What are the ingredients of the perfect first date? Ask most couples, and it’s a combination of fun, challenge, and opportunities for a cheeky kiss at the end. Mini-golf, therefore, seems to fit the bill perfectly. It offers everything you could want from a date-worthy activity.
The great thing about mini golf is that you don’t have to play it traditionally. Unlike its more serious, full-scale counterpart, it isn’t steeped in traditions or etiquette. Young couples can pretty much do whatever they like, so long as they don’t damage the course.
A setup like this is ideal for a first date. When you’re trying to romance somebody, you want to show them that you’re a worthy partner AND fun too. For many people, having a good time is the ultimate goal. Everything else is just a means to an end.
So what creative mini golf games can you play on a first date to make a second outing more likely? Here are some ideas to get you started.
Make The Scoring A Little More Random
When you play mini golf on a first date, you’re not trying to win. Instead, you’re trying to show the object of your affection that you’re the kind of person they will want to spend more time with in the future.
To that end, you can afford to be a little liberal when it comes to scoring. Usually, the person who completes the course with the fewest shots is the winner. Some mini golf courses allow holes-in-one, while others require you to swing at the ball multiple times. But adding a little randomness to the mix can add fun and even things up a bit if one person is more talented than the other.
After you complete each hole, count up the shots you took. Then, instead of immediately making an entry on your scorecard, roll a six-sided dice and add whatever number you get to your total score. This way, skill doesn't matter as much. A bit like love, it comes down to the luck of the draw.
Use Your Golf Clubs As Pool Cues
Who says you have to hit the ball with the club end of your golf clubs? It’s certainly not in the mini-golf rule book, that’s for sure!
Nothing is stopping you from using your club as a pool cue, putting the ball with the end of the handle. All you need to do is lay down on your front behind the ball, make a bridge with your fingers, and smash it in the right direction.
Who knows, you might wind up being more accurate than you are with your putter!
Play A Hole Facing Backwards
When it comes to love, there are no rules. So why shouldn’t the same thing apply to the golf course?
Here’s an idea: instead of facing forwards when you attempt to score a hole-in-one, why not turn around and play the ball between your legs? It’ll make it a heck of a lot more challenging AND give you and your date something to laugh about as you make your way around.
Blow The Ball Into The Hole For The Final Shot
The idea behind this one is simple. Start by playing the hole as you would normally. Then, when you’re ready to make your final shot, get down on all fours and blow it in.
You can decide that it’s your final shot at any time, but there's a catch. If you can’t blow the ball into the hole within five seconds, you forfeit the shot and have to put the ball back in its original position, adding to your score.
Additionally, you’re not allowed to putt the ball with your club. If you do, you forfeit the shot and must place the ball back in its original position.
Use Your Hands To Tee Off And Putt
At some point, you and your date might get sick and tired of using clubs. No problem. Just use your hands!
You have to be careful with this one, though. Obviously, you can’t just guide the ball with your hand in a single motion to the hole. Instead, you need to come up with your own rules. For instance, you might decide that you’ll allow flicking with fingers or throwing from the tee.
Whatever you do, just try to come up with something that doesn’t involve the windmill section chopping your fingers off. Winding up in the ER isn't the ideal end to a first date.
Use Cards To Determine The Rules For Each Hole
If you have a bunch of ideas already for making mini golf more fun on a first date, you could turn it into a card game.
Start by writing rules on a series of cards and then take the deck with you to the mini-golf venue. Once there, ask your date to select a card for each new hole to determine how you must play it, and vice versa.
You could use the ideas presented here, or you could add your own. Importantly, this idea always keeps things interesting because you never really know what you’re going to get!
Play Each Hole With Your Non-Dominant Hand
Part of attracting somebody involves looking a little awkward. You want to show your human side. It’s endearing.
Therefore, trying to putt with your non-dominant hand can be a great way to make things more fun. If you usually face right while holding the club, turn 180 degrees and face left instead. Adjust your hand position so that the hand that is usually on top is on the bottom and vice versa. Then get putting. You’ll be amazed and just how difficult it is to try to do it the other way around.
Get The Ball As Close To The Hole As Possible, But Don’t Putt It
Finally, you can play a game where you try to get the ball as close to the hole as possible, without actually putting it.
For this game, allow yourself two strokes. Then, add a point to your tally for every inch the ball is from the hole.
And there you have it: our ideas for making a first date at the mini-golf course more fun.