Family Golf Month is celebrated each July. Founded by the PGA, this month-long celebration aims to make golf more accessible to families, with a particular emphasis on getting kids involved in the sport.

Since mini golf is a great way of introducing little ones to golf, we’ve been joining the celebrations this month with a series of content, exclusive offers, and other exciting updates.

Keep reading to find out more about what’s on in Paradise this Family Golf Month…

Scottish Golf and England Golf discounts

We’re proud to be partners of Scottish Golf and England Golf, meaning members of both associations receive 20% off when visiting their local Paradise Island Adventure Golf.

This Family Golf Month, however, we’ve got an additional treat – Scottish Golf and England Golf members are entitled to 50% OFF kids prices when booking online! What better time to swing by and get putting?

Tiki Tips: Putting in Paradise

We’re teaming up with England Golf to host an educational putting session at our Manchester venue on Wednesday 30th July.

Whether you’re introducing your kids to the game of golf, looking to pick up new skills, or just aiming to become a mini golf master so you can beat your friends on your next visit, our coaches will be on hand with all the putting knowledge you need.

Tickets are £10 per child and include a round of mini golf, coaching from the England Golf team, and a bag of Paradise Island and England Golf goodies.

Book your space here.

PIAG Open

The annual Paradise Island Adventure Golf Open championship returns for 2025, taking place alongside the professional Open at Portrush between July 17th and 20th.

The Open is free to take part in when a round of golf is purchased. There are three age categories, with the winner of each receiving a six-month unlimited golf pass and the coveted PIAG trophy.

We hope you’ll join us for an adventure this Family Golf Month! Who knows, you may even discover a new hobby…

Last year, we brought you the rundown on five of Paradise Island Adventure Golf’s most challenging holes from across our eight venues.

This year, we’re back with five more, picked for you by our very own site managers.

Keep reading to discover some of our toughest holes, and what makes them difficult – you may even pick up a couple of tips for tackling them on your next visit!

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Livingston

Barnacle Bay | Hole 15

This hole is not one for the easily distracted, as you’ll be greeted by our animatronic monkeys! There’s also a slight twist to it, which makes getting a hole-in-one difficult. Decrease your chances of racking up points by clipping the side of the ball to get it up the hill.

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Cheshire Oaks

Lazy Lagoon | Hole 6

The UV lighting on this section of the course can throw you off! Not only that – there’s a slightly elevated hill and two glowing obstacles which block direct access to the hole. To tackle this one, you’re going to need controlled speed and a precise aim.

Sheffield

Shell Bay | Hole 18

While this hole appears to be a straightforward putt, you must navigate over two humps before reaching a raised putting area. A miscalculated stroke will send the ball rolling away, making a hole-in-one virtually impossible. Consider your speed and don’t let the frustration get to you!

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Derby

Shark Bay | Hole 5

If your ball makes it up the ramp into the lighthouse, it should shoot out the other site and nicely into the hole. If you don’t make it into the lighthouse, however, it’s easy to rack up points! If you’re not entirely confident in your ability to get a hole-in-one, it may be better to aim for around the lighthouse.

Plymouth

Temple Ruins | Hole 13

Putt too softly, and the ball will roll back down the entry ramp. Putt too hard, and it can bounce unpredictably off the exit slope or overshoot the hole. The slopes on both sides are smooth, but steep enough to launch the ball slightly if hit too hard!

Now it’s your turn. To have a go at tackling these holes, head to our website to find your nearest location and book your golfing trip now.

Got a hole at your local Paradise Island you find particularly challenging? Let us know and we may include it in a future blog post!

Good news, adventure golfers – spring is here, and as we enter the new season, we’ve got even more ways for you to save in paradise. From booking online to picking up one of our shiny new reimagined loyalty cards, here’s how you can save on your mini golf trips this spring:

Book online

We usually have space for walk-ins, but we always recommend booking in advance if you’re planning to visit – and now you can save 5% when you book online! Visit our website, select your nearest venue from the drop-down menu, and follow the link to book your tee time.

Sign up to the GolfClub

Want to be the first to know about new offers? Sign up to our email newsletter, the GolfClub, to get exclusive GolfClub-only deals delivered straight to your inbox. It’s the VIP treatment!

