Kids love the World’s Mini Golf Capital, just give in and go

Nothing says beach holidays quite like a round or two of mini-golf, so no surprise to find that the Mini Golf Capital of the World is none other than Myrtle Beach in South Carolina.

The World Capital of Mini Golf, Myrtle Beach

No fewer than 50 mini golf courses make their home in Myrtle Beach, also known as America’s Beachiest Beach. Giving you yet another reason to visit with your kids, along with the lovely weather, 60-mile long coastline, 2, 000 restaurants, and all that warm southern hospitality that makes families feel particularly welcome.

But back to the golf. It might be miniature but there’s plenty of it. Here are our top 10 courses picked with children in mind. Every one is great value, several let you play all day and they’re all by the beach.

Captain Hook’s Adventure Golf

Peter Pan is the ultimate childhood fantasy: no adults, running wild and pirates in the mix. So when a mini-golf course invites kids to become part of the Darling family; discover the den of the Lost Boys; climb aboard Captain Hook’s ship; rescue Tinkerbell and wander deep into darkest Skull Cave, it deserves your attention.

In the true spirit of Peter Pan, the little boy who never grew up, Captain Hook’s Adventure Golf is exciting for all ages. And it’s also been named Myrtle Beach’s Best Mini-Golf Course, just in case you aren’t entirely convinced.

Mutiny Bay Miniature Golf

Tee off at Mutiny Bay Miniature Golf when you need more than 18 holes of fun. They’ve upped their game to twice that here. And although a 36-hole course sounds like a lot, this one keeps even younger players interested with everything from galleons to ridiculously thrilling water hazards.

Then, every 30 minutes, there’s a pitched Pirates of the Caribbean battle to add to the excitement. Make sure your phone is fully charged and you’ve extra power-banks: you don’t want to miss any of your kids’ reactions here.

Professor Hacker’s Lost Treasures Mini Golf

Professor Hacker’s Lost Treasure Golf

Who doesn’t love a mini-golf course with a backstory? According to legend, Professor Hacker was a renowned archaeologist and treasure hunter and his 1920’s quest for gold and diamonds in the Fogclift Islands is the inspiration for 18 holes of sheer fun.

We don’t care if the story is true (it’s not) this ridiculously exciting course includes everything from trains to waterfalls and has enough challenges to keep even expert mini-golfers happy.

Though you might need to help kids out at a few of the holes, there are plenty to make them feel like champions too.

Hawaiian Rumble Minigolf

You have to play Hawaiian Rumble and not just because it’s the World No 1. PGA of MiniGolf: there are live tropical birds swooping about and lush greenery surrounds all 18 holes.

However, you shouldn’t be deceived by the scenery, this tricky course will have you climbing around, dodging about and seriously puzzled at times.

Naturally kids love the laid-back Hawaiian vibe and super-imaginative design. Although the volcano, which erupts every 20 minutes, almost makes it worth the extremely reasonable ticket price by itself.

Aloha Mini Golf

One of the newest Myrtle Beach players, Aloha Mini Golf scores a lot of points for having no fewer than three 18-hole courses: one inside and two outdoor.

As well as some outstanding golf, Aloha also delivers on arcade games and talking rescue birds. Plus it’s open year-round until 11pm, seven days a week, so if you’re planning some after-dinner excitement, this is the place to be.

Mt. Atlanticus Mini Golf

Mt. Atlanticus Mini Golf

Who could resist 17ft high golf huts and a course called The Minotaur? Don’t even try, there isn’t a child anywhere who won’t be thrilled by this lost ‘continent’ of Atlantis theme. Think lagoons and pools, soaring mountains and lush valleys, all under the South Carolina sun.

If you have the stamina, you can play all day here on one ticket, and there’s night-golf too. Although save some strength for the legendary 19^th hole where you have the chance of winning a lifetime Mt. Atlanticus pass: perfect excuse to visit Myrtle Beach again, not that you need one.

Ripley’s Crazy Golf, Myrtle Beach

Ripley’s Crazy Golf

Adding some real crazy to the game, Ripley’s Crazy Golf is as much about puzzling as putting.

Indoors and set over three dazzlingly neon-bright floors on Ocean Boulevard, it features ziplines, billiard table golf, pinball golf and even a 360° loop. All the interactive holes offer plenty of scope for friendly family battles. And it looks amazing, so teens will have plenty to upload to TikTok when they’re not beating you hands down

Professor Hacker’s Dinosaur Adventure

Professor Hacker’s Dinosaur Adventure Golf

Being an entirely fictional character didn’t stop Professor Hacker getting about it seems. This time he’s down with the dinosaurs he discovered in the early 20^th century while waiting for his ship, HS Jurassic to pick him up after a hot air balloon incident.

All that sets the scene for just about the most riotous adventure you can have with a putter in hand.

As always kids are entirely happy to go with the wild tales, particularly as they lead to some of the best mini-golf around. Prehistoric giants are very much in evidence, along with caves, gulleys, climbs and some daunting water challenges. The bold Professor’s ship is here too, just in case the truth of his adventures was in doubt.

Molten Mountain Miniature Golf, Myrtle Beach

Molten Mountain Mini Golf

You can’t miss Molten Mountain, literally. It’s a 50ft high live volcano in North Myrtle Beach: an area not known for its seismic activity. Better yet, it erupts every 30 minutes much to the delight of kids. And best of all, it’s the centrepiece of Molten Mountain Miniature Golf.

You can play 18 or 36 holes here and the courses are as adventurous as you’d expect them to be with a volcano as the main event. If it all gets too heated, there’s also an indoor 18-hole course with aircon.

Mayday Mountain

Let’s start with another scene setter for this course. You’re flying over a remote, tropical island when your plane develops engine trouble and you have to make an emergency landing. No one’s hurt, but no one is getting off the island any time soon either. What to do? Play a round of mini-golf, what else?

Mayday Mountain design is wildly imaginative, packed with hazards and jungle-challenges, waterfalls, rivers, mountains, along with a lot of mysteries. And you’re clearly not the first to have plane problems, judging by the number of abandoned aircraft scattered about. The game here is about exploring the island, and it’s great fun, despite the disaster theme.