Castle Park Mini Golf (Purple Course 3) – Sherman Oaks, CA

Played on April 7 & 11, 2019 and numerous times in February/March 2020

Reviewed by Mr. Tee

After reviewing the red course (#1) and green course (#2), I’m finishing off with the purple carpeted course I played with The Pink Putter, Putt When Ready and solo. If I remember correctly, this was the first course we played at Castle Park on our first visit while filming. Both The Pink Putter and I were eager to build up confidence going into what we knew was going to be a wild experience playing Holey Moley on camera.

Rating

Birdie – Castle Park is a gem of a course. The massive castle, three full 18-hole courses and immersive environment make it an exceptional setting for mini golf. Course 1 & 2 already received our highest rating, hole-in-one, but after watching the O-Street video below, I was reminded how poorly the purple turf/carpet plays. Combined with the length of the holes, Course #3 can make for rather frustrating putting experience. On top of this, a few of the shoot-thru obstacles and environments don’t function well and could use maintenance. Despite this, the massive haunted house and lighthouse featured on this course along with the variety of hole designs make it a worthwhile play. A few tweaks and replacing the current carpet would put it on par with the other courses.

The Pink Putter showing off our new shirts. Mini Golf is For Everyone!

Start of the course from a solo visit in late February 2020

John Margolies photos from the 1970s compared to Mr. Tee playing the course in 2019

Wear & tear on this particular type of carpet moves the ball in unpredictable ways

Midway through the course is this classic haunted house that you shoot through

One of the many long holes across Castle Park

Much like Course #2, you get a view of the LA Fire Dept test grounds while putting

Randy Rice and Pat Sheridan (Putting Penguin) watch The Pink Putter take on this long and challenging hole

Crossed paths with Karl Barth on a visit in March of 2020

This long hole is highlighted by this massive temple structure

All three courses have unique skee-ball-like final holes that keeps your ball

Inside the arcade, the walls have ridiculously funny painting featuring dragons and royalty with food, putters and more.

This full-sized pop-a-shot game was near the entrance from the parking lot in 2020.

Pros

Multiple Courses
Variety of classic shoot-thru obstacles
Numerous long holes with immersive elements
Challenging putting
Perfect place to spend time with fellow mini golf fanatics and new friends

Cons

Turf/Carpet can be unforgiving and frustrating especially when it wears down
Several pipes and shoot-thru elements did not function well
Particularly poor playing carpet on this course in 2019-20

Nerdy Notes

3 18-hole courses. Course 3 (Purple) is Par 52
Adults (Ages 13 to 64) – $6.50, Children (Ages 5 to 12) – $5.50, Children 4 and under FREE with a PAID adult, Senior Citizens (Ages 64 +) – $5.50
Replays – $3.00 (Same Day Only)
Weekend Early Birds 9 am – 10:30 am – $3.00 per person regardless of age
Last call for miniature golf is one hour before closing.
Par not listed on the scorecard but listed at the holes.
Rubber covered putters
After you pay for your round, you receive a token to put in one of the machines containing a small variety of colored balls. The machines are similar to the plastic bubble vending machines found in malls and grocery stores in the US in the 80s and 90s
Opens between 9 and 10am and stays open late until 11pm and midnight depending on the day of the week