Pick up a loyalty card

Our loyalty cards have had an upgrade! Get 25% off entry on your second visit, 50% off on your fourth, and your sixth visit totally free. Pick up your free loyalty card on your next visit to start collecting stamps.

Under 5s go free

Under 5s go free with a paying adult at our Derby, Glasgow, Livingston and Manchester sites. Mini golf is ideal for introducing your little ones to the world of golf, so this could be the start of a brand new hobby!

Visit our website for full terms & conditions for each offer.

Each of our sites have varying offers – including some golf and food deals(!) – so make sure you visit our website to see what’s on at your nearest venue.

Happy adventure golfing!

You’re back at work. It’s cold, dark before 5pm, and budgets are tight. The start of the year can be a bit of a gloomy time.

On a positive note, however, it’s also the perfect time to try something new – or organise something to look forward to.

Whether you’re looking for a catchup with friends or a casual date, here’s why mini golf could be your ideal winter social activity.

It keeps you active

It might not be the same as making your way round a full-size golf course, but mini golf will keep you moving. Did you know that our Glasgow site – the first Paradise Island to be constructed – is also our largest at 20,000 square feet?

Fun tip: get your smartwatch on and see how many steps it takes you to complete both courses!

It’s indoors

Long gone are the days of golfing in the pouring rain with old tyres and scrap metal obstacles – when we opened our doors in Glasgow back in 2006, we brought adventure golf indoors. There’s no need to be out in the rain to get your mini golf fix in 2025 – get in from the January cold and play a round or two under cover!

It’s the perfect alternative to dining out

Following weeks of festive indulgence, going for a three-course meal may not be at the top of your list of January activities.

Mini golf offers the perfect opportunity to get out of the house and spend time with friends and family, and is also inclusive of those who may be partaking in Dry January.

You can get 10% off until January 31st 2025

Still not convinced? Take advantage of our January deal and get 10% off one course when you book online with code BLUEJAN25.

If you’re looking for a different way to spend quality time with friends and family this winter, mini golf could be your best bet.

Visit our website to find your nearest site and arrange your winter golf trip.

‘Tis the season for festive catchups. You need an activity suitable for the whole family. Something that will be enjoyed by ‘kids from one to ninety-two’. Or maybe you just fancy doing something a little different?

Whether you’re stopping by for a round after a day of Christmas shopping or looking to make a night of it, here’s how mini golf can be your perfect festive get-together.

Golf and food deals

Whether it’s pre-game fuel or a post-round celebratory meal, dining out is the perfect beginning or finale to your golf trip. A number of our sites offer various golf and food deals which are sure to enhance your golfing experience.

Our Eat Drink Putt deal consists of one round of golf, plus a meal courtesy of our food partners – available at Cheshire Oaks, Glasgow, and Plymouth. Food partners vary from site to site, so visit our website to find out more about your nearest site’s offering.

Our Plymouth site has its own onsite cafe bar – The Bunker – which offers various food and drink deals on a stylish mezzanine above the courses. One of our most popular offerings is the Pitcher & Putt, which entitles guests to a round of mini golf plus an hour and a half of unlimited cocktails in the Bunker. Yes, unlimited!

Cocktails taking your fancy? Try our Tee Off & Tapas deal at Cheshire Oaks. Enjoy a round of golf plus two tapas dishes and two cocktails per person, courtesy of our food partner Las Iguanas.

If that wasn’t enough for you, we’ve recently launched a new deal in partnership with Pizza Hut at our Livingston site – present your used Paradise Island Adventure Golf receipt at Pizza Hut, OR your used Pizza Hut receipt at Paradise Island Adventure Golf to receive 20% off your total transaction.

Corporate and group offers

Our two eighteen-hole courses make the perfect setting for events, whether it’s a work night out, team building exercise, or just a day out with a group of friends.

The Bunker within our Plymouth site also doubles up as an event space, making it a unique location for whatever you may have planned. Alongside our existing food and drink deals, we can also create bespoke packages including golf, food, drink, and DJ hire, all tailored to your needs and budget.

