What are the different types of miniature golf?

Almost everyone has played some form of minigolf. But what types of minigolf actually exist? And what are the different challenges involved?

The variety of minigolf variations is impressive. From classic minigolf to adventurous Adventure Golf, there's something for every taste. Each variant has its own unique features and challenges. Official tournaments take place at some facilities, ranging from regional tournaments to national championships and even world championships. Other minigolf courses are exclusively for recreational use. But how do they differ?
In this blog post, you'll get a comprehensive overview of the different minigolf variations.

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

Table of Contents

• In brief: What minigolf variants are there?
• In detail: What minigolf variants are there?
  • Minigolf (Concrete)
  • Miniature Golf (Eternit)
  • Felt Golf
  • Adventure Golf
  • Minigolf Open Standards (MOS)
  • Cobigolf
  • Star Golf
  • Blacklight Minigolf
  • Other Minigolf Variations
• Conclusion
• Frequently Asked Questions about Minigolf Variants

In total, there are five different systems officially designated for tournaments by the World Minigolf Sport Federation: 

The first three systems, Minigolf, Miniature Golf, and Felt Golf, originated in Europe and differ mainly in the length and width of the courses as well as the playing surfaces. Minigolf Open Standards encompasses all other forms of minigolf that do not fall under one of the other systems, such as Cobigolf, Star Golf, etc. Since 2026, Adventure Golf, which previously fell under Minigolf Open Standards, has been considered a separate system, as an established tournament scene has developed around it in recent years. 

In detail: What minigolf variants are there?

Further down in the blog post, we will explain the different minigolf variants in detail.

Minigolf (Concrete)

Miniature Golf (Eternit)

Felt Golf

Adventure Golf

Minigolf Open Standards (MOS)

Cobigolf

Star Golf

Blacklight Minigolf

Other Variations

Minigolf (Concrete)

The Concrete system in minigolf is also referred to as minigolf or Section 1, as it was the first standardized minigolf system, established in 1954 by Paul Bongni in Ascona, Switzerland. The courses are cast from concrete and have steel borders. Standard concrete courses are 12 meters long and 1.25 meters wide, making them of medium length compared to other systems. If you've been to different concrete minigolf courses, you've probably noticed that the order of the holes and their obstacles is always the same. The tee-off area is always marked by a circle with a diameter of 30 cm.

From a playing perspective, on concrete courses, the key is to find the right path for the ball and understand the course layout. This type of minigolf is most similar to the Adventure Golf system and putting in golf. There are obstacle courses (holes 3, 4, 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 18) where you play through narrow passages. The remaining holes feature curves, inclines, rails, and other obstacles. From a playing perspective, this type of minigolf requires a lot of touch to hit the right direction with the appropriate speed. There is a special feature in the Concrete system: Hole 7 – the long shot. This hole is longer than the other holes and is often played with a long-shot club from a tee to cover the greater distance. 

For amateur players, 2 strokes per hole is a good benchmark on the Concrete system. For 18 holes, that's an average of 36 strokes. Beginners usually need more strokes, between 40 and 70 per round. With a lot of practice and the right strategy, it's possible to achieve better and better results. At the top level, professional players often achieve scores between 24 and 29 strokes. You can find suitable ball material and clubs in our shop – One Putt Minigolf. Feel free to stop by.

Minigolf (Concrete)

Miniature Golf (Eternit)

Miniature Golf, also known as Section 2 or Eternit, was developed in 1956 by Hamburg businessman Albert-Rolf Pless in collaboration with the Hamburg University of Fine Arts and established itself as the second standardized minigolf system. The courses consist of fiber cement boards laid on angle frames, making them less stable than concrete, felt, or adventure golf courses. Therefore, Eternit courses should not be walked on to avoid damage.

The courses are standardly 6.25 meters long and 0.9 meters wide. The tee-off area is always marked by a rectangle measuring 90 × 40 cm at the beginning of the course, with a diameter of 30 cm. Unlike the Concrete system, the order of obstacles on the holes is not predetermined. In total, there are 30 standardized obstacles that can be freely selected and arranged when constructing a miniature golf course. If an obstacle does not comply with the standard catalog, the course is classified under the Minigolf Open Standard (MOS) system. 

Since miniature golf courses are significantly shorter than concrete, felt, and adventure golf courses, much less force is required when striking. However, high precision is needed, as the obstacles are tighter, which compensates for the simplification of shorter distances.  

For amateur players, 2 strokes per hole is also a good benchmark on the Miniature Golf system. However, it is usually the case that beginners need more strokes (between 40 and 70) per round. Compared to other minigolf systems, significantly lower scores are achieved at a professional level on the Miniature Golf system, ranging between 18 and 22 strokes per round (i.e., per 18 holes). In our shop – One Putt Minigolf – you'll find suitable ball material and clubs to improve your game even further. 

