You keep score in miniature golf by counting the number of strokes it takes to get your ball into the hole on each course. The goal is to have the lowest total score at the end of the game.
Miniature golf is a fun game for everyone. It is easy to learn, but knowing exactly how to count strokes in miniature golf is key to a fair game. This guide will show you everything about mini golf scoring rules, from your first putt to the final tally. We will cover basic scoring, special situations like the hole-in-one scoring in putt-putt, and how to use mini golf scorecards. If you want to know the best way to keep mini golf score, you are in the right place.
The Basics: What Counts as a Stroke?
In mini golf, every time you hit the ball, it is one stroke. Think of it like regular golf, but on a smaller course.
Counting Each Hit
Your score for one hole is the total number of times you hit the ball until it drops into the cup.
- You hit the ball once. That is 1 stroke.
- You miss and hit it again. That is 2 strokes.
- You finally sink it on the fourth try. Your score for that hole is 4.
This simple counting is the core of keeping track of mini golf strokes.
Starting the Count
You always start counting strokes from 1 for every new hole. Never carry over a stroke count from the previous hole.
Maximum Strokes Per Hole
Most mini golf courses have a rule about the maximum number of strokes you can take on one hole. This rule stops games from taking too long if someone is having a very hard time.
The Seven-Stroke Rule
The most common limit is 7 strokes. If you take 7 hits and the ball is still not in the cup, you stop hitting.
- Count the 7 strokes you took.
- Write down 7 as your score for that hole.
- Pick up your ball and move to the next hole.
This rule is a part of official mini golf scoring at many casual parks. It keeps the game moving.
Using a Mini Golf Scorecard
To keep things organized, you need a mini golf scorecard. These are often provided at the course entrance. They look simple but are very helpful for tracking mini golf progress.
Anatomy of a Scorecard
A standard card will have:
- Player Names: A spot to write down who is playing.
- Hole Numbers: Usually numbered 1 through 18.
- Par Scores (Sometimes): A suggested best score for each hole (more on Par later).
- Score Boxes: Empty boxes where you write down your strokes for each hole.
Filling Out the Scorecard Step-by-Step
Let us look at how to fill it out during play.
| Player | Hole 1 | Hole 2 | Hole 3 | … | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player A | |||||
| Player B |
- Start at Hole 1: Player A taps the ball. That is 1. If they miss, they tap again—that is 2.
- Record the Number: When Player A sinks the ball in 3 hits, they write ‘3’ in the Hole 1 box next to their name.
- Next Player: Player B takes their turn. If Player B sinks it in 4 hits, they write ‘4’.
- Move On: Once everyone finishes Hole 1, move to Hole 2 and repeat the process.
This is the clearest method for tracking mini golf progress throughout the round.
The Concept of “Par” in Miniature Golf
While not always strictly enforced in casual play, most well-designed mini golf courses use the concept of “Par.” Par is the expected number of strokes an expert player should need to sink the ball.
What Par Means
Par helps set expectations. If a hole is Par 2, it means the designers think two strokes should be enough.
- Par 2: A short, easy hole.
- Par 3: The most common par, usually involving a small ramp or turn.
- Par 4 or 5: These are rare but found on very long or tricky holes.
Relating Strokes to Par
Scoring relative to Par helps you see how well you did on a specific hole. This is very important in competitive mini golf scoring.
| Term | Score Relative to Par | Example (on a Par 3 Hole) |
|---|---|---|
| Hole-in-One | 1 stroke under Par (or 1 if Par is 2) | Scoring a 2 |
| Birdie | 1 stroke under Par | Scoring a 2 |
| Par | Equal to the expected score | Scoring a 3 |
| Bogey | 1 stroke over Par | Scoring a 4 |
| Double Bogey | 2 strokes over Par | Scoring a 5 |
Hole-in-one scoring in putt-putt is always a score of 1, regardless of Par. A hole-in-one is the best possible score on any hole.
Special Scoring Situations
Beyond the basics, a few special rules often come up when keeping track of mini golf strokes.
The Hole-in-One (Ace)
As mentioned, a hole-in-one scoring in putt-putt is simply 1 stroke. Many courses reward this with a free game ticket or special recognition, especially in tournaments.
Out-of-Bounds or Lost Balls
What happens if your ball flies off the green or gets stuck? This is where local mini golf scoring rules can vary slightly.
-
Out-of-Bounds: If the ball leaves the designated playing area (like going past a border or into water hazards that are not meant to be played through), you usually add one penalty stroke to your count. Then, you place the ball where it went out of bounds, or where the official nearest point is.
- Example: You hit your ball (Stroke 1). It goes out of bounds. You add 1 penalty stroke (Total 2). You drop the ball near the boundary and take your next shot (Stroke 3).
-
Stuck Ball: If your ball gets stuck against the edge of a cup, wedged in a track, or caught in carpet seams, you can usually move the ball one putter-head length away from the obstruction without penalty. You then count that move as the next stroke.
Playing Through Obstacles
If the course has moving parts or fun contraptions, remember: hitting the obstacle itself does not count as a stroke unless you hit your ball against the obstacle. Each time you hit your ball, that is one stroke.
Calculating the Final Score
The final score is the sum of all the individual hole scores. This is the crucial part of miniature golf game scoring.
The Summation Process
At the end of the final hole (usually Hole 18), every player must total their column on the scorecard.
Example Final Tally:
| Hole | Score |
|---|---|
| 1 | 3 |
| 2 | 2 |
| 3 | 4 |
| 4 | 3 |
| 5 | 5 |
| 6 | 2 |
| … | … |
| 18 | 4 |
| TOTAL | ? |
If Player A’s scores added up to 65, their final score is 65. If Player B scored 62, Player B wins because the lowest score wins in mini golf.
