Playing a round of mini golf with your friends and family is a lot of fun. There is a great mixture of friendly competition and laughter. What makes mini-golf a great activity is that it doesn’t take a lot of skill to play, unlike real golf, which is extremely challenging. With the new miniature golf facilities created today, you truly get an immersive experience like never before.
There are courses with unique obstacles, outdoor locations, glow-in-the-dark facilities, and many more really cool mini-putt setups. However, playing them over and over can get boring; you may want something more exciting, or just a different immersive experience. I totally get it! That is why I have pieced together a detailed list of activities related to mini putt that you and your friends can do together! Let’s go through each one:
1. Pitch & Putt
Mini golf is the easiest form of golf you can play. You do not need to know how to tee off with a driver, hit with your seven iron, or smash your golf ball hundreds of yards at all. But if you want to pick it up a few steps in difficulty, pitch & putt is exactly the activity you are looking for. Instead of just using your putter in mini golf, you can now use a pitching wedge and begin playing golf at a longer distance.
Most pitch & putts have holes from 40 yards all the way up to 120 yards or more. You can finally hit the golf ball with a bit of juice and slowly start to feel like Tiger Woods.
Many cities offer numerous pitch & putt courses that you can pay to play, without the need of booking a tee time. Just show up with your group (4 max per individual group) and get things started. I live in Vancouver, BC, and there are so many pitch & putt courses here that are beautiful, I even get the $99 a month unlimited play package the city offers for three courses.
Sometimes these courses are called par 3 courses; these are often a bit longer as a true par 3 course will have 120 to 160 yard holes. But if you have the skills, you can certainly give these a try too. Not sure about hitting a golf bar that far yet? See TopGolf, golf simulators, or driving range activities below!
2. Disc Golf
Disc golf is a great game similar to the real game of golf, and of course a more challenging one to mini putt. Instead of hitting a golf ball, you get to throw various discs (frisbee like), into a basket. It is a great challenge you and your friends can test together!
Learning the game is a bit easier than real golf, making it a great choice for people looking to get outside, play some holes, and enjoy the activity. Playing real golf can get frustrating, disc golf is more relaxing and inclusive. Throwing a frisbee is a recreational activity ranked in the top 10 easiest participation activities, meaning any group can head out to play today!
Choose to keep score and make things competitive or just go and have fun tossing discs! Most cities have disc golf as the sport has become much more popular in the past couple of years. Just do a local online search and you will see if there’s one nearby.
3. TopGolf
If you’re looking to up your mini-golfing experience, TopGolf is a smart choice! There is no putting at TopGolf; you’ll be swinging your golf club to hit microchipped golf balls toward special targets on a state-of-the-art golf range. A huge plus is you don’t have to be a good golfer to have a blast here. It’s an extremely fun activity for friends looking for a unique and entertaining day out.
Most major cities in the US now have a TopGolf facility. What is cool is that you can compete with your pals in different mini-games and challenges, while at the same time enjoying good foods while sipping on a beverage of your choice. You can even rent out suite-like stations where you and a larger group can have a private area to smash balls, drink, eat, and have fun.
TopGolf adds an exciting twist to your traditional golf game. If you and your friends have mastered your local mini-golf course and are looking to step up your game, you need to test out a TopGolf facility and experience what hitting a golf ball with power is all about.
If you think TopGolf is fun then you need to read our 12 Activities like TopGolf here!
4. Axe Throwing
For those who crave a bit of a unique adventure mixed with friendly competition, axe throwing is an exhilarating choice to consider after (or instead of) a round of mini-golf. Just like mini golf, axe throwing doesn’t require any prior experience, just show up, get a quick safety briefing, and start hurling axes at the targets! Hearing the thunk as the axe deeply penetrates the target is pretty satisfying I must say.
I have been axe throwing a number of times, the wooden targets, rugged atmosphere, and loud noise really makes it an immersive experience. No place you go with your friends really looks like this, and tossing a tool at a wall is unique too. It is very exhilarating, also adding in a competitive game of who can get the most bullseyes or high scores, it adds even more excitement to the evening.
Axe throwing has become so popular recently and venues have been popping up all over cities across the world. If you and your friends are searching for a thrilling experience that complements your mini-golf outings, gather up your crew and try your hand at axe throwing. It’s an unconventional adventure you’ll be wanting to do every weekend!
Enjoy a good game of axe throwing and want more similar activities? Read “19 Activities like Axe Throwing to Do With Your Friends” here.
