Experience Family-Friendly Mini Golf Adventures in Iowa

Lost Island Adventure Golf, Waterloo, IA

For a real adventurous time on your next mini-golf outing, be sure to check out the adventure mini golf offered by the Lost Island Waterpark in Waterloo. Featuring two 18-hole courses all with a tropical theme, visitors to the Lost Island Adventure Golf course can expect to navigate their golf balls through volcano fields, native vegetation and even a few scattered dinosaur bones here and there. For a real fun time, pair the adventure mini golf with any number of waterslide attractions found at the Lost Island, and you’ll be sure to have a great time mini golfing no matter your score. 

Pirate’s Pointe Mini Golf, Storm Lake, IA

Pirate’s Pointe Mini Golf provides 18 holes of swashbuckling adventure. Featuring a shipwreck and waterfalls, the 18 holes at Pirate’s Point can challenge every skill level of putter that visits, and caters towards every age with its nautical themed surroundings. Even if you don’t get your hole-in-one at Pirate’s Point, between all there is to see and enjoy at this elaborate mini-golf course, everyone leaves feeling like a winner.

Derby Grange Golf and Recreation, Dubuque, IA

Featuring a driving range, par 3 golf course and batting cages, there is plenty to do for a fun afternoon at the Derby Grange Golf and Recreation Center in Dubuque. No visit is complete however without visiting the well-manicured and intricately designed mini-golf course within the facilities. The landscaping and beautiful surroundings of the Derby Grange mini-golf course make it one of the best in the state. Not just for the young ones in life, the Derby Grange mini-golf course can provide valuable putting practice and experience.

Blank Golf Course, Des Moines, IA

Within the same facilities as the A.H. Blank Golf Course, besides it’s obvious shorter length, the Blank Mini-Golf Course mirrors much of what the larger public golf course has to offer. Real sand traps, water hazards and great landscaping, the mini-golf course can provide a challenge to putters young and old. Unique to the mini-golf course, a 15-foot waterfall defines much of the surroundings on the 18-hole course, and provides a decent place to wash your golf balls after putting out of the bunker.

Pla-mor Miniature Golf Course, Clear Lake, IA

A fun addition to any Clear Lake experience, the Pla-mor Miniature Golf Course is a straightforward 18 holes of classic mini golf waiting to be explored. Featuring obstacles, full loops and plenty of angles, the Pla-mor miniature golf also has lights, meaning you can play in the cooler evening hours of summer. Open seasonally with no set hours, it’s never a bad idea to call before you decide to check out the family-orientated Pla-mor miniature golf course.  

Caddyshack Miniature Golf Course, Algona, IA

It’s a real Cinderella story out of Algona, where the Caddyshack Miniature Golf Course has sprung to life. Inspired by perhaps the greatest sports movie of all time, the Caddyshack Miniature Golf Course is a family friendly 18 holes where you never know when a groundhog might pop out to say hello. Featuring a classic mini-golf course design, including banked shots, a red brick outline and some fast moving AstroTurf, whether you are part of the Professional Miniature Golf Association, or it’s your first time swinging a putter, you’ll be sure to find something fun to enjoy at the Caddyshack Miniature Golf Course. 

Vinton Mini Golf Course, Vinton, IA

Operated by the Vinton Parks and Recreation department, the Vinton Mini Golf Course not only provides 18 holes of creatively constructed mini golf, but alongside each putting green is plentiful examples of native Iowa scenery. Whether you visit the Vinton Mini Golf Course to get the best score, or to enjoy some native Iowa plant species, you’ll be sure to enjoy all 18 holes of the incredibly engineered mini-golf course, plus the natural environment that surrounds it.

West Grand Golf, West Des Moines, IA

Featuring a full-length driving range to go alongside the mini-golf, you can practice all aspects of your game at West Grand Golf. The 18 holes at West Grand mini-golf course are some of the best kept in the state of Iowa, and between the real sand traps and crystal-clear water hazards, you’ll find few better turfs to sink a putt. While hole-in-one’s are a little trickier to get on West Grand Golf’s challenging 18 holes, the fun surroundings are enough to enhance your scorecard, and a few extra strokes here and there just mean you can spend more time exploring the scenic course. 

Toad Valley Golf Course, Pleasant Hill, IA

The Field of Green Mini Links of the Toad Valley Golf Course provides the most real-world application of putting techniques than any other miniature golf course in Iowa. That’s because the Field of Green Mini Links follows the contour of the land throughout the course, mimicking the long-distance putts you might find on the adjacent full-length golf course. Featuring real sand traps and evident water hazards, including a gorgeous babbling waterfall and running water, the Field of Green Mini Links is worthy of a postcard, and can be the perfect practice or alternative to a full day of full-length golfing. 

Key Insights at a Glance

• Miniature golf is a fun alternative to full-length golf for families in Iowa during the summer.
• There are several great mini golf courses in Iowa, offering unique themes and challenges.
• Adventure mini golf at Lost Island Waterpark in Waterloo features tropical-themed courses and water attractions.
• Pirate’s Pointe Mini Golf in Storm Lake offers a swashbuckling adventure with nautical-themed surroundings.
• Derby Grange Golf and Recreation Center in Dubuque has a well-manicured mini-golf course for all ages.
• Blank Mini-Golf Course in Des Moines mirrors the larger public golf course with real sand traps and water hazards.
• Pla-mor Miniature Golf Course in Clear Lake is a classic 18-hole course with lights for evening play.
• Caddyshack Miniature Golf Course in Algona is inspired by the movie and offers a fun experience for all skill levels.
• Vinton Mini Golf Course in Vinton features creatively constructed mini golf with native Iowa scenery.
• West Grand Golf in West Des Moines has challenging 18 holes with real sand traps and water hazards.
• Field of Green Mini Links at Toad Valley Golf Course in Pleasant Hill mimics the contour of the land for a real-world putting experience.