Golf May Have Started In Scotland, But Mini Golf Started Here In Upstate New York

Growing up, I was an avid golfer. I grew up close to Augusta, Georgia, and as such, used the Masters practice course quite a lot.

Sometimes, though, I prefer things a little faster, which is why Mini Golf is such a fun experience, and it turns out it got its start right here in Upstate New York.

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The Oldest Mini Golf in America

This is a hard claim to truly back up, but based on my research, the oldest Miniature Golf course in America is Parkside’s Whispering Pines Miniature Golf course in Irondequoit, New York, just outside of Rochester.

The park was established in 1930, almost 20 years after the invention of the sport. So why is this course considered the "Oldest in America" by the National Register of Historic Places? Well, technically it is. The issue lies with every other course before it. They all closed! So, Whispering Pines gets to claim the title, there's no one to fight against it.

Can You Still Play at Whispering Pines?

Wouldn't be the oldest if it wasn't still around, right? You can absolutely still play at Whispering Pines' historic course! It's located at 4383 Culver Rd., Sea Breeze, New York, and is open through the standard golf season.

You can play a round for $10 a person, and if you want to go again that same day you'll only have to pay $4. This is a deal you won't get anywhere else. Have you ever looked at how expensive the first standard golf course is to play on? Don't even bother, there's probably only five people alive who can afford it anyways.