miniature golf rubric

Miniature Golf Course Rating System

Upkeep (1 – 10 points)10 – perfect course, looks as though it were built and finished moments before reviewer shows up, almost no leaves or sticks on

course, putting surface looks as though it were just laid down, no light bulbs out / missing on overhead lighting or hazards, teepads (if present) are in as-new condition, hazards and edging are in just-installed condition, no player trash evident anywhere on course

9 – near perfect course, constant maintaining is obvious, putting surface appears to have at least been replaced at beginning of season if not more recently, no light bulbs out / missing in hazards or overhead lighting, very few leaves or sticks on course (none affecting play), teepads (if present) show at most very minor wear, hazards and edging look as though they were all installed during current season / year, no more than very minor player trash evident on course

8 – excellently maintained course, very light wear shows on putting surface but not that affects play, no light bulbs out / missing that affect play or visibility, teepads (if present) show very little wear, very few sticks or leaves on course (play not affected in more than minor ways – none that shifts ball trajectory or flight), hazards and / or edging showing very minor wear but nothing that affects play, very little player trash available on course

7 – well maintained course, putting surface beginning to suggest paths most commonly taken by balls and / or players but still not affecting play, no light bulbs out that affect play but some that may affect aesthetics, teepads (if present) showing more wear but still allowing true teeing, no more than two holes have debris affecting ball flight (minor mulch or sticks in playing surface – all could be removed by employee(s) easily) and none that truly block play, hazards and / or edging need minor touchups / repair but still do not affect play,

6 – slightly above average maintained course, putting surface suggests paths on some holes but not on all and does not affect play on more than two holes, no lightbulbs missing that affect play, teepads (if present) show wear (especially in one tee) and may cause players to choose certain tees to avoid wear, one hole may have major but easily removed debris which must be moved to allow play or some (3-5) have minor debris affecting ball flight but still allowing play, hazards / edging showing wear that does not affect play but is obvious to player(s)

5 – average course in mid playing season, surface showing wear on common paths on nearly every hole may slightly affect ball flight pulling to the side on some (3-5) holes, missing lightbulbs may begin to affect play due to darkness, teepads (if present) showing wear cause player to avoid certain tees on some (3-5) holes, one or two holes may have major but easily removed debris or many (7-9) holes have minor debris allowing play but affecting ball flight, hazards / edging showing wear and needing minor repair(s) and allowing play but may begin to minorly affect play

4 – late season course, surface showing wear on common paths on nearly every hole may affect ball flight pulling to side on many (6-10) holes and possibly even causing major pulling on few (1-2) holes, teepads (if present) showing major wear but still functional on at least two tees per hole (one tee must be avoided on most holes), two or three holes may have major but easily removed debris or most (10-18) holes have minor debris allowing play but affecting ball flight, hazards / edging in need of repair in many places on course allowing but affecting play in rare occasions

3 – poorly maintained course, surface showing major wear (needing to be replaced but no complete surface holes) on some (3-5) holes and obvious wear affecting play on all holes, teepads (if present) allow putting from no more than two tees on any hole and fewer than two on many holes, major but easily moved debris may be present on many holes (4-8) or minor debris affecting ball flight on all holes or even immovable and blocking debris on one hole, hazards / edging in need of repair and commonly affecting play on some (3-5) holes

2 – course in need of closing for repairs, surface showing major repair need on all holes (possibly with surface holes all the way through) on some (1-5) holes, obvious wear affecting play on all holes, teepads (if present) are in need of replacing and may in fact be missing though intended on some holes, debris present and affecting play on all holes, most (9+) holes have major debris and some (2-4) may have immovable debris causing play to be totally blocked, hazards / edging in need of major repair and affecting play on many (6-12)

1 – course nearly unplayable, many (6-12) holes showing surface holes but some show only major wear without holes in surface, teepads (if intended) missing or unplayable on many (5+) holes, debris is prevalent and often easier to see than putting surface, many (5+) holes unplayable because of debris, hazards / edging missing or majorly affecting play on most (13+) holes

