History of Miniature Golf - Part 1

Like many sports around the world, there are numerous opinions on when and where miniature golf (as well as golf) first started (and who actually invented the game). There are paintings of the Chinese Emperor Xuande playing a game that looks very similar to miniature golf in the mid-15th century.

There is also evidence of a "golf like" game played in the Netherlands in the 13th century.

And of course, many have placed the origins of golf on the links at St Andrews in Scotland during the 16th or 17th centuries.

However, it is commonly agreed that the establishment of the Ladies Putting Course at St Andrews in 1867 (so named because women at the time were considered to gentile to play "real" golf), was the first to connect the idea of miniaturizing the game of golf. While it may be just a putting green, the 'Himalayas' putting green - so called because of its hummocky nature laid out as it is on ancient sand dunes.

For more on the evolution of the classical Miniature Golf course (windmills, clowns, etc) stay tuned for The History of Miniature Golf - Part 2