The putt-putt scoring system is quite simple. You count the number of times you hit the ball until it goes into the hole. This total is your score for that specific hole. It works just like real golf, using strokes.
Mini golf, also known as putt-putt or sometimes referred to as crazy golf, is a fun game for everyone. While it looks simple, knowing the official miniature golf rules helps keep the game fair and enjoyable. The core idea revolves around keeping your score as low as possible. Let’s explore everything about hole score tracking and how the final results are tallied.
Grasping the Basic Concept of Mini Golf Scores
The main goal in mini golf is to use the fewest possible strokes to get the ball into the cup. Every time you swing your putter, it counts as one stroke. If it takes you four swings to get the ball in the hole, your score for that hole is 4. This is the fundamental basis for calculating mini golf results.
Stroke Play Mini Golf: The Standard Method
When playing mini golf, most groups use stroke play mini golf. This is the most common way to keep score.
Stroke Play Explained:
- You count every stroke you take on a hole.
- You write this number down on your card.
- You do this for every hole on the course.
- Your final score is the total of all the holes added together.
The player with the lowest total score at the end of the 18th hole (or whichever number the course has) wins the game. This mirrors standard golf where the goal is always the lowest number.
What is Par in Mini Golf?
Every hole on a miniature golf course has a suggested number of strokes, which is called par in mini golf.
Par is the expected number of strokes a skilled player should take to complete the hole.
For example, a short, straight hole might have a par of 2. A longer hole with a tricky obstacle, like a windmill or a loop-the-loop, might have a par of 3.
If you complete the hole in the number of strokes equal to par, you have played “to par.”
Interpreting the Golf Course Scorecard Explained
To keep track during your game, you will use a golf course scorecard explained for mini golf. This card is essential for accurate record-keeping.
Components of a Mini Golf Scorecard
A typical mini golf scorecard lists the hole number and the par for that hole.
| Hole Number | Par Value | Player 1 Score | Player 2 Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | ||
| 2 | 3 | ||
| 3 | 2 | ||
| … | … | ||
| Total | (Sum of Pars) |
Filling out the Card:
- Note the par for the hole before you start putting.
- As players finish each hole, they call out their total strokes.
- The scorekeeper writes that number down next to the player’s name under the correct hole number.
This systematic approach makes hole score tracking easy and prevents confusion later.
Scoring Terms Relative to Par
Just like in regulation golf, mini golf uses specific terms to describe how your score relates to the hole’s par. These terms make score discussion quicker.
- Birdie: Finishing one stroke under par (e.g., scoring a 2 on a par 3 hole).
- Eagle: Finishing two strokes under par (rare in mini golf, usually only on par 4s).
- Par: Finishing exactly on the par number.
- Bogey: Finishing one stroke over par (e.g., scoring a 4 on a par 3 hole).
- Double Bogey: Finishing two strokes over par (e.g., scoring a 5 on a par 3 hole).
Deciphering the Maximum Score Rule
A crucial part of miniature golf rules involves setting a maximum score per hole. Most standard mini golf courses implement this to keep the game moving and prevent frustration.
The “Six-Stroke Rule”
The most common maximum score is six strokes.
What happens if you can’t sink the ball in six strokes?
- If your ball is still in play after your sixth stroke, you stop putting.
- You pick up your ball.
- You must record a score of 6 for that hole on your card.
- You then move to the next tee box.
This rule ensures that even if a hole is extremely difficult or a ball gets stuck unfairly, the group doesn’t lose too much time on one hole. Always check the local rules, but six is the standard ceiling for scoring in crazy golf environments.
Special Mini Golf Scenarios and Variations
While stroke play is standard, some groups play variations that change how scores are kept.
Best Ball Mini Golf
Sometimes, when playing in larger groups or teams, you might play best ball mini golf. This is a team variant.
How Best Ball Works:
- Two or more players form a team.
- Each player plays the hole normally, tracking their own strokes.
- After everyone is done, the team only records the lowest score made by any team member for that hole.
- The team’s total score is the sum of those best scores across all holes.
This format encourages players to help each other strategize on tough holes.
Match Play (Less Common)
Match play is rarer in casual mini golf but involves winning individual holes rather than tracking total strokes.
- The player who completes a hole in the fewest strokes wins that hole.
- Winning the most holes across the entire course wins the match.
- If Player A scores 3 and Player B scores 4 on Hole 1, Player A wins Hole 1.
