A New High-Tech Mini Golf Course Is Coming to Seaport

Puttshack’s first U.S. location in Atlanta / Photos by Parrish RDV

There are golf courses where serious golfers go to play. And then there’s mini golf courses for those of us who just want to putt around. For those who like their golf game with a cocktail or two, there’s a new must-visit mini golf course coming to the Seaport. Puttshack, a company known for its technology-driven mini golf courses, announced plans to open a Boston location in early 2022. The space will also offer ample food and drink options.

“Boston has always been a priority market for us, and we can’t wait to bring the Puttshack experience to such an energetic part of this historic city,” said Dave Diamond, president of Puttshack, in a press release.

Puttshack’s mini golf concept involves infusing technology into the game. Each ball is equipped with the brand’s Trackaball technology, which links it to your individual game profile and tracks your score for you—no more arguing over stroke counts or fudging your score. An interactive digital leader board replaces old paper and pencil score cards.

“The ball is essentially a mini computer,” says Susan Walmesley, chief marketing officer at Puttshack. “It’s tracking the shots you’re taking, if you go through a hazard…All the scores are tracked and shown every hole, so there’s no cheating. [Players] love the fact they don’t need to remember to score. What people find in mini golf is they get distracted having a good time and don’t update their scores. In this instance, they don’t have to do it. People are so excited to see their names on the screen…What we find is people take pictures of the leader boards almost as much as they take pictures of the course and each other playing.”

You’ll also find custom-themed holes, each of which offers different interactive games, so you can work on your trivia skills while waiting for your turn. New options like a digital prize wheel and a “supertube” that racks in 10+ points if you get your ball in it help keep things competitive and fresh.

Puttshack’s first U.S. location in Atlanta / Photos by Parrish RDV

The new Boston Puttshack will be located in WS Development’s newest project, which is set to combine residential, hotel, office, spaces with a variety of business and entertainment spots. They’ll be joining the likes of Equinox, SoulCycle, Shake Shack, Warby Parker, and lululemon, which are just some of the tenants slated to open up in the development.

Walmesley says Puttshack’s target demographic is young professionals—hence opening a course in the Seaport. With floor-to-ceiling windows and neon lights, the space offers an updated take on the mini golf course.

“The venue design is very high end, very sophisticated,” Walmesley says. “It’s a very upscale bar and restaurant experience, which is a little different from our childhood and what we remember from mini golf.”

With more than 26,000 square feet of space, the spot is set to offer four courses, along with craft cocktails, a selection of beers and wines, and a range of dining options inspired by street food from around the world. The company’s Atlanta menu offers a peek at what may await Boston players: farm fresh salads, flatbread pizzas, and shareable plates like Persian chicken skewers and charcuterie boards with artisanal cheese and meat selections.

Puttshack was founded by Adam Breeden, who’s the mind behind All Star Lanes bowling, AceBounce ping pong bars/restaurant and Flight Club darts club, along with Steven and Dave Jolliffe of Topgolf. The three came up with the idea for Puttshack when they realized they wanted a mini golf spot that combined the best aspects of the game with technology that would take the hassle out of the less fun bits like keeping score yourself.

“The idea is mini golf is such a fun, accessible, easy game for people to play, but everyone loves technology and gamification,” Walmesley says. “It was a combo of those two things to elevate the game.”

Puttshack’s first U.S. location in Atlanta / Photos by Parrish RDV