Miniature Golf (Eternit)

Felt Golf

The Felt Golf system originated in Sweden. Compared to Eternit and concrete courses, both of which have a round end circle, Felt Golf courses have an octagonal "end circle". The course length is between 6 and 18 meters, and the internal width is standardized at 0.9 meters. The teeing area is always marked by a rectangular plate 20 cm wide and 40 to 50 cm long from the beginning of the course. 

The courses are made of either wood or concrete and covered with a weather-resistant felt surface. The borders can also be made of wood or steel frames. There are 32 standardized obstacles for the Felt Golf system, which can be arranged in any order for a felt golf course. As with the Miniature Golf system, if an obstacle deviates from the standardization, the course is classified under the Minigolf Open Standards (MOS) system. 

From a playing perspective, felt golf often requires long, straight, and fast shots. Overcoming obstacles over longer distances increases the required precision and thus the difficulty level compared to concrete and Eternit courses. The longer the courses, the higher the difficulty. Accordingly, the average strokes per hole on the Felt Golf system are higher than on concrete and Eternit, namely between 2 and 3 strokes. 

A good benchmark for amateur players is 40 strokes on 18 holes. For beginners, the results are usually higher, between 50 and 70 strokes per round or more. In the professional sector, scores are elevated through precise stroke technique and the right ball material. Professionals usually need between 24 and 32 strokes per round, which also heavily depends on the difficulty of the course.

If you also want to take your minigolf game to the next level, you'll find the right ball material and clubs in our shop – One Putt Minigolf.

Felt Golf

Adventure Golf

Adventure Golf has primarily developed and spread in the USA and Great Britain. In other European countries, this variant of minigolf has also become increasingly popular in recent years. Adventure Golf is a particularly varied and often visually elaborate form of minigolf. Unlike classic systems such as concrete, Eternit, or felt golf, the focus here is less on standardized courses and more on individually designed facilities with themed worlds, water hazards, hills, and natural elements. The courses are usually larger and more open, which makes the playing experience closer to classic golf. Instead of clearly defined lines and stroke techniques, Adventure Golf often requires more feel for the ground, slope, and tempo.

Since 2026, Adventure Golf has been officially recognized as a separate system, as an established tournament scene has developed around it in recent years. There are very open guidelines. For example, the courses can be between 3 and 40 meters long and must have a minimum width of one meter. If there are narrower sections on the course, these count as obstacles, which can also consist of water, sand, stones, and other design elements. 

Due to the varied obstacles and terrain, each course differs significantly from the others. There are no uniform standards, which means the difficulty can vary greatly. Essentially, Adventure Golf is designed for both beginners and experienced players.

As a rough guide, you can often expect about 2 to 4 strokes per hole here too, and in rare cases even more. Beginners often require more attempts depending on the course, while experienced players can achieve significantly better results through good course reading and clean technique. You can find suitable ball material and clubs for your game in our shop – One Putt Minigolf. Feel free to stop by.

Adventure Golf

Minigolf Open Standards - MOS

Minigolf Open Standards (MOS) is a collective term for various other types of courses that do not conform to the standardized systems. While the Cobigolf and Star Golf systems are fully standardized, they are also counted as MOS. However, MOS also includes courses with very open specifications, similar to the Adventure Golf system. The courses can be between 3 and 40 meters long and must have a minimum width of one meter. If there are narrower sections on the course, these also count as obstacles, which can also consist of water, sand, stones, and other design elements. 

Many of these courses focus on entertainment and experience and are less performance-oriented than classic minigolf systems such as Concrete, Eternit, and Felt. This variant is perfectly suited for beginners and casual players and offers a lot of variety. 

Minigolf Open Standards (MOS)

Cobigolf (Minigolf Open Standards - MOS)

The Cobigolf system developed between the late 1950s and early 1960s from the predecessor systems Minigolf (Concrete) and Miniature Golf (Eternit, but it did not gain widespread popularity. While Cobigolf is considered a single standardized system in Germany, according to the regulations of the World Minigolf Sport Federation, it belongs to the Minigolf Open Standards systems.  

In Cobigolf, the ball must always be played through a gate before overcoming the obstacle. The gate and obstacle can be overcome in one stroke. However, if the gate is missed, the next stroke must be taken again from the teeing area and is counted. 

Cobigolf is available in two versions: large-Cobi and small-Cobi courses. Large-Cobi courses are concrete courses with the same dimensions, but with a gate in the first section of the course. Small-Cobi courses are miniature golf courses also with a gate in the first section. 

Depending on the Cobigolf type, one can orient oneself more towards concrete or Eternit results. Generally, the difficulty of the course differs depending on the setup and obstacles. As a rough guide, recreational players can usually expect about two strokes per hole, which corresponds to around 36 strokes for 18 holes. Beginners are often above this and typically need between 40 and 70 strokes per round. Since Cobigolf courses vary in demandingness depending on their construction, the possible top results also vary: while they sometimes orient themselves towards concrete courses, significantly lower round results are also possible on technically simpler courses. With increasing experience and the right technique, one's own scores can be continuously improved. You can find the appropriate equipment in our shop – One Putt Minigolf.

