Larry Thompson admits it: He and his family were clueless when they decided 42 years ago to build a mini-golf course in Fort Myers.
“We were just amateurs,” Thompson says. “We didn’t know what we were doing. We just gave it a shot, and we did okay.”
They did more than okay, of course.
With its dragons, knights and sprawling 18-hole course, Castle Golf is one of the most popular places to play putt-putt in Southwest Florida. And now it’s been named one of the best mini-golf courses in the country, too.
USA Today just announced its 10 best putt-putt spots in the United States, and Castle Golf made it on the list at No. 8.
Thompson — who owns the place with his wife Jennifer Thompson — says he had no idea they were even in the running. So the award was a big surprise.
They’ve been named “best mini-golf course” before, he says, including Yelp’s current top spot in the Fort Myers area and — back in the late ‘90s and early 2000s — getting recognized several years in a row as No. 1 in the state by “Florida Monthly” magazine.
But this time, it’s different, Thompson says. This is their first national recognition.
“It absolutely is exciting,” he says.
USA Today’s 10 best mini golf courses can be found in Tennessee, New Mexico, Florida
The top 10 list was announced March 18 by the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards, an ongoing series that highlights the best in travel, dining and lifestyle.
For the series, USA Today invites a panel of industry experts to nominate their favorites in a wide variety of categories. Then 10BEST editors select the nominees to be presented to the voting public.
“Mini golf offers a delightful mix of fun and challenge, making it a great activity for all ages,” says the USA Today article announcing the winners. “These 10 places for putt-putt — nominated by a panel of experts and voted by readers as the best in the U.S. — offer creative and interesting course designs (often built around a fun theme) and come complete with entertaining obstacles.”
Castle Golf was the only Florida mini-golf course to make the list. It shares the spotlight with mini-golf spots in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (Sky Pirates of Mermaid Bay, No. 1 on the list); Albuquerque, New Mexico (Hinkle Fun Center, No. 6); St. Paul, Minnesota (Can Can Wonderland, No. 9); and elsewhere.
Here’s what 10BEST wrote about Castle Golf: “This popular Fort Myers mini golf spot transports players to a medieval setting full of royalty, fantasy, sword-wielding knights, dragons and sea serpents, and, of course, a massive castle. During the day, play under the shade of tropical palm trees, or check it out at night when the course lights up for an even more magical experience — the choice is yours.”
Castle Golf in Fort Myers: Dragons, knights and 18 holes of fun
Thompson says they put a lot of thought into Castle Golf’s theme and especially its playability. They wanted the approximately 1 ½-acre course to be fun, interesting and challenging.
“We pay a lot of attention to detail,” he says, “and I think that’s one of the things people notice. … We have people tell us — from Germany and everywhere — that they’re big avid mini golfers and it’s their favorite place.”
Castle Golf opened in 1986 and celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, he says. And even though he and his wife aren’t on-site every day anymore, they still love what they do there.
“It never stops being exciting,” he says, “just hearing a kid scream in delight because they’ve got a hole in one.”
What are the 10BEST mini golf courses in the United States?
Here’s a look at all 10 winners in USA Today’s 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards for the best mini golf course in the United States:
Want to know more about these mini golf courses and what makes them so cool? Check out the full article here: 10best.usatoday.com/awards/best-mini-golf
Fort Myers’ Castle Golf: Hours, prices, info
Castle Golf is at 7400 Gladiolus Drive, Fort Myers. It’s open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (weather permitting).
Tickets for a round of golf are $19 (ages 13 and up), $17 (ages 5-12) and free for younger children with a paid adult. Extra rounds are $3.
For more information, call 489-1999 or visit castle-golf.com
The News-Press and Naples Daily News are both owned by USA Today Co, the same company that owns USA Today.
Charles Runnells covers arts and entertainment for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. To reach him, call 239-335-0368 or email crunnells@usatodayco.com. Follow or message him on Facebook(@charles.runnells.7), Instagram (@crunnells1) and X (@CharlesRunnells).
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This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Fort Myers mini golf named one of 10 best in U.S., only one in Florida
Reporting by Charles Runnells, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
