Miniature Golf at the Movies
March 30, 2004
Paul Hemingway, PMGA

I hate to admit this, but last weekend while laying face down on the couch contemplating an afternoon nap flipping TV channels, I stumbled upon perhaps the most influential film of my entire generation - The Karate Kid, of course.  You know the film, "Wax on, wax off," "Put him in a body bag Johnny!"  It's a classic. My mind was immediately sent rushing back twenty years to the summer I spent trying to master the undefeatable "crane" technique in my grandmother's living room. Horrible.  But as I was wrapped up watching The Karate Kid, I was impressed by Daniel Larusso's slick womanizing moves and how on his first date with Ally he insisted mom drop them off at the miniature golf course. Moments later, there's Danielson wrapping his arms around Ally, carefully instructing her on the correct putting grip and club positioning.  What a stud. 

Believe it or not, Golf N' Stuff in Norwalk, California is still standing and is still the place for aspiring Daniel Larussos to put the moves on their unsuspecting hunnