Red Putter Mini Golf – Ephraim, WI

Played August 3-6, 2022

Reviewed by Mr. Tee

For years, The Red Putter mini golf course had been on our radar to visit and play. After seeing footage of the course in Through the Windmill miniature golf documentary, we were charmed by the course history and that it was home to a New Year’s Day tournament in the snow and freezing winter in northern Wisconsin. We understand the urge to play mini golf outdoors in sub-zero temperatures and knew we needed to cross the border and make the trek across Wisconsin to visit this special place. After years of starting to make plans and opting for other mini golf destinations, I was encouraged by our friends at the 54 Problems podcast who were eager to see the course given it was home to a major mini golf tournament every August.

Rating

My high hopes and expectations were met right away after arriving at the course in the quaint little Door County town of Ephraim ( pronounced eee-from). The little gnomes, hobby horses, the oversized rocking chair, and the clubhouse make you feel like you’re in a special and unique place. I had the pleasure of playing the course numerous times in advance of competing in the 2022 Red Putter Pro Tournament. I knew after playing in the locals league night that this was going to be a fun tournament and that I’d be coming back in the future many more times. I documented nearly all of the holes below in photos and above in the video. The wild variety of gameplay, classic shoot-throughs, fun obstacles, and overall vibes make this a must-play course. The family that owns and operates the course does an incredible job of welcoming people in and providing a space for joy. Love what Chris and Tracy have been doing with the course and how they’ve kept the memory of Tracy’s father Bob alive and present. I’m headed back to play in the tournament in 2023 and can’t wait to get back there.

The well on #1. Hope you go through the middle & then play the hard break right in front of the cup.

Gotta avoid the swinging pole on Hole 2 while you putt. Fun and nervewracking.

Great chance for an ace on #4 if you play straight through the wolf

Tubes to the lower green in middle and behind the humps. More sharp breaks below.

First of many holes with two potentially starting points. Pro John Powell takes the better ace opportunity on the right of #6.

Gotta play that angled shot next to the bear in the right spot to not get tangled up with the bear on #7

Uphill and to the right to reach the cup on #9

Above #9 and a view of the lower back half of the course

Head through the tiny church on #10 and keep the ball to the left side

Bridge on #12 goes up and down. Timing is everything to get a possible ace

Left path felt like the better choice for me on #13

Give it some juice to get closest to the cup on this uphill and slanted path to the lower green

A drop pocket and volcano are the options around the corner the beginning of #15. Drop pocket gives you a chance at an ace. Volcano can be tricky.

The left tee off spot is the best chance for an ace on #16

Classic wind vane in front of two humps. Trickier than it looks on #17

Classic barn to wrap up on #18. Be a Bob!

All of the below Par (42) scores go on a big board in the middle of the course.

The annual August Pro Tournament gets a big turnout.

During the tourney, every hole is packed to the gills with putters

Pros travel from all over to play. Here I am (left) with Team USA members (left to right) Jeremy Inabinet, Tim Tally, Gary Hester & John Powell

Everyone is playing for the opportunity to take home this prestigious red jacket

Place in the clubhouse for all of the regulars to store their balls

Love this color coated storage hutch for the balls

Overhead view at night borrowed from Red Putter’s Facebook page

Overhead view during the day borrowed from Red Putter’s Facebook page

Red Putter Website / Pro Shop

Red Putter Facebook

10404 WI-42, Ephraim, WI 54211

Pros

Classic “crazy” style mini golf course
Wide variety of gameplay
Challenging but fun putting experience
Charm and personality for miles
Lovingly owned and operated by Traci and Chris
Located in an especially nice part of Door County

Cons

Shoot-throughs, fast carpets, and breaking greens can make for some frustrating / extra challenging play

Nerdy Notes

18 holes. Par 42.
$5 per round
Open early May through late October, roughly from 10 am to 10 pm
Story on Bob Yttri
2022 was the 20th anniversary of the annual Red Putter Mini Golf Pro Tournament
If you’re looking to travel to Door County for the tournament, book your lodging early. It can be hard to find options anywhere near the course if you’re booking with a few weeks or even months of the tournament
To qualify for the tournament, you just need to complete an under-par round. If you complete an under-par round, your name and score will be added to the leaderboard that is in the center of the course.
Registration Fee of $30 includes 3 rounds of golf followed by a lunch from the Mink River Basin. There is a shotgun start and all 3 rounds are played one after each other.
Free practice the week of the tournament if you qualify and sign up early. Details on the Facebook event page.
In 2023, the Red Putter pro tournament will be an American Mini Golf Alliance (AMA) scoring event.