Christmas is the perfect time to catch up over a round of adventure golf – visit our website to explore our offers and make your booking!

If you’re particularly organised, you may have already gotten your Christmas shopping out of the way (and good for you if that’s the case, because the shops are about to get busy).

Whether you’re shopping for a die-hard mini golf enthusiast or just looking to treat the family to an activity everyone can enjoy, we’ve put together the definitive Paradise Island Adventure Golf-themed gift guide.

Maggie plushies

Meet our mascot, Maggie McCaw. You may have seen her on social media, or even met her at one of our Meet Maggie sessions – and now you can give your own little Maggie a home in time for Christmas! Our plushies are the perfect souvenir from your visit – they also make great desk buddies.

The Maggie plush is only available instore, so be sure to grab one from your nearest site while stocks last.

Gift vouchers

Give the gift of adventure golf with one of our vouchers, available to be purchased and redeemed at all eight of our sites.

Vouchers can also be purchased online and delivered to your inbox immediately after purchase – good news for all you last-minute shoppers(!).

Don’t just give the gift of mini golf this Christmas – give the gift of lasting family memories. How about adding an annual mini golf trip to your Christmas traditions?

You’re in the midst of freshers season. You’re all partied out and can’t face the thought of another 3am kebab. There’s probably an entire corner of your flat dedicated to your overflowing recycling bin at this point. There may have been passive aggressive messages exchanged on the flat group chat about unwashed dishes, food mysteriously disappearing from the fridge, or noise next door when you were hoping to get an early night before your 9am lecture.

You need something different. Something that’s not partying, isn’t going to break the bank, and gives you the chance to spend some quality time with your new flatmates or course mates.

How about a mini golf trip?

Aside from being a gateway to the game of golf and a great time in its own right, mini golf is also a fantastic icebreaker – making it the perfect choice for first dates. By that logic, golfing with your new uni mates may just lead to some lifelong friendships!

The bonus? You can make a saving on your golfing adventure with our student prices across all Paradise Island Adventure Golf sites – simply present your valid student card at the paybooth upon arrival.

Some of our sites even have student-related offers, such as Derby’s Two Fore Tuesdays or our Young Scot offer, which is valid at both Glasgow and Livingston.

You’ve taken the leap and embarked on the adventure of student life. Now, it’s time to embark on a golfing adventure – so visit our website to find your nearest site and see what offers are up for grabs in your area!

According to a 2019 survey by Golfsupport, 85% of singles who went to golf-related venues on their first date saw a higher success rate for a second.

‘Mini golf is a perfect casual first date idea. Loser buys ice-cream after’, suggests one Reddit user.

What if we told you a couple who had their first date at our Sheffield site even got engaged there back in 2016?

Golf Month is celebrated in August each year, so if you’re thinking of hitting the greens with your partner, we’re here to talk about why mini golf is the par-fect date.

It’s fun

Mini golf is affordable, casual, and provides the perfect opportunity for some friendly competition. Plus, you’re sure to make some memories you can recall for years to come.

It’s a great icebreaker

If you’re looking for an icebreaker activity for a first date, mini golf could be a great option. As you putt your way round the courses, there will be plenty of opportunities to chat and get to know each other (and have a laugh at each other’s attempts!).

You can make an evening of it

We believe mini golf makes a fantastic date by itself, but if you want to make a day or evening of it, you can grab a bite to eat before or after your round.

Whether you’re looking to grab a quick burger or indulge in a meal and cocktails, all eight Paradise Island Adventure Golf sites are nestled among a wide variety of bars and restaurants. Our Plymouth site even has its own bar!

Ready to get planning your mini golf date? Visit our website to find your nearest Paradise Island Adventure Golf and book your tee time today.

Founded by the PGA on the principle of making golf more accessible to family members of varying genders, ages and skill levels, Family Golf Month is celebrated each year in July.

Although it’s always a great time to learn golf, many PGA professionals offer reduced (or even free) activities for golfers of all levels during Family Golf Month, making it the perfect time to embark on your golfing journey.

