Smugglers Cove at Cobra Adventure Park – Panama City Beach, FL

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Visited on June 12, 2021

Words by Mr. Tee

Panama City Beach has nearly 10 different centers/parks that house multiple mini golf courses. My best guess is that the city has at least 20 different 18-hole courses in a 5-10 mile radius which is pretty impressive but not uncommon for coastal beach getaway spots. With only a half-day budgeted to get to see what we could see, we had to settle with just documenting some of the courses versus opting to play a full round. Despite this, I did jump on quick to hit a few balls at the Smugglers Cove Golf. The turf has seen better days and the holes are relatively simple but the overall pirate / seaside theme is solid.

Smugglers Cove at Cobra Adventure Park is one of the few spots in Panama City Beach with only a single course but it is part of a larger family entertainment center. This is one of the rare complexes we’ve seen where the miniature golf holes are set in the middle of an elevated go-kart track. The sound of the wooden track and the tiny cars buzzing nearby offer a good test to your ability to concentrate on the putt with a distraction.

The Pink Putter is ready to give this course a quick gander
The unique placement of mini golf holes in between a wooden go-kart track is something we haven’t seen previously.
Simple start to 1 and emblematic of much of the course. Wood borders and thin carpet/turf.
Fun little seaside town facade
and next to the village, a very simple hole that could probably use new turf
Mr. Tee is checking out the menu at Hook’s
All aboard the Seawitch (mmmm, a sandwich sounds good right now)
Love putting on a pirate ship even if the hole design is relatively simple
This small mining village in the middle of the course has a good splash of color
and I like how this hole has a few paths to the cup. Those low walls are unfortunate as they do result in the ball going out of bounds more often than it should.
Few little undulations and a big divot in the turf to start off the back 9. Most of the back 9 swings behind and underneath the go-kart track. The hole designs are all fairly similar.
Slightly slope downhill to the cup on the last hole
Slightly downhill to the cup on #18. Go-kart track in the background.

Cobra Adventure Park Website (old website)

9323 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL 32407

Nerdy Notes

  • 18 Holes, Par 36
  • Scorecard lists holes that are and are not accessible
  • “Rides at the Cobra Adventure Park include the Max Flight Simulator, billed as the “roller coaster of the future.” The Dragon Wagon is a steel-track, junior oval “kids only” roller coaster. You can also race 9hp go-karts on four levels at The Cobra, (double riding is available for kids,). Other rides at Cobra Adventure Park include The Wild Thing and The Vertical Accelerator, which reaches heights of over 160 feet. Other entertainment at Cobra Adventure Park includes The Arcade, which contains all the latest in electronic games.”

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