Does mini golf always have 18 holes?

You're on the course, club in hand, looking ahead: Hole 1, Hole 2, Hole 3… and eventually, the question naturally arises: How many holes are there in total? Is it always 18? Or are there courses with more or fewer holes?

We’ll get to the bottom of this exact question in this article. Here you’ll learn how minigolf courses are structured, what systems exist, and what that means for your game.

 

This article was written by One Putt Minigolf.
- The Minigolf Supplier for Professionals and Beginners -

In brief: Does minigolf always have 18 holes?

Yes and no. A standard minigolf course, on which official tournaments are also held, consists of 18 holes and thus has 18 holes. However, there are also courses with fewer or more holes, depending on the space, concept, and playing system. A

👉Takeaway: Standard minigolf courses always have 18 holes.

In detail: Why are 18 holes the standard anyway?  

When you think of golf, you almost automatically think of 18 holes. This is no coincidence, as this structure has become established in classic golf over decades. Minigolf has adopted this principle, not out of pure tradition, but for practical reasons.

18 holes offer an ideal balance. A round is long enough to be varied and test different types of play, but compact enough not to take too long. A round of minigolf with four people, for example, takes an average of 60 to 90 minutes. For recreational players, this means a good mix of fun and challenge. For tournament players: sufficient comparability and fairness. Although in tournaments, not just one round is scored, but several in a row, to measure and compare performance consistency over a longer period.

Official competitions are based on standardized courses with fixed hole sequences. Only in this way can results be compared and fair conditions be created. If you are interested in the sporting aspect or would like to play a tournament yourself, these are held on standardized minigolf courses, which always consist of 18 holes.

Standard minigolf courses have 18 holes.

In which exceptional cases are there more or fewer than 18 holes?

It's possible that you are on a tournament course that has more than 18 holes in total. This is because there are different minigolf systems, some of which are located next to each other. This means that if two different systems are present on one course, there are 36 holes (two times 18). So, the standard of 18 holes per system applies again.

Some courses also have individual practice holes from systems other than those of the course itself; however, these are not counted in the played round, but are exclusively for practicing on a different system.

While standardized tournament courses almost always have 18 holes, things are completely different for modern or leisure-oriented courses.

Imagine an indoor minigolf course, perhaps with blacklight, themed worlds, or interactive elements. Here, it's often less about standardized competitions and more about the experience.

In such concepts, the number of holes can vary greatly. Some courses have 12 holes, others 15, or even over 20. The reason is simple: the focus here is on the overall experience, not on the classic tournament structure.

This also means that the holes are often designed more creatively. Instead of clearly defined obstacles, you'll find unusual shapes, themed rooms, or even story elements that guide you through the round. The number of holes is adapted to the concept, not the other way around.

Modern and leisure-oriented courses more frequently deviate
from the standardized 18 holes, as the focus is more
on the overall experience.

Another factor is the available space. Especially in cities or for temporary courses, for example at events, it is often not possible to accommodate 18 complete holes.

This is where more compact courses with fewer holes are created, which nevertheless offer a complete playing experience. This is often compensated for by clever design: shorter holes, faster rounds, and more focus on individual highlights. The result? A round that feels different, but is no less fun.

What does that mean for you as a player?

Ultimately, the number of holes is primarily a question of context. If you're playing on a classic outdoor course, you can be pretty sure to expect 18 holes. If you're visiting a modern experience world, however, it's worth going in with an open mind and letting yourself be surprised.

For your game itself, it makes less of a difference than you might think. Much more important than the number of holes is how varied they are designed and how well you adapt to the different situations.

Conclusion: Does minigolf always have 18 holes?

Minigolf doesn't always have 18 holes, but often for good reason. While the 18-hole standard dominates primarily in the classic and competitive sectors, modern courses show how flexible and creative minigolf can be.

And that's precisely the appeal: You never quite know what to expect, but that's exactly where the fun lies.

The next time you visit a minigolf course: Pay conscious attention to how many holes there actually are, and ask why on site.
If you want to delve deeper into the game, try out different courses. You'll quickly realize: Minigolf is much more than just "playing 18 holes." The different holes have different challenges and require appropriate approaches and equipment.

 

 

This article was written by One Putt Minigolf.
- The Minigolf Supplier for Professionals and Beginners -