Bayville Adventure Park features a pirate-themed mini-golf course that includes a rope bridge and a replica sunken ship.

Mini-Golf Courses in Nassau County

1. Bayville Adventure Park – Bayville

Here, mini-golf is a treasure hunt on a pirate-infested isle. Each hole has a different pirate scene, and many of the pirates talk, moan, or sing. There is a full-scale, replica sunken ship with a pirate crew and a dark cave with a skeletal pirate. There's also a cave beneath a waterfall, where unhappy souls are said to be imprisoned and tortured. The course is located in a small beachside adventure park that also has a rope bridge climbing course, a small bumper boat pond, an arcade, an ice cream shop, and a haunted maze. Expect long lines to play in the summer.

2. Bethpage Mini Golf – Bethpage

This beautiful 18-hole course can be enjoyed day or night. Baseball fans might want to hit up the batting cages also.

3. Cantiague Park – Hicksville

This course, in one of Nassau County's favorite parks, features some fun holes, including a challenging 5-foot putt into a coral reef. There are also tennis, handball, and basketball courts, in addition to athletic fields suitable for soccer, football, lacrosse, or rugby. NOTE: There's a nonresident/non-Leisure Pass holder upcharge.

4. Eisenhower Park – East Meadow

There are two mini-golf courses in Nassau's largest county park. The Mountainside course climbs up to the top of a waterfall and is the most challenging. The Overlook course is also lovely. Neither offers any real tricks or unusual obstacles, but both are pretty and moderately challenging. There are two gazebos, plenty of picnic tables, a driving range, three 18-hole golf courses, and a playground nearby.

5. Five Towns Mini Golf – Lawrence

The facility includes an arcade, target paintball, a batting cage, and a Wiffle ball cage. It’s ideal for a fun family outing.

RELATED: Long Island Boardwalks Perfect for a Family Stroll

It's mini-golf under black lights at Glowgolf at Roosevelt Field. Photo by the author

6. Glowgolf – East Garden City

At Roosevelt Field mall, you can take a break from shopping and visit Glowgolf, a glow-in-the-dark miniature golf facility. Located on the concourse level near the kids' play area, you can grab a club and ball and embark on a glowing adventure through 27 holes. Set amid twisting hallways and rooms, Glowgolf is played entirely under black lights. Each hole offers a unique experience, with windmills, motorized components, inclines, blocks, and even a gravity-defying loop-the-loop. 

7. Jones Beach State Park – Wantagh 

Holes on this course are all named after state parks. It is a small, old-fashioned course with no dramatic themes, but it has some lovely views of the ocean and a smooth boardwalk, and other attractions such as ping pong, bocce, shuffleboard, playgrounds, and the newest addition, an adventure park.

8. Spring Rock Golf Center – New Hyde Park

Choose between two 18-hole golf courses, the Romeo or the Juliet. Talk to staff about ice cream, goodie bags, and other birthday party add-ons. 

9. Wantagh Park  – Wantagh

Located at the north end of this outdoor oasis, Wantagh Park boasts an 18-hole mini-golf course. Opened in fall 2016, a nautical theme runs throughout the seaside layout. Nassau County Leisure Pass holders play for a discounted rate. Also on premises are a fitness trail, sports fields, a boating ramp and fishing pier, picnic pavilions, playgrounds, a dog run, and a large swimming complex with a spray park and two water slides.

RELATED: Long Island State Parks Worth a Visit

There are two mini-golf courses to choose from at County Fair Park.

Mini-Golf Courses in Suffolk County

10. Country Fair Park – Medford

Tiny houses, bridges, and waterways make this two-course facility visually charming. There is not much variety in the landscaping around each hole. The park also has ubiquitous go-karts, laser tag, and a batting cage.

11. Heartland Golf Park – Edgewood

This miniature golf mountain boasts a complete 18-hole course with challenging holes for all ages. The facility also features a par-3 course replicating many of golf's most famous holes. There is also a driving range on premises.

RELATED: Long Island Water Parks, Slides, and Pools to Cool Off in this Summer

Play18 holes at lush Sayville Falls Miniature Golf.

