Mini golf rules and scoring

Count one point for every stroke on each hole; the lowest total after the last hole wins. Most courses stop a hole at six strokes, and under US ProMiniGolf Association rules a ball not holed by then scores 7. A ball that leaves the course goes back where it went out, with one penalty stroke. Everyone finishes the hole before the group moves on. Casual courses post their own rules, so read the scorecard or the sign at the first tee.

By the Range and Putt editorial team. Published November 12, 2026, updated November 12, 2026. Figures are recalculated from our listings whenever they change.

How scoring works

Every stroke counts as one point, and each player's score for the hole is written on the scorecard before the group moves on. Each hole has a par, which MB2 Entertainment's guide to the game describes as the number of strokes a skilled player should need. The player with the lowest total at the end wins.

A standard round is 18 holes: 119 of the 182 venues on Range and Putt that state a hole count have 18-hole courses, and 38 have nine. See how many holes mini golf has.

The six-stroke limit

The US ProMiniGolf Association's rules end a hole when the ball is holed or six strokes have been played, and state that the highest possible score on one hole is 7 unless penalty strokes are added. In other words, if the ball is still not in after six strokes, you write down 7 and move on.

Casual courses use the same idea to keep play moving. MB2 Entertainment notes that most courses set a maximum number of strokes per hole, usually six. Whether the course then scores the hole as 6 or 7 is its own rule, so check the scorecard.

When the ball leaves the course

Under the association's rules, a ball that goes out of bounds is placed back at the point where it left, and one penalty stroke is added. A ball that stays inside an obstacle is repositioned in the direction it came from. A casual course may handle it differently; again, the sign at the first tee decides.

Who plays first, and when to move on

One hole at a time, in order. The association's rules have holes played from 1 to 18, and a group starts the next hole only when its last player has finished the previous one.
Wait for the group ahead. A hole may be played only after the players ahead have finished it and left the playing area.
Rotate the order. In association play the order changes each round: the first player goes last and the second goes first. For a casual game, MB2 Entertainment describes the traditional approach of letting the player farthest from the hole putt next.
Keep it moving. In competition the first player has 90 seconds to play the first stroke at each hole. Nobody times a family round; in our view, letting a faster group play through is simply good manners.

Group size

Courses set their own limits. Among the venues we list, Lost Caverns Adventure Golf says "No more than six golfers per group" and Stagecoach Greens says "One ticketed adult must supervise every four children". If your party is bigger than the limit, split into two groups on consecutive holes.

Equipment

You do not need to bring anything. Del Mar Golf Center and Kent Valley Miniature Golf, for example, state that putters and balls are included in the price. In association play only miniature golf clubs are allowed, aiming gadgets on the club are banned, and the hole may be no more than 5 inches across.

Rules real courses post

These come from the venues' own pages and appear on each listing under "Good to know".

Food and drink. Arroyo Seco Golf Course: "No outside food or drinks at the miniature golf course", Del Mar Golf Center: "No outside food, drinks or coolers", Peter Pan Mini Golf: "Outside food and drinks are welcome, but no glass containers" and Stagecoach Greens: "No food on the course; drinks are allowed".
Adult-only hours. 18 venues, mostly putting bars, turn 18-and-over or 21-and-over in the evening. See mini golf with kids for the full list.
Height limits. Par-King Skill Golf requires children to be at least 48 inches tall.
Last round. Courses stop selling rounds before closing time, from 30 to 90 minutes ahead at the 6 venues that state it. See how long a round takes.

Find a course

Mini golf by city, with the price per round and number of holes: Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, Myrtle Beach, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa and Washington.

Questions people ask

What is the maximum number of strokes in mini golf?

Usually six. Under US ProMiniGolf Association rules a hole ends after six strokes, and a ball that is still not holed scores 7. Casual courses set their own limit, most often six strokes.

What is the penalty for hitting the ball out of bounds in mini golf?

Under US ProMiniGolf Association rules, the ball is put back at the point where it went out and one penalty stroke is added. Casual courses set their own rule.

Who goes first in mini golf?

There is no fixed rule for a casual game. MB2 Entertainment describes the traditional approach of letting the player farthest from the hole putt next, while in US ProMiniGolf Association play the order rotates each round so the first player goes last.

Sources

Rules of Miniature Golf (members rulebook) US ProMiniGolf Association, read November 12, 2026
How to Play Mini Golf MB2 Entertainment, published October 7, 2024, read November 12, 2026
Range and Putt listings: 228 mini golf venues, each checked against the venue's own website or operator, most recently November 12, 2026. Each listing links to its own sources.

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