Selects: How Miniature Golf Works
In this episode of Stuff You Should Know, the hosts explore the origins and development of miniature golf, from its start at Scotland's Ladies' Putting Club in 1867 to its expansion across the United States. The story traces how social restrictions on women's participation in regular golf led to the creation of the first miniature golf course, and how the sport later found its footing in America through James Barber's Thistle-Dhu course.
The episode examines how miniature golf evolved during the Great Depression and beyond, including the emergence of two distinct styles: the skill-focused Putt-Putt and the obstacle-rich Goofy Golf. The hosts also discuss the sport's competitive side, including Rick Baird's perfect game achievement and the establishment of professional organizations that govern tournament play and course standards.
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1-Page Summary
The Origins and Early History of Miniature Golf
Miniature golf's origins can be traced back to Scotland in 1867, where the Ladies' Putting Club of St. Andrews established the first known miniature golf course, known as the Himalayas. This course was created due to social restrictions that prevented women from performing full golf swings alongside men.
The sport made its way to the United States in 1919 when James Barber constructed the first American miniature golf course on his estate in Pinehurst, North Carolina. He named it "Thistle-Dhu," and it was during competitions at this location in the 1920s that the term "miniature golf" was officially coined.
Evolution and Rise of Miniature Golf in the U.S.
The 1920s saw miniature golf courses emerging on New York City rooftops, but the real innovation came when Garnet and Frieda Carter built the Fairyland Club in Tennessee in 1926. The Carters introduced the first course with obstacles, whimsical statues, and hazards, creating a template that would define the sport's future.
During the Great Depression, while traditional golf declined, miniature golf flourished as an affordable entertainment option. By August 1930, there were approximately 25,000 mini golf courses across the United States, with entrepreneurs using found objects to create accessible courses for all.
The Different Styles and Forms of Miniature Golf
In the 1950s, two distinct styles emerged. Don Clayton developed "Putt-Putt," focusing on skill-based courses with simple par-2 holes and minimal gimmicks. In contrast, the Loma brothers introduced "Goofy Golf," featuring mechanized courses with moving obstacles like rotating windmill blades, which they mass-produced and sold worldwide.
The Competitive and Professional Aspects of Miniature Golf
The sport has evolved to include serious competitive elements. In 2011, Rick Baird achieved a perfect game with 18 consecutive holes-in-one, documented in a Grantland film. Golf legend Jack Nicklaus has contributed to the sport's legitimacy by designing competitive courses and helping establish professional tournaments. Today, miniature golf features an international competitive scene, governed by organizations like the US Pro Mini Golf Association and the World Mini Golf Sports Federation, which standardize tournament play and course obstacles.
1-Page Summary
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Actionables
- Explore the history of miniature golf in your area by visiting the oldest courses and documenting their unique features and designs. This can give you a sense of the evolution of the sport locally and provide a fun, educational outing. For example, you might find a course that still has vintage obstacles or one that reflects the design philosophies of either "Putt-Putt" or "Goofy Golf."
- Create a miniature golf travel itinerary based on the historical development of the sport, aiming to visit courses that represent different eras and styles. This could include a rooftop course in a city, a classic 1950s style course, and a modern competitive course. It's a way to experience the diversity of the sport and appreciate its development firsthand.
- Host a themed miniature golf event that celebrates the sport's history, where participants dress up in period attire from the 1920s or 1950s and play on a course set up with historical obstacles and designs. This can be a fun way to engage with friends or community members, offering a playful nod to the sport's past while enjoying a round of golf.
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The Origins and Early History of Miniature Golf
Miniature golf, a popular pastime enjoyed by millions around the world, has a rich history that dates back over a century to its genteel roots in Scotland and its later expansion to the United States.
First Miniature Golf Course: St. Andrews Ladies' Putting Club, 1867
The earliest known instance of a miniature golf course is at St. Andrews in Scotland, home to the Ladies' Putting Club of St. Andrews, which dates back to 1867. This putting green was constructed exclusively for the women members of the Ladies' Putting Club due to societal norms that prevented women from performing a full golf swing. It is still in existence today and is known as the Himalayas due to its challenging and undulating terrain.
