Mini Golf Albany

Divided into two 18 hole courses, an easier one (green) and a harder one (black). We took the challenge of the black course where the course was creative yet difficult (sometimes). The course seems a bit used, as in parts of the course were broken or just need a bit of maintenance but nothing wrong with the 18 holes. A bit of a wait between each of the 18 holes as there were quite a few families and groups of friends playing that day but that is dependent on day and time.
The staff was super duper friendly and helpful! which i think was the highlight of the of the game. Would go again but friend got frustrated because i was at the top of my game and he was not. hahahah

I took my cousin mini putting here when I was babysitting him one day. We had such a ball. I’ve done a few mini putts in my time and so has my cousin and we came to the conclusion that this is one of the better courses in New Zealand. Mostly because it has a great variation in the skill needed but also because you can have an iceblock or a coffee with you as you go around. Perfect.
The hardest hole is the last one. It’s this crazy uphill twisty turny thing that looks so hard to do. We obviously failed but it made me want to go back and do it all again just so I can get it. Seriously, it’s been bugging me ever since!
There isn’t much shade so I seriously suggest you take a hat and some sunblock. And don’t go at 12pm like we did! It was so hot. But luckily we had their ice blocks to cool us down.

As a marketing graduate I sometimes feel sorry for minigolf owners. How do you market something that almost everyone enjoys, is perfect for all ages, and is fun at any price? This is the dream product — it sells itself… When last did you hear someone say: «I played minigolf last night with friends, I didn’t enjoy it», or something of that ilk. Never, everyone only ever say that they loved it, and should play more often.
The thing is we humans are forgetful and demanding, we forget how much fun it was, and demand something more exciting. The only marketing strategy I can think of is to add penalty drinks on each hole. A shooter if you get a par or less, down a beer if ball leaves the hole and a magnum of champagne for the winner.
If this was the set-​up, then I would play more, and I’ll play at Albany Mini Golf. The course is challenging, fun and great for all ages. Unfortunately they don’t serve alcohol.

This mini golf course really is beautiful. It is very well kept and there are lots of great little obstacles for you to maneuver your ball around. I used to practice my putting quite often when I was younger and so thought I was pretty hot stuff when I managed the occasional hole in one… now I just put my head down and sigh when my puts head into the double digits. No matter how bad I am I still enjoy coming here and taking a swing at it.
An awesome thing to do if you’re in the mood for something a bit different.

Mini Golf always seems like a fun easy way to spend an afternoon, but if you have friends like I do, all notions of fun are forgotten by the end of the first hole and it becomes deeply competitive. Some of the themes around the course can be superficially childish, but it is actually really tricky. Why is it that sometimes you hit the ball 4 times harder than what is required? It can be a total mind game. Make sure you keep an eye on that score card, there could be cheaters in your midst. Just to let you know that am not the only person who takes this game seriously, last time I was there, there was an organised competition and the different teams had matching uniforms lol.

Mini golf really is the superior form of golf; you can whip through it in less than an hour; you don’t need to haul around a big heavy bag of sticks (OK, clubs), and you don’t need to make tedious conversation with your companions because you’re too busy concentrating on getting your ball around a tricky corner. The only downside is you don’t get a dinky wee cart to ride around in.
Albany Mini Golf is surprisingly scenic for a course right next to a motorway; set down below the road a little, you’ll barely know that you’re putting around right next to thousands of cars. There’s lots of native trees around, and it’s a very well maintained course. The course offers plenty of challenges for even experienced golfers, and all in all it’s a good fun experience.