58 mini golf terms explained, from ace, bank shot and bumper to stroke limit and the windmill, plus the slang players use.
Half of mini golf terminology is borrowed straight from golf, and the other half belongs to the windmills, ramps and tunnels that no golf course would allow. The words related to mini golf therefore split neatly into scoring words and obstacle words, and the words associated with mini golf that beginners actually need are the scoring ones. The mini golf glossary below lists both halves.
New to the sport? Our guide to mini golf rules explains how a competition works and is scored, which makes most of the terms below fall into place.
Must-Know Mini Golf Terms, Phrases and Slang:
- Ace
- Backboard
- Bank Shot
- Break
- Course
- Dogleg
- Double Bogey
- Hazard
- Stroke Limit
- Layup
- Mulligan
- Obstacle
- Par
- Putter
- Round
- Stroke
- Tee Off
- Themed Hole
- Through the Windmill
- Trick Shot
- Turn
- Under Par
- Water Hazard
- Birdie
- Bogey
- Green
- Bumper
- Sand Trap
- Scorecard
- Tee
Mini Golf Glossary: Every Term A to Z
Terms A to D
| Term | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Ace | A hole in one. The ball goes in from the tee with a single stroke. |
| Adventure golf | Mini golf on elaborate themed courses with landscaping, water features and large decorations. |
| Backboard | A wall or surface positioned so a ball can be played off it toward the hole on purpose. |
| Bank shot | A shot aimed deliberately at a side wall so the rebound sends the ball around an obstacle. |
| Birdie | A score of one stroke under par on a hole. |
| Bogey | A score of one stroke over par on a hole. Two over is a double bogey. |
| Break | The curve a rolling ball takes on a sloping surface. Reading the break is most of putting. |
| Bumper | The raised rail around the edge of a hole that keeps the ball on the playing surface. |
| Course | The whole playing area, a set of holes each with its own layout and obstacles. |
| Crazy golf | The British name for mini golf, used for courses built around obstacles rather than pure putting. |
| Cup | The hole itself, the target the ball has to drop into. |
| Dogleg | A hole that bends sharply partway along, so the hole cannot be attacked in a straight line. |
| Double bogey | A score of two strokes over par on a hole. |
| Drop | Putting the ball back into play after it leaves the course, normally at a marked spot and with a penalty stroke. |
| Drop point | The marked spot where a ball is replaced after a hazard or leaving the course. |
Terms E to M
| Term | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Eagle | A score of two strokes under par on a hole. On a par 3 that means an ace. |
| Gimme | A putt so short that the other players agree to count it as made without playing it. A courtesy of casual rounds only. |
| Green | The smooth carpeted surface the ball rolls on around the hole. |
| Hazard | Any feature built to punish a poor shot, from water and sand to moving parts. |
| Hole | One playing lane from the tee to the cup, also called a lane or a track. |
| Hole in one | Sinking the ball with the first stroke of the hole. The same thing as an ace. |
| Lane | Another name for a hole on a mini golf course. |
| Layup | A deliberately safe shot that stops short of trouble and leaves an easy next putt. |
| Lie | Where the ball has come to rest and what that position allows you to do next. |
| Line | The path you choose for the ball to take to the hole, including any bounces off the walls. |
| Lip out | A putt that touches the edge of the cup and spins out. |
| Loop | A curved section of the course that sends the ball around a bend or a full circle before it comes out. |
| Miniature golf | The full name of mini golf. |
| Minigolf | The official sport version of miniature golf, played on standardized courses in competitions. |
| Mulligan | An informal replay of a bad shot. It has no place in a scored round. |
Terms O to S
| Term | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Obstacle | Anything built into a hole to make it harder, such as a ramp, a tunnel or a windmill. |
| Out of bounds | A ball that leaves the playing area. |
| Par | The number of strokes a hole is expected to take. Most mini golf holes are par 2 or par 3. |
| Penalty | An extra stroke added for a ball in a hazard or out of bounds. |
| Penalty stroke | A stroke added to the score when the ball leaves the course or has to be moved. |
| Pin | The flagstick marking the hole, where a course uses one. |
| Putt | A stroke that rolls the ball along the surface rather than lifting it. In mini golf every stroke is a putt. |
| Putt-putt | A common American name for the game, taken from a chain of courses and now used generically. |
| Putter | The flat-faced club used for the whole round, built for control over short distances. |