0 – course unplayable because of lack of maintenance

Difficulty (1 – 10 points)10 – some (4-5) holes present reasonable ace opportunities and par two or lower, most (10-14) holes par two or three with unlikely

aces, some (2-4) holes par three to five with aces being nearly impossibletoo easy too hard

par ≤2aces reasonable

to likely

par 2-3aces unlikely,but possible

par 3-5aces nearly impossble

par ≤2aces reasonable

par 2-3aces unlikely, but possible

par 3-5aces nearly impossble

10 4-6 9-12 2-4 4-5 9-12 2-4

9 4-8 7-13 1-3 3-4 8-12 3-6

8 5-9 6-12 1-3 2-3 8-12 4-7

7 6-10 6-11 1-2 1-2 7-11 6-9

6 7-11 6-11 0-1 0-1 7-11 7-10

5 8-12 5-10 0-1 0-1 6-10 8-11

4 9-13 5-9 0 0-1 4-7 10-13

3 11-15 3-7 0 0-1 2-6 12-15

2 13-17 1-5 0 0 1-4 14-17

1 15-18 1-3 0 0 0-2 16-18

0 18 0 0 0 0 18

Course Creativity (1 – 10 points)(deals only with holes themselves – not with surroundings)

Contours Hole variety Unique holes Barriers

ExcellentTakes advantage of natural-appearing

contours

Half of holes (8-10) use barriers, half (8-10) use hole shaping

for difficulty

Many (12+) holes are unique to this course – have never been seen on another course –

others are still creative

No barriers are repeated. Every barrier is different

throughout course.

Very Good

Takes advantage of man-made contours

One style is more common (11-14) but some hole (4-7) are

in other style

Some holes (1-11) are unique to this course but others are at least

still creative (not boring)

Few (< 50%) barriers are duplicated

AverageHas very little

contour to holes

One style dominates (15-17) but other style is at least present (1 hole)

No holes are unique to course but most holes (11+) are still deemed

as creative and not boring

Many barriers are repeated (> 50%)

Below Average

All holes are flatOne style present on

every hole

No unique holes and many holes (8+) are boring showing little

creativity

Most barriers are repeated (> 75%) and

some are repeated multiple times

To determine score: excellent = 4 very good = 3 average = 2 below average = 1

Pts 16 15-14 13 12-11 9 8-7 6 5-4 3 2-1Score 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Surrounding Attractiveness (1 – 10 points)

Course Setting (not on course property)

Harmony with Surroundings Plantings Upkeep

4

Breathtaking surroundings, either outstanding & unique architecture in buildings or

gorgeous natural beauty (cliffs, waterfalls, redwoods)

Surroundings are echoed in design of course property – natural setting has natural landscaping, city setting

has city plantings

Variety in plantings including grass, groundcover

(evergreen), and 3+ varieties of flowering plants

All plantings are lush and well maintained,

even during harsh weather – no dead

plants

3

Surroundings not breathtaking but very

pleasant (country farms, old buildings)

Course attempts to echo surroundings but falls short (natural

setting has natural plantings but more groomed than surroundings,

city setting has jungle-style plantings)

Some plantings more than just plain grass

Most plantings are flourishing but some evidence of letting some plantings go

(either toward too much growth or toward death)

2Plain but not bothersome surroundings (strip malls, businesses, subdivisions)

Course does not match setting but does not directly clash with

surroundings

Plain grass surrounding holes – no plantings other than

grass

Most plants flourishing but some dead

OrAll plants are alive but

not flourishing

1

Surroundings disrupt play are bothersome to a serious player (flashing lights,

sounding horns, stench from landfill)

Course seems like an island in its settings – clashing garishly even at first glance (e.g. jungle plantings in

city setting)

No plantings present – no grass, no live landscaping

No plantingsOr

No flourishing plants and at least some dead

plants

Pts 16 15-14 13 12-11 9 8-7 6 5-4 3 2-1Score 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Equipment (1 – 10 points)

Putters Balls Pencils Scorecard Card Holders Notes

10 (

near

-pe

rfec

t) Many lengths available

(including kiddie and tall adult)

At least six colors available, all well

stocked

Easily found near balls and putters, all are sharpened,

like new

Room for 4-5 players, space to

total front and back nine scores, pars

for each hole listed

At least one for every hole, pencil

rail on each holder, clip to hold down

scorecard

Balls and putters must be free for

choice by players WITHOUT employee assistance

9

Course meets five of six near-perfect categories above, sixth category is still average or better but not at near-perfect level required for 10 points. For example, six balls colors may be available but two are not well stocked. For example, putter lengths and ball colors may be plentiful but require employee assistance to switch putters or balls. For example, scorecard holders are

present but do not feature pencil rails and scorecard clips.

