Clubbing, Top Golf and Miami’s restaurant scene had a baby: Puttshack. The new destination for a casual night-out is a great option for students looking to switch up the routine Miami weekend. The minigolf location combines the vibes of a club, competition of Top Golf and high-standard cuisine of Miami. From the depths of your summer memories or possible first dates you might not remember, we reintroduce to you: minigolf, Puttshack style.

Located in the heart of Brickell, Puttshack is the newest entertainment option that combines a nightclub vibe with a mini-golf setting. In recent months, Puttshack gained social media traction on TikTok and became a staple for anyone in search of a much-needed distraction from the bustle of Miami. Drawing in eager tourists and locals in need of a new weekend activity, it became a hit.     

To stand out in a trendy neighborhood known for its dining, shopping and entertainment, the owners of Puttshack designed three small manifold courses, all including eight holes. On top of that, there’s an arcade, bar and lounge area elevate their typical Topgolf experience. While the courses are small, the holes are fun and funky, which makes the short 30-minute playtime worthwhile. 

You don’t have to break the piggy bank to have good time, either. Puttshack offers individual games starting at only $18 a person. Additionally, it hosts larger parties and events for any occasion, whether that be a children’s birthday party or a company get-together. It offers private rooms for parties of 15 people or more starting as low as $46 per person. 

Puttshack is easily accessible. You can drive, rideshare or take the Metrorail to the Brickell City Centre where the three-story, 29 thousand square-foot location stands out among the comparatively minuscule restaurants and stores. 

With a late morning opening time of 11 a.m. and a closing time past midnight, there is plenty of time to lounge, enjoy a refreshing drink and show off your relentless mini-golf skills to all your friends. If you need to take a breather, there is also an expansive terrace outside that looks over the Miami cityscape. 

Amanda Philips, head of hospitality at Puttshack, believes the venue is what draws people in and keeps them coming back.

“The venue is a huge attraction for families during the daytime and they bring in a younger late-night crowd on the weekends,” said Philips. 

On the weekends, Puttshack provides live music performed by local DJs and the bar serves hand-crafted cocktails. If you’re hungry, the restaurant has a variety of mouthwatering foods from Asian-inspired dishes to casual American favorites. 

Philips explained that the venue is a beautiful attraction where people love to come and enjoy the two large bars with the amazing food and cocktails. 

“We bring in a local taste of Miami through our distribution of Little Havana Pizza and a variety of Miami Tail Pipe flavors,” said Philips.

Don’t think you’re too cool to go to Puttshack because you’re a college student who’s “too old” for that kind stuff. Students from the University of Miami who have been to Puttshack have all left with great reviews. 

Senior Eden Avolio went with a group of friends on a whim and absolutely loved her experience. 

“I had such a great time there with my friends,” said Avolio. “It was so cool inside; everything was really high-tech and the game was really different from other mini-golf games. I would definitely go back there.”

Puttshack created a brand-new style of mini-golf, creating an authentic experience for players. It has taken the simple elements of traditional mini-golf and enhanced it with new technology to create a fun and interactive game for people of all ages. 

Puttshack uses “trackaball technology,” which lets them automatically link your game profile to each distributed ball. This allows your ball alone to track your score, and even how many strokes you took on a hole. With this system, you’ll spend less time keeping track of cheaters and more time enjoying the enthralling mini-golf experience. This tech also allows them to add “supertubes,” bonus points and “hazard traps” which can help or hinder your score in different ways, giving each hole a slightly different objective. 

As we mentioned earlier, the holes are a little different than your normal course — one hole incorporates a game of “Connect-4” into the game, and another a game of beer pong. 

The mini-golf games were designed to be accessible and inclusive to everyone. From beginners to Tiger Woods, there’s a place for you at Puttshack. It has a variety of clubs to accommodate for each person’s height and the course also has wheelchair ramps and other accessible ways to get around, making the fun available for everyone. In addition, Puttshack is proud to be an environmentally friendly company, as the entire mini-golf course was constructed from recycled materials is powered by renewable energy.  

Puttshack is an exciting site to check out because of its vibrant courses blended with modern technology. It’s an amazing experience designed for people of all ages and expertise levels and can be the perfect place for a fun night out. Whether you are stopping by with family or friends, Puttshack mini-golf is a must-see destination for people looking to have a one-of-a-kind, memorable time playing a seemingly childish game. 

words_audrey adl. photo_ethan dosa. design_emily collins & lizzie kristal.

This article was published in Distraction’s Spring 2023 print issue.