Putter’s Paradise Miniature Golf                                       Return to Connecticut Page

 

1823 Wilbur Cross Hwy
Berlin, CT 06037

(860) 828-7518

Cost: $4.50

Par: Challenging- 48, Obstacles- 39

 

Challenging Putting Course

Difficulty: 10*

Creativity: 2

Atmosphere: 0

*see below for an breakdown of this number- in short this course was hard for all the wrong reasons

 

Putting Through Obstacles

Difficulty: 10*

Creativity: 2

Atmosphere: 0

 

2001 Review

Terrible.  If we had to describe this course in one word that would be it.  The only thing we liked about this course is that they gave you metal-head putters instead of the normal rubber-head.  The first reason this course is terrible is the overall condition of the course.  Much of the ancillary parts of the course, such as the waterfalls or little rivers, are dry and any objects set along this course (as opposed to the “Obstacles course”) are poorly constructed and in disrepair.  In many places the mats are worn down almost to the concrete and there are seams showing on almost every hole.  In addition, there are many divots or canyons in which the ball can easily get stuck.  Much of this is due to the design of the drainage system on this course.  Instead of doing something real with the drainage, the proprietors obviously felt that the easiest and cheapest solution would be to make sure all the holes have a severe slope to them, and that the mat forms a chasm in some places for the water to run off, or for a ball to get hopelessly stuck.

 

This leads us to the second problem of the course: hole design.  On 90% of the holes on this course, if you don’t nail the hole in the first shot, you’re doomed to at least a 3, more likely a 4, 5, or 6.  Granted this is supposed to be the “challenging” course, but even great miniature golfers will find this sort of challenge frustrating. Trying to hit a two after missing the first shot is near impossible.  Part of this has to do with the severe slope mentioned above.  If you miss the cup by a ¼ inch, you’re doomed to watch the ball roll 15 feet, no matter how hard you hit it.  If you hit the ball a bit too hard or soft off the tee, it’s almost guaranteed to fly over and land in a ditch or roll back helplessly to the tee.  Any skill you have won’t help you much on this course, save for a few flat, decently built holes, but those are rare. Another drawback is that on at least 50% of the holes, the cup is set on the top of a little mound, making landing anywhere near the cup out of the question.  If you don’t put it in the hole, you’re easily looking at a 5-10 foot putt every single time.  There are no “tap-ins” on this course.  One hole was even designed so that the carpet was pushed about a ½ inch up the back wall so that it is impossible to bounce the ball off the wall.  Since the hole sloped towards the back, unless you hit the ball right in off the tee, or are lucky enough to get it away from the bottom of the hill and right into the bottom of the cup, you’re doomed to a 5 or 6.  Further proof of the poor design of the holes is the “clumping effect” that we saw on nearly every hole.  This effect is simply that no matter where you hit the ball, no matter how hard you hit it, the design of the hole brings all the balls to the same spot. 

 

What may be the worst hole on the course is the “Criss-cross” of holes 5 and 15.  Essentially these two holes form and “X” with tees on one end and holes on the other, sharing the same green space.  Now, this causes a problem when two different groups arrive on this hole at the same time.  Because of the lack of signs to tell you what’s going on, it seems as if you can shoot at either hole, causing a huge headache for everyone involved.  Players and balls get in the way of each other and the place turns into a mess.  There was no creativity at all on this course, as most holes are just knock-offs of the standard mini-golf holes. 

 

It’s because of all these factors that this course ranks a 10 in difficulty.  However, we consider this to be a bad 10 and not a good 10.  The holes themselves are not designed to be difficult in a good way, with fancy water hazards, sand traps or other devices that we have seen on other courses.  They are designed to make you frustrated once you miss the first putt.  Now, we know this may seem like the disgruntled ramblings of a bunch of people who didn’t do well, but it’s not.  In fact, one of our group hit under par, and two of our group hit within eight strokes of par.  Basically, this course is terrible and provides no fun whatsoever, especially when compared to the rest of the miniature golf courses we’ve played (and the one down the street).  It’s so bad that we couldn’t even bring ourselves to play its sister course.  Stay away from this course at all costs; it’s not even worth the lower than normal price they charge.

 

2005 Update

Yikes.  So we tried giving this course another go and it still was as bad as the first time we played it.  This time we started with the obstacle course and while slightly better than the challenging course, we ended up with many of the same conclusions (especially the clumping effect).  The drainage system was still flawed and many times I had to put my ball out of the drainage hole.  We’ll just say that after giving this course a second chance we won’t be playing there ever again.

 

2011 Update

 

Putting Through Obstacles

Difficulty: 4

Creativity: 4

Atmosphere: 5

 

We are pleased to report a far better experience on this course than in past years!  We played one of the courses again as part of the Putt Putt for Charity Mini-Golf Tournament sponsored by American Eagle Federal Credit Union.  Even though we have some of the same complaints about some of the carpets in disrepair, the drainage holes, and the chance that your ball will bounce out of the cup; we did find the obstacles were is very good condition.  Overall we had a some-what enjoyable experience.  (Of course it didn’t hurt that play was free with advance registration.)  We would still not recommend anyone go out of their way to play the course, but we would recommend that any local family at least sign up for this even next year.  Not only are you donating to a good cause, you also receive free gifts, such as a lunch bag.  There are also other family activities, which include go-karts, bumper boats, and a batting cage.