8Course meets four of six near-perfect categories and other two categories are still average or better but not at near-perfect level. For example, putter selection shows three putter lengths only (acceptable but not near-perfect) AND scorecard has room for only

two player scores.

7

Course meets three of six near-perfect categories and other three categories are still average or better but not at near-perfect level.OR

Five categories at near-perfect level but sixth category is below average but still present. For example, pencils are available but not sharpened (clearly reused) but all other categories are at near-perfect level.

6Course meets one or two of six near-perfect categories and other four or five categories are still average or better but not at near-

perfect level.OR

Four categories are at near-perfect but two categories are below average – for example, only two ball colors available and putter choice is made by employee, but all four other categories are near-perfect.

5No categories are near-perfect, but all six categories are average or above.

ORTwo or three categories are near-perfect but three or four categories are below average.

Ave

rage

Putters Balls Pencils Scorecard Holders Notes

Three putter lengths / styles are

available. All putters are in used but good condition.

Three colors of ball are available and well stocked.

Pencil supply is low but present.

Pencils are sharpened but not all are fresh out of

packaging.

Scorecard has room for two-three players. No room to total front/back

nine. No pars listed for each

hole.

Card holders are present on at least half of holes. No pencil rail or card

clip present.

Putter and ball choices may be

made by employee but can be exchanged.

4Five or four categories are average and two or one are below average but above unacceptable.

ORFive categories are average and one is unacceptable.

3Three categories are average and three are below average but above unacceptable.

ORFour categories are average and two are unacceptable.

2Two categories are average and four are below average but above unacceptable.

ORThree categories are average and three are unacceptable.

1One category is average and five are below average but above unacceptable.

ORTwo categories are average and four are unacceptable.

0 (unacceptable)

All categories are below average OR five or more categories are unacceptable.

Putters Balls Pencils Scorecards Holders Notes

One style / length of putter available. Putters are in need

of replacing.

One color ball available. Balls look like used range balls.

No pencils / pens are available.

No scorecards are available.

No holders available.

Balls and putter choices made by player are moot

because there are no choices to be

made.

Cost (1 – 10 points – all costs are for first 18 holes)

10 Cost is ≤$2 per play. Multiple game packages are available for cheaper play (e.g. 10 games for $10, replay for cheaper price, playing two courses at same time cheaper). Special times may be cheaper.

9$2<cost≤$3 with multiple game packages and/or special times cheaper

ORCost≤$2 but no multiple packages or special times available.


OR$2<Cost≤$3 but no multiple packages or special times available









3 $8<cost≤$9 with multiple game packages and/or special times cheaper



OR$<8Cost≤$9 but no multiple packages or special times available



0Cost>$11 with multiple game packages and/or special times cheaper


Lesser Categories (formerly known as bonuses – all positive unless noted)

Mechanized hazards (0,1,2 points) – must be part of hole (not merely design between holes), must require timing of hazard’s movements by player, must be in

working order 0 points = no mechanized hazards 1 point = one or two mechanized hazards 2 point = more than mechanized hazards

Staffing (-2, -1, 0, +1, +2 points) +2 points = employee(s) found easily near course, payment taken in friendly manner, employees are knowledgeable and

helpful about course and other attractions +1 point = employee(s) found easily near course, payment taken, employees are personable though not forthcoming with

information 0 points = employee(s) found easily near course, not rude to customers, not personable, could be replaced with functional

automated teller machine -1 points = employee(s) found less easily, may require ringing bell or calling for employee(s), employee(s) are less than

personable, actually seem bothered by customers’ presence -2 points = employee(s) cannot be found and/or are dismissive of (possibly nasty to) customer(s)

Hole options (0,1,2 points) 0 points = all holes must be played along same path from tee to hole 1 point = one or two holes require player to make choice of which path to take or which hole to hit to, easier path or target

typically involves a less direct route (high risk=high reward) 2 points = more than two holes requiring choices of play (high risk=high reward)

