Mini golf has come a long way from the classic family-friendly courses of the past. Today, it’s become a social sport, a date-night favourite, a party activity and, in places like What The Putt mini golf in Melbourne, part of an entire nightlife scene.
Whether you’re hitting a themed course, hanging out at a mini golf bar, or competing with friends on the weekend, nothing gets the group cheering quite like a perfectly executed trick shot.
The beauty of mini golf trick shots is that anyone can learn them. You don’t need pro-level golf skills or expensive equipment – just creativity, practice, and some understanding of angles, speed and timing.
Mini golf isn’t just about getting the lowest score – it’s about fun, flair and friendly competition. Trick shots:
- Make the game more exciting
- Showcase your creativity
- Help you beat obstacles in unconventional ways
- Bring out everyone’s inner show-off
- Create perfect social-media moments (especially at a neon-lit mini golf bar)
Learn These Mini Golf Trick Shots!
If you want to take your mini golf experience to the next level, mastering a few signature moves will elevate your game and make your friends wonder how you do it. Here are a few trick shots that can impress your friends.
1. The Bank Shot
How to do it:
Aim your shot at the side of the obstacle or wall to bounce the ball off and make it go in the hole. You want to find the right angle so the ball rebounds towards the hole rather than just bouncing away.
Why it’s impressive:
It shows control and an understanding of angles. It can look effortless when done right, but it’s tricky to nail.
2. The Jump Shot
How to do it:
Instead of a smooth roll, hit the ball with a slight lift to make it bounce over an obstacle. Angle the face of the putter slightly upward and strike downward in a snapping motion. The key is controlling the amount of bounce.
Why it’s impressive:
It’s a high-risk, high reward move. If you time it right, it looks amazing, especially when the ball bounces perfectly into the hole.
3. The Curved Shot
How to do it:
Strike the ball slightly off-centre on its side, creating a bit of spin, so the ball moves left or right mid-air. This works well if you need to avoid obstacles or curve around a tricky corner.
Why it’s impressive:
It requires precision and an understanding of how the spin affects the ball’s movement.
4. The Tunnel Shot
How to do it:
Some mini golf courses include tunnels, pipes or narrow channels that lead to shortcuts. Get low and align your putter so the shot follows a straight path and use a gentle, controlled tap. The goal is perfect direction rather than power.
Why it impresses:
The tunnel shot makes you look like a precision player. When you slip the ball through a tiny opening and end up next to the hole, everyone notices.
5. The Ramp Trick
How to do it:
If you have a ramp on the course, aim to launch the ball in a way that it goes up the ramp and lands smoothly, either directly in the hole or close to it.
Why it’s impressive:
Getting the right speed to ensure the ball makes it up and down without losing momentum can be harder than it looks.
6. The Hole-in-One Putt
How to do it:
Sometimes, a hole-in-one isn’t as simple as a straight shot. You can line up a perfect straight putt, but the real trick is adjusting your aim for the contours of the green, aiming for just the right angle.
Why it’s impressive:
The fact that this shot is achievable but difficult shows great control over your putting skills.
7. The Low-Flip Shot
How to do it:
Hit the ball with a lower angle and just the right amount of power to make it “flip” or roll under a barrier and then jump over a gap.
Why it’s impressive:
It’s tough to control the height of the flip and pulling it off smoothly looks impressive and adds a fun element to the game.
8. The Reverse Shot
How to do it:
If you’re playing on a course with a slanted surface, try hitting the ball backward, essentially putting it in reverse motion. You aim for the ball to roll backward after it hits a wall or obstacle, setting up a tricky shot for the next hole.
Why it’s impressive:
It’s unexpected and shows that you’re not afraid to take risks for the perfect shot.
9. The Sidewinder
How to do it:
Hit the ball from a side angle instead of head-on, using the side of the club to make the ball spin sideways. This can be useful for getting the ball around tight corners.
Why it’s impressive:
It takes some finesse, and if done right, it adds a unique twist to your mini golf game.
10. The Loop-the-Loop
How to do it:
If the course has a loop, try to hit the ball with just the right amount of speed to send it through the loop-de-loop and out the other side. It’s all about perfect timing.
Why it’s impressive:
It’s a fun, dynamic shot that works best when you have the right momentum.
11. The Long-Distance Putt
How to do it:
From a longer distance, try to aim for a hole that’s far away, but with a curved or bounce shot that bounces off a wall or another obstacle to make it in. It’s hard to set up, but it works with patience and practice.
Why it’s impressive:
It’s a show of skill and patience. Plus, sinking a long-distance putt is always impressive.
12. The Slow-Roll Shot
How to do it:
Perfect for dramatic finishes, this trick shot is subtle. Use the softest touch possible. Keep your putter low and swing from the shoulders. A slow-roll shot uses minimal power to let the ball glide gently over slopes or edges.
Why it’s impressive:
The suspense of a slow-moving ball rolling… rolling… rolling toward the hole adds theatre. If it drops in, the moment is unforgettable.
Bonus Mini Golf Trick Shot
The “Around the World” Shot
How to do it:
If you’re playing with multiple obstacles or circular walls, aim to hit the ball in a pattern around the obstacles in a way that makes the ball go in the hole.
Why it’s impressive:
It’s a tricky way to approach a hole, and it’s more difficult to pull off than just aiming straight for the hole.
Take some of these mini golf trick shots with you next time you head out to What The Putt with friends. You’ll be sure to impress – perhaps they’ll shout you a drink at the mini golf bar! Call the friendly staff or book a round online.