Your guide to South Jersey's mini golf courses
Want to play putt-putt in and around Camden, Gloucester, Burlington Counties? These eight spots offer whimsy, nostalgia, and the occasional sweet treat.
Mini golf is an underrated nostalgic summer staple. The rainbow array of golf balls, the sun-bleached artificial turf, the tilting windmills, and fiberglass volcanoes will transport you right back to childhood, melting ice cream cones and all.
Itβs easy to find putt-putt courses dotted up and down the boardwalks of the Jersey Shore, but South Jersey has its fair share of miniature fareways, too. Many offer more than just mini golf, with homemade ice cream, arcade games, amusement park rides, and driving ranges for adults. Two courses are indoors, for big fun even when the sun isnβt shining.
Tee up a great summer on these miniature links:
Open year-round, weather permitting
Big Swing boasts not one but two mini golf courses. (For the second, βGo left at the volcano,β the attendant tells me.) Both are light on props and heavy on banks, curves, hills, elevation gains, and drops, making for some genuinely tricky shots.
Best hole: Number eight on the waterfall course starts at the top of a hill, with three options to get to the bottom, including two mystery chutes β one that could land a hole in one, and another that spits out on a separate landing.
Other amenities: Golf simulator, golf lessons, driving range
Price: $7 per adult for both courses, $6 for children 12 and under
π312 Salina Rd., Sewell N.J. 08080, π 856-553-6723, π bigswinggolfcenter.com
Year-round
Donβt let a rainy day (or a brutally hot one) stop you from hitting the links. Monster Mini Golf offers 18 holes of spooky-themed, indoor, glow-in-the-dark golf, with locations in Cherry Hill and Turnersville. Black light illuminates the dark interior, which is decked out with weird Jersey scenes rendered in glowing paint, and monstrous animatronics that come to life as you move around the course.
Best hole: Tie between hole number eight, which is presided over by an enormous, glowing, talking skull and number nine, where players can spin a wheel to add an random, extra challenge to their turn, like playing with one arm behind their back or with their eyes closed.
Other amenities: Arcade, mini-bowling alley, laser maze, laser tag (at Turnersville location only)
Price: $10-14 for mini golf
π2040 Springdale Road, Suite 300, Cherry Hill, N.J. 08003, π 856-393-5500, π monsterminigolf.com/locations/us/nj/cherry-hill
π 1 Shoppers Lane, Blackwood, N.J. 08012, π 856-302-5240, π monsterminigolf.com/locations/us/nj/turnersville
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April 1 to Halloween
Opened in 1972 and now run by the son of the original owner, Pleasant Valley is a throwback mini golf course with all the whacky obstacles you could dream of. The fiberglass Liberty Bell and giant sombrero, built by the owner, have been there since the 1970s. Guest-favorite hole number 12 features three gophers driving classic cars in circles. Conveniently located on the way to Atlantic City, itβs got a classic charm you wonβt find at every course.
Best hole: βThe sombrero,β owner Brian Whelan says. βItβs very difficult, very easy to have the ball fly out of the sombrero. Big risk, big reward there.β
Other amenities: Ice cream and water ice
Price: Before 6 p.m., $10 for adults, $9 for kids 10 and under and seniors; after 6 p.m., $12.50 for adults, $10 for kids and seniors
π 93 Rt 73, Voorhees, N.J. 08043, π 609-314-1214, π pvminigolf.com
March 1 to the weekend after Thanksgiving
Previously known as The Golf Farm, Voorhees Golf Land reopened last year under new ownership after a year-long closure. In addition to 18 holes of mini golf, Golf Land sports the regionβs only pitch-and-putt course. Thatβs 18 holes of golf that are just 20 to 50 yards long, βnot quite the size of a par three,β owner Diana Hennefer says, so itβs a great option for people who donβt have the time or mobility to play a full round of golf, or who just want to practice their short game.
Best hole: Number 18 has a wishing well in the middle. βItβs probably the trickiest one,β Hennefer says. βItβs also the prettiest, most picturesque one.β
Other amenities: Pitch-and-putt course
Price: Mini golf: $8 for adults, $6 for kids; pitch and putt: $15 for adults, $10 for kids
π 801 Haddonfield Berlin Road, Voorhees, N.J. 08043, π 856-630-0977, π voorheesgolfland.com
Come for the challenging, hilly course, and stay for the vintage custard stand serving homemade ice cream. Built in 1959, Serene Custard still boasts its original mid-century signage and is celebrating its 67th season this year. The 18-hole mini golf course is a newer addition, featuring tough terrains and lush landscaping. βYou sort of donβt even feel like youβre in South Jersey when youβre on the course,β owner Ari Dendrinos says.
Best hole: Number nine takes place entirely within a huge man-made cave.
Other amenities: Custard stand serving ice cream, water ice, and some savory snacks
Price: $6 for children, $8 for adults
π 2336 N. West Blvd, Vineland, N.J. 08360, π 856-692-1104, π serenecustardandgolf.com
Spring break to mid-October
The Funplex at Mt. Laurel has way more than just mini golf. Thereβs a waterpark, indoor and outdoor rides, a bowling alley, and more. But donβt sleep on the two mini golf courses, Adventure Cave and Lost Lagoon, both of which offer 18 holes of obstacles, including a few multi-level designs.
Best hole: At number 19, if you get a hole-in-one, your next game is free.
Other amenities: Waterpark, indoor and outdoor rides, bowling, arcade games
Price: $42 on weekdays and $49 on weekends for access to all attractions; $46 and $54 when purchasing at the gate
π 3320-24 NJ-38, Mount Laurel, N.J. 08054, π 856-273-9666, π thefunplex.com
May to October, honor system all year round
The Jersey Devil wants to ensure you never have to miss a mini golf fix. Despite their posted hours, this course operates on the honor system, making their putters and golf balls available every day, all year round, so you can play even when no one is working. Just drop $5 in the box at the first hole to enjoy putting on these long greens, which provide a challenge to kids and adults alike.
Best hole: Hole number 12 features a sharp bend and splits in two before converging.
Other amenities: Driving range, picnic area with cornhole, and fire pits
Price: $8 for adults, $7 for 6 to 16-year-olds, free for 5 and under
π 276 Rte 73 S, Hammonton, N.J. 08037, π 609-704-9007, π jerseydevilgolf.com