McPete’s Mini Golf – Big Lake, MN

No Comments

Played September 26, 2020

Reviewed by Mr. Tee

We’ve sought out to play all of the mini golf within an hour of the Twin Cities area in Minnesota at least once and felt confident we had tracked down nearly all of the active courses through internet sleuthing and tips. While competing in the Miniest Mini Golf Open, one of the participants from northwest of the Twin Cities metro asked if we had played McPete’s. Up to that point, I had not heard the name ever mentioned or seen anything online. Determined, I jumped in the car the following weekend to check it out. After 45 minute drive, I showed up at a bowling alley complex parking lot located off highway 10. Initially, the lot was filled with white dudes on ATVs parading their support for the now twice impeached and popular vote loser white supremacist politician. Despite their obnoxious presence, I headed into the alley to pay for a round of 18 holes and onto a course that was at the tail end of the season for outdoor mini golf in Minnesota.

Rating

We’ve seen a number of Harris built mini golf courses over the years and at their best and with some added flourishes by the course owners, they can provide a solid mini golf experience. Like any course that has fallen in a state of disrepair, the experience of playing these style courses when the turf is beaten up is not ideal. The turf at McPete’s plays inconsistent and quite fast. My guess is that the turf hasn’t been replaced since it was added in 2004. Long and cold winters can do quite a bit of damage to courses. Annual maintenance is required to keep any course in good playing shape but at a certain point, the turf needs to be replaced to make this course fun again.

Golf cart near the start of the course is great for photo ops
Courses rules sign affirms my suspicion it is a Harris course
The rough is quite worn down
Closer view of the turf and tee off mat misplaced in the field of play
Love a well-placed tree but hard to ignore the rough shape of the turf
Image the water was off due to the late time in the season I visited
Drink holder and metal sculpture/tractor add a little life to the place
Heavy wear to the turf but I do like the placement of trees
The funnel area on 17 has seen better days
Patches trying to clean up the damage are looking rough themselves
Understated club and ball distribution but safety protocols in place
Can’t resist posing in front of a fun road sign

Pros

Solid entertainment option in a small town
Little touches like the placement of the tree, small metal tractor & golf cart give it personality

Cons

Turf is worn and in some places significantly damaged
Pipe and several other parts of the course are pretty beat up

Nerdy Notes

You may also like