You cannot do Myrtle Beach properly without a round of mini golf, and nowhere else does it quite like this. The city calls itself the Mini Golf Capital of the World, with more than 30 themed courses along the Grand Strand, and the tradition goes back to 1930, when the first course opened at the corner of 9th Avenue North and Kings Highway. Today the courses are miniature theme parks: volcanoes, pirate ships, shipwrecks, waterfalls, caves and dinosaurs, with landscaping and night lighting that turn a cheap round of putt-putt into a full evening out. The famous ones each have a signature. Hawaiian Rumble in North Myrtle Beach has a 40-foot volcano that erupts with flames every 20 minutes and hosts the annual Mini Golf Masters, organized by the United States Pro Mini Golf Association; it even appeared in a 1994 Dennis Hopper film. Mt. Atlanticus, designed by James "Poddy" Bryan, stacks two 18-hole courses up to five stories above the street with ocean views, and rewards a hole-in-one on the 18th with a Polaroid on its wall of fame. Red Dragon Cove is the newest themed course, and PopStroke at Broadway at the Beach, designed by Tiger Woods, brings turf putting greens, food and drinks delivered to your hole. Rounds are inexpensive, most courses are lit for evening play, and almost every block of Kings Highway has one, so it is the ideal low-cost activity after a beach day.
Why so many courses? Myrtle Beach has always been a family beach, and mini golf suited its summer evenings perfectly: cheap, competitive, outdoors and quick to build on small lots along the main roads. Over the decades, builders competed with ever more elaborate themes, and the result is a density of courses found nowhere else. Serious players exist too; the Mini Golf Masters at Hawaiian Rumble draws competitors who treat the sport with real precision.
How to choose: for spectacle, go to Hawaiian Rumble for the volcano eruptions; for views and bragging rights, Mt. Atlanticus with its multi-story layout over Ocean Boulevard; for a modern, social take with food and drinks, PopStroke at Broadway at the Beach; and for something new, Red Dragon Cove. Many courses sell multi-round or all-day passes, so a family can play a round in the afternoon and come back after dinner. Evening rounds under the lights are the classic experience in summer, when daytime heat makes afternoons punishing.
Seasonality: most mini golf courses run year-round, but some shorten hours in the cooler months or close on weekdays in winter, and outdoor play depends on weather. In November the evenings are mild and the courses are quiet, which makes it one of the best times to play. Check each course's current hours before you head out, and keep a round in your back pocket for the first night of your trip, the perfect way to shake off a long drive.
What to expect
The experience
Themed outdoor mini golf courses along Kings Highway, Ocean Boulevard and in North Myrtle Beach, from volcano-and-pirate classics to modern turf putting venues with food and drinks.
Best time
Evenings under the lights; mild autumn nights are ideal. Avoid hot summer afternoons.
How long
About an hour per 18-hole round.
Tips
Look for multi-round passes. Check winter hours, as some courses shorten them. Time your Hawaiian Rumble round to catch an eruption every 20 minutes.
Quick picks
- Best for
- An inexpensive evening activity that every age enjoys.
- Families
- Essential: easy, cheap and endlessly themed.
- Couples
- A playful date, especially at PopStroke with drinks or at Mt. Atlanticus for the views.
- Pair with
- The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk or Broadway at the Beach on the same evening.
- Time needed
- One to two hours.
Good questions
How many mini golf courses are in Myrtle Beach?+
More than 30 themed courses across the Grand Strand, which is why the area calls itself the Mini Golf Capital of the World.
When did mini golf start in Myrtle Beach?+
The first course opened in 1930 at the corner of 9th Avenue North and Kings Highway.
Which course has the volcano?+
Hawaiian Rumble in North Myrtle Beach, whose 40-foot volcano erupts with flames every 20 minutes. It also hosts the annual Mini Golf Masters.
What is PopStroke?+
A Tiger Woods-designed putting venue at Broadway at the Beach with two 18-hole turf courses, food and drink delivery to your hole, and games for kids.
Is mini golf open in winter?+
Most courses operate year-round, but some shorten hours or close on weekdays in winter, so check before you go.
