Putt18 – An All-Inclusive Putting Mat Game
April 24, 2023
For those that don’t know about Putt18, it’s a putting mat game that’s not only fun, but it improves your putting at the same time. Putt18 can be played in the comforts of your home, or almost anywhere else.
Putt18 is exactly what the name suggests. You play 18 holes on the par 72 course. Each of the 18 holes is of different length and angle, so you’re not shooting the same shot every time.
You can play Putt18 by yourself, with others, or even in tournaments like the Putt18 World Pro League, or with the American Mini Golf Alliance (AMA). You can find these tournaments on the “Compete” page on our website.
One of the things we like best about Putt18 is that it’s an accessible game to persons with disabilities, and everyone plays with the same rules. Players with disabilities can play with, and compete against, able bodied players!
We recently played in the Putt18 tournament with the AMA, as well as the Putt18 World Pro League, and we had lots of fun.
We highly recommend the all-inclusive Putt18 Putting Mat to everyBODY!
You can find a link to the Putt18 Putting Mat on the “Products” page on our website.
2023 Mini Golf Season
December 1, 2023
The Access Mini Golf team was very busy in 2023. We played 216 rounds of mini golf on 21 different wheelchair accessible courses, and had 141 aces (holes in one)! All those numbers were up from 2022 (148 rounds, 16 courses, and 58 aces)! We had three mini golf group outings where 35 different people played, including 12 people who played with us for the very first time. Our travels took us to four different states where we were able to play on some wheelchair accessible courses for the first time.
This year we also had the opportunity to meet and work with the owners and operators of several different mini golf courses with their goal of improving the accessibility to their facilities and courses. We love helping people who want to improve the accessibility of their courses and facilities. As we like to say, mini golf is for everyBODY!
In 2024, we’re looking forward to working with more owners and operators to help improve the accessibility to their facilities, and playing more new courses, as well as some of our favorites.
If we can help you with anything, or you want to play some mini golf with us, please let us know and we’ll do our best to make it happen.
How Accessible Is Your Mini Golf Facility?
November 10, 2023
Accessibility may not be at the front of your mind when you’re building, remodeling, or thinking about improving your facilities, but it’s very important to persons with disabilities who might want to come to your facility, play your course, or participate in other opportunities that you might have. But how can you know what level of accessibility you currently have? Simple. Just do a walkthrough of your facility, from the parking area, to all the features that the public can use/do, and make note of what you have and don’t have. Only then can you know what needs improvement, and then you can plan for those improvements in the future. Below are just a few examples of things you can check. Also included below are the ADA Guidelines, as well as checklists to help you with your reviews.
Parking: Do you have the proper number of accessible parking spaces, in the proper location, and the proper size? Check the ADA Guidelines here. Get an ADA Checklist here.
Entrance: Do you have an accessible entrance? Check the ADA Guidelines here. Get an ADA Checklist here.
Service Counter(s): Do you have accessible service counter(s)? Check the ADA Guidelines here. Get an ADA Checklist here.
Restrooms: Do you have restrooms for the public? If yes, are they accessible? Check the ADA Guidelines here. Get an ADA Checklist here.
Drinking Fountains: Do you have drinking fountains for the public? If yes, are they accessible? Check the ADA Guidelines here. Get an ADA Checklist here.
Mini Golf Course: Is your mini golf course accessible? Check the ADA Guidelines here. Get an ADA Checklist here.
For more information about accessibility, to both your facility as well as your mini golf course, visit the “Accessibility” page on our website.
If you have any questions regarding accessibility, please do not hesitate to contact us. We’ll do our best to assist anyway we can.
Not All Accessible Courses Are The Same
October 27, 2023
Not all wheelchair accessible mini golf courses are the same may be obvious, but having wheelchair accessible mini golf courses allows people with mobility challenges the opportunity to play.
Just like no two people are the same, no two disabilities are the same.
There may be some people with disabilities who can play a particular accessible mini golf course, and some other people with disabilities who cannot play, or have some difficulty playing that very same course because of one reason or another.
People with disabilities come in many different types, with many different abilities, and with many different devices, or with no devices at all.
