No summer is complete without at least one maddening round trying to get past the windmill.
It's an August evening in New Jersey, and you've already hit the beach, imbibed ice-cream and gone for a leisurely, sun-dappled stroll with your sweetheart. What's left to do to complete the perfect summer day?
Miniature golf, natch. The sport if not of champions than at least of kids, kids at heart and first daters everywhere, mini golf can be exciting, challenging and sometimes maddening. (Why is that pesky windmill so hard to get past?) It's also perfect for an outing with family or friends (provided you leave your hyper-competitive cousin at home).
And unlike actual golf, you're not constantly getting shushed and you get to use a brightly colored ball. (We'll take the orange one, thank you.)
Lucky for Garden State residents, New Jersey boasts a considerable number of mini golf optionss. From castles guarded by fire-breathing dragons to glow-in-the-dark monster golf, there is no shortage of options plenty of options.
Some of our favorite courses are perfect for beginners or small children, while others are better suited for more seasoned mini golfers looking for a challenge. Nearly all of them are intricately detailed -- you might even forget you're in New Jersey when you're golfing on a gigantic wooden pirate ship.
In the gallery above, we've highlighted nine mini golf outlets, including one with multiple locations. By no means is this list comprehensive, so if you have other suggestions, please add them in the comments section below. And remember, take your time on that 18th hole -- a free game might very well be at stake!
Sydney Shaw may be reached at sshaw@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ShawshankSyd. Find NJ.com on Facebook.