Saybrook Point
Miniature Golf Return
to Connecticut
Page
154
College St (RT 154)
Old Saybrook, CT
(860)
388-2407
New Course
Click HERE for our review of the previous course at this location.
Par: 45
Cost: $5
Difficulty:
2
Creativity:
4
Atmosphere:
9
The Putting
Penguin Team and Autumn Sutherland, owner of Matterhorn Mini Golf (http://www.matterhornminigolf.com),
played Saybrook Point Miniature Golf course on a
beautiful summer day, and we were even filmed by Amanda Kulkoski
and Olivia Schanandore who are working on their
“Through the Windmill” documentary!
The setting of
this course on the mouth of the Connecticut River is quite stunning. There’s a constant breeze, and there are
boats sailing up and down river within sight of the course. The setting also, unfortunately, is
vulnerable to storms, and the previous course at this location was destroyed
during Hurricane Sandy. In fall 2013 a
completely rebuilt Saybrook Point Miniature Golf was
opened to the public. The course has obstacles that will look very familiar to
the locals. Holes are themed on the Saybrook Breakwater Lighthouse, Old Saybrook
fireboat, Town Hall, and the 17th century fort that once stood on
the Point. The course is in excellent
condition. The only wear that was
noticed was on the Schoolhouse (hole 8).
Music is played on the course adding to the ambiance. While we normally like a 19th
hole, the 18th hole on this course does offer a chance at a free
game and is rather unique. It looks like
a basketball court, with a bucket getting you a free game, in honor of the local
high school.
The course is
well landscaped. No vegetation was in
the way when we tried to make our shots.
Some of the plastic cups are a little shallow, which can cause the ball
to bounce out. We honestly had no major
complaints about the course. Though there is no shade on the course, the
coastal breeze keeps players comfortable while they’re on the course. The course is also well laid out. Even though there were a couple dozen players
on the course with us we didn’t feel crowded at all. The course offers
discounted play on Mondays for children ($3) and Wednesdays for seniors
($3). This is a great course for kids
and novices. The course is not difficult
at all, and the average player will easily be able to make par. Overall we highly recommend this course. It’s a great value at only $5! The course is in great shape, the staff is
friendly, and the local flavor makes for a great experience.
Reviewed
by Pat, Mandy, Autumn and Putt
Filmed by Amanda
& Olivia
Reviewed
in 2014
Previous Course
Par: 45
Cost: $5 weekend/$4
weekday
2002 Ratings 2008
Update
Difficulty:
4 Difficulty:
3
Creativity:
4 Creativity:
3
Atmosphere:
6 Atmosphere:
6
Don’t
let the seemingly low scores fool you; this is really a decent course worth
playing if you happen to be on the
The
course itself was well maintained for the harsh conditions it must endure
during the year. They pumped in some
good tunes to help you pass the time while waiting for the group ahead of you.
The grounds were manicured and everything was freshly painted. Unfortunately, this is another course that
insists on using thorn bushes as part of its landscaping and it isn’t cool when
these bushes are overgrowing onto the walkway.
Little kids won’t be very happy when they go to putt a ball and end up
with a thorn or two in the leg. Adults
probably won’t be that happy either if they caught one in the leg. That’s why it still amazes us every time we
see a course that uses thorn bushes. The
carpets also needed some overhaul. The
seams between pieces stuck out and played a bit of havoc with the path of the
ball. In some areas, there was a
discernible dip where the two pieces of carpet came together. Although not nearly as bad as some courses
we’ve seen, these imperfections do interfere with play a bit. They pale in comparison, though, to one of
the biggest design flaws we’ve seen in a mini-golf course. While we’re not big fans of the starting mat
(those ones that have three holes to place your ball in) to begin with, the
ones at this course were especially bad.
