Mini Golf at the Jersey Shore
Putt your way through waterfalls, pirate ships, and glow-in-the-dark courses. A shore tradition that's fun for all ages.
30+ Courses
Throughout the shore
Night Golf
Many open after dark
All Ages
Perfect family activity
Top Mini Golf Courses
Congo Falls Adventure Golf
Wildwood • 36 holes
4.5/5
Two 18-hole courses with waterfalls, caves, and African theming. A shore classic.
Tee Time Golf
Ocean City • 36 holes
4.5/5
Family favorite with two courses. Well-maintained and classic shore vibes.
Pirates Island Golf
Avalon • 18 holes
4/5
Pirate-themed course on Seven Mile Island. Great for kids.
Lighthouse Point Mini Golf
Point Pleasant Beach • 18 holes
4/5
Near Jenkinson's Boardwalk. Lighthouse theme with good challenge.
Barnegat Light Mini Golf
Barnegat Light • 18 holes
4/5
Casual LBI course near the lighthouse. Local favorite.
Cape May Miniature Golf
Cape May • 18 holes
3.5/5
Victorian town's mini golf option. Good for families.
Thundering Surf Water Park Mini Golf
Beach Haven • 18 holes
4/5
Combined with water park for full day of fun.
Monster Mini Golf
Various locations • 18 holes
4/5
Indoor glow-in-the-dark courses. Perfect for rainy days.
📊 Course Comparison
Not all mini golf courses are created equal. Here's how to choose.
| Course | Difficulty | Theming | Condition | Value | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Congo Falls Wildwood | ⛳⛳⛳⛳ | 🎨🎨🎨🎨🎨 | ✨✨✨✨✨ | 💰💰💰💰 | Serious mini golfers, photo ops, night golf |
Tee Time Ocean City | ⛳⛳⛳ | 🎨🎨🎨 | ✨✨✨✨✨ | 💰💰💰💰💰 | Families, quick games, classic experience |
Pirates Island Avalon | ⛳⛳ | 🎨🎨🎨🎨 | ✨✨✨✨ | 💰💰💰💰 | Young kids, pirate fans |
Monster Mini Golf Various | ⛳⛳ | 🎨🎨🎨🎨 | ✨✨✨✨ | 💰💰💰 | Rainy days, tweens, AC cooling |
Lighthouse Point Point Pleasant | ⛳⛳⛳ | 🎨🎨🎨 | ✨✨✨✨ | 💰💰💰💰💰 | Boardwalk visitors, budget-conscious |
👨👩👧👦 Family Strategy Guide
Mini golf with kids requires strategy. Here's how to make it fun for everyone.
👶 Toddlers (2-4)
Barely—most are too young
Let them hold a putter and "help" older kids. Don't expect them to finish 18 holes.
Best courses: Flat, simple courses. Avoid multi-level or water hazards.
- • Bring snacks
- • Plan for 9 holes max
- • Let them pick up the ball and drop it in
🧒 Preschool (4-6)
Yes, with help
Don't keep strict score. Let them hit until it goes in. Celebrate every putt.
Best courses: Themed courses keep them engaged. Pirates Island is perfect.
- • Set a max of 6-8 strokes per hole
- • Let them tee off first
- • High fives for every hole
⛳ Elementary (7-10)
Absolutely!
They can play real rules. Light competition is fun. Handicaps help keep it fair.
Best courses: Any course works. Congo Falls is a great adventure.
- • Give them a 2-stroke head start
- • Let them read the greens
- • Teach bank shots
🏆 Tweens/Teens (11+)
Full competition mode
Play for real. They can beat you (and will trash talk). Embrace it.
Best courses: Harder courses with obstacles. Congo Falls, challenging layouts.
- • Small wager makes it interesting
- • Glow golf is "cool" at this age
- • Phone photos allowed
Mixed-Age Group Tips
Pair up
Put a big kid with a little kid as a team. They help each other.
Stagger tees
Let little ones tee off closer to the hole.
Celebrate everyone
Hole-in-ones get big cheers, regardless of age.
Take breaks
Stop at hole 9 for snacks if needed.
🏆 How to Actually Win
Want to actually win? Here are secrets the pros know.
Mini Golf Basics
- Par
- Number of strokes expected to finish a hole. Usually 2-3 for mini golf.
- Hole-in-One
- Sinking it in one shot. Rare and worth celebrating loudly.
