Reviewed by Mr. Tee
Played June 5, 2023
On our first trip to London, we researched all of the courses in the area to visit as many unique courses as possible. London has been ground zero for a growing and booming trend of adult-focused mini golf paired with a nightlife/bar vibe. Numerous chains have emerged both in the UK and globally in the past 10 years and one of the biggest names in the game is Puttshack. What started with one location in 2018 has now become 4 locations in the UK and nearly 20 locations across the US. With two new locations set to open in our home of Minnesota in 2024, we knew we had to visit where it all started at the White City location in London’s Westfield Mall.
While this is our first review of a Puttshack course, this was the 2nd Puttshack we played. We ended up at the Bank location earlier in our trip and enjoyed our experience so much that we remained eager to see where Puttshack first emerged.
Rating
After initially hearing about how Puttshack courses worked, I was skeptical of the digital tracking of the putting and the lack of need for a scorecard. Additionally, the unconventional scoring system of points versus putts felt potentially too much like a video game versus mini golf. It felt like it couldn’t work consistently and would feel antithetical to all I love about the game. I’m happy to report that I was wrong on all fronts. The colorful and playful putting structures pull in a variety of gameplay and make for a rousing experience following the ball to the cup. Jumping through hoops, playing up curves walls, and uphill pace-dependent shots keep the skill front and center. It is playful, colorful, and contains so many of the fun elements that we love in the game of mini golf.
The two tech-heavy holes on every 9-hole Puttshack course across the globe, trivia & prize wheel, provide a unique experience for every player in a way that few mini golf holes can. We played 3 of the 4 9-hole courses and only skipped the Emerald course because it was under repair. The RFID sensors that track the path of your ball and score seemed to work well and even allowed for moving the ball from the borders for relief. The holes combine some of the best elements of carnival and video games which I see as a positive. We’ve seen lots of new courses popping up that try to mimic the gameplay and design of numerous Puttshack holes as well as the tech. No one of the imitators executes as consistently as Puttshack. It can be said that if you’ve visited one Puttshack location, you’ve visited them all due to the limited number of hole designs across all of their locations. That being said, I’m eagerly anticipating the two locations opening up in Minnesota. I will be at both of the new Minnesota Puttshack locations immediately after they open with friends and I anticipate it will be a fun time!
Westfield, Ariel Way, London W12 7HB, United Kingdom
Pros
Fun and playful design
Unique scoring/gameplay
Good use of color
Highly interactive elements including trivia and wheel spin holes
Large bar / space to hang out
Trivia and spinning wheel holes well-designed for replay
Cons
Price point for 9 holes is on the higher end
Little over 20 different hole designs across the 36 holes
Nerdy Notes
- 4 9-hole courses. No Par listed.
- No scorecards. Results are sent via email and posted on digital screens at the holes
- £13 / £9 per round (adult/children). 2nd game half price every weekday before 5pm
- “Adult prices apply to all persons aged 13+. Anyone under the age of 18 cannot be in this venue after 7pm and children 12 and under cannot be left in our venue unattended at any time. Our game is best played by children 7+ and we reserve the right to refuse players younger than this age if deemed appropriate.”
- Unique point scoring system enabled by tech
- Located in the “world-famous Westfield shopping centre”
