Played June 13, 2021
Reviewed by Mr. Tee
Our mini golf binge of the Florida panhandle in 2021 ended on a steaming hot day in Pensacola. The start of our trip began in Pensacola and we were able to take a peak at the Goofy Golf course in town. Like the other two Goofy Golf courses we played in this part of northwestern Florida, it was distinctly unique while maintaining that classic roadside culture style. Roadside America explained the unique history of this course
“This Goofy Golf was built by Jacob Pryor in 1958 (he had previously built a real golf course in Pensacola) and is only related by name to the elaborate statue concepts that were later created by Lee Koplin at Goofy Golf in Panama City Beach. Adding to the confusion, most of the surviving statues and hazards at Pensacola Goofy Golf were added in the late 1970s from the Sir Goony Golf chain, a competitor that ripped off many of Lee Koplin’s designs.”
It closed in 2004 after it was damaged by Hurricane Ivan but fortunately, the First Tee of Northwest Florida remodeled and re-opened the two 18-hole courses and is using the larger facility for Golf & Life Skills Training. Despite ridiculously hot weather, we had to document this special revitalized course which is a hybrid of elements from the Goony Golf and Goofy Golf style courses.
Rating
My fondness for the Goony Golf and classic roadside culture style courses are well documented. We took this trip down to Florida to find courses exactly like this one and we were not disappointed. The “blue course” had many familiar friends from the Sir Goony Golf franchise which is why I was eager to review this course. The owl, Humpty Dumpty, rocket, clock, and snail were a blast back to one of my childhood favorite courses. The singular odd addition was the fiberglass character on Hole #5, Buffalo Rock Pelican, which appeared to be sponsored by Pepsi. Aside from this out-of-place newer fiberglass character, everything else on the course is like a time capsule to a different era of mini golf. While some of the turf had some ripples most likely due to extreme heat, the course played fairly well. The numerous shoot-throughs and pipes reward luck a little more than skill but so do all of the classic courses of this era. The impressive restoration of this course gives me hope that these types of courses will be able to survive for many years to come.
3924 W Navy Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32507
Pros
One-of-a-kind melding of classic late 1950s mini golf design
Oversized immersive holes and environments
Carefully restored and well-maintained characters
Rare course from the 1950s that is currently operating and fantastic playing shape
Cons
For competitive putters, there may be some frustration with the number of shoot-throughs on the course (although I love em)
Nerdy Notes
- Blue Course: 18 holes, Par 42
- Adults (18 and over) – $5 (18 holes), $8 (36 holes), Seniors, College Students & Military – $4 (18 holes), $6 (36 holes), Under 17 – $3 (18 holes), $5 (36 holes), First Tee Gulf Coast members (With ID) – $2 (18 holes), $3 (36 holes)
- According to Florida Historic Golf Trail, “Don’t be shocked if you see two-time Masters Champ and PGA Tour winner Bubba Watson playing next to you. The Pensacola resident grew up playing Goofy Golf and is a big supporter of the First Tee program. Watson hosts a mini-golf tournament at the Goofy Golf course, where one hole is named after his candy store, Bubba’s Sweet Spot.”
- Clubhouse has refreshments for sale
- Check the website for hours. During Spring 2023, the course was only open Fri-Sun
- Several of the holes are not fully accessible but I’d bet that quite a few of the holes could be played from a wheelchair.