Multiple-level holes (0,1,2 points) multiple-level holes cannot have alternative paths that make them single-level holes, separate levels must be connected by

jumps or holes/pipes NOT by putting surface, connection between levels (ramp, jump, pipe, hole) must be in working order, mere changes in elevation connected by one putting surface DOES NOT mean multiple-levels

0 points = no multiple-level holes 1 point = one or two multiple-level holes 2 points = more than two multiple-level holes

Lighting (0,1,2 points) 0 points = no lights 1 point = course is lit for night play but with blind spots or dim lighting 2 points = effective lights provided at all holes making play at night easy

Unifying theme (0,1,2,3,4 points) 0 points = no theme unifying holes or course 1 point = theme carried throughout course decoration but not to holes themselves (holes could be found on any course

regardless of theme) 2 points = theme incorporated throughout decorations AND most holes 3 points = theme carried through course decoration AND ALL holes 4 points = theme carried through course decoration AND ALL holes AND name of mini-golf establishment

Non-mini golf entertainment (0,1,2 points) 0 points = only mini golf is present

1 points = one or two other attractions present (e.g. arcade [not just one or two game machines], batting cage, go-carts, driving range, trampoline basketball)

2 points = more than two other attractions present

Snack bar (0,1,2 points) 0 points = no food or drinks served, may have automated snack/drink machines 1 point = minimum snacks/drinks available (chips, candy, carbonated beverages) 2 points = vast snack and drink options available, some of which require actual multi-step preparation (more than heating

nacho cheese, more than pulling an ice-cream lever, more like hamburgers and sandwiches, possibly complex ice cream sundaes)

Edging material (+2, +1, 0, -1, -2) +2 points = edging material for each hole provides consistent and appropriate bounces (solid metal edging, smooth concrete

edging) AND is chosen to match course theme (if no theme is present, cannot earn +2 points) +1 point = edging material for each hole provides consistent and appropriate bounces (solid metal edging, smooth concrete

edging) but DOES NOT match course theme 0 points = edging material provides mostly consistent bounces with rare bad bounces due to edging type (smooth concrete

with widely-spaced gaps) -1 point = edging material provides regular bad bounces (rounded timbers, decorative bricks) BUT material does match

course theme or edging is missing in many places (other than openings to hazards) due to thematic design -2 points = edging material provides regular bad bounces (rounded timbers, decorative bricks) and does not have a redeeming

theme and / or is missing in many places (other than openings to hazards) Course length (+5, +2, 0, -2, -5)

+5 points = three or more full eighteen-hole courses playable +2 points = two full eighteen-hole courses available 0 points = one full eighteen-hole course playable -2 points = between 9 and 18 holes playable (may be due to unplayable holes or simply incomplete course) -5 points = no more than 9 holes playable (either only nine created or enough unplayable holes)

Course surface (+3, 0, -3) +3 points = natural grass in good condition 0 points = artificial turf in any playable condition -3 points = concrete putting surface (seriously, I’ve played on one of these) or other non-turf surface (unless surface is easily

playable AND matches course theme)

Souvenirs (0,1,2 points) 0 points = no free souvenirs given to players 1 point = pencils have course name printed on them and are free OR scorecard has course name, room for player name(s) and

total scores and is decorative/colorful enough to be considered a souvenir 2 points = BOTH pencils with printed course name AND scorecard with course name and room for player name(s) and total

scores and is decorative/colorful enough to be considered a souvenir

Scoring Sheet ___ Total Points out of 90 Possible Points

Category Upkeep DifficultyCourse

CreativitySetting Attract.

Equip. Cost

Pts Possible

1-10 1-10 1-10 1-10 1-10 1-10

Pts Earned

Comment

Category Mech Hazards Staff Hole Options Multi-Levels Light Theme

Pts Possible

0, 1, 2 -2, -1, 0, 1, 2 0, 1, 2 0, 1, 2 0, 1, 2 0, 1, 2, 3, 4

Pts Earned

Comment

Category Non-golf Snacks EdgesCourse Length

Surface Souvenir

Pts Possible

0, 1, 2 0, 1, 2 -2, -1, 0, 1, 2 -5, -2, 0, 2, 5 -3, 0, 3 0, 1, 2

Pts Earned

Comment

miniature golf rubric

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