Advanced Scoring: Competitive Play
For serious fun or organized leagues, competitive mini golf scoring requires strict adherence to the rules. This is where official mini golf scoring standards matter most.
Official Rules vs. Casual Play
Casual play allows for friendly liberties (like ignoring the 7-stroke limit). Competitive play requires precision.
- Penalty Enforcement: Penalties for moving the ball or breaking boundaries are strictly applied.
- Stroke Verification: In tournaments, players often verify each other’s counts before recording the score, ensuring honesty and accuracy in how to count strokes in miniature golf.
- Par Consistency: Par scores are essential in tournaments to compare performance across different courses or between rounds.
The Handicap System (Rare in Casual Mini Golf)
In some advanced leagues, they use a handicap system. This system adjusts scores based on a player’s average skill level, making the competition fair between beginners and experts. However, for standard fun, ignore handicaps and just count the strokes.
Tips for the Best Way to Keep Mini Golf Score
Keeping score efficiently prevents arguments and speeds up the game flow. Here are the best way to keep mini golf score habits.
1. Appoint a Scorekeeper
The easiest way to ensure accuracy is to have one dedicated person responsible for writing down scores for everyone. This person should sit near the scorecard and clearly announce the count after each successful putt.
- Tip: If playing with a large group (more than 4), assign a temporary scorekeeper for the first 9 holes, and switch for the back 9.
2. Announce Strokes Clearly
As soon as a player hits the ball, they should call out the count.
- “That’s 1!”
- “Stroking 2!”
- “Three in!”
This vocal confirmation helps everyone follow along and makes it easier for the designated scorekeeper to record it correctly. This directly assists in keeping track of mini golf strokes.
3. Double-Check Totals
Before you move to the next tee box, quickly verify the score on the card. Did Player C miss recording their 5 on Hole 12? Catching errors early saves time later.
4. Keep Pencils Handy
Nothing slows down scoring like scrambling for a writing tool. Every player should have access to a pencil or pen if you are not using a dedicated scorekeeper.
Deciphering Common Scoring Confusion
Sometimes, players get confused about what exactly constitutes a “stroke” versus a “move.”
Question: Does moving my ball count as a stroke?
Answer: Generally, no, unless the move is correcting an illegal action (like the out-of-bounds penalty). If you move your ball slightly to get a better lie (a common casual rule), that is a free move, not a stroke. However, in official mini golf scoring, you cannot move your ball unless the rules allow it (like fixing an obstruction).
Question: If my ball rolls back to the tee-off spot, do I start over?
Answer: Yes. The count continues. If you used 2 strokes already, the next time you hit it from the tee-off spot, it is your 3rd stroke. You never reset the stroke count mid-hole unless you reach the maximum stroke limit.
Question: What if a course feature moves my ball unexpectedly?
Answer: If a mechanical feature (like a windmill blade or a moving ramp) hits your ball, this is considered “outside interference.” You do not get a penalty stroke. You place the ball where it ended up and take your next shot. This is an exception to standard mini golf scoring rules.
Table of Common Mini Golf Terms for Scoring
| Term | What It Means | Score Example (Par 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Stroke | One hit of the ball. | 1, 2, 3, etc. |
| Hole-in-One (Ace) | Ball sunk in one hit. | 1 |
| Par | The expected score. | 3 |
| Bogey | One hit too many. | 4 |
| Maximum Limit | The highest score counted per hole. | 7 |
| Scorecard | The sheet used for tracking mini golf progress. | N/A |
Fathoming the Importance of Par for Competitive Play
For those looking at competitive mini golf scoring, Par is everything. It shows mastery over the course design. A player who consistently scores at or below Par across an 18-hole round demonstrates high skill.
When comparing scores between two players who have different abilities, looking only at the total strokes can be misleading if one course had many Par 4s and the other had mostly Par 2s. In true competitive settings, the “score relative to par” (e.g., 5 under par) is often the deciding factor, not the raw stroke total.
This ties directly back to how you interpret the numbers on your mini golf scorecards. Make sure those Par numbers are clearly marked before you begin!
Final Thoughts on Keeping Score
Keeping track of mini golf strokes is simple: count every hit until the ball is in the cup, up to a maximum of seven. Record that number on your card. The player with the lowest total at the end of 18 holes wins. By following these clear steps, you ensure your game is fair, fun, and competitive, whether you are aiming for a casual afternoon outing or adhering to official mini golf scoring for a league match.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many strokes is a hole-in-one in mini golf?
A hole-in-one scoring in putt-putt is always counted as 1 stroke, no matter what the Par for the hole is.
What is the maximum score allowed on one hole?
Most casual and organized mini golf courses set the maximum score at 7 strokes. If you have not sunk the ball after 7 hits, you record a 7 and move on.
Do I have to use Par scores when playing?
No, for casual play, Par scores are optional. They are helpful for tracking mini golf progress and setting targets, but the main objective is always to have the lowest total number of strokes recorded on your mini golf scorecards.
Can I fix my lie without taking a penalty stroke?
In casual games, yes, moving your ball slightly for a better shot is often allowed. However, in strict competitive mini golf scoring, you cannot move your ball unless a specific rule allows it (like moving it out of a track or hazard). Always check local course rules before starting.
What is the best way to keep mini golf score if I have a big group?
The best way to keep mini golf score for a large group is to assign one person the role of official scorekeeper. This person should announce each player’s stroke count loudly after they putt to ensure everyone agrees before writing it down.