5. Go-Karting
Mini putt is pretty slow-paced, you walk around and hit a ball into a hole. Go-karting on the other hand increases your heart rate and is a true rush. If you want to increase the intensity of your day out with friends, go-karts are a pretty great choice for that exhilarating activity.
Like mini golf, go-karting is all about friendly competition and your independent skills. Go-karting just adds a lot more speed!
Most cities have a couple of go-karting tracks that are great for beginners and experienced racers. There are even professional kart racing tracks where you can drive go-karts that reach high speeds of up to 80mph.
It’s an excellent activity for friend groups who want more of a thrill, but nothing too extreme like skydiving. Anyone can jump in a go-kart and drive, that’s what makes it perfect!
Love speed and racing? See our related post “17 Activities Like Go-Karting to Do With Your Friends” here.
6. Escape Rooms
Along with a round of mini-golf, or just another activity option, you can venture into the world of mystery and puzzles with an escape room adventure. Escape rooms are a great teamwork and problem-solving activity, which in my opinion, makes them the perfect follow-up activity to mini-golf. You and your friends will be locked in a themed room and tasked with solving clues and puzzles to “escape” within a set time limit.
I have to say escape rooms can be intense, being in these rooms creates such an immersive experience that you actually feel like you MUST escape. The intensity, pressures, and challenges make for a unique experience.
What makes escape rooms and mini golf similar activities is that both are inclusive to pretty much everybody. It doesn’t matter if you have any experience in either activity, you can just show up and get started with little instruction. Escape rooms are definitely a more mental challenge and get your brain working.
If you have never gone to an escape room, you need to check one out! There are so many options these days as cities are getting new ones regularly. Get your group together to start solving puzzles, riddles, and any other mind games you can think of.
If you want an immersive experience, you need to read this post I wrote “25 Activities Like Escape Rooms to Do With Your Friends“. You will find some pretty fun activities in it!
7. Golf Simulators Facilities
I finally got to try a golf simulator game in Vancouver. The place is called One Under, and let me tell you, what a fun place to go! It is what they call “the new standard in social golf”. This location had 6 golf simulation bays, a cocktail bar, a lounge, and even a large party-sized room you can rent out for larger events.
There are pub golf simulator lounges like the one I went to, but there are also just indoor training facilities that allow you to work with a trainer and practice on becoming a better player. These are not the best for a friend outing; that’s why I recommend going to a pub-style golf lounge to have a drink, hit some balls, and enjoy your time.
The experience is quite similar to golf, you hit the ball, it hits the screen, and plays out like a real game. You can choose to play some of the best golf courses in the world, I was playing at Pebble Beach!
Golf simulators let you practice your swing and work on your accuracy, so you don’t have to call FORE every time you shank a ball off to the side. Fine-tune your skills with your friends and quickly take your golf game to the next level.
If you just finished up some mini golf, maybe its time to grab a real club and head to the nearest golf simulator to you!
8. Laser Tag
Often glow-in-the-dark mini golf facilities are in the same location as laser tag facilities. They pair quite well, especially when you have larger groups, one can play a game of laser tag while the other group faces off on the mini putt course.
Laser tag is more upbeat; there’s more speed, teamwork, and excitement throughout a game. You wear your unique vests, grab your laser gun, and start battling each other.
Similar to mini-golf, laser tag is a social activity that can accommodate most anybody and also groups of various sizes. It’s an exhilarating way to burn off some energy and challenge your friends in a bunch of different kinds of mini-games. Whether you’re ducking behind obstacles or strategizing with your team, laser tag offers a heart-pounding experience that complements the fun of mini-golf perfectly.
Almost all cities have a laser tag facility today, so do some google searches and see what your local area has to offer!
9. Indoor Rock Climbing
If you and your friends are in decent shape, you can always choose to go get some great exercise at your local indoor rock climbing facility. These locations are a great place to climb, work together, motivate, and bond together. Climbing with close friends is the perfect activity to test each other limits; how far can you go?
Adding some friendly competition by challenging climbs based on speed or height, maybe even creating teams and having a climbing battle! These facilities offer varying difficulties so most friend groups should be able to get climbing together.
I recommend indoor climbing facilities strictly because they are in a controlled environment, usually with employees to help keep your climbing sessions safe. You can always go outdoor climbing, but ensure you and your friends understand what gear is required and how to properly use it.
If you think rock climbing is an activity that sparks your interest, see more activities like rock climbing here.