The Ladies' Putting Club was initially formed to keep women golfers separate from the men, reflecting the social restrictions of the era that frowned upon women playing golf concurrently with men. Despite these beginnings as an exclusive space for women meant to conform to the day's gender norms, the Himalayas putting green at St. Andrews has become iconic as the world's first miniature golf course.
First U.S. Miniature Golf Course Built In 1919 by James Barber, Pinehurst, North Carolina
In the United States, the first recorded miniature golf course was created by James Barber, an English immigrant familiar with the Ladies Putting Club at St. Andrews. In 1919, Barber constructed an 18-hole course on his estate in Pinehurst, North Carolina. He christened this course "Thistle-Dhu," an endearing name that came to be when he first laid ...
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The Origins and Early History of Miniature Golf
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Actionables
- Explore the historical roots of your hobbies by researching their origins and sharing your findings with friends or local clubs. If you enjoy miniature golf, for example, you could delve into its Scottish beginnings and the evolution of the game, then present a fun trivia night at your local miniature golf course to share these insights with fellow enthusiasts.
- Create a themed mini-golf event that celebrates the history of the sport. You can design a mini-golf day where each hole represents a different era or significant milestone in miniature golf's development, such as a hole inspired by the Ladies' Putting Club or the whimsical design of Thistle-Dhu, to educate and entertain players about the game's past.
- Pay homage to the game's pioneers by naming your ow ...
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Evolution and Rise of Miniature Golf in the U.S
The hosts explore the history of miniature golf in the U.S., emphasizing how the Carters' innovations set the stage for the sport's popularity and how its affordability during the Great Depression allowed it to flourish.
1920s Miniature Golf Boom: NYC Rooftop Courses
Rooftop Minigolf Courses Thrive In Financial District
In the 1920s, miniature golf courses began popping up on the rooftops of New York City's financial district, signifying the beginning of a nationwide craze. These courses were among the first to introduce a novel urban pastime that would soon spread across the country.
In 1926, Garnet and Frieda Carter Built Fairyland Club In Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, Featuring the First Miniature Golf Course With Obstacles, Whimsical Statues, and Hazards
Carters' Course Popularized Miniature Golf Obstacles and Theming
Garnet and Frieda Carter constructed the Fairyland Club's Tom Thumb Golf course on Lookout Mountain, Tennessee. This was the first miniature golf course furnished with obstacles and whimsical statues, inspired by fairy tales. With obstacles like drain pipes, barrels, and Mother Goose-type figures, the Carters' course was a huge hit and sparked a miniature golf frenzy during the 1920s alongside other fads like crossword puzzles, dance marathons, and flagpole sitting.
The Carters capitalized on the Fairyland Inn and the Club's success and considered their miniature golf course to be a prime business opportunity. It was part of a larger tourist scene that included attractions like Rock City and Ruby Falls. The Carters also partnered with Thomas McCulloch Fairburn, who invented a cheap and easy technique for creating artificial putting greens which led to prefab kits for easy miniature golf course franchising. Their method combined Fairburn's affordable greens with the whimsical themes the Carters had introduced, effectively democratizing and popularizing the miniature golf concept.
Great Depression: Traditional Golf Declined, Miniature Golf Surged
Entrepreneurs Used Found Objects to Make Miniature Golf Accessible to All
Despite the hardships of the Great Dep ...
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Evolution and Rise of Miniature Golf in the U.S
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Explore your city's history by visiting local historical societies or archives to uncover if there were any unique entertainment venues like rooftop miniature golf courses. This can give you a deeper appreciation for your city's past and might inspire ideas for modern urban entertainment spaces.
- Create a themed game night based on the whimsical elements of the 1920s miniature golf courses. Use household items to design mini-golf-like challenges around your home or yard, incorporating fairy tale or historical themes to add a creative twist.
- Start a small, themed garden project inspired by the Fairyland ...
