Played April 18 & 21, 2022
Reviewed by Mr. Tee
Both Robin and I visited the course back in 2021 on a dark day in the history of our country when the course was being built. The putting green and a handful of massive holes were in place and they were completed later in 2021. Fast forward to 2022 and I was to meet up with fellow AMA founders Pat of The Putting Penguin (who also reviewed the course) and Randy Rice as well as Mark “Highlighter” Novicki to play a variety of courses all across Austin and San Antonio. Given what we had previously seen on our last visit and all that we had seen on social media, we were keen to get back to play the full course. I ended up visiting twice during my trip in April of 2022. The first visit was on a day when the course was not open to the public and not cleared of debris but with permission of the owner. The second visit included Pat and Mark to our group where we all played a round with the owner, Brian McKinney, giving us some tips and background on the course.
Rating
It is undeniable that this is a one-of-a-kind course and museum combination. Brian and his wife clearly have a passion for the history of World War II. Everything in the museum and on the course tells the story of the world-changing military conflict. On the course, you can find signage at each hole and a handful of themed objects. The putting areas themselves are massive. It’s easily one of the largest and longest 18-hole courses we’ve played and the creative design within the turfed areas is impressive. Ultimately, most of the holes feel like really well-designed massive putting greens. Many of the holes lack much in the way of borders and combined with heavy natural breaks, it makes for what could be equally described as a challenging and/or frustrating mini golf experience. For a group of 4 skilled putters, it took us a solid hour and a half to play a round of 18 holes and this was at a time when no one else was playing and Pat nearly achieved the course record. While I appreciate the desire to share the history of the war, it is a topic that is hard to address through mini golf. Fascism, nuclear bombs being dropped on major cities, the holocaust, and the horrors of this war are a bit too glossed over for my tastes. I have a grandfather I never met because he died in Korean War and I know first-hand the generational trauma that is also connected to these international conflicts. If you’re a history buff and like a significant challenge then I strongly recommend checking this course out. I can firmly say that there is nothing else out there like it in the world of mini golf.
Memorial Mini Golf and Museum Website
1710 N Farm to Market 1626, Buda, TX 78610
Pros
Uniquely themed course & approach to telling a major historical event
Impressively designed and installed turf
Course is impeccably maintained and regularly updated
Cons
Length of course is not for the faint of heart
Challenge of the holes may be less desirable by your casual mini golfer/golfer
Not many opportunities to play rebound shots
Theme of the course isn’t necessarily fun
Nerdy Notes
- 18 holes, Par 60
- Prices: Adult (13+): $14 | Children (5-12 years): $10 | Veterans, Military, Seniors(65+): $10 | Children 4 years and younger: Free
- As of December 2022, the posted hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday – Closed | Friday 4PM–9PM | Saturday
10AM–9PM | Sunday 10AM–8PM - Admission includes one round of memorial miniature golf and admission to our museum
- As of writing this review, they have added a shorter course indoors, more limestone borders outdoors, and they are in the process of building a treehouse rental space.
- Additional amenities on site when we visited were a few food trucks
