https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Minigolf.jpg

 

 

Bridge models have been a big part of miniature golf courses for many years.  The miniature bridge models are probably as popular as the miniature dinosaurs.  So it is time for a review.  Through an unscientific survey (ie a survey which has no science and is pretty much my opinion), here are the top five mini-golf courses that feature bridges.  Counting down to #1:

 

Course Number 5:

 

City Mini-Golf in Chicago has an elaborate transit truss train bridge, a great putting hole which is also a triumph of alliteration.  To score at this hole, you must putt onto and across the deck.  In this bridge design, to make room for the golf balls, the trains were moved off their tracks to a location on top of the truss.  This is not realistic.

City Golf Chicago

 

City Minigolf https://www.cityminigolf.com/

 

Course Number 4: 

 

In England, the Rochester Bridge Trust owns and operates two highway bridges across the River Medway. The Trust also provides many excellent educational bridge resources, and it sponsors mini golf courses which aim to teach about bridges (and how great is that!):

The courses include putting obstacles which are models of Roman Bridges, the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at Dartford, and other bridges. 

 

Rochesester Bridge Trust

HM-Adventure-Golf-installation-at-Rochester-Cathedral

 

Course Number 3:

 

The Golden Gate Bridge is a popular hole at many courses, and this one is really impressive.  It is a human-sized model of the bridge, and it is detailed to look like an actual suspension bridge, not a bridge with pretend cables.

 

This model appeared at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco in 2016.

 

Golden Gate Bridge

http://seeninsanfrancisco.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/golden-gate-bridge-miniature-golf.jpg

 

Course Number 2:

 

A course in Durham, NC has holes all designed by local community members.  The best one features a bridge that unfortunately is being hit by a truck.  It is a model bridge and a model truck.

NC miniature golf

https://www.wral.com/community-designed-mini-golf-course-to-open-in-durham/18305657/

 

And the top mini-golf course with bridges is:

Course Number 1:

 

Well this may be a little biased.  My office has sponsored a charity event in which everyone designed and constructed a mini-golf hole.  That evening, the office was turned into a full course.  The best hole was a model of the Zakim Bridge.

The proceeds have gone to support a local eastern Massachusetts food bank. 

 

Zakim Briodge

By Eric Ohanian.  Photo by Tighe & Bond.