If you can't get a tee time or afford the green fees to enjoy a round of golf this week, don't fret. Area mini-golf courses offer a round of 18 holes that test short-range skills and take less than an hour - still giving you time to catch the pros in Augusta. To ensure a few holes-in-one and bragging rights, The Augusta Chronicle will walk you through making the perfect putt at the local Hole-N-One mini-golf course in Aiken.
THINGS TO KNOW
THE PUTTER: Choose one that at least comes to the hip, said Chris Hyder of the family-owned Hole-N-One.
THE BALL: Eight colors are available, but pink and blue tend to be the most popular.
GOLF BUDDIES: Mini-golf is best played with four or fewer people -- like a traditional golf round.
THE PERFECT STROKE: Remember to line up the putt well. Many of Hole-N-One's holes line up toward the left. A pendulum motion that's smooth keeps the ball on track.
AREA MINI-GOLF COURSES:
Hole-N-One, 3197 Whiskey Road, (803) 643-1715
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. this week 1 to 9 p.m. normal hours
Friday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. this week
1 to 11 p.m. normal hours
Sunday, 1-7 p.m.
Costs: Age 5 and under, $3.50
Ages 6 to 11, $4.50
Ages 12-59, $5.50
Ages 60 and older, $4.50
Group rates available
Specials: Mystery hole offered each day. Win a free game pass if you putt a successful hole-in-one on the mystery hole.
Adventure Crossing, 4350 Wheeler Road, Augusta, (706) 863-3087
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 4-9 p.m.
Friday, 4-11 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday, Noon to 9 p.m.
Putt-Putt Golf and Games, 3763 Martinez Blvd., (706) 868-0083
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to midnight
Sunday, 11 a.m. to midnight
A HOLE-BY-HOLE GUIDE
HOLE 1, Par 3, 266 inches
Obstacles: Hill that drifts to the left and one stump.
Play: Toward the obstacle. The ball should round it and go toward the hole.
HOLE 2, PAR 3, 295 INCHES
Obstacles: Tree at the beginning of the green.
Play: To the left of the tree.
HOLE 3, PAR 2, 239 INCHES
Obstacles: Moat, three larger stumps, uphill
Play: Straight down the middle
HOLE 4, PAR 3, 280 INCHES
Obstacles: Two sets of three stumps.
Play: Get close to the bricks on the left. Hole changes once a week, so watch lining up the stroke.
HOLE 5, PAR 4, 313 INCHES
Obstacles: Two levels. Part 1, green slopes toward the left. Part 2, stumps at the bottom
Play: On Part 1, there are three hole options. Play straight down the middle. Part 2, play around the stump obstacle
Tip: If you jump around the hole as the ball goes to next level, the vibrations will slow the ball down.
HOLE 6, PAR 3, 261 INCHES
Obstacles: Sand trap on the left
Play: Toward the left to avoid the curve of the green. This should take the sand trap out of play.
Tip: There is a loose brick at the top of this hole. If the ball bounces off it, it will force the ball to play directly on the curve that you need to take the sand trap out of play.
HOLE 7, PAR 3, 350 INCHES
Obstacles: Uphill, with two waves. Three stumps grouped together on the left.
Play: Just use enough force to get ball up the hill and play straight down the middle.
HOLE 8, PAR 4, 476 INCHES
Obstacles: Two levels. Part 2, slightly uphill on the left side.
Play: Part 1, Two hole options available. Play to the back hole, which will line you up better for the second hole. Part 2, avoid the uphill curve on the left which will sling the ball off its path on the green.
Tip: Don't forget to stomp over the hole to vibrate the PVC pipe and slow down the ball.
HOLE 9, PAR 3, 280 INCHES
Obstacles: Green curves to the left and slopes up
Play: Another brick trick. There's a loose brick on the hole. If you aim for it, it will send your ball in the direction of the hole. Play around the curve to the left.
HOLE 10, PAR 3, 294 INCHES
Obstacles: Top of the green slopes up to the right side. Bottom of hole slopes left.
Play: A little to the left and down the middle.
HOLE 11, PAR 2, 190 INCHES
Obstacles: Two sets of three stumps on the back
Play: Top of the hole, play close to the left bricks. Back of the hole, play to the right.
HOLE 12, PAR 3, 175 INCHES
Obstacles: Hill in the middle of the hole. Hole moves each week to the back of the hill or on top of the hill. Least favorite hole on the course among patrons.
Play: If hole is on top of the hill, play toward the left to get momentum up the hill. If the hole is at the back of the green off the hill, play to the right side of the hill and off the back bricks.
HOLE 13, PAR 3, 278 INCHES
Obstacles: Three stumps spread out. Hill to the right with rocks.
Play: To the right where the green slopes on the left side of the embankment. Send ball between the middle and far left stumps.
HOLE 14, PAR 3, 300 INCHES
Obstacles: Log on top half of hole. Hole slopes down a rocky embankment with just a sliver of open green.
Play: Around the log on the backside and bounce of the back bricks on the right. Can also bounce the ball off the log.
HOLE 15, PAR 3, 234 INCHES
Obstacles: Three tiers with a sand trap on the left, bottom tier. Hole on the top tier to the right.
Play: If you fall in the sand trap you're supposed to take a penalty. Play to the right to get it up the hill.
HOLE 16, PAR 2, 250 INCHES
Obstacles: Slightly uphill with two small waves.
Play: Two holes usually open. Whichever one is open, play the opposite side of the green.
HOLE 17, PAR 3, 288 INCHES
Obstacles: Two parts. Part 1, two holes and slight slope to the left. No obstacles on Part 2.
Play: Part 1, The holes look like eyes on the green. Play straight down the middle, or it will slope to the left and fall out of play. Part 2, hole alternates positions each week. If it is the back hole, play to the left. If it is the front hole, play to the right.
HOLE 18, PAR 2, 266 INCHES
Obstacles: Slightly downhill with a rock on the green. Don't hit the hole itself because the ball will bounce out.
Play: The green breaks to the left so play slightly right and down the middle.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2012. All Rights Reserved.
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