If you’ve ever wished you could bring the fun of mini golf to your own backyard, you’re in luck. With a few household items, some creativity, and a little elbow grease, you can build a mini golf course that’s perfect for family nights, neighborhood hangouts, or just practicing your putting game. No need for fancy equipment—this project is all about having fun with what you’ve got.
Step 1: Pick Your Space
Look around your yard and choose an area with enough room to set up a few holes. It doesn’t need to be huge—even a small lawn or patio can work. Just make sure it’s safe, flat enough to play on, and easy to walk around.
Step 2: Gather Supplies
You don’t need to spend much (or anything at all). Here are some common items that work great:
- Plastic cups or cans (for holes)
- Cardboard, pool noodles, or old wood planks (for barriers)
- Garden tools, toys, or recyclables (for obstacles)
- A putter and golf ball (or a stick and any small ball if you’re improvising)
Step 3: Build the Holes
Dig a small hole in the ground or bury a plastic cup so the rim is level with the grass. On patios, you can tape a cup to the ground or use a bucket as a target. Make a few of these around your yard to create your course.
Step 4: Add Obstacles
This is where the fun comes in. Use what you have lying around to create challenges:
- A cardboard ramp to send the ball flying over a gap
- Pool noodles bent into arches to putt through.
- Flower pots, chairs, or buckets as hazards
- A garden hose zig-zagged across the “fairway” as a winding path.
Step 5: Get Creative with Themes
Want to go bigger? Give each hole a theme. One hole could be a “tunnel cave” made with boxes, while another could be a “bridge” with a plank over a kiddie pool. The more imaginative, the better.
Step 6: Keep Score (or Don’t)
Part of the fun is making it your own. If you enjoy competition, grab a notepad and keep track of the score. If you’d rather just enjoy the game, skip the rules and laugh your way through each round.
A DIY backyard mini golf course is less about perfect greens and more about making memories. You can set it up in an afternoon, switch up the obstacles whenever you want, and enjoy it for weeks. It’s a simple, budget-friendly way to turn your yard into a playground for kids and adults alike.