Let’s be honest. Mini golf has come a long way from the dusty, family-friendly courses of the past with the sad-looking clown faces. Today, it’s a social sport, a legitimate date-night staple, and in places like What The Putt here in Brunswick, it is the heartbeat of the nightlife scene.
We aren’t just talking about tapping a ball into a hole. We are talking about Indoor mini golf with a drink in hand, neon lights blazing, and a DJ spinning tracks that make you want to dance between holes.
Whether you are hitting the course for a casual Sunday session, a heavy-hitting corporate function, or a rowdy birthday party, the goal remains the same: Beat your friends and look good doing it.
Nothing, and we mean nothing, gets the squad cheering (or groaning in defeat) quite like a perfectly executed trick shot.
The beauty of these shots is that you don’t need to be Tiger Woods. You don’t need expensive gear. You just need a bit of creativity, a basic understanding of physics (angles, people!), and the confidence to pull it off.
Ready to turn your game from “average” to “legendary”? Here is your guide to mastering the art of the Mini golf flex.
Why Bother with Trick Shots?
Mini golf isn’t just about getting the lowest score on the card (though winning is nice). It’s about the fun, the flair, and the friendly banter. If you play it safe on every hole, you might win, but will you be remembered? Probably not. Throwing a few trick shots into your repertoire:
- Makes the game way more exciting: It raises the stakes.
- Showcases your creativity: It proves you can think outside the box (or the green).
- Helps you beat obstacles: Sometimes the direct path is a trap.
- Creates the perfect social media moment: Let’s be real, a successful jump shot looks incredible on Instagram Stories, especially against the backdrop of our Mini golf bar.
The Ultimate Guide to Mini Golf Trick Shots
If you want to take your experience at What The Putt to the next level, mastering a few signature moves will leave your mates wondering, “How on earth did they do that?” Here are 12 trick shots to add to your arsenal.
1. The Bank Shot
The Concept: This is the bread and butter of indoor mini golf. It’s basically pool, but with a putter.
How to do it: Ignore the hole for a second. Look at the walls or the borders of the obstacle. Aim your shot at the side rail so the ball rebounds off it and travels toward the hole. You need to calculate the angle of incidence (science!) essentially, if you hit it at a 45-degree angle, it should bounce off at a 45-degree angle.
Why it’s impressive: It shows control. It makes you look like a geometrical genius. When everyone else is trying to squeeze through a gap and failing, you simply bypass the trouble by using the wall. It looks effortless, but we all know it takes skill.
2. The Jump Shot
The Concept: Taking to the skies. This is for when there is an obstacle in your way that simply cannot be rolled around.
How to do it: Instead of a smooth putting motion, you want to strike the ball with a sharp, downward snapping motion, angling the face of the putter slightly upward. You aren’t trying to drive it 200 metres; you just want a little “pop” to lift it over a barrier. Note: Be careful with this one. We love enthusiasm, but please don’t chip a ball into someone’s cocktail.
Why it’s impressive: It is a high-risk, high-reward move. If you time it right, the ball hops the obstacle and lands softly near the cup. It’s a total power move.
3. The Curved Shot
The Concept: Bending it like Beckham, but with a golf ball.
How to do it: Strike the ball slightly off-centre. If you hit the outside of the ball, it will spin inward. If you cut across it, it will fade. This spin causes the ball to drift left or right mid-roll. It’s essential for navigating around curves or correcting a slope in the green.
Why it’s impressive: It requires finesse. Most people just hit the ball straight and hope for the best. manipulating the spin shows you actually know how the ball reacts to the turf.
4. The Tunnel Shot
The Concept: Threading the needle.
How to do it: Many Indoor mini golf courses (ours included) feature tunnels, pipes, or narrow bridges. The mistake people make is hitting it too hard. Get low – eye level with the ball if you can and align your putter face perfectly square to the target. Use a gentle, controlled tap. Direction is everything; power is the enemy here.
Why it’s impressive: It makes you look like a sniper. When you slip the ball through a tiny opening while your friends are bouncing off the entrance, you look like a precision player.
5. The Ramp Trick
The Concept: Using momentum to defy gravity.