- Birdie
- One under par. On a par-3, finishing in 2 strokes.
- Bogey
- One over par. Totally respectable at mini golf.
- Mulligan
- A do-over. Technically against the rules but common for families.
The Mental Game
- 🧠Stay relaxed. Tension kills your putting stroke.
- 🧠Forget bad holes immediately. Each hole is a fresh start.
- 🧠Don't overthink it. Your first read is usually right.
- 🧠Have fun. It's mini golf. Nobody's going pro.
👀 Read the Green
Walk around the hole before putting. Look for slopes, breaks, and obstacles.
💡 The ball always breaks toward the lowest point. Find the drain.
🎱 Bank Shots
Use the walls! Angle shots off borders to navigate around obstacles.
💡 Hit the wall at a 45° angle to get a predictable bounce.
🎯 Speed Control
Most misses are from hitting too hard. Soft touch beats power.
💡 Aim to have the ball stop 6 inches past the hole if it misses.
🔍 Aim Small
Don't aim at the hole—aim at a specific spot on the back of the cup.
💡 Pick a blade of turf behind the hole. Focus on that.
🧍 Consistent Stance
Same setup every time. Feet shoulder-width apart, eyes over the ball.
💡 Develop a pre-shot routine. Same steps, every hole.
⏰ Best Times to Play
When you play matters almost as much as where you play.
🌅 Morning (9-11 AM)
Crowds: Low
Heat: Mild
Wait: None
Families with young kids, beating the heat
Some courses open at 10 AM. Call ahead.
☀️ Midday (12-3 PM)
Crowds: High
Heat: Brutal
Wait: Long
Nobody. This is when locals nap.
Exception: Indoor glow golf is perfect midday.
🌤️ Late Afternoon (4-6 PM)
Crowds: Moderate
Heat: Cooling down
Wait: Moderate
Post-beach activity, dinner prep time for others
Sweet spot for weather and crowds.
🌙 Evening (7-10 PM)
Crowds: Moderate-High
Heat: Cool
Wait: Moderate
Night golf experience, date night, teens
Lit courses are magical. Worth the wait.
Seasonal Tips
Memorial Day-Labor Day
Peak season. Go early or late to avoid crowds.
Weekdays vs Weekends
Tuesday-Thursday are significantly less crowded.
Rainy days
Everyone has the same idea—indoor courses get packed.
September
Best month. Warm weather, no crowds, courses still open.
💰 Money-Saving Tips
Mini golf adds up with a big family. Here's how to save.
Coupons are everywhere. Grab them at your hotel.
Ask about second round pricing—often deeply discounted.
Some courses bundle 4 players for a flat rate.
After 8 PM, some courses discount rounds.
Bundle with go-karts or arcades for package pricing.
Courses off the boardwalk are usually cheaper.
Best Value Courses
- ⭐Tee Time (Ocean City) — Well-maintained, fair prices, no gimmicks
- ⭐Barnegat Light Mini Golf — Local pricing, less touristy
- ⭐Lighthouse Point — Combine with free Jenkinson's boardwalk stroll
Mini Golf by Region
Wildwood Area
Congo Falls, Dinosaur Beach, Adventure Golf
Most options and biggest courses. Congo Falls is the standout.
Ocean City
Tee Time Golf, Gillian's
Family-friendly town with well-maintained courses.
Long Beach Island
Barnegat Light, Thundering Surf, Fantasy Island
Several options spread across the island.
Point Pleasant
Lighthouse Point, Jenkinson's area courses
Combine with boardwalk visit.
Mini Golf Tips
Go at Night
Many courses offer evening play with lights. Cooler temperatures and fun atmosphere.
Look for Combos
Some courses offer deals when combined with go-karts, arcades, or water parks.
Rainy Day Option
Indoor glow golf courses are perfect when weather doesn't cooperate.
Check for Coupons
Look for coupons in local magazines, brochures at hotels, or online.
Let Kids Win
Just kidding. Destroy them. (Or don't - it's a family activity!)
Play Early or Late
Midday sun can be brutal. Play morning or evening for comfort.
Congo Falls: The Shore's Best Mini Golf
Congo Falls Adventure Golf in Wildwood is the gold standard for shore mini golf. Two 18-hole courses wind through waterfalls, caves, and African-themed obstacles. Play at night when the courses light up. Combine with Wildwood's free beaches and Morey's Piers for a full day of family fun.
Wildwood GuideFamily Fun Updates
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