How to Get a Hole in 1 on Mini Putt
By Steve Silverman
Miniature golf can be one of life's trickiest activities. The idea of going to play a round of miniature golf on a warm summer evening sounds about as relaxing as it can get. But a funny thing often happens between holes 1 and 18--it gets competitive. Whether you are playing with your buddies, your spouse or your children, the will to win (or not embarrass yourself) becomes obvious. Nothing satisfies that will like a well-struck putt that results in a hole-in-one.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Assess the hole you are about to play. Does it have an obstacle like a windmill or a bridge? Do you have a choice of holes to play on a multilevel green? If so, come up with a strategy. With a windmill, time it so your ball hits the entry just as the blade of the windmill passes. If you have a choice of three holes to play on a multitiered green, almost always go for the middle hole if you want to get a hole in one.
Play the angle when you have a hole with obstacles in front. Many miniature golf courses place items like a rock formation in front of the hole. You can't get straight at it. Instead, go in through the back end and play the angle by ricocheting the ball off the walls. Take your time, calculate the angle and deliver a firm and solid shot.
Don't stand over the putt for more than five seconds--this is one area that is the same as the standard game of golf. If you stand over your putt too long, you probably won't hit it correctly. Look at your putt, assess it and strike the ball, and you'll have a much better chance of being successful.
Don't hit the ball too hard--your ball will likely to carry to the hole and then past it. The carpeted material you are playing on is not grass; it's usually low-grade artificial turf that lets the ball keep its speed when it rolls. Slow your swing down and you have a better chance holing the putt.
Keep your head down. As in real golf, most miniature golfers want to see where their shot will end up. This often results in not hitting the ball squarely and topping it. Keep your head down and finish your stroke before you pick up your head.
About The Author
Steve Silverman is an award-winning writer, covering sports since 1980. Silverman authored The Minnesota Vikings: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and Who's Better, Who's Best in Football -- The Top 60 Players of All-Time, among others, and placed in the Pro Football Writers of America awards three times. Silverman holds a Master of Science in journalism from the Medill School of Journalism.