| Ramp | A sloped section that lifts the ball to a higher level or launches it across a gap. |
| Round | One complete run through the course, usually eighteen holes. |
| Sand trap | A sand-filled area borrowed from golf. On mini golf courses it is usually decorative. |
| Scorecard | The card each group carries to record strokes per hole and total them at the end. |
| Shotgun start | A format in which groups start on different holes at the same time. |
| Stroke | One forward swing made with the intent to hit the ball. Every one counts. |
| Stroke limit | The cap many courses put on how many strokes count on a single hole, most often six. |
| Stroke play | A format in which the total number of strokes decides the winner. |
Terms T to W
| Term | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Tee | The marked spot at the start of each hole where the ball is placed for the first stroke. |
| Tee off | To play the first stroke of a hole from the tee. |
| Themed hole | A hole built around a subject, with decoration and obstacles to match. The reason mini golf courses look the way they do. |
| Three-putt | Taking three strokes on the green of a hole. |
| Through the windmill | The shot that has to be timed through the turning blades of a windmill. The single most recognizable mini golf obstacle. |
| Trick shot | A creative shot that solves a hole in an unexpected way, usually off several walls. |
| Tunnel | An enclosed pipe or passage the ball must be putted through, often with more than one exit. |
| Turn | A player’s go. Players putt in order and complete their turn before the next player starts. |
| Under par | A score below the expected number of strokes, on a hole or over the whole round. |
| Water hazard | A pond or stream built into a hole. A ball that lands in it costs a penalty stroke. |
| Windmill | The rotating obstacle whose blades block the entrance to the hole between turns. |
What Is It Called When…? Mini Golf Terms by Situation
Know what happened but not the word for it? Find the situation on the left and the mini golf term on the right.
| When… | It Is Called |
|---|---|
| The ball goes in with the first shot | Ace (hole in one) |
| The ball bounces off a wall toward the cup | Bank shot |
| The ball is putted up a sloped surface | Ramp |
| A player gets one under par on a hole | Birdie |
| A player gets one over par on a hole | Bogey |
| A player gets two over par on a hole | Double bogey |
| A player replays a bad shot without penalty | Mulligan |
| A player takes the maximum strokes and picks up | Stroke limit |
| A short putt is conceded | Gimme |
| Groups start on different holes at the same time | Shotgun start |
| The ball stops on the edge of the cup | Lip out |
| The hole bends left or right | Dogleg |
| The surface slopes so the ball curves | Break |
| The ball is placed back after a hazard | Drop point |
| The ball ends up in water | Water hazard |
| A player hits the first shot on a hole | Tee off |
| The ball leaves the playing area | Out of bounds |
| Players reach the halfway point of the course | Turn |
#1 Ace
Getting the ball into the cup with the first stroke, the mini golf name for a hole in one. On most mini golf courses par is 2 or 3, so an ace is common enough that some courses reward it with a free game on the last hole.
In a sentence: “Ace on the last hole, and the free game is yours.”
#2 Backboard
A wall behind or beside the cup that stops a ball hit too hard and can be used to bounce it back toward the hole. On some holes the backboard is the only realistic way to reach the cup.
In a sentence: “Hit it firm and use the backboard.”
#3 Bank Shot
A shot played off one of the side walls, the bumpers, so the ball rebounds toward the cup. The angle in roughly equals the angle out, as in pool, which is why players aim at a point on the wall rather than at the hole.
In a sentence: “Play the bank shot off the left bumper.”
#4 Break
The amount a putt curves because of a slope in the surface. On carpet courses the break is built in on purpose, with humps and dips that pull the ball one way. Reading the break means guessing where to aim so the curve carries the ball to the cup.
In a sentence: “There’s more break than you think, aim a foot left.”
#5 Course
A complete set of holes, usually 18, sometimes 9 or 36. Mini golf courses range from simple felt lanes to elaborate themed parks with waterfalls and pirate ships, a style often called adventure golf.
In a sentence: “The pirate course is harder than the jungle one.”
#6 Dogleg
A hole that bends to the left or right, so the cup cannot be seen or reached directly from the tee. The name comes from the shape of a dog’s hind leg. The usual approach is a bank shot off the corner.
In a sentence: “On the dogleg you have to use the corner.”
