How to Win at Mini Golf: Putting Tips & Strategy

Mini Golf is won by avoiding big numbers, not by chasing a hole in one on every hole. There are nine holes, each with its own par, walls to bounce off, water to avoid and, on some holes, moving blocks. These tips will help you post a lower total on the scorecard.

Mini Golf
Play Mini Golf ›

Read the hole first

Before your first putt, look at the par and the whole layout. Find the route that avoids water and moving obstacles, even if it is not the most direct line. A safe first putt that sets up an easy second is worth more than a gamble, and a hole ends automatically at eight strokes, so rushed putts add up fast.

Control your power

The further you drag back, the harder the putt. Most missed putts are hit too hard, not too soft. Aim to stop the ball just past the cup, because a putt that runs a little long is easy to tidy up, while a hard one can bounce off a wall and roll far away.

For long putts, aim to leave the ball within easy reach of the cup rather than trying to hole it. Two calm putts are a par on many holes, while one hard putt that misses can easily become three or four.

Use the walls

Bank shots are often the safest route around a corner. Picture the ball leaving the wall at the same angle it arrives, like light off a mirror. Aim at the point on the wall that sends it toward the cup, and use a little less power than you think, since the ball keeps rolling after the bounce.

Time the moving blocks

When a hole has moving blocks, watch them go through a full cycle before you putt. Pick a moment when the gap is about to open, not when it is already open, because the ball needs time to travel there. A slower, well-timed putt is far safer than trying to race through.

Avoid water and limit damage

Landing in water costs a stroke and puts the ball back where it was. If the direct line passes close to a pond, take the longer, dry route. After a bad hole, do not try to win it all back on the next one. Steady pars add up to a strong total.

Questions

Is there a stroke limit on each hole?

Yes. At eight strokes the hole ends and eight goes on your scorecard.

How do I putt more precisely?

Aim with the arrow keys or WASD and press Space to shoot for small, exact adjustments.

What counts as a good round?

Matching the total par is solid. Every birdie or eagle takes you under it.

Mini Golf
Play Mini Golf ›