10. Ropes Courses
I worked at a zipline for 5 years, and we had a ropes course as well. These courses challenge you just as much as rock climbing walls or more. You get the heights mixed with the extremely difficult obstacles, making it a wild challenge! However, almost all ropes courses are separated in levels of difficulty, which is why it’s a great activity to add to the list. You do not have to be a ninja warrior to head to a ropes course!
Along with the challenges, many ropes courses are outside in trees, making for a beautiful wilderness adventure for your friends to enjoy some fresh air.
Mini-golf is a pretty simple activity, while ropes courses certainly up the game with a much more hands-on experience requiring much more physical exertion. However, once you complete a difficult challenge with your pals, you get a great feeling of accomplishment that you can bond over with your friends.
After my years of working at the ropes course, I have never seen a group finish and say they wished they hadn’t done it.
11. Golf Driving Range
If you are unsure about a full game of golf and want to test out smashing the golf ball, heading to a driving range is a good idea. Here you pay around $10 for a basket of balls, and you go choose an open tee box. You can hit your irons, wedges, woods, hybrids, or driver.
Like mini golf, there’s little movement required at a driving range. You stay in one place and hit the balls from your driving range tee area. Some driving ranges offer various targets to hit, like chip-in nets, large nets, trampolines, and even golf holes. Like I already mentioned on this list, TopGolf is a type of driving range activity, but it is like a driving range on steroids.
Typical driving ranges are at your local course, have 10-25 tees, and you can usually practice on some putting greens too nearby. You can also head to a driving range prior to a real game of golf for a good warm-up. When I lived in Halifax, the driving range actually had a mini golf course connected to it, so you can practice putting with your friends, then hit some balls to really get the feel of the game.
12. Arcade Bars
To finish off a day of mini-golf or other similar activities, you can consider making your way to an arcade bar. You can choose to sit back and relax at a table, have a few drinks, and grab some pub food, all while you take breaks between playing various games!
Retro arcade bars are pretty common now in cities, there are old-school games like vintage pinball machines. You can even choose competitive games like pool, air hockey, 1v1 hoops, foosball, and anything related.
Similar to playing mini-golf with your friends, arcade bars are great for groups looking to just unwind. It’s truthfully a relaxing and enjoyable way to end the day on a high note.
13. Trampoline Parks
Looking for a gravity-defying experience after or instead of a round of mini-golf, head to a trampoline park. These wild indoor facilities are filled with numerous trampolines, foam pits, and a bunch of gravity-defying attractions. It’s an exhilarating activity that requires a lot more physical abilities than mini golf requires.
You do have to understand the possible injuries with trampoline parks as your body may not be used to all of the jumping and climbing. If you are a casual exerciser this is not as much of a concern for you, I just mentioned it as you need to consider this for all of your friends to be inclusive.
However, you and your friends can bounce, flip, and somersault all day long at these! The amount of fun you can have is unimaginable, you really get to feel free like a kid again as you hurry around to all the different sections. You may even see cool basketball nets to dunk on or play some bouncy dodgeball with a couple of teams.
It is a workout, so bring some beverages to stay hydrated, and wear the proper apparel and bring something else to wear after, just encase you get extra sweaty.
14. Bowling
Bowling alleys are a great area to relax and enjoy a social outing with your friends. The experience is extremely similar, bowling you throw a ball at pins down a straight lane, mini golf you putt a ball into a hole with a few obstacles. Both are challenging in there own ways, but they both create a similar level of competition between friends.
Just like mini golf, bowling is extremely accessible to people of all ages and skill levels. You don’t have to be a part of the local bowling team to schedule a couple games in. Many locations also offer a unique immersive experience where music plays, neon lights are on, and food and beverages are ready for purchasing between games.
Bowling is an ideal group activity, its timeless and entertaining! You get to chat with pals about life, work, bowling, sports, or anything your friends want to discuss. So, if you’re looking for a similar activity to mini golf, I think bowling is one of the most similar.
Love bowling? Read our related post “19 Activities Like Bowling to Do With Your Friends” here.
15. Board Game Cafés
If you and your friends like playing board games, head off to your local board game cafe and pick up a box to play. I remember heading to one of these cafes with an old friend of mine, and we played Scrabble for hours; it was a lot of fun! Sip on coffee, tea, juice, or water, while you eat some fresh + delicious pastries and/or sandwiches.
These locations have much more than just board games too; choose to play from a bunch of games like cards, do a puzzle, or bring your own game of choice. Sometimes they go modern and add Nintendos, retro games, or even the newest PlayStation!
