Played November 30, 2018
Reviewed by Mr. Tee
The initial stop on our late fall jaunt to North Carolina landed us at Frankie’s in Raleigh. Unbeknownst to us, our destination was only one of a small group of family fun centers in the Carolinas with locations in Greenville, Charlotte, Charleston, and Columbia. The look and feel remind me of chains we’ve played like Boomer’s or Boondocks. With little time to play, we did our best to document this expansive complex.
Rating
Birdie – I wouldn’t be surprised if the same company that built Boondocks in Parker, CO worked on this Frankie’s collection of mini golf courses. A short journey takes you through small seaside landscapes with bridges, lighthouses, blue water, and charming houses. While there is little to distinguish the play on the trio of miniature golf courses, the overall layout, cup placement, and surroundings make for a substantial experience. The longer we play the game of mini golf, the more we appreciate the small details. In the case of Frankie’s, the wide concrete walls are more desirable than the shorter traditional red clay bricks that border many a course. The leaves on the course were mildly annoying but not unexpected given our visit was during the offseason. Well worth your effort to visit if you’re near the triangle area in NC.
Pros
Multiple courses
Fun and charming theming
Well maintained structures
Solid variety of play, layout & cup placement
Cons
Not much theming in the field of play
Nerdy Notes
- Three 18 hole courses. No par set for any of the courses
- $8/person. 3 and younger play for free with an adult
- Arcade, Batting cage, ropes course, XD Dark Ride, laser tag, fun house, go-karts, and bumper boats on site as well
- Additional locations in South Carolina in Columbia, Greenville and Charleston plus another North Carolina location in Charlotte
Skill Crane Corner