Cobigolf

Star Golf (Minigolf Open Standards - MOS)

Like the Cobigolf system, the Star Golf system developed between the late 1950s and early 1960s from the predecessor systems Minigolf (Concrete) and Miniature Golf (Eternit), but also gained little popularity. While Cobigolf is considered a single standardized system in Germany, according to the regulations of the World Minigolf Sport Federation, it belongs to the Minigolf Open Standards systems.  

The courses have a similar structure to concrete courses, but are slightly smaller, measuring 8 meters in length and 1 meter in width. Furthermore, the obstacles in Star Golf are different from those in concrete golf. The name "Sterngolf" (Star Golf) is derived from the last obstacle on hole 18, whose end circle has the shape of a star and is also called the "Endstern" (end star). 

Since Star Golf courses and concrete courses are very similar in their structure, the playing style here is very similar. As a rough guide, recreational players can expect about two strokes per hole. Over a complete round, this averages around 36 strokes. Beginners, in particular, often exceed this and frequently need between 40 and 70 strokes. However, with increasing practice and a better feel for the courses, results can be steadily improved. In the competitive area, experienced players even achieve very low round results, in the range of about 24 to 29 strokes. You can find the appropriate equipment in our shop – One Putt Minigolf.

Star Golf

Blacklight Minigolf

Blacklight Minigolf does not describe a specific type of course, but rather a special and experience-oriented environment in which the minigolf course is located, usually indoors. The special feature is that the entire environment is designed with neon colors and illuminated by UV light (blacklight). The courses are often embedded in creative themed worlds, ranging from underwater worlds to fantasy or jungle motifs.

While blacklight minigolf can consist of concrete, Eternit, felt, or an adventure golf course, the courses are often creatively designed and then fall under the Minigolf Open Standards system. In contrast to classic minigolf courses, the focus here is less on the standardization of the courses, and more on the visual experience and fun factor. The courses are individually designed and often equipped with optical effects that make the game additionally challenging.

Due to the special lighting and the sometimes unusual visual impressions, judging distances and slopes can be more difficult than on classic courses. This makes blacklight minigolf an entertaining experience, especially for recreational players, where the fun is clearly the priority. 

As a rough guide, similar to other recreational facilities, you can expect about 2 to 4 strokes per hole. Depending on the course and difficulty, the results can vary significantly. Beginners often need a few more strokes. 

Blacklight Minigolf

Other Minigolf Variations

In addition to standardized systems such as concrete, Eternit, and felt, as well as variations like Adventure Golf or blacklight minigolf, there are numerous other forms of minigolf, characterized primarily by their flexibility and creative design.

Portable minigolf courses play a special role here. These mobile courses usually consist of individual modules that can be flexibly set up and adapted to almost any location, whether in event venues, at trade fairs, in shopping malls, or even in your own garden. This makes this variant ideal for company parties, events, or temporary recreational offerings. If you are looking for such a mobile course or facility, feel free to visit our shop – One Putt Minigolf – to take a look. 

In terms of design, there are hardly any limits: from classic, simple courses to individually branded or thematically adapted layouts, anything is possible. The focus here is less on fixed rules or standardized forms of play, but rather on flexibility, accessibility, and fun.

Since there are no uniform standards, the courses vary greatly depending on the provider and area of use. Often, the courses are somewhat shorter and simpler in design, making them easy for all age groups to play. Especially for beginners and casual players, the focus is on uncomplicated fun.

Other Minigolf Variations - Portable Courses

Frequently Asked Questions about Minigolf Variants

Which minigolf variant is best suited for beginners? 
In general, all minigolf courses are suitable for beginners. Often, it's more about finding a course that's easily accessible to you. Adventure Golf can offer an easier introduction to minigolf and often provides a higher entertainment factor. On the Concrete, Eternit, Felt, Cobigolf, and Star Golf systems, you'll need to acquire more basic knowledge initially to understand how you can influence your game through your stroke and the different ball materials. Due to the clearly defined borders on the standardized systems, you have more opportunities for creativity in stroke variation and execution if you use the borders to play and calculate or estimate the angles.

What is the difference between Minigolf and Miniature Golf?
Both are officially recognized systems by the World Minigolf Sport Federation, but they differ in course length, width, and surface. Minigolf (Concrete) has 12-meter-long concrete courses; Miniature Golf (Eternit) has 6.25-meter-long fiber cement courses. The obstacles on the Concrete system are identical worldwide, while they are freely selectable on the Eternit system.

Can you participate in official tournaments on every minigolf course?
No. Only courses that meet official standards are approved for tournaments. Tournament approvals are granted by official associations such as the German Minigolf Sport Federation or the World Minigolf Sport Federation through licensing for the respective course. 

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