 

Reviewed by Pat, Mandy, Putt, Michelle, Ryan

Reviewed in 2001, 2005 & 2011

 

Visitor Review #1

Visitor Review #2

Visitor Review #3

Visitor Review #4

Visitor Review #5

 

REVIEW IT

 

 

Putters Paradise                Putters Paradise                Putters Paradise

 

Putters Paradise                Putters Paradise

 

2011 Pictures

 

Putters Paradise                Putters Paradise                Putters Paradise

 

Putters Paradise                Putters Paradise                Putters Paradise

 

 

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Visitor Review #5 (2017)

 

Cost: $5.75

Par: Challenging- 48, Obstacles- 39

 

Obstacles

Difficulty: 5

Creativity: 7

Atmosphere: 7                                                                      

 

Putting through obstacles - Liked this course because I enjoy the courses with traditional mini golf obstacles. The obstacles were fairly standard but I thought the way the slopes were incorporated was rather creative. Did not see any problem with drainage. Staff was quite helpful for this type of facility - since it was not busy I was allowed to play both courses for one price - but found the putting challenge course not worth the bother.

 

Reviewed by: Glenda R

Reviewed in 2017

 

Visitor Review #4 (2010)

 

Cost: $4.75

Par: Challenging- 48, Obstacles- 39

 

Obstacles

Difficulty: 5

Creativity: 5

Atmosphere: 7                                                                      

 

After reading all the previous reviews of this course I expected to be in for something terrible.  Boy, was I surprised!  We enjoyed an afternoon on the obstacle course.  Maybe the course has been fixed up recently.  All the greens were in great shape with beautiful green carpet.  There were many obstacles such as windmills and ferris wheels that all functioned properly.  The water was flowing throughout all the waterfalls and other water areas.  This was fun course to play and had its fair share of challenges too.  We did not try the putting course next to it, but will certainly be back to do so sometime.

 

Reviewed by: Roger Katz

Reviewed in 2010

 

Visitor Review #3 (2008)

 

1823 Berlin Turnpike

Berlin, CT

(860) 828-7518

 

Cost: $4.75

Par: Challenging- 48, Obstacles- 39

 

Challenging Course 

Difficulty: 10

Creativity: 1

Atmosphere: 1                                                                      

 

We agree with the previous reviews!  This should be called Putter's UnParadise...Our family of 4--(2 adults, 17 yr old and 9 yr old) has been on a putt-putt vacation this week and has visited several mini-golf courses in CT.  This one by far is the worst! It is out to rob anyone of a good time. We chose the challenging course because the obstacle course was quite crowded with little kids.  We finished all 18 holes with mostly 5's and 6's--(whereas just coming from Safari Golf down the road, our scores were rarely in the 5's and the atmosphere was much more enjoyable) Putter's atmosphere could use some sprucing up. The whale could
also use some water. Very pathetic!  Since all the holes are set up on a slope and just about every cup is up on a mound, we were fighting a losing battle.
Also, several greens had areas of little stones that seemed to have a magnetic pull that just lured the ball right into that area. It was a stroke penalty right there to get it out and make it playable.  The balls often ended up together in huddles, with no room for a decent putt.  When we left, we all vowed never to play there again. We would bypass this golfing nightmare and stay on course to Safari Golf.

 

Reviewed by: Michele

Reviewed in 2008

 

Visitor Review #2 (2004)

 

Cost: $4.50

Par: Challenging- 48, Obstacles- 39

 

Challenging Course 

Difficulty: 1

Creativity: 1

Atmosphere: 1                                                                      

 

You people were right on the money on this golf course. This course sucks majorly! There is hardly any shade to go under which is the worst part because it is only open in the summer when it is dieing hot out. I'm surprised no one had a heat stroke because it gets so hot out there plus it is on a hill. I totally agree with you guys when you say that it is a total waste of your money if you go to this course.

 

Reviewed by: Amy

Reviewed in 2004

 

Visitor Review #1 (2005)

 

Cost: $4.50

Par: Challenging- 48, Obstacles- 39

 

Challenging Course 

Difficulty: 10

Creativity: 1

Atmosphere: 1                                                                      

 

People will have bad comments about one of the courses at this location (the hard course) and I must agree with them as this course was designed by a masochist who obviously did not want to give anyone the opportunity of actually having fun with the exception of the first 3 holes and 18th hole.  While the cost was

good, the course itself was devilishly hard even for a good player. Do not take any beginning players here or they will be turned off from miniature golf because they will not have any good scores and as such will only have fun if they enjoy getting 5's and 6's on every hole.  Many holes were designed so that if you do not get a hole in one (not likely) you will get maybe a 3 or 4 and quite likely a 5 or 6.  Very frustrating even for the good player.  I will never play this course again because if was not fun and not well maintained - period. I would have more fun taking a hammer and smacking my head than playing the difficult course here!

 

Reviewed by: Marc, Lin, Milhouse, F.J and Scat

Reviewed in 2005