#7 Double Bogey
Two strokes over par on a hole. Since most mini golf holes are par 2, a double bogey often means a four, which usually comes from a ball that rolls back off a ramp or into the water.
In a sentence: “Two balls in the water and that’s a double bogey.”
#8 Hazard
Any feature placed to trap or deflect the ball, such as water, sand, a gap or a moving obstacle. A ball that ends up in a hazard is usually replaced at a drop point with a penalty stroke, depending on the course rules.
In a sentence: “Avoid the hazard on the right, it’s a penalty if you go in.”
#9 Stroke Limit
The maximum number of strokes a player may take on one hole, usually six. Once the limit is reached the player picks up and writes the maximum on the scorecard. The rule keeps groups moving on a busy course.
In a sentence: “That’s six, pick it up, stroke limit.”
#10 Layup
A deliberately short shot that leaves the ball in an easy position instead of going for the cup. On holes with a ramp or narrow bridge, a careful layup avoids a ball that rolls back to the start.
In a sentence: “Just lay it up below the ramp and putt in.”
#11 Mulligan
A free replay of a bad shot without penalty. Mulligans are against the rules of golf and of official minigolf competition, but they are common in casual games, often agreed before the round.
In a sentence: “Everybody gets one mulligan per round, use it wisely.”
#12 Obstacle
Any built feature in the way of the ball: windmills, tunnels, loops, bridges, ramps and moving parts. Obstacles are what turn mini golf from a putting green into a game of skill and timing.
In a sentence: “Time the obstacle, it opens every two seconds.”
#13 Par
The number of strokes a good player should need for a hole, usually 2 or 3 in mini golf. Par for an 18-hole course is often between 36 and 54. Scores are counted over or under par.
In a sentence: “This one’s a par 3, so don’t panic if you need two.”
#14 Putter
The only club used in mini golf, with a flat face for rolling the ball. Courses hand out putters of different lengths. The right length lets the eyes sit over the ball with the arms hanging naturally.
In a sentence: “Take a shorter putter, that one is too long for you.”
#15 Round
A complete game over all the holes of a course, usually 18. A casual round of mini golf for a family group tends to take around 45 minutes to an hour.
In a sentence: “Fancy another round?”
#16 Stroke
Each hit at the ball, counted on the scorecard. A swing that misses the ball completely also counts as a stroke. Pushing or scooping the ball is not allowed, the ball has to be struck.
In a sentence: “That’s five strokes, write it down.”
#17 Tee Off
Hitting the first shot on a hole from the starting mat. In mini golf the order is usually by score, so the player with the lowest score on the previous hole tees off first.
In a sentence: “Lowest score tees off first.”
#18 Themed Hole
A hole built around a theme, such as a pirate ship, a volcano or a castle. Themed holes are the trademark of adventure golf, and the decorations often double as obstacles.
In a sentence: “The volcano is the best themed hole on the course.”
#19 Through the Windmill
The classic mini golf shot: rolling the ball through the gap under a windmill while the turning blades leave it open. It is a timing problem, not an aiming one. Hitting a blade sends the ball back.
In a sentence: “Wait for the blade to pass, then go through the windmill.”
#20 Trick Shot
An unusual shot that uses walls, ramps or obstacles in an unexpected way to reach the cup. Trick shot videos on mini golf courses are a popular genre on social media.
In a sentence: “He banked it off three walls, what a trick shot.”
#21 Turn
The halfway point of an 18-hole course, between hole 9 and hole 10. Golfers say they “make the turn”. Many players compare scores at the turn to see who is leading.
In a sentence: “At the turn she was three strokes ahead.”
#22 Under Par
A score lower than par, written with a minus sign, such as -2. Finishing a mini golf round under par usually takes several aces.
In a sentence: “Two aces and you’re under par.”
#23 Water Hazard
A pond, stream or waterfall on the course. A ball in the water is taken out and replaced, usually at a marked drop spot, often with a penalty stroke under the house rules.
In a sentence: “Short of the bridge and it’s in the water hazard.”
#24 Birdie
One stroke under par on a hole. On a par 2 a birdie is an ace, but on a par 3 it means holing out in two.
In a sentence: “Birdie on the par 3, that’s two under.”
#25 Bogey
One stroke over par on a hole. In mini golf a bogey usually comes from a missed short putt or a ball caught by an obstacle.
