Mini-golf - is it really a sport?

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By Erin K. McNamara
edge staff writer

BANGOR AND BAR HARBOR — Pastime, hobby, activity – but a sport?
There are some who would argue that mini-golf is, in fact, a sport. Alan Ashley, of Blackbeard’s Family Fun Park in Bangor, is one of them.
“You work on your putting skills, just the same as any golfer would,” Ashley said. “We have a lot of people bring their own clubs in.”
Ashley’s not the only person who considers it a sport. There’s the actual U.S. ProMiniGolf Association which represents the United States in the World Minigolf Sports Federation. They hold the Masters National ProMiniGolf Championship tournament every September in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
But for most of us in Maine, mini-golf is still just something to do on a really nice weekend when the sun is out and there’s nothing else going on. There are very few things more entertaining than going out with a bunch of friends and trying to get a little ball into a little hole by putting it across artificial turf, over a bridge, through a treasure chest and under a castle drawbridge.
Many places in Maine offer what they call “adventure golf,” which is essentially pirates- or medieval-themed courses. Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf in Bar Harbor and Blackbeard’s in Bangor are two great local spots for a day trip. Both offer pirate-themed adventure golf, but with very different courses.
Both establishments have two 18-hole courses to choose from. At Pirate’s Cove, you have a choice between the original course and “Blackbeard’s Challenge,” which is slightly more difficult. Signs are posted along both courses giving historical facts about Blackbeard, one of the most famous pirates ever to sail the seven seas, arrgh.
And I can tell you, Blackbeard’s Challenge is just that - there are some really weird holes on the course with obstacles that include putting over a small stream and through the “hold” of a pirate ship. With a 6-stroke limit per player on each hole, you really have to think about where you’re going to hit the ball before you do it. A poorly executed stroke can put your ball back at the start, costing you valuable yardage (okay, maybe feet) and strokes.
At Blackbeard’s, not only can you pick from the two courses, but if you or some of your friends or family don’t really feel like golfing, you can climb an outdoor rock wall, race go carts, play with remote control pirate ships or use their baseball and softball batting cages to pass the time.

This was found at The Maine Edge.