent global golf report highlighted that alternative formats like adventure golf are attracting people who then sometimes transition into traditional golf. Indeed, 36% of on-course golfers in England started with mini golf or driving range fun. So traditional golf bodies are now supporting mini golf as a gateway, further boosting its profile.
Cost-of-Living and Casual Fun
In the current economic climate, people are budget-conscious. Mini golf’s resurgence also relates to it being a relatively inexpensive outing compared to many alternatives. A round might cost £8-£12 per adult (more at the fancy bars, less at simple courses), which for 1-2 hours of entertainment is seen as good value. Families find it cheaper than, say, theme park tickets or escape rooms. Young adults find it a cheaper night out than a full clubbing/bar crawl. And in times when folks may skip big holidays abroad, they seek leisure close to home – mini golf fills that micro-vacation vibe (a little 2-hour escape into a themed fun world). It’s also low commitment: you don’t have to train or invest in equipment or membership – you just show up and play, which appeals to busy, commitment-phobic modern lifestyles. And if you’re rubbish at it? Who cares, it’s a laugh. That casual, no-judgement nature makes it inviting – a stark contrast to big golf which can seem elitist or too difficult for newcomers. As one crazy golf business owner put it, “Crazy golf is recession-proof – people will always pay for a bit of fun.” During the 2020 lockdowns, many courses saw dips, but as soon as restrictions eased, mini golf courses were among the first places families and friends flocked to (outdoor ones especially) because it felt safe and joyful. That recovery cemented mini golf’s place in our leisure habits.
The Future is Mini (Golf)
All signs indicate that the mini golf trend isn’t just a fad – it has some serious legs. The pipeline of new venues continues (big operators are expanding to secondary cities, and independent creative courses keep popping up). There’s talk of even more immersive integrations – like mini golf mixed with escape room elements, or VR mini golf (some tech start-ups are working on augmented reality where physical putt-putt meets digital overlays). But even without tech bells and whistles, the classic formula still works. Why? It’s social, it’s silly, it’s satisfying. You get the tiny triumph of sinking a putt and the shared hilarity of failures – experiences that translate into both real life connection and shareable content. In an increasingly virtual world, mini golf is refreshingly tangible and face-to-face.
Moreover, mini golf aligns well with the wellness movement. It gets you lightly active, moving around, often outdoors – good for mental health in a gentle way. Companies and schools looking to boost morale or team spirit often choose mini golf outings now (some schools even have portable mini golf for fun days). As people continue to seek balance and lighthearted recreation to offset stress, mini golf provides that in spades (or should we say clubs).
So yes, the game that once seemed a bit daggy is now the place to be. Whether you’re putting through a tiki bar or a dinosaur’s legs, you’re part of the mini golf comeback story. And with each delighted shout of “Hole in one!” echoing across these courses, it’s clear that mini golf’s appeal is as strong as ever – perhaps even stronger. If you haven’t joined the craze yet, what are you waiting for? Grab some friends or family, and go rediscover the simple magic of mini golf. Chances are, you’ll walk away wondering why we ever stopped playing it in the first place.
References:
– Savills Research (2019) – The Leisure Market: Urban Mini Golf (noting 53 venues and growing, competitive socialising trend)
– Financial Times (2023) – Axe-throwing and mini-golf bars drive rise in UK hospitality venues (reporting growth of experiential bars despite economic climate)
– The Golf Business (2025) – Global golf participation tops 100 million (R&A report: 80% of junior golfers play non-traditional formats; alt golf as gateway)
