DEFUNCT: Walker Artist-Designed Mini Golf 2019 – Minneapolis, MN

Played on numerous times in Summer/Fall 2019

Reviewed by Mr. Tee

Between 2014-2019, the Walker Art Center was home to a seasonal temporary mini golf course in either the sculpture garden or on the terrace overlooking the Minneapolis skyline. We’ve either designed, built, or helped support part of this project each year. How could we not? The Walker is an internationally renowned modern art museum that regularly hosts an array of some of the most interesting art from around the world in all mediums including mini golf. For 2019, we designed the two new additions to the course, Piece of Cake and Color Wheel. Right before publishing, we’re happy to report that the course will be coming back later this month in May 2021 with 2 new holes from Native Youth Arts Collective.

Rating

Do we have a bias when it comes to this course? Of course! We supported or helped design half of the course but we genuinely enjoyed playing these 10 holes. In our busy year of getting married, competing on Holey Moley, and traveling far and wide to play mini golf, we visited this course the most. It’s not only because it is in our hometown but because it’s was a blast to play. It’s bright, full of color and personality but also has a nice variety of play. A few of the holes were fabricated by shops that made them slightly more difficult than we would have liked but there was a good balance of challenge and fun across the board. Can’t wait to play this course again with the new additions.

Hard not to run around like a kid on this course. Hole #1 Color Wheel is in the foreground

Putt Pong is a great color complement to Color Wheel as Hole #2. This hole was first added to the course in 2014.

#3 Tale of Two Cities has held up well and was the most challenging of all the holes. Added in 2017.

Ball Aboard was a nice putting challenge at #4. This hole was added in 2017.

The right path to St. Paul was usually the best option for a possible ace. You can see Warhol-inspired #5 Brill Thrillo in the background. That hole was added in 2015.

Plinko down #6 Reflection of Choices. This hole was added in 2017

The Uncertainty Principle for #7 could be frustrating but was satisfying when aced. This hole was added in 2014

Hot Dog! Let’s be Frank was added in 2015 and is visually so much fun.

We designed Block Party for the 2017 course and it’s always fun to look at and challenging

Finishing up the course at Piece of Cake at #10

This was the other new addition for 2019

This was a design/play idea we had for while and love how colorful and fun it looks

2019 saw some of the largest crowds we saw at the course and we’re hoping 2022 can be a return to these busy summer days of mini golf at the Walker

Pros

Distinct and unique styled holes
Fun colors
Variety of gameplay
All of the holes were well maintained by the museum

Cons

Less than 18 holes
Wish the holes were slightly longer but size of the holes was restricted due to space limitations

Nerdy Notes

10 holes, Par 30
8 of the 10 holes appeared in previous iterations of Walker Mini Golf between 2014 and 2018.
This version of the course only existed in 2019. Plans for a 2020 course were scheduled with two new holes to be added but the course was cancelled due to the pandemic. Fortunately, things will be getting back on track in 2021.