Over the years, we’ve played many different wheelchair accessible mini golf courses. Each of them has their own unique features. Some courses have holes that have significant uphill slopes. Other courses may have holes that are rather narrow from tee to pin. Still other courses may have some large obstacles in the way that you need to putt around. Each of these types of features can restrict the player with a disability from being able to play those holes and/or courses.
Players with disabilities who have limited strength and/or balance, may have a difficult time putting the ball hard for significant uphill shots.
Players with disabilities who use wheelchairs may have a difficult time putting a ball down a narrow fairway, especially if the ball stops in the middle of the fairway and doesn’t reach the pin area on the first shot.
Players with disabilities who use wheelchairs may also have a difficult time with larger obstacles on the course because it limits the space available for the wheelchair to move around and lineup for the next shot.
Because of the many potential course challenges, many different levels of the physical abilities of players with disabilities, and the many restrictions that mobility devices can have on the mini golf course, often times the ball cannot be played where it stopped. Further, moving a stopped ball only the length of one or two putter heads may not be enough for the player with a mobility device to be able to play the next shot. Moving a stopped ball a foot or more might be necessary for the seated player to be able to reach the ball for the next shot.
Keep these things in mind when you play mini golf with a person with a disability, or you see a person with a disability on the mini golf course. If we all understand and work together, we can all have fun. Mini golf is for everyBODY!
Are You Marketing Your Mini Golf Course to Everyone?
October 16, 2023
Does your mini golf course have wheelchair accessible holes, but nobody in a wheelchair plays your course? Maybe it’s because people don’t know that your course is accessible.
Do you have accessibility information on your website?
Do you put accessibility information in your social media posts?
Do you include persons with disabilities in the pictures that you post on your website or social media?
Have you contacted disability related organizations, senior housing complexes (and/or schools that might have students with disabilities) in your area about your accessibility, and assist them in bringing a group to your course?
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, persons with disabilities are the largest and fastest growing segment in America.
Approximately 20% of Americans have some sort of a disability.
Approximately 33% of Americans know someone with a disability.
Do you want some of that business? If you answered yes, then consider aggressively marketing your business to people with disabilities.
Mini golf is for everyBODY!
If you’re not sure where to start, and/or want some assistance, do not hesitate to contact us.
Staying Healthy by Staying Active!
October 6, 2023
We all know that staying active as we get older has many health benefits, including physically, mentally, and emotionally. The same thing applies for persons with disabilities.
Do you know someone with a disability, aging, or able-bodied, and they are inactive? Do you know someone who use to play sports but no longer does because of aging or a disability related issue? If you answered yes to either question, why not invite that person to play mini golf with you?
We have a list of over 430 mini golf courses that are wheelchair accessible on the “Courses” page of our website. Some mini golf courses have adaptive putters for persons who use wheelchairs to use if needed.
If there’s a will to play, there’s a way to play.
Let’s all share our love for mini golf with our family and friends, especially with those who might not be as active as they should be.
Owners - Operators - Friends
September 5, 2023
It’s been a whirlwind mini golf season this spring/summer. We’ve nearly played more mini golf this season than the last two seasons combined.
In addition to all the playing, we’ve had the wonderful opportunity to meet many course owners/operators this season. We’ve been able to help several of them increase the accessibility to their courses/facilities, both in the short term, and in the longer term with future plans. It’s truly refreshing to meet and work with people who share the same desires to increase opportunities for persons with disabilities to play the great game of mini golf.
We feel honored and blessed to call the mini golf course owners/operators that we’ve met and worked with this season, as well as the past couple seasons, friends.
Let’s all work together to give everyBODY an opportunity to play mini golf!
Summer 2023 Trip - A Success!
June 26, 2023
We recently completed our annual bigger summer trip. It took us to Missouri and Iowa. Along the way we were able to play/review some great mini golf courses that offered not only fun, but some great wheelchair accessibility as well. These courses included:
Greatest Adventures (Branson, MO)
Planning for the Summer 2024 Trip will start soon. Where should we go, and what mini golf courses should we play?
