Mini golf is understandably characterized as a family-friendly recreational activity. But a round of mini golf might be able to help novice golfers young and old fine-tune some important skills that can be applied on traditional courses. While a round of mini golf won’t help golfers sharpen their long games and add distance to their drives, it might help them bolster their short games. Mini golf courses can help golfers learn to analyze the slope and speed of a green and can help them work on their grip and touch, both of which are very important for players’ short games. Mini golf also might help golfers learn to work around obstacles. While golfers are unlikely to encounter any clowns or windmills on a traditional course, learning to strategize when confronting such obstacles on a mini golf course may teach novice golfers the importance of playing patiently and strategizing when confronting obstacles like trees and bunkers at their local courses.