Here are three ways you can get your family out golfing this month:

Mini golf

Fun fact: the first time many kids hold a golf club will be at a mini golf facility. It’s a great way of introducing kids to the game – earlier this year, we spoke about the role mini golf plays in getting kids golfing. So if your child shows an interest in golf – or if you’re a golfer yourself and it’s something you’re keen to introduce to your kids – taking them mini golfing could be the perfect introduction to the game. Plus, it’s the perfect fun activity for the whole family!

Driving ranges

Whether you’re brushing up on your swing or simply letting off some steam, children and adults alike will have a great time hitting some balls at your local driving range. Many ranges also have technology which allows you to gain valuable insights into your performance.

The PIAG Open

As the 152nd Open tees off at Royal Troon, we’ll be teeing off in paradise with our very own annual Open championship. Entries are categorised into three age groups, with one lucky winner from each group taking home the PIAG Open trophy and a pass entitling them to six months of unlimited golf. This is a fantastic opportunity to introduce kids to the game and familiarise them with the rules, as well as teaching sportsmanship.

Paradise Island Adventure Golf x England Golf

Earlier this year, Paradise Island Adventure Golf partnered with England Golf, supporting them in their mission of ensuring the sport has a sustainable future by getting more people playing. This partnership also allows us to offer a discount to England Golf members. Visit our website and select your nearest venue for more information.

There’s no better time than Family Golf Month to get the whole family golfing – so find your nearest club, mini golf facility or driving range and swing right into the world of golf!

What do Paradise Island Adventure Golf and the sport of miniature golf have in common? They both began in Scotland!

To celebrate National Miniature Golf Day this Saturday 11th May 2024, we’re exploring the Scottish origins of both Paradise Island and of the game itself.

Putting & pipes

The putting game – widely said to be the earliest form of mini golf and still played as a practice game today – was first played in Scotland back in the 1800s, and the Ladies Putting Club in St. Andrews is said to be home to the world’s oldest mini golf course. Early courses relied on scrap items such as old pipes, barrels, and tires to act as obstacles.

Teeing off stateside

The United States’ first mini golf course was developed by James Barber in 1916, cleverly named Thistle Dhu (a play on words, as in ‘this’ll do’).

By the end of the 1920s, mini golf had experienced a boom in popularity across the pond. New York City alone had 150 courses, many of which were situated on the rooftops of the city’s iconic skyscrapers. Unfortunately, most of these closed when the Great Depression hit.

Swinging into the 21st century…

In 2006, the first of eight Paradise Island Adventure Golf sites would open its doors at XSite (then known as XScape) at Braehead Shopping Centre, Glasgow.

The vision for Paradise Island was to bring a premier indoor mini golf spot to Scotland. At the time of its opening, mini golf was still very much an outdoor activity – which doesn’t always make for a pleasant experience with the UK’s unpredictable weather! Paradise Island promised to invite the golfer indoors for an immersive adventure amidst a tropical oasis.

In 2008, Paradise Island Adventure Golf Manchester opened its doors in the Trafford Centre, becoming the first of six English venues. A second Scottish site within Livingston Designer Outlet opened in 2012, the same year in which our Sheffield site launched. Cheshire Oaks opened in 2015 and Derby in 2017, with both Plymouth and Rushden Lakes following in 2019. Eighteen years on from the birth of Paradise Island, we now have visitors up and down the UK enjoying our tropical brand of indoor adventure golf!

A tee-riffic evolution

From moving indoors to the introduction of ornate obstacles, mini golf has come a long way from the days of unpredictable weather and scrap metal. Today, you’ll find everything from courses with various theming to glow in the dark decor, such as our Cheshire Oaks octopus pictured below (fun fact – glow in the dark mini golf originated in Scandinavia as a result of their short, dark days).

You can even make a day of your mini golf adventure as many facilities now have options for food and drink. We’re not biased, but we think our Bunker bar in Plymouth is pretty neat!

Fancy celebrating National Miniature Golf Day with us? Visit our website to find your nearest Paradise Island and book your tee time.

Sources:

https://www.smugglersgolf.com/blog/the-interesting-history-of-mini-golfs

https://top-facts.com/10-interesting-facts-about-mini-golf/

https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/sports/golf/basics/who-built-first-miniature-golf-course.htm