National Miniature Golf Day
May 11, 2023
Saturday, May 13 (second Saturday in May) is National Miniature Golf Day. Miniature Golf, also known as Mini Golf, has been in America for over 100 years. As with other sports, mini golf has changed quite a bit over the 100+ years in America.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended, requires that all mini golf courses built or altered on or after March 15, 2012 must have at least 50% of their hole’s wheelchair accessible. This ensures that everyBODY has an opportunity to play.
Let’s all celebrate National Miniature Golf Day by playing some mini golf this weekend, and beyond!
Mini Golf is for everyBODY!
April 30, 2023
Mini golf is for everyBODY! You’ve most likely seen us write this before. But, why? Because we truly believe that statement.
Persons with disabilities can do many things when given an opportunity. With so many mini golf courses that offer wheelchair accessibility, and equipment that can be and is adapted, the only thing needed is to introduce the game to the person with a disability.
Do you know a person with a disability who might like to play mini golf? Invite them to play mini golf with you!
Everyone wins when everyone has an opportunity to play!
Competitive / Professional Mini Golf (Putting)
April 19, 2023
As with every sport that’s played, there are many different skill levels in fun and competition. It’s even true in mini golf and putting.
If you’ve never watched a competitive or professional mini golf / putting event, do yourself a favor and watch one. There’s nothing like watching the best of the best compete in a sport that you love and play. If you can’t attend one in person, there are several of these events being streamed live on Facebook, and YouTube. Check it out! You won’t be disappointed!
You can find competitive and professional mini golf, putting tours, and leagues, on the “Compete” page of our website.
Courses We’re Hoping to Play in 2023
April 6, 2023
We’re looking forward to, and hoping to have, a fun filled 2023 with our playing wheelchair accessible mini golf courses. Some of the mini golf courses we’re hoping to play for the first time include, but may not be limited to:
Action Territory (Kenosha, WI), Coral Reef (Branson, MO). Evergreen (Fish Creek, WI), Greatest Adventures (Branson, MO), Mini Pines (Cedar Rapids, IA), and Prairieville (Waukesha, WI).
In addition to the above courses, we’re hoping to play as many of our regular favorites as possible.
Badger Sports (Appleton, WI), Harbor Pointe (Sheboygan, WI), Holey Mackerel (Greenfield, WI), Joe Town (St Joe, MO), Loggers Park (Richfield, WI), Missing Links (Mequon, WI), Moorland Road (New Berlin, WI), Mulligan’s (Racine, WI), Ozaukee Sports (Port Washington, WI), Salty Seagull (Sturgeon Bay, WI), Stingers (West Bend, WI), and Tee Aire (Brookfield, WI).
It’s looking like a busy, and fun season ahead!
Mini golf is for everyBODY!
2022 Mini Golf Season
December 22, 2022
In 2022, the Access Mini Golf team played 146 rounds of mini golf on 16 different wheelchair accessible courses, & had 58 aces (holes in one)! All those numbers were up from 2021 (100 rounds, 10 courses, and 31 aces!
Looking forward to playing new courses, as well as some favorites, in 2023.
Aces Benefit “The Ability Center” in 2022
December 12, 2022
Before the 2022 mini golf season began, we decided to use our love for mini golf in a way to benefit others. We sought sponsors and asked for a financial commitment for every ace made throughout the 2022 mini golf season. At the end of the season, we would donate all the money raised to The Ability Center (Wauwatosa, Wisconsin).
During the 2021 mini golf season, our group of players had 31 aces. During the 2022 mini golf season, our group of players upped their game and had 58 aces.
As a result of the generosity of numerous sponsors, we were able to donate a little more than $1,000 to The Ability Center.
Playing mini golf, having fun, and benefiting others is a great win for everyone.
Mini golf is for everyBODY!
Tentative plans for 2022
May 3, 2022
Play as many yet un-played wheelchair accessible courses as possible in Wisconsin, possibly seven.
Trip to Tennessee. Play as many wheelchair accessible courses as we can fit into the trip, like: Crave, Davy Crockett, Lost Treasure, Mossy Creek, Soar Adventure, and Toy Box.