Every year on 21 September, World Miniature Golf Day celebrates one of the world’s most entertaining and accessible leisure activities. Miniature golf, also known as mini golf or crazy golf, is enjoyed by people of all ages, whether playing with family and friends or simply having a bit of fun. Unlike traditional golf, you don’t need a large course or specialist skills – just a putter, a ball and a sense of fun.
South Carolina, Myrtle Beach, Jungle Safari Golf, mini-golf course. (credit: Jeff Greenberg/Universal Images Group) 
Miniature golf in Vihula manor complex. (credit: Focus/Universal Images Group) 
Miniature Golf Course, Vihula Manor Complex. (credit: Focus/Universal Images Group) 
Mini-golf, Britzer garden, Britz, Neukolln, Berlin, Germany, Minigolf, Britzer Garten, Germany. (credit: Bildagentur-online/Universal Images Group) 
Brown’s Hotel, Loch Sheldrake, New York, USA, John Margolies Roadside America Photograph Archive, 1977. (credit: Circa Images/Universal Images Group) 
1990s America – Joyland mini golf, alps, front, Daytona Beach, Florida 1990. (credit: HUM Images/Universal Images Group) 
South Carolina, Myrtle Beach, Jungle Safari Golf, mini-golf course. (credit: Jeff Greenberg/Universal Images Group) 
1980s America – Magic Carpet mini golf, Key West, Florida 1985. (credit: HUM Images/Universal Images Group) 
Spain guitar (vertical) – Around the World in 18 Holes – Lake George – New York ca. 2002. (credit: HUM Images/Universal Images Group) 
India Taj Mahal – Around the World in 18 Holes – Lake Placid – New York ca. 2002. (credit: HUM Images/Universal Images Group) 
Clock – Jackson Golf World – Route 51 – Jackson – Mississippi ca. 1986. (credit: HUM Imgaes/Universal Images Group) 
Big Ben – Leisure Twin Putt – Albuquerque – New Mexico ca. 1987. (credit: HUM Imgaes/Universal Images Group) 
Tower – Sir Goony Golf – Independence Boulevard – Charlotte – North Carolina ca. 1982. (credit: HUM Imgaes/Universal Images Group) 
Sign – Sir Goony Golf – Independence Boulevard – Charlotte – North Carolina ca. 1982. (credit: HUM Imgaes/Universal Images Group) 
Treasure chest – Jockey’s Ridge Mini-Golf – Nags Head – North Carolina ca. 1985. (credit: HUM Imgaes/Universal Images Group) 
Snake and tower – Sir Goony Golf – Independence Boulevard – Charlotte – North Carolina ca. 1982. (credit: HUM Imgaes/Universal Images Group) 
Snake hole – Sir Goony Golf – Independence Boulevard – Charlotte – North Carolina ca. 1981. (credit: HUM Imgaes/Universal Images Group) 
Windmill – Valley View Mini-Golf – Great Falls – Montana ca. 1987. (credit: HUM Imgaes/Universal Images Group) 
Putt-Putt Mini-Golf Route 29 – Spartanburg – South Carolina ca. 1979. (credit: HUM Imgaes/Universal Images Group)
The history of miniature golf goes back more than a century. One early version appeared at St Andrews in Scotland in 1867, when the Ladies’ Golf Club created a small putting course with obstacles. The game later developed into the colourful and imaginative miniature golf we know today, particularly in the United States during the 1920s and 1930s. Courses began to include unusual obstacles, buildings, statues, bridges and other playful designs, turning a simple game of putting into an entertaining attraction.
Hot Springs, Virginia, c 1929 Miss Nancy E. Gains of New Rochelle, New York playing miniature golf on the course at The Homestead. (credit: Underwood Archives/Universal Images Group) 
Chicago, Illinois, October 30, 1930 People gathered together during Miniature Golf Tournament at Chicago Stadium. (credit: Underwood Archives/Universal Images Group) 
New York City, c 1925 Three men having fun playing miniature golf on golf course. (credit: Underwood Archives/Universal Images Group) 
A woman playing crazy golf, Germany 1930s. (credit: Lammel/M-Verlag Berlin/United Archives/Universal Images Group) 
Two women and a man playing crazy golf, Germany 1930s. (credit: Lammel/M-Verlag Berlin/United Archives/Universal Images Group) 
1980s America – Sir Goony mini golf, serpeant, vertical, gray sky, Chattanooga, Tennessee 1986. (credit: HUM Imgaes/Universal Images Group) 
1980s America – Sir Goony mini golf, flying saucer, Chattanooga, Tennessee 1986. (credit: HUM Imgaes/Universal Images Group) 
Overall – Putt-Putt Mini-Golf Route 29 – Spartanburg – South Carolina ca. 1979. (credit: HUM Imgaes/Universal Images Group) 
1980s America – Hole in One mini golf, Route 1, Waldoboro, Maine 1984. (credit: HUM Imgaes/Universal Images Group) 
1980s America – Valleybrook mini golf, Route 202, Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania 1984. (credit: HUM Imgaes/Universal Images Group) 
1980s America – Hole in One mini golf, pinball Route 1, Waldoboro, Maine 1984. (credit: HUM Imgaes/Universal Images Group) 
1980s America – Sir Goony mini golf, ghosts, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware 1985. (credit: HUM Imgaes/Universal Images Group) 
Buffalo – Mini-Golf at Flags of Fun Amusement Park – Rapid City – South Dakota ca. 1987. (credit: HUM Imgaes/Universal Images Group) 
1980s America – Funspot mini golf, Route 3, Weirs Beach, New Hampshire 1984. (credit: HUM Imgaes/Universal Images Group) 
1980s America – Sir Goony mini golf, Route 202 at Spring Lake Rec Center, Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania 1985. (credit: HUM Imgaes/Universal Images Group) 
Miniature golf Oriental course, Ocean City, New Jersey; ca. 1978. (credit: HUM Images/Universal Images Group) 
Cruise passengers playing miniature golf on the Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas cruise ship. (credit: Ron Buskirk/UCG/Universal Images Group) 
Cruise passengers playing miniature golf on the Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas cruise ship. (credit: Ron Buskirk/UCG/Universal Images Group)
Today, miniature and crazy golf are strongly associated with seaside holidays and leisure. Along Britain’s coast, brightly coloured courses with windmills, ramps, tunnels, bends, water features and other obstacles have become a familiar part of the traditional seaside experience. Hastings, for example, has hosted the World Crazy Golf Championships on its seafront since 2003, with an 18-hole course featuring obstacles including a windmill, lighthouse, water wheel and cave. World Miniature Golf Day is a chance to celebrate this cheerful combination of sport, imagination, competition and seaside fun.
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Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Crazy_Golf_Championships
Mini Golf History
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/mini-golf-history