Defunct: Rainbow Falls Mini Golf (Course 1) – Myrtle Beach, SC

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Played October 7, 2021

Reviewed by Mr. Tee. Joined by special guests Joey DiPrima and Aaron Kaminski of O-Street Mini Golf and Mark “The Highlighter” Novicki

First note, this course was purchased at some point between late 2024 and early 2025 by the Detweiler Family that owns Hawiian Rumble. This facility is now called Aloha Falls, aligning with the Hawaiian-inspired names of their properties. Given a few of the modifications already made, I wanted to review the original course for posterity.

On my first visit to Myrtle Beach in 2019, I stopped by and did a Drive By review of the facility. All of the photos were from the street and exterior, so I got a limited snapshot of what is one of the oldest courses across Myrtle Beach. I knew from the style and design of the major thematic elements (shark, castle, octopus) that this course was built a while back, and I had it on my must-play list when I returned in 2021 to play in the Masters of Mini Golf.

Rating

 

I love the bones and layout of this classic course. The scale and personality of the featured elements on the course harken back to an era of American roadside architecture that has few remnants remaining these days. It stands out in Myrtle Beach amongst the courses built later in the 20th century and more recently. It’s easy to feel immersed in a different world when you’re playing this course. When we played it last, the bricking used to surround the holes felt beat up and sadly, I’ve heard it has only gotten worse in the last few years. The turf was also in rough shape. Despite all of this, the gameplay design made for a fun time with pals from across the US whom I played with. I don’t have a lot of hope that the course will be restored to its original classic glory. As you’ll see in the photo at the very bottom, the shark and octopus have been repainted in a way that doesn’t look great. I’ve been told there are notions of holding a serious competition there, and I would hope they will replace the bricks and turf, but avoid modifying the original layout. These classic courses are gems held over from a past era that are worth preserving.

What you see when you drive by on King’s Highway
Aaron, Highlight, myself, and Joe needed more mini golf this evening!
Classic and cute clubhouse
Lots of signs to read before you take a putt on Course 1
Small opening between middle of the wood posts on Hole #1
Bricking around the holes has seen better days
Another set of narrow openings to pass thru on your way to the cup
Joey filming Aaron for a future O-Street video on this plateau hole
Gotta get the right pace to get it in the hole and not onto the other side of this plateau
The real stars of this course are these old school thematic elements
The scale of these sea creatures is something to behold
Those older dino sculptures can be quite menacing
Back to the putting and into a cave
Always love a waterfall view from the cave and playing with the O-Street crew
Aaron putts with a castle off in the distance
Highlighter navigating the extended sea creature’s tail
Love it when the larger characters blend into the course and game design
Palm trees, great water features and putting pals
Highlighter looking for the right angle
Gotta start above the final hole and putt down to the lower level. Sorta like walking the plank?
Fun way to finish off the round

Photos from the old Rainbow Falls Website

Screenshot of a photo of the current course now called Aloha Falls

What is the actual?! That shark looks as baffled as me at the new coats of paint and aesthetic decisions

9850 N Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572

Comments

Classic obstacles and themed characters
Retro
Turf needed to be replaced
Bricking was in rough shape
Likely the oldest active course in Myrtle Beach
Nice course layout

Nerdy Notes

 

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