{"id":846,"date":"2011-02-23T22:53:05","date_gmt":"2011-02-24T05:53:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lagoonhistory.com\/project"},"modified":"2026-02-20T18:20:51","modified_gmt":"2026-02-21T01:20:51","slug":"golf-fun","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/lagoonhistory.com\/project\/attractions\/golf-fun\/","title":{"rendered":"Golf Fun \/ Putter Around The Park"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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\"Golf-Fun\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

a.k.a. Golf Fun USA
Opened: 21 Apr 1962
Closed: 1980
Location: Central Midway<\/a>
Designed By: Holmes Cook – New York City, New York
Cost: $35,000
Number Of Holes: 18<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Golf-Fun ticket booth on the 4th of July, 1962. Photo: Salt Lake Tribune<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lagoon’s original miniature golf course, Golf-Fun, was designed by Holmes Cook, a “nationally-recognized designer and consultant for miniature golf courses.” Other parks with courses designed by Cook included Palisades Park in New Jersey and Rocky Glen Park in Pennsylvania. He also developed golf ball dispensing machines for driving ranges and coin-operated batting cages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Within Lagoon’s miniature golf course was a fountain, waterfall and a pond. Golf-Fun was considered a success by the end of the first season when the special felt used for the “green” was worn down from heavy use and had to be replaced for the following season. Park manager Robert Freed said he regularly found people still playing the course when turning lights out at 1:30 a.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Golf-Fun
Postcard showing Golf-Fun some time in the 1960s. Shared by Alan Clark.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Beginning in 1965, each hole on the 18-hole course represented a particular area of the United States and the name changed to Golf Fun USA. Clues about which states were featured can be found in the background of photos. In addition to the elements shown below, there are also signs visible in various photos for Rhode Island, Vermont and Louisiana.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A. Seagull Monument (Utah) B. Washington Monument (Washington, DC) C. Steamboat D. Alligator (Louisiana? Florida?) E. Statue Of Liberty (New York) F. Barn or covered bridge G. Cactus (Arizona? New Mexico?) H. Lighthouse<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
GOLF-FUN GALLERY<\/h6>\n\n\n