
When I was young, playing a round of mini golf on a Sunday afternoon in the summer was practically a thing of the past. Many of the courses have disappeared - and with them the fascination that this sport can exert. Nowadays you have to look for minigolf courses with a magnifying glass.
There used to be plenty of courses in Tyrol, as minigolf was one of the tourist attractions of a place. That has now changed dramatically. I therefore set out to explore the last places in the central Inn Valley where this entertaining and less strenuous sport is still played. An activity, by the way, that is still - quite wrongly - ridiculed. Minigolf has a lot to do with the ability to concentrate, motor skills and a very special kind of calculation and stamina. I wonder why this sport is not considered for meaningful 'company incentives'.
Telfs: Tyrol's 'minigolf capital'
The fact that minigolf is played at the highest level in Telfs is undoubtedly thanks to the 'veteran' of the Tyrolean Golf Association. Toni Ploner has been an enthusiastic minigolf player for decades and is chairman of the Telfs Golf Club. He takes every opportunity to promote 'his sport'.
Toni Ploner is practically the 'bedrock' of Tyrolean minigolf. He is also chairman of the Telfs golf club. Picture: Werner Kräutler
The course at the Telfs sports center is a sight to behold. "It's a so-called 'Swedish felt golf course'," Toni tells me proudly as the Telfer club championship is being played. He explains to me what laymen like me don't know: minigolf is not always the same as minigolf. There are different course systems to choose from, so to speak. Miniature golf, miniature golf, star golf and Swedish felt golf. They differ in terms of course lengths and widths, as well as target areas of different sizes and shapes.
Founded in 1966, the Bahnengolfsportclub Telfs has around 100 members, 18 of whom are tournament players, "the majority of whom compete in the senior category", as Toni says. This also addresses the problem of this sport, that of young talent. Mini golf no longer seems to be as attractive to young people as it used to be. And yet: at the club championships on May 1st, young and old alike were romping around the Telfer course.
The course of the Bahnengolfsportclub Telfs is a 'Swedish felt golf course'. This is where the club championship is held. Picture: Werner Kräutler
I was surprised to learn that tournament players have hundreds, some even thousands of balls. "Whether the balls are hard or soft, whether they bounce off the cushion more or less, how they behave in different temperatures - all of that is crucial in tournaments," says Toni. And you need a lot of balls. So much for calculation and minigolf.
Actually unbelievable: active minigolf players own between 500 and 1,500 different golf balls. Nothing is left to chance. Picture: Werner Kräutler
Filzgolfanlage Telfs
Open from the end of April/beginning of May to the end of September/beginning of October from Tuesday to Sunday from 2 pm, weather permitting. Price per round: €5 for adults, €3 for children.
The legendary Sterngolf course in Zirl
It's hard to believe: a mini-golf course in the old 'grist and grit' style still exists in Zirl. For many years, such courses were the social meeting place for locals and tourists. Fresh air, exercise, drinks and a small menu were always attractive. Mini golf courses were something like 'regulars'. This has not changed in Zirl to this day.
Mini golf in the middle of the market town of Zirl. A social meeting place with sporting ambitions. Picture: MGC Zirl
The world's best iced coffee can be found in Zirl at the mini golf course
Friedl Kleißl built the course in 1966 on his own land. His 'star golf course' still exists in virtually its 'original state'. This is thanks to his daughter Gabi Kleißl. The owner has put her heart and soul into the course for a long time. She opens the place from Friday to Tuesday from 2 pm. The many locals and tourists alike prove how much this is appreciated. Children's birthday parties are held here, German youth groups frequent the square and locals come by for the 'world's best iced coffee', as one Innsbruck regular whispers to me. It is only logical that the mini golf course in Zirl is also home to an active club with around 45 members: the MGC Nordkette Innsbruck-Zirl not only uses the course for training, but also organizes tournaments there.
Gabi Kleißl, owner and 'heart' of the mini golf course in Zirl, in front of the trophy wall in her cozy café-restaurant in Zirl. Picture: Werner Kräutler
Sterngolfanlage Zirl
Open from June 2 to September 30. Closing days Wednesday and Thursday. Open from 2 pm. Telephone: +43 650 619 52 19
Prices for adults: 1st round € 6, 2nd round € 4, 3rd round free. Teenagers up to 14 years: 1st round € 5, 2nd round € 4, 3rd round free.
Children up to 10 years: 1st round € 4, 2nd round € 4, 3rd round free.
The mini golf course at the Baggersee in Innsbruck is particularly popular with swimmers. Picture: Werner Kräutler
Minigolf at the Baggersee in Innsbruck
There was a lot of excitement recently about the minigolf course at the Baggersee in Innsbruck. One thing is certain: the minigolf course will continue to be available to minigolf fans in the future. Innsbrucker Kommunalbetriebe (IKB) have taken over the management of the course.
Clubs can be hired from the Deck47 restaurant for a deposit. Food and drinks are also sold in the nearby Deck47 restaurant.
Minigolf am Baggersee will remain open until October 15 during the opening hours (daily 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.) of the Deck47 restaurant.
Prices for a maximum playing time of 120 minutes: Adults € 8, children up to the age of 18 € 4, deposit per player € 10.
Golf clubs for the mini golf course at the Baggersee in Innsbruck can be borrowed from the restaurant. Picture: Werner Kräutler
Minigolf in Birgitz
The minigolf course in Birgitz is a wonderful example of why such courses have always been a meeting place for locals and tourists alike. A wonderful landscape and a 'clubhouse' in the form of the Golfstüberl - perfect for hanging out and relaxing for a few hours. And above all, to enjoy one of the primarily Italian dishes on the wonderful terrace of the 'Golfwirt'.
Minigolf Birgitz, Nedergasse 3, telephone: 0664 234 93 51
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; closed on Mondays!
Prices: Adults € 6, children € 4
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A volunteer at the "Schule der Alm" alpine farming school, cultural pilgrim, Tyrol aficionado and Innsbruck fan.
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