There are various types of miniature golf, and it can sometimes be confusing distinguishing between them. However, they can broadly be split into three categories, as below. These are by no means set in stone, but they give a good general outline of what to expect.
CRAZY GOLF
This is the most traditional type of course. Think windmills, loop-the-loops and lighthouses. If you played miniature golf at a seaside resort in the UK when you were a child, it was most likely on one of these courses. Surfaces can be a little erratic, but that’s usually more than made up for by the coastal views.
MINI GOLF
Mini golf is likely to have the fewest obstacles of any of these smaller courses. They tend to have more bumps, curves and undulations than actual obstacles to negotiate. They can sometimes be replicas of holes on full-sized courses. The course below at Northwick Park, for example, has nine holes based on famous golf holes from around the world.
ADVENTURE GOLF
Adventure golf courses are where the big money is spent in the miniature golf world. expect erupting volcanoes, animatronic dinosaurs, replica pirate galleons and so forth. The vast majority do seem to have either a jungle, dinosaur, space or pirate theme, but there are exceptions, such as Wildforest Falls in Sussex.