How to do it: If you are facing a steep ramp or a loop, you need speed, but not too much speed. If you blast it, the ball will launch off the track. If you hit it too soft, it comes rolling back to your feet (humiliating). Aim to hit through the ball, ensuring it has enough juice to crest the hill and settle on the other side.
Why it’s impressive: Speed control is the hardest part of Mini golf. Nailing the perfect velocity on a ramp makes you look like a pro.
6. The Hole-in-One Putt
The Concept: The holy grail.
How to do it: Sometimes, a hole-in-one isn’t a straight shot. You have to read the “break” of the green. Look at the floor is it tilting left? Is there a bump? You might need to aim a foot to the right of the hole to let gravity do the work.
Why it’s impressive: Calling your shot (“I’m aiming at that brick on the wall”) and then watching the ball curve perfectly into the hole? That is legendary status.
7. The Low-Flip Shot
The Concept: The jump shot’s subtle cousin.
How to do it: This is for getting under a barrier or over a small gap. You hit the ball with a lower angle and just enough power to make it “flip” or skip. It stays low but clears the trouble.
Why it’s impressive: It’s tough to control the height. Pulling this off smoothly looks sleek and shows you have soft hands.
8. The Reverse Shot
The Concept: Using the backboard.
How to do it: On a slanted surface or a hole with a back wall, try hitting the ball past the hole intentionally. You want it to hit the back wall and roll backward into the cup. This is often safer than trying to stop the ball exactly on the hole.
Why it’s impressive: It’s unexpected. Your friends will think you’ve overhit it, only to watch in awe as it trickles back into the hole.
9. The Sidewinder
The Concept: The awkward angle saviour.
How to do it: Sometimes the ball ends up against a wall where you can’t stand behind it. Do you take a penalty? No. You use the Sidewinder. Stand to the side or face the ball and putt with a side-sweeping motion. Pro tip: You can also use the “croquet style” shot between the legs here if you’re feeling confident.
Why it’s impressive: It shows adaptability. You aren’t afraid of a bad lie; you just innovate.
10. The Loop-the-Loop
The Concept: The rollercoaster.
How to do it: Commitment is key. If the course has a vertical loop, you cannot hesitate. You need to hit the ball with conviction to ensure centrifugal force keeps it stuck to the track.
Why it’s impressive: It’s dynamic, it’s loud, and it’s visually satisfying when the ball whips around and shoots out the other side.
11. The Long-Distance Putt
The Concept: The Hail Mary.
How to do it: You’re miles away. Obstacles are everywhere. Instead of playing it safe and laying up, you go for glory. Plan a route that uses a bounce off a wall or a specific slope.
Why it’s impressive: Sinking a putt from across the room is always impressive. It’s a show of patience and guts.
12. The Slow-Roll Shot
The Concept: Maximum suspense.
How to do it: Perfect for dramatic finishes. Use the softest touch possible. Keep your putter low and swing from the shoulders. The ball should barely have enough energy to reach the hole.
Why it’s impressive: The theatre of it. Watching the ball roll… and roll… and teeter on the edge… and finally drop? The whole room holds its breath. If it drops, the crowd goes wild.
Bonus: The “Around the World” Shot
How to do it: If you’re playing on a hole with a circular border or a “bowl” shape, aim to ride the rim. Hit the ball hard along the edge so it circles the hole before spiralling down into the centre.
Why it’s impressive: It’s stylistically cool. It’s harder to pull off than a straight putt, but it looks fantastic.
Put Your Skills to the Test
Reading about these shots is one thing; pulling them off after a cocktail is another.
Next time you are planning a night out – whether it’s a Uni catch-up, a date, you are tasked with organising the office party, Christmas party, bring the crew to What The Putt. We have the course, the vibes, and the mini golf bar to fuel your creativity.
Pro Tip: If you want to really raise the stakes, put a wager on the game. Loser buys the next round of shots at the bar, or the winner gets a What The Putt Gift Card (which, by the way, makes for an excellent birthday gift if you’re stuck for ideas).
Grab a putter, pick your line, and show your friends why you are the trick shot champion of Brunswick.
Ready to play? Book your round online now or contact our team to organise your next function!