Reading slopes and banks

On a flat carpet, mini golf is just aim and pace. The features are what make it a game.

Slopes

Slopes are shaded and marked with small arrows pointing downhill. A slope along the line of the room speeds the ball up or holds it back, so adjust the power. A slope across the room bends the ball sideways, so aim uphill of the line and let the slope bring it down.

Corner banks

Many turns have a 45° bank across the outer corner. Played at medium pace, it turns the ball for you and sends it down the next room. Hit it too hard and the ball rattles back across; too soft and it stops on the bank.

Bowls and hills

A dark ring around the cup is a bowl: the ground falls towards the cup and a ball arriving gently is pulled in. A light ring is a hill: the cup sits on top, and a slow ball is pushed off. On a hill, arrive straight with a little more pace than usual.

Bridges and water

Water costs a stroke and returns the ball. Bridges with rails forgive a slightly crooked putt; bridges without rails do not. Play the shot before the bridge to leave a straight putt across it.

Long holes in two stages

On holes with four or more rooms, choose the room before the cup as your first target and stop in its middle. From there the last two strokes are short and simple. The numbered courses mark every long hole and its features on the map.