The “Lost Duffer” is a kooky little mini golf course up in the University City area of Charlotte. In some ways it’s almost like they’re trying to remain “lost,” hidden in an unassuming strip mall. Our family loves mini golf (aka “putt putt”), and have found that it’s a bit of a challenge finding them in these parts. So, when we learned about the Lost Duffer, we had to check it out.
With a golfer getting lost down an old gold mine, the theme is clever and ties in with local lore. The concept and creativity were winners for us, as was the great use of compact space. Half of the course is underground, and on a hot and humid day with threatening skies, we welcomed the air-conditioned “mine shaft” below. There weren’t any big obstacles or windmills, but the most of the holes weren’t “gimmies.” We had to work for them.
I’d read a few complaints online about the course being a bit shabby, but for $5 per player I thought it was just fine. We’re not talking Ballantyne Hotel greens fees here, folks.
While I’d love to say that this outing was all rainbows and sunshine, it wasn’t. Our kids were acting crazy and my husband was taking his short game waaayyyy too seriously, which seriously annoyed me. Would Norman Rockwell have kept score on the mini golf course or yell at his 2-year old for chucking a ball into the water?
The proximity to UNCC mixed up our scene a little. If you wanted to, you could have a beer while playing (we didn’t). I also couldn’t help but smile at a lovey-dovey young couple on a date…was I imagining their looks of horror as they got to “share” in our family’s outing? Yes, I often refer to my older two children as “Buzz” and “Kill,” or “Birth” and “Control.” I started daydreaming that perhaps I was doing this young couple a service by alternating between yelling at my ill-behaved children and watching silently as they acted like a pack of wild animals. I could almost read their minds as they mentally assured themselves that their future unborn children would surely never act so bad…
The “Lost Duffer” is part of Paradise Valley Golf Course located at 110 Barton Creek Drive in Charlotte. Prices are $5 per golfer, but check Citipass books for a discount coupon. For more information, visit http://www.charlottepublicgolf.com/paradise-valley.php.