In a sentence: “Missed the short one and took a bogey.”
#26 Green
The putting surface of a hole. In mini golf the whole hole is the green, usually made of carpet or artificial turf, sometimes concrete or felt on older courses.
In a sentence: “The green is faster than it looks.”
#27 Bumper
The low wall or rail along the edges of a hole that keeps the ball in play. Bank shots are played off the bumpers, and a ball that jumps one is usually out of bounds.
In a sentence: “Use the bumper on the left.”
#28 Sand Trap
A sandy area that catches the ball, also called a bunker. On mini golf courses sand traps are rare, because the ball usually cannot be putted out of them, so most courses allow it to be placed back on the carpet.
In a sentence: “Into the sand trap, take it out and add a stroke.”
#29 Scorecard
The card that records each player’s strokes on each hole. Most courses hand one out with a small pencil at the counter, and the total decides the winner, lowest score first.
In a sentence: “Who’s keeping the scorecard?”
#30 Tee
The starting area of a hole, usually a mat or a marked spot. The ball has to be placed within the tee area for the first stroke. In mini golf there is no wooden tee to lift the ball.
In a sentence: “Put it on the tee, then you can go.”
Mini Golf Slang Players and Fans Actually Use
| Slang | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Gimme | A short putt the others agree to count as holed without it being played. |
| Mulligan | A free do-over for a bad shot, agreed between friends. |
| Putt-putt | American name for mini golf, also the name of a well-known course chain. |
| Crazy golf | British name for mini golf, especially on courses with odd obstacles. |
| Lip out | A putt that touches the rim of the cup and spins out. |
| Three-putt | Taking three strokes on one green, usually from a nervous short putt. |
| Mini putt | Canadian name for mini golf. |
| Do-over | Another word for a mulligan in casual play. |
| Sandbagger | A player who pretends to be worse than they are to win a bet or a handicap. |
| Yips | Nerves that make a player jerk short putts, borrowed from golf. |
Mini Golf Expressions and Sayings in Everyday English
- Hole in one: An instant success on the first attempt, from hitting the ball into the cup with one shot.
- Par for the course: Normal and to be expected, usually something bad, from golf’s standard number of strokes for a course.
- Gimme: Something easy that is taken for granted, from the short putt that is conceded without being played.
- Mulligan: A second chance after a mistake, from the casual golf rule allowing a free replay.
FAQ
What is a hole in one called in mini golf?
An ace. It means the ball went from the tee into the cup with a single stroke, which on a par 3 hole also counts as an eagle.
What is the club used in mini golf called?
A putter. It has a flat face and is built for rolling the ball accurately over short distances, and it is the only club used for the whole round.
What is another name for mini golf?
Miniature golf is the full name. In Britain it is usually called crazy golf, in the United States putt-putt, in Canada mini putt, and courses with elaborate themed landscaping often call themselves adventure golf.
What is it called when you take one stroke more than par?
A bogey. Two strokes over par is a double bogey, one under par is a birdie and two under is an eagle. Mini golf borrows all of these from golf.
What is the mini golf obstacle with turning blades called?
A windmill. Playing through it is known as going through the windmill, and it is a timing problem rather than an aiming one, since the blades block the gap on a fixed rhythm.
What is it called when you bounce the ball off a wall toward the hole?
A bank shot. A wall placed specifically so players can rebound the ball toward the cup is called a backboard, and the walls along the sides are bumpers.
Scoring words (ace, par, birdie, bogey, under par, scorecard), equipment and layout (putter, tee, cup, green, course) and obstacles (windmill, ramp, tunnel, dogleg, water hazard). The mini golf glossary above explains each one.
What are some mini golf terms for beginners?
Tee, cup, putter and stroke for the basics, then par, ace and stroke limit for the scoring. Bank shot and bumper explain how to use the walls.
What are some mini golf slang terms?
Gimme for a conceded short putt, mulligan for a free do-over, lip out for a putt that spins off the rim, and putt-putt or crazy golf for the game itself. The slang table above has more.
If someone else hits your ball into the hole, is it a hole in one?
No. A ball knocked in by another player’s ball is normally replaced where it was, and the stroke does not count for the owner of the ball. An ace only counts when your own first stroke sends the ball into the cup.