12. Sayville Falls Miniature Golf – Sayville

This 18-hole course features a hole played through a double-sided waterfall, multiple holes that are surrounded by water, as well as an aquatic life viewing platform.

13. Monster Mini Golf – Deer Park

Monster Mini Golf is just what it says—a gigantic, indoor mini-golf course filled to the brim with fluorescent monsters, aliens, and clowns. There are also a few animated props. On rainy summer days, expect a bit of a wait in the arcade section. But at least the claw machines here are the play-till-you-win variety. Note: It is not recommended for young kids frightened by the theme and occasional scary noises.

RELATED: Nature Centers Sure to Delight Long Island Kids 

Station Sports offers mini-golf and a whole lot more! 

14. Station Sports – Huntington Station

This location has water features and a course that is challenging and fun. It also offers batting cages, target paintball, Wiffle ball, and a snack shack.

15. Tiki Action Park – Centereach

Tiki Action Park features a tropical Hawaiian theme with waterfalls, caves, and meandering streams. That said, it is not heavy on fantasy elements. The park also has go-karts, a challenging laser maze, and an indoor arcade.

RELATED: Awesome Amusement Parks on Long Island for Families

Ace the schoolhouse hole at Drossos mini-golf in Greenport. Photo by the author

Mini-Golf Courses on the East End

16. Drossos Miniature Golf – Greenport

This course has been a North Fork favorite for more than 50 years. It is flat, small, and charming, and there are no elaborate waterfalls or caves. Each hole features a tiny building to putt through. A favorite is putting the ball through the little schoolhouse, but there is also a lighthouse, church, and a candy cane house. After golf, relax with some frozen custard or a hamburger and fries from the retro snack stand.

17. Children's Museum of the East End – Bridgehampton

Hit the kid-sized links at the museum, where families can enjoy a nine-hole science-themed course. There's even a hole where you design your challenge. Roam the lush outdoor grounds, visit the community garden, or play on the swing set. Head indoors for a hands-on experience that promotes imaginary play, learning, reading, building, and more. Kids can climb the multi-tier pirate ship for a seaworthy adventure. 

18. Long Island Sports Park – Calverton

Play traditional mini-golf or hit the 18-hole disc golf course at this uber-active sports center.

19. Hamptons Mini Golf at Local Burger - Southampton

Play a round of mini golf at this East End-themed course. Start your round next to the Conscience Point Rock and make your way around Dune Road and then on to the Watermill Museum. Make the turn and start the back 9 with the beautiful Montauk Lighthouse in the background, and then try for a hole in one on the Hook Windmill hole. This mini golf also features a giant waterfall in the middle of the course that streams down to ponds throughout the course. Of course you can also perfect your swing at the on site driving range. 

RELATED: 100 Things to Do With Kids on Long Island Before They Grow Up 

As you might expect, there's plenty of water to navigate at The Whale's Tale mini-golf course.

20. The Whale's Tale – Shelter Island

The Whale’s Tale offers a moderately tricky course that winds around three small water features, over little wooden bridges, and past fiberglass figures of mermaids, turtles, and a water-spouting whale. Inside, there is a Hershey’s ice cream parlor and a small arcade. There is a patio out front with small quarter-driven, ride-on vehicles and shaded picnic tables. 

21. Puff & Putt – Montauk

This course is on the waterfront of Fort Pond, a 300-acre freshwater pond in Montauk Village. The course features fiberglass creatures, ranging from pirates to roaring lions, that a player must put past, and a variety of fun and tricky challenges. Rentals of kayaks, sailboats, and paddle boats are available for exploring the lake or for lessons. There is also a small arcade on site.

22. Sandy Falls Mini Putt Golf – Riverhead

A miniature version of the Flanders Big Duck greets visitors to this 18-hole mini golf course. The turfed course boasts fountains, a brook and even waterfalls coming out of a cave. Some holes even have rough to mimic the adjacent larger par 3 course, Sandy Pond Golf Links.

Originally published in August 2012.

Unless noted, photos courtesy of the courses