Fathoming Handicaps for Mini Golf
In traditional golf, a handicap for mini golf might seem unusual because the courses are generally shorter and simpler. However, if you have players of vastly different skill levels, a handicap can make the competition fair.
Applying Handicaps
A handicap system adjusts the final score to level the playing field.
- Determine Course Par Total: Add up the par for all 18 holes. (This total is usually between 36 and 60).
- Assign Handicap: Based on past performance or perceived skill, a player is assigned a handicap number (e.g., 5 strokes).
- Calculate Final Score: The player subtracts their handicap from their total stroke count.
Example Calculation:
| Player | Total Strokes Played | Handicap | Final Adjusted Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Player | 42 | 0 | 42 |
| Novice Player | 48 | 6 | 42 |
In this example, both players finish with an adjusted score of 42, resulting in a tie. This is how a handicap for mini golf evens the game.
Advanced Obstacle Scoring (Scoring in Crazy Golf)
When playing scoring in crazy golf—which often features more elaborate and unpredictable obstacles—the core rules still apply, but strategy becomes more important.
Dealing with Obstacles
Obstacles like spinners, bumpers, and tunnels can affect your stroke count in unpredictable ways.
- Bank Shots: If you intentionally bank the ball off a wall to get around an obstacle, each shot still counts as one stroke.
- Moving Objects: If an obstacle (like a moving propeller or a revolving platform) moves your ball slightly after it hits, that does not count as an extra stroke. You only count the swings you deliberately made.
The key is always to focus on getting the ball into the hole with the fewest attempts possible, even if an obstacle forces you into a difficult recovery shot.
Finalizing the Results: Calculating Mini Golf Results
Once all players have finished the final hole, it is time to tally up the results. This final step involves summing up the individual hole score tracking data.
Step-by-Step Tallying Process
- Sum Strokes Per Player: For each player, add up the scores written in their row across all 18 (or 9) holes.
- Compare Totals: Compare the final totals for all players.
- Apply Handicaps (If Used): If playing with handicaps, subtract the handicap number from the total stroke count.
- Determine Winner: The player with the lowest final score wins.
Example of Final Calculation (9 Holes):
| Player | H1 | H2 | H3 | H4 | H5 | H6 | H7 | H8 | H9 | Total Strokes | Handicap | Final Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex | 2 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 25 | 2 | 23 |
| Beth | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 29 | 4 | 25 |
| Chris | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 21 | 0 | 21 |
In this example, Chris wins with the lowest raw score (21). If Alex had won, his score would have been 23 after applying his 2-stroke handicap.
Maintaining Pace of Play and Etiquette
Scoring rules are closely tied to etiquette and pace. Good hole score tracking helps keep the game moving smoothly.
When to Record Scores
Record your score immediately after you finish the hole or as soon as the group reaches the next tee. Do not wait until the very end to try and recall how many strokes you took on hole 4.
Order of Play
In stroke play, the player who scored the lowest on the previous hole generally tees off first on the next hole (the player “keeping score” or having the “honour”). This rotates through the group. If there is a tie for the lowest score, the tied players usually decide who goes first, or they go in the order they are listed on the card.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the maximum number of strokes allowed on a mini golf hole?
Usually, the maximum score recorded for any single hole is 6 strokes, even if it takes you more swings to get the ball in. You pick up the ball after the sixth stroke and count it as a 6.
Does mini golf use handicaps?
While not standard for casual play, handicaps can be used if you are playing a formal tournament or if players have very different skill levels. A handicap for mini golf adjusts the final score to make the game fairer.
Is “par” the same in mini golf as in regular golf?
Yes, the concept is the same. Par in mini golf is the expected number of strokes a good player should take to complete the hole. Par scores usually range from 2 to 4.
What if my ball gets stuck in an obstacle?
If your ball gets irrevocably stuck in a piece of scenery or a permanent part of the obstacle (and you have not yet reached the maximum stroke limit, usually 6), you can move your ball to a spot where it can be legally played, usually just outside the obstacle, and count one penalty stroke. Then you play your next shot.
How do you determine the winner in putt-putt scoring system?
The winner is the person who has the lowest total number of strokes when all the holes on the course are finished. This is known as stroke play mini golf.
Can you play best ball mini golf?
Yes, best ball mini golf is a popular team variation where only the lowest score recorded by any team member on a hole counts toward the team total.