The board game cafes are similar to mini-golf is that they provide an inclusive and social experience suitable for literally everybody. It doesn’t matter if you are into board games, strategy games, trivia, or anything like that, you are bound to find something there to do that’s enjoyable with your friends.
Text your friends and let them know you need to head to a board game cafe as soon as possible! You will not be disappointed, trust me.
16. Ziplining
Now, I want to add some exciting and adrenaline-inducing activities to for the thrill-seeking friend groups! Like I said before, I was a zipline guide for 5 years and I think ziplining is one of the best group activities you can do. You get to experience something completely out of the ordinary with a zipline tour.
Instead of walking around tapping a ball in a hole, you get to gear up in harnesses and other safety gear, then zip across numerous cables high above the ground. I like to call it a controlled flying experience, you clip on, go in a straight line, land, and clip off. Your flight you get to feel the wind blowing in your hair, hear the trolley rip across the cable, see the beautiful natural wonders around you, and experience a real sense of thrill.
Not all ziplines are the same, so choose wisely based on your comfort with heights. However, the higher, longer, and faster ones, are usually the most fun! Where I worked, the cables cruised back and forth over a massive waterfall; the views were absolutely incredible. I truly miss working there! I think outdoor ziplines over water, through jungles, and anything in the forest is a great experience.
If you have a zipline near you, I really hope you and your friends consider it because they are so much fun. Just do your due diligence on the company to ensure they prioritize safety.
Love the idea of ziplining? Read our related post “19 Activities Like Ziplining to Do With Your Friends” here.
17. Indoor Skydiving
Another activity with a lot more thrill is indoor skydiving. The reason it is on this list of activities like mini golf is that you can head to an indoor skydiving facility in the same size groups as mini golf.
Instead of picking waiting your turn to hit a ball, you get to wait your turn to get inside a huge wind tunnel that is strong enough to make you fly.
The most popular company in the world to participate in indoor skydiving is iFly; there are iFly locations all across the United States in large cities. You can book online or head to the facility to see if there’s any space, but online secures your spot, so I recommend doing it that way.
You start by gearing up in the iFly suit, follow a safety speech and demonstration, and eventually get into the wind tunnel with professional instructors to help you fly.
Book small groups, where you may be paired up with strangers, or book private events, and birthday parties, where you get to work directly with your group only.
Learn more about iFly in these related posts:
- Is iFly Indoor Skydiving Safe? (iFly Safety Guide)
- How Long Are iFLY Flights?
- What is the Age Requirement for iFLY Indoor Skydiving?
- How Much Is iFLY Indoor Skydiving Per Person?
18. Comedy Clubs
If you just happened to finish up a round of mini golf with your pals, you may be searching for an evening activity you can all do. If you all want to just chill and watch something, instead of physically participating, a comedy club or show is a good idea.
You can have a few drinks and snacks, listen to some stand-up comedy, and chuckle with your friends. Comedy clubs offer a good blend of entertainment, humor, and most importantly, social interaction. They’re a perfect choice for winding down and enjoying a light-hearted atmosphere with all of your close friends.
Comedy clubs are accessible to everyone, regardless if you have a sense of humor or any comedic tastes. You can expect a good lineup of talented comedians who keep you entertained with their jokes.
19. Virtual Reality (VR) Gaming
If you really like an immersive experience, consider stepping into the world of virtual reality (VR) gaming. VR arcades or centers offer you with some pretty futuristic gaming experiences you can’t really get anywhere else.
Most cities today have a few great VR gaming facilities where you can go, hang out, play for a few hours, and chill. No matter the games you like to play as a friend group, VR has it all now, here are some examples:
- First-Person Shooters (FPS)
- Adventure and Exploration
- Sports and Simulations
- Puzzle and Escape Rooms
- Multiplayer and Social VR
- Creative and Building Games
- Educational and Learning Games
- Arcade-Style Games
- Flight and Space Simulators
- Cooperative and Team-Based Games
Virtual Reality gaming is accessible to everyone; you don’t have to be an expert gamer or anything like that. Just show up and enjoy the new gaming experience and atmosphere. Sometimes it does take some getting used to, as wearing these headsets makes you feel funny; my first time, it almost gave me motion sickness; I am pretty sure that’s common.
Get social with your pals and try out the newest form of gaming at your local VR gaming facility!
Jamie is the founder of Action Sporter. He is the chief zipline writer and the lead editor. He has 5 years of zipline experience being a tour guide in Newfoundland. Most of the time you can find Jamie adventure traveling, hiking, skiing, skateboarding, or anything action related!