There were set behind the beginning of the hole, on the walkway leading
up to the hole. Thus you had to putt off the mat and over the metal piece that marked the
beginning of the hole before you got to the carpet. With multiple bumps like that, it’s very hard
to hit a hole in one because you never know what direction the ball will take
when it drops off the mat and hits the metal piece. In addition, this course also had the
terrible metal cups in the holes, which are conducive to nothing but shots that
bounce off the lip or rim around the lip.
Although scoring multiple holes-in-one isn’t essential to having a fun
time at the mini-golf, the thrill of sinking one isn’t something you want taken
away by bad hole accessories.
Overall,
the course has good general atmosphere, but lacks when it comes to the
details. Creatively, it was nothing
spectacular and there wasn’t anything overly difficult about most the
holes. All told, it was an average
course and about what you would expect from a boardwalk mini-golf.
(As
an interesting side note, according to the scorecard, this course is actually
under the management of the
2008 Update
Well, it took us 6 years to
get back, but we have re-reviewed Saybrook Point
Miniature Golf. Not much has changed
since we were last there. In fact, we
feel pretty much the same about it. The
mats are still worn and loose. The
bushes are still in the way at times. The
rubber mats are still there. Most of the
tin cups are still there, and a couple have been replaced with plastic
(evidence of some course maintenance).
On a positive note the
course, in general, looks good. We’re
big fans of locally inspired obstacles.
We like the location along the CT River.
Considering the price is so reasonable we recommend this course to
anyone who’s in the area and looking for a way to spend an hour with the kids
or to kill time while you’re waiting for a table at the Dock and Dine
Restaurant next door.
Reviewed
by Pat, Mandy and Putt
Reviewed
in 2002 & 2008
New Course Pictures (click to enlarge)
See our Flickr
set for pictures of all 18 holes and more
Previous Course Pictures (click to enlarge)
Map
Par: 45
Cost: $5 for
adults
Difficulty: 6
Creativity: 10
Atmosphere: 10
Love the theme of
this course - mini town of Old Saybrook. Average to
slightly above on difficulty. Great setting - love the ocean & I played in
mid-July so no weather issues.
Reviewed by:
Glenda R
Reviewed in 2017
Visitor Review #1 (Old Course) (2004)
Par: 45
Cost: $5 for
adults
Difficulty: 4
Creativity: 4
Atmosphere: 6
Living in CT,
only minutes from this course, it's hard to believe I've actually played it --
typically doing this only on vacation. While this course already has a review,
I thought I'd add my own two-cents. Namely, about the only thing this course
has going for it is location, being on the shoreline. That said, the location
isn't much to boast about, being a rather congested and busy area. The
creativity and ambiance of the course does nothing to distract one from
noticing everything happening around them. If you've read the other review,
which I agree with to a large extent, you'll find this review reinforces some
of the more negative aspects. My children, at ages 4 and 6 (and the reason I
played this course in the first place) found this to be a very difficult
course. That's because, as the other reviewer pointed out, the ball has many
opportunities to bounce prior to ever rolling on the green. In addition, some
of the holes were challenging to a child who cannot hit the ball with much
force or accuracy. While you could easily put around or through the obstacles,
I was struck by how many times my children's golf balls got stuck right in the
middle of the obstacle. Despite some of these sentiments, the most negative
aspect of the course for me was the copious placement of rules/regulations and
what happens when you break them. While I recognize that abuse can take place,
I feel that the rules/regs could be handed out in a
more ascetically pleasing manner. For example, at hole #1 there is a big sign
about what to do and not do. Lost ball, 50 cents, broken club, $5 (reasonable
perhaps but very much in-your-face) -- not to mention that a few times my kids
managed to hit the ball into the prickly bushes that line the course, making retrieval
a less than comfortable effort! At nearly every hole, printed in bold white
letters on the red landscaping border was another rule reminding you that
you’re under close surveillance and one step away from trouble the entire time.
For a carefree activity, this gave the atmosphere a rather uneasy feeling. For
your money, you can find many more pleasing miniature golf experiences
elsewhere.
Reviewed by: Tony
Reviewed in 2004