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The Different Styles and Forms of Miniature Golf
Miniature golf has evolved through the years, featuring a variety of styles and forms, catering to diverse preferences, from skill-focused challenges to whimsical fun.
1950s: Don Clayton's "Putt-Putt" Miniature Golf Focused On Skill Over Gimmicks
In the 1950s, Don Clayton was dissatisfied with the gimmicky nature of miniature golf. He envisioned a different type of miniature golf course, where the challenge derived from the design of the course itself, emphasizing skill over whimsy.
Clayton's Putt-Putt: Simple Par-2 Holes Without Wacky Features
Clayton's Putt-Putt courses were characterized by simple, challenging par-2 holes designed to emphasize skill rather than the typical gimmicks like windmills or a clown's mouth. The courses included multiple-level holes and other challenges that provided a fair opportunity for players to achieve par, thus focusing on the player's putt precision and skill.
1950s Loma Brothers Introduce "Goofy Golf" With Moving Obstacles
The Loma brothers, Ralph and Al, brought a newfound whimsy to miniature golf in 1955, introducing mechanized courses with rotating windmill blades and moving ramps, offering players a different, more playful experience.
Lomas Brothers Mass-Produced Components for Miniature Golf Courses and Sold Them Worldwide
The Lomas brothers expanded their innovation by mass-producing components for these whimsical miniature golf courses and selling them worldwide, fostering the distinctive "goofy golf" style with moving obstacles like clown mouths and windmills that we recognize today.
M ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
The Different Styles and Forms of Miniature Golf
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can design a mini-golf hole on paper to understand the balance between skill and whimsy. Start by sketching a straightforward layout that emphasizes precision, like Don Clayton's designs, but add a single playful element that doesn't overshadow the skill aspect, such as a gentle slope or a non-obtrusive decorative feature. This exercise can enhance your appreciation for design balance and could be a fun activity to do with family or friends, sparking conversations about creativity and skill.
- Transform your backyard or a room into a temporary mini-golf course using household items. Use books for borders, cups as holes, and a toy as a fun obstacle. This hands-on activity allows you to experiment with creating both competitive and playful elements in mini-golf, giving you a personal experience of the design principles discussed in the history of mini-golf. ...
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The Competitive and Professional Aspects of Miniature Golf
Miniature golf is more than just a fun and whimsical pastime. It also has a competitive professional side, complete with tournaments, design innovations, and dedicated players.
18 Perfect Putt-Putt Game in 2011
Documentary Captures Baird's Perfect Miniature Golf Round
Rick Baird achieved a feat in the sport of miniature golf often deemed impossible: a perfect game. In 2011, Baird scored 18 holes-in-one consecutively in a round of putt-putt, an achievement that highlighted the tension and difficulty inherent in the sport. A Grantland documentary, which includes a cartoon reenactment of Baird's experience, particularly on the tense 18th hole, captures this extraordinary accomplishment over approximately seven and a half minutes, underscoring the seriousness and skill involved in professional miniature golf.
Jack Nicklaus Designs and Promotes Competitive Mini-Golf, Boosting Recognition
Nicklaus' Role Established Pro Miniature Golf Tournaments With Notable Prize Purses, Attracting Serious Golfers To the Sport
The game has gained further recognition as a serious sport through the involvement of golfing legend Jack Nicklaus, who has designed competitive miniature golf courses. His input helped establish professional miniature golf tournaments, which feature notable prize purses and attract serious golfers.
Miniature Golf Has an International Competitive Scene With Standardized Tournaments
Challenging Miniature Golf Courses, Destinations for Competitive and Recreational Players
The competitive scen ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
The Competitive and Professional Aspects of Miniature Golf
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can start practicing putting at home using improvised obstacles to simulate a competitive course. Use household items like books, cups, or toys to create your own challenging putting greens. This will help you develop precision and control similar to what's required in professional miniature golf.
- Organize a local miniature golf tournament with friends or community members to experience the competitive aspect of the sport. Find a local course that offers group bookings and set up a friendly competition, complete with scorecards and a small prize for the winner, to get a taste of the tournament atmosphere.
- Create a practice routine tha ...
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