Miner Mike’s Adventure Golf – Downer’s Grove, IL

Played June 25, 2021

Reviewed by Mr. Tee

Despite some rain earlier in the afternoon, we were eager to play some mini golf near the Elmhurst Museum after we installed our Cross Section Castle. We searched online and found what looked like a fun little course at a public park called Miner Mike’s. We popped on by near closing and they let us on to play around the course. It was particularly nice as they were only allowing people to play if they had reservations due to COVID restrictions.

Rating

Due to the rain just prior to us playing the course, the photos make the course look particularly messy and soggy. We’ve seen many courses that use mulch on the exterior of the course for landscaping and while it’s a cheap solution, it usually results in greens constantly littered with big and small pieces. Aside from this, this is a solid and cute course with a fairly common mining theme. Both of us are fans of courses having cartoonish mascots and obstacles incorporated onto the putting areas to add to the experience. About half of the holes had some mining-related themed elements and the waterfall centerpiece in the middle was a nice touch to top it off. My only other minor gripe was bricking which had wide gaps that make for unnecessarily tougher putting and poor. It’s a slightly above-average and charming little course that we’d definitely try again.

The Pink Putter is looking for mini golf after installing at the Elmhurst Museum

Grateful they were open despite rainy conditions that day

Railroad crossing photo op. Outhouse hole and waterfall in the badkground

Lining up my shot through the opening of the railroad crossing

Michief spinner and a straight forward layout with the cup on the left

Many of the holes used these rubber composite obstacles to help direct the ball towards the cup

The Pink Putter posing at the Wishing Well

Halfway through and checking out this hotel hole

Trying to get to the other side of the hotel

Long and windy path to the cup on #18. One of the more difficult holes on the course

Miner Mike’s Adventure Golf Website

6801 Main St, Downers Grove, IL 60516

Pros

Several cute little obstacles including a school house and wishing well
Well-executed mining theme
Solid mix of hole designs

Cons

Mulch used for landscaping gets on the course
Spacing of the bricks on the exterior makes for bad bounces/play

Nerdy Notes

18 Holes. No Par.
Admission: $6 | Group rate (10+ golfers): $5 per person
Seasonal hours and only open May through August
Full course is by and large ADA accessible. Mulch could be a little frustrating with a wheelchair
No physical scorecard. Currently using My Mini Golf Scorecard App
Numerous holes have “Mischief Spinners”
Located in McCollum Park, close to a playground, tennis courts, basketball courts, baseball fields, and soccer fields.
Managed by Downer’s Grove Park District