Tee Time

BY PADEN HUGHES

In the early years of our marriage, before kids, we golfed regularly. After our babies came, we moved the golf clubs to the attic. Now that we are past the baby stage, we are starting to introduce our kids to the game of golf. Instead of playing nine holes at one of the local golf courses, we opted for a miniature golf course, Mr. Putter’s Putt Putt located in Atascadero.

We’re a competitive bunch and decided to compete for the glory of winning. It was a classic set-up of girls versus boys. My husband, Michael, and our three-year-old son, Jackson, versus me and our five-year-old daughter, Kennedy. This adequately handicapped us, made for pretty fair teams, and set the stage for a fierce competition.

In true golfer fashion, all it takes is one good shot to convince you to play another game. Kennedy

TIP!

Mr. Putters experienced this at the very start of the game with a hole in one. She was officially hooked.

Putt Putt is open year-round and charges $10 per player per round of golf. Kids under four years old play free with a paid player.

An independent toddler, Jackson refused any and all suggestions on things like foot stance, hand placement, and the strength of the swing. Nonetheless he bagged three par scores and was incredibly pleased with himself.

Michael and I felt the dawning of a new era with kids old enough to do things we actually enjoyed.

It was a wonderful activity and one we plan to continue in the future, especially if we ever want to hit the full course.

Located in downtown Atascadero, this eighteen-hole miniature golf course is family friendly, fun, and has some great, challenging holes. In addition to the mini golf course, they also have a spot for sluicing gemstones and digging fossils, which the kids really liked. After sluicing and sifting, the kids compared their gemstones and fossils to an identification card and tucked them in a souvenir bag to take home.

This would be a fun spot for a birthday party and they even offer group discounts.

Overall, Mr Putters Putt Putt is a great way to get outside and do something fun with the whole family. SLO LIFE