Best Mini Golf Holes are Challenging But Ace Friendly, Aesthetically Pleasing

Six years ago, I offered a list of the top 18 miniature golf holes on Long Beach Island for our old summer publication, The Beachcomber. At the time, I had a basic familiarity with all the holes on the courses of LBI, but, admittedly, I hadn’t played some of them too much, so my assessments were based on a more novice point of view.

But since I started “Can You Beat Biggy?” in 2019, I’ve become intricately more familiar with each hole on every course. During the past three summers, I’ve played every weekly tournament at the courses that host them many times. My wife, Melissa, and I have played dozens of rounds on many of the courses, and I’ve hosted tournaments at several of them as well.

The fact is I’ve played most of the 198 holes on LBI dozens of times during the past five years, so it’s safe to say I’m somewhat of an expert when it comes to the courses here.

Now, does it mean I can execute holes-in-one on every hole, every time I play? Heck, no. Some holes just aren’t ace friendly. And, besides, I’ve never claimed and never will claim to be a mini golf god – I own or partly own only two course records on LBI, and those scores are both in the 30s!

Still, the opportunity to execute an ace on a hole is one big factor on the criteria list for what I believe makes a great mini golf hole. After all, the goal is to score the lowest round possible on any course, and the way to that goal is through dropping some aces here and there.

“A good hole is one that you can look at and understand what to do, and actually be able to take a shot to make that happen,” my friend and Flamingo Golf owner Kirk VanKeuren once said. “I’ve never liked the ones that you walk up to and say, ‘No matter what I do, I’m just shooting for my second shot.’ I want some control over whether I have a chance for a hole-in-one.”

My friend David Hartman, who owns Ship Bottom’s Hartland Golf, once said something similar.

“A good miniature golf hole isn’t too easy,” he said. “But you should be able to see what the object is, be able to discern a path to the hole-in-one, and when you shoot the ball according to that path, you should be able to achieve your goal.”

Now, what constitutes a “good” mini golf hole is completely subjective, and selecting which are the best on the Island isn’t a simple task when there are nearly 200 from which to choose. Of course, since the last time I did this, the Island has undergone some changes regarding miniature golf. Jen’s Links in Barnegat Light was developed (yay!), Mr. Tee’s Shark Island was bulldozed (sniff!), and several holes on a couple of the courses have been altered a little bit.

So, it’s time to update my list of the top 18 holes on LBI. But it should come as no surprise to anybody who may recall the 2018 list that the criteria for what makes up a “dream course” essentially haven’t changed in my mind.

To recap, aesthetics and the general look of a hole are important, especially if the obstacles or backdrop are somewhat creative. Playability – that is, whether you can hit the ball cleanly from the tee area through the fairway and the bounces off obstacles or barriers are true – also is a major factor. The third and maybe the most important element rests in the challenge for a hole-in-one, without its being impossible.

Unlike the last time I created this list, when I spread the love to all the courses in some manner, this time I’m legitimately giving my top 18, no holds barred. Obviously, most mini golfers who regularly play on the Island will have their own version of what makes up a great hole and which are the best 18 among the different courses, and that’s OK.

But here are mine, in no particular order:

Flamingo Golf, Hole 15 – As is the case with every hole at Bill Burr’s original creation, this is classic mini golf right here. The challenge of putting your ball uphill into one of two openings under a big windmill, while its blades turn and temporarily block those openings every few seconds, makes timing and the right touch imperative. One of the two openings leads to a directional ramp straight to a hole-in-one. The other forces you to putt again. This is just a straight-up fun hole, but so rewarding when you get to watch that ace shot drop.

Hartland Golf, Hole 13 – This is a tricky hole to figure out at first glance. Putt the ball into any of four openings and a tube that runs underneath the approach delivers it to the green behind you, where you find out whether you hit the ball into the correct opening – for either a hole-in-one or a potential two-putt. Getting to the opening right behind the reverse arrowhead in the center of the approach is the key. Get the touch just right for this hole and dance on over to No. 14.

