Photo courtesy of Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf.

Across the world, more than 130 million people play miniature golf each year. It’s not hard to see why. Regular golf, by its very nature, is an intimidating venture, requiring weeks, months, and years of practice to even be competent enough to have fun on the golf course. Mini golf, however, is a version of the sport defined by accessibility.

With its origins dating back to late 19th century Scotland, mini golf soon took the United States by storm, spawning courses across the country in the early 1900s. The game’s broad appeal ranged from North to South, from the standardized courses in Tennessee and North Carolina that featured fountains and gardens to the rooftop courses of New York City.

During the Great Depression, when the cost of playing on a full sized course became unaffordable for the average American, many turned to the less costly mini golf. The game began to evolve into what it is today – the exorbitant fountains and gardens gave way to cheaper alternatives for obstacles such as tires and drain pipes, creating the unique designs that are a staple of modern mini golf.

Here on the Gulf Coast, mini golf lovers can carry on the rich tradition of the game at Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf. The Sarasota location, which is one of the company’s five locations in Florida, is a pirate-themed adventure style golf course replete with waterfalls, caves, tunnels, wooden bridges, and of course, a replica pirate ship. The special twist? A live American Alligator exhibit.

“It’s an 18-hole adventure putt-putt course with all kinds of fun obstacles. At this time we have 23 American alligators, which you are welcome to feed at the end of the game using a cane fishing pole,” says Brenda R. of Smugglers Cove. “We’ve been in business since 1999 and have a very well maintained course thanks to our top-notch crew. People just seem to love the unique experience that we offer.”

Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf, 3815 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 941-351-6620, info@smugglersgolf.com. 

Photo courtesy of Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf.

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