Natural-grass putting courses are a ton of fun, but you can't really call them "new."
The most famous example -- the Himalayas putting course next to The Old Course at St. Andrews -- has been around since 1867 and dozens more have existed for years in the UK, Ireland, and North America.
What is new, however, is the recent addition of these courses by several, big-name golf resorts.
For example, this past summer North Carolina's Pinehurst Resort unveiled Thistle Dhu, an 18-hole natural grass putting course located next to its practice area.
New Jersey's Seaview Resort did something similar; its nine holer is called the Turtle Course.
Even the mighty Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is getting into the act. It plans to open a huge Tom Doak/Jim Urbina-designed putting course (with a minimum of 18 holes) this fall. The course is tentatively being called, "Punchbowl."
This is a great trend, in my opinion.
These courses, which often mimic the topography of their bigger siblings, usually cost nothing (or next to nothing) to play, and the ways to have fun on them -- and who can have fun -- is virtually limitless.
You can use them as warm up holes, as bet settlers; as après golf wind downs, for family bonding, couples competitions, or simply to play a little golf when you don't have the time or desire to swing the big sticks.
Whenever possible, my favorite way to play them is with drink-in-hand and flip-flops on feet.
How about you? Have you ever played a natural-grass putting course? Would you like to see more of them built at the places you visit?
Please share your thoughts or read what others are saying below.
Notable putting courses around the world
The Thistle Du at Pinehurst Resort was rebuilt in 2017, expanding to 75,000 square feet of putting fun.
Courtesy photo
Enjoy a drink and some fun on the Little Meadows Putting Course, which opened in 2020 to celebrate the 50th anniversary at Black Butte Ranch in Oregon.
Courtesy photo
The "putting island" putting course at Bucks Run in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.
Buck's Run GC
The Himalayas Putting Course, right next to the Old Course, can be played by anyone at St. Andrews.
Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
In Texas, the Whitewater Putting Course features 18 holes of grass putting as well as fountains and sand bunkers.
Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
Putting course at Eagle Crest golf club in Redmond, Oregon.
TripAdvisor
Treetops' Himalayas putting course in Gaylord, Michigan.
Treetops Resort
A popular new addition to Sea Island: The Driftwood putting course.
Matt Ginella/Golf Advisor
In the Palm Springs area, the putting course at Indian Wells stands out at night.
Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Tom Watson Putting Course at Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, Missouri.
Big Cedar Lodge
A view of the putting course at Gamble Sands from the facility's lodging.
Back9Ben, Local Golf Advisor
People playing on the little hawk putting course at Hawk Hollow Golf Course in Bath, Michigan.
Lansing.org
The miniature golf course designed by Peter and Alice Dye outside the Children's Museum in Indianapolis.
SYLawn
The Gauntlet putting course is part of the great clubhouse complex at Streamsong Black.
Courtesy of Streamsong
In creating the Punchbowl, Bandon Dunes owner Mike Keiser took inspiration from the putting courses at St. Andrews and Pinehurst.
Courtesy of Bandon Dunes
In addition to the putting green, there's also a Putting Course right next to the Meadows Course at Sunriver Resort.
Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
The nine-hole putting course winds through Quail Lodge & Golf Club.
Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
A sunny day view of Putting Course at Marina Bay Golf Course.
Marina Bay GC
Mackinac Greens Putting Course at Mission Point Resort
Mackinac.com
A putting course called the Commons was added at the private Ballyneal Golf & Hunt Club and now features 18 topsy-turvy holes.
Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
19 Greens Premier Putting Course in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada lit up at night.
19 Greens Premier Putting Course
A view from a tee at 18 Hole Putting Course from Thunersee Golf Club.
Thunersee GC
The HillTop Putting Course at Forest Dunes GC in Roscommon, Michigan is free of charge and doesn't require a tee time to play.
Forest Dunes GC
The free 18-hole putting course is another way to entertain children at Crystal Springs Golf Resort in Hamburg, New Jersey.
Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
A view of the putting course at Angel Park Golf Club
Back
Comments (29)
Have once read that Jack Nicklaus had built putting courses somewhere in the US, but have never seen pictures oth the courses or read any review by golf journalists. You know better?
Thxs
Have played on an 18 hole putting course in Clarkston, Was. Is no longer there but we thoroughly enjoyed it every day we camped nearby.
Now live in the east valley area from Phoenix. Have searched for one and have had no luck. Will keep searching.
Have once read that Jack Nicklaus had built putting courses somewhere in the US, but have never seen pictures oth the courses or read any review by golf journalists. You know better?
Thxs
Have played on an 18 hole putting course in Clarkston, Was. Is no longer there but we thoroughly enjoyed it every day we camped nearby.
Now live in the east valley area from Phoenix. Have searched for one and have had no luck. Will keep searching.
That''s an absolutely great idea to attract not only golfers, but their family too. Imagine a putting only course that consist of the 18 most famous golf holes in the world from all top courses, but scaled 1:10 or 1:15 depending on the available area. We've designed a similar course in a way that requires minimal area and provides maximum putting length and pleasure. Have a look at www [dot] miniaturegolfplans [dot] com or make an inquiry to backyakrdminigolf [at] yahoo [dot] com and I'll be happy to send you the layout
Re: the Pinehurst puttting course, is it only for those who've played a round at the resort or staying on property? I only ask as I visit my in-laws there often and my young boys would love to play the putting course. Thanks in advance for any/all feedback.
keep building them, would love to play putting course with my wife of 40 years as her back will not allow her to swing the big clubs after 4 back surgeries. the east valley near Phoenix, az. is where i hang my hat.
My sons and I have enjoyed the grass putting courses at World Woods, World Golf Hall of Fame and Angel Park. I haven't been in a number of years, but we also used to have fun at several bermuda grass putting courses in Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head, NC, along the Outer Banks.
My wife and I had a great time playing the putting course at St. Andrews. Wasn't this the original women's course?
I would seriously recommend the putting green at Les Bordes in the Loire Valley, France. The 18 hole putting green surrounds a large broze statue in the center .
Great idea, especially when you have the kids along on a golf vacation.
Fantabulous for famiiles and friendship. If anyone knows of one in North Texas or the Dallas, Tx area please let me know. Getting acquainted with kids, grandkids and just meeting new golfers would be a very special incentive for a company to make this happen.