Island Golf, Hole 16 – A huge spider mama and her babies guard this hole, and your play toward a possible hole-in-one requires a straight putt down the center of the fairway and impeccable timing. The little spider creeping down from the web parked above the hole is quicker than you think. Pace is everything on this hole, and it looks so cool at nighttime when the web is lit up.

Jen’s Links Low Tide, Hole 2 – What’s better than playing mini golf? How about playing mini golf on a boat? In this case, it’s a replica of an old fishing boat, and it simply has an awesome feel with all the water flowing about. Fortunately, with this hole comes a mainly straight shot at the ace. It’s all about the pace on the ball. But once it drops, ring the bell outside the boat’s cabin and happily go on to the next hole. Fun stuff.

Flamingo Golf, Hole 11 – Simple and satisfying are the only two words to describe this classic mini golf hole. A short ramp leads to a Ferris wheel type contraption, and the only goal is to secure your ball into one of its open compartments. Succeed in doing so and watch your ball ride the wheel before exiting the other side into a chute that directs your ball toward a guaranteed ace. The wheel’s pastel colors are bright and inviting, making this hole a fan favorite.

Mr. Tee’s Enchanted Gardens, Hole 18 – The revamped theming of the course, formerly called Victorian Gardens, is mys-tee-cal, for sure. But one of the most appealing changes by owner Karen Rosania was the repainting of the house on the final hole. The purple pops, so aesthetically this element is simply gorgeous. Of course, it’s not too easy to hit a straight putt through the front door, but the satisfaction of doing so is enhanced by the celebratory “Rocky” theme song.

The Sand Trap, Hole 2 – More classic mini golf with another windmill, and another hole that looks easy when you step up to the approach, since the hole is centered on the other side of the straightaway. But distance and the little white windmill churning its blades through your path toward a possible hole-in-one create the challenge, and even a seemingly straight shot isn’t a guarantee. The pace matters, but be careful. When trying to time the opening before a windmill blade closes off the path toward the hole, it tends to make a golfer drift left a bit.

Sandbar Golf, Hole 9 – Definitely one of the more beautiful holes of any played on the Island, particularly because it has the most realistic version of Barnegat Lighthouse as its backdrop. Beyond that, this hole is a challenge, with multiple paths toward a possible hole-in-one – either by traversing a narrow greenway over a stream that opens up to a ramp leading to the green, or by delivering the ball straight into the stream and letting its current send the ball to the green.

Jen’s Links High Tide, Hole 11 – Some of the historically themed elements at Jen’s Links at Lighthouse Cove are awesome, and this is one example. With a replica of the old Oceanic Hotel overlooking the fairway, this hole has a great vibe. As for playing the hole, it’s not a straight shot – the ball actually bends a little left as it travels toward the green – but the right pace should give you a great shot at a hole-in-one.

Flamingo Golf, Hole 10 – An interesting little hole at the center of the course, you have to shoot up the ramp under a lattice – which doesn’t yield a clear view of the opening you’re shooting for – and into a covered bridge, and that’s not as easy as you may think when stepping up to the approach. However, hit the ball just right and a little bell rings to let you know you’ve succeeded, while a directional ramp at the back end of the bridge sends your ball straight to the hole for an ace.

Hartland Golf, Hole 12 – The wishing well absolutely makes this hole inviting. And when you get to the approach, it’s plainly clear how to get a hole-in-one – you have to deliver the ball into the well’s bucket hanging in the middle of it. The problem is the fairway has a fairly steep upgrade, and it’s an immediate uphill shot, so it’s easy to whack the ball too hard or not hit it hard enough. Still, the plunk of the ball into the bucket is a satisfying sound.

Mr. Tee’s Pirate’s Bay, Hole 7 – Given the pirating history of the Island, this hole is simply an appropriately stylish one, complete with a skull atop an overhang three-quarters of the way down the fairway. But don’t think a straight shot to the hole is too easy here – there’s a speed bump in the way, and scoring the hole-in-one requires not only a straight putt, but the right touch to get over the hump as well. The distance between tee and hole also adds to the challenge, which makes it fun to score the ace.

The Sand Trap, Hole 16 – Another beautiful hole, which ends at the green inside a gazebo with potted hanging plants, but getting to that green and a possible hole-in-one first requires shooting the ball under a small waterfall and around a left-bending ramp. The challenge is that it’s difficult to know exactly where to send the ball onto that ramp so that it gets to a hole that’s not visible from the approach. Still, it can be done, and the sound of the hole is simply soothing.

Flamingo Golf, Hole 5 – Why did the flamingo cross the fairway? Well, to distract the golfers playing this hole, of course! It’s a simple enough hole to play but quite tough to score a hole-in-one. But it’s so cool to strike a straight putt and watch it go up and around the curly path, then dart out into the crossing and through the fairway to the green. The pace as the ball exits the ramp matters as to whether an ace occurs, but this is just a fun hole.

Sandbar Golf, Hole 18 – Skee-ball and clams … not much more says “Jersey Shore” than those two things, and they provide decorative beauty at the end of this course. It’s a nice finishing touch. As for scoring a hole-in-one (and a free game), you have to hit the ball just right, with enough power and good direction, to get to the green holes on the Skee-ball board. It’s not easy, but it is cool.

Flamingo Golf, Hole 7 – A nicely laid out hole, it provides multiple challenges when trying to score the hole-in-one. The trick is to deliver the ball up a ramp and into a slight depression in the middle of the fairway, which also leads to a bunch of holes on the back end. But beware, there’s a little gully over which your ball has to travel. Stroke the ball into the depression and it leads to a directional chute that sends the ball toward the hole. Interestingly, the fairway is covered by a wooden walkway connecting to a replica of Barnegat Lighthouse.

Jen’s Links Low Tide, Hole 6 – Aside from the waterfalls, this hole gives the course amazing curb appeal. After all, whose eyes wouldn’t be caught by a shipwreck at the corner of a mini golf course? And playing amid that wreck is fun, especially when the hole offers multiple shots at an ace – either straight at the hole or via a backdoor shot off one of the bricks behind it. However, with a crate slightly off to the right of the hole providing a slight obstruction, it’s still a little bit of a challenge.

Mr. Tee’s Enchanted Gardens, Hole 11 – The gazebo is a nice touch, and the clean, uphill approach leading toward the green, surrounded by a simple obstacle – a pair of half-circle brick barriers – makes this hole quite appealing. A putt straight up the center of the inclined fairway may yield a hole-in-one, but even a slight miss to the right offers a bank shot off the back of the brick barrier. Nowadays, a bright blue butterfly hangs out to watch your success.

Honorable Mention: Island Golf, Hole 1; Flamingo Golf, Hole 8; Settler’s Mill Adventure Golf Cave Course, Hole 9; Island Golf, Hole 11; Hartland Golf, Hole 15; Jen’s Links Low Tide, Hole 16.

The courses, from north to south:

• Jen’s Links at Lighthouse Cove, 501 Broadway, Barnegat Light

• Sandbar Golf, 10th Street and Long Beach Boulevard, Surf City

• Island Golf, 603 Long Beach Blvd., Surf City

• Flamingo Golf, Fifth Street and Long Beach Boulevard, Ship Bottom

• The Sand Trap, 23rd Street and Long Beach Boulevard, Ship Bottom

• Hartland Golf, 28th Street and Long Beach Boulevard, Ship Bottom

• Settler’s Mill Adventure Golf, Taylor and Bay avenues, Beach Haven

• Mr. Tee’s, 101 South Bay Ave., Beach Haven

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