Played July 10, 2023
Reviewed by the Mr. Tee
The Pink Putter and I played this course in 2015 while she was on an artist residency in nearby Spartanburg. We gave the previous version of the course a sandtrap rating because it was in serious disrepair even though it was free to play. When we saw the news in 2019 that the course would be rebuilt, we were glad to see that the city reinvested in this great asset to their oldest public park. On a swing through the southern US in July 2023, I revisited this park as it was only a mile from an intriguing indoor course, Group Therapy, that I was planning to play.
Rating
I’ve played numerous Harris Miniature Golf designed courses so I knew to expect red-bricking, green turf, and a handful of obstacles made of wood or rock. No surprises when I visited but I was impressed by the custom signage at the beginning of the course. The hole designs are fairly similar across all of the courses they built and they play fairly well for the public and consistently for those who like to play competitive mini golf. The course was in great condition considering it probably gets heavier abuse than most courses given it is unattended by staff and open for the public to play. I love that the course is free and open to the public but the cherry on the sundae is that the course additionally provides scorecards and pencils for the public visiting. I wish more cities and municipalities would follow this model and add simple but well-built mini golf courses alongside playgrounds, tennis courts, and baseball fields. It could provide an opportunity for the competitive sport to grow but ultimately, it gives a chance for people to experience one of the most inclusive games around. Visitors to the course will need to bring their own putters and balls as they are not provided on-site. My one suggestion is that the park provides some nearby options like used sporting goods stores for people to purchase putters and balls. Ultimately, I am a big fan of this course in that it provides a free mini golf option to the community at large. This is rare and I hope other park boards and cities following suit.
Always a pleasure stepping up to a course that was rebuilt and currently in good condition
Exactly what you’d expect of a Harris course along with well marked hole numbers and pars
Contoured greens and modest obstacles
A nearby shelter to take a break during hot days or bad weather
Well maintained playing areas and landscaping
Even a few holes with sand colored turf
Shoot through the gap in the rocks for an ace opportunity
Volcano shoot-through is a fun option to find your way to the cup
Back half of the course is under tree cover and shade with lovely ambiance
Classic over/under Harris design
Another shoot-through that is probably not as reliable as it should be
Finish with a simple hole with some rough turf for variety
Thank you Greenville for investing in mini golf in your community!
There is even a practice green to warm up on or to play while waiting if the course is busy
Free custom scorecards and pencils is something we’ve never seen parks provide at public courses
120 E Park Ave, Greenville, SC 29601
Comments
Course is in solid condition
Decent variety of gameplay
Turf ran a little fast in its 4th year and hopefully will be replaced before it becomes
The nearby shelter allows a place for people to gather or escape the rain if the weather turns bad
The course does not provide putters or balls so make sure you bring your own
Nerdy Notes
- 18 holes. No Par listed on the scorecard but hole markers list par as a 2 or 3
- Park open daily 6am to 9pm
- Fully ADA accessible course
- Park is the oldest in Greenville and was established in 1884
- The 2.5-acre park includes tennis courts, shelters, a playground and walking trail with bridges that cross a small creek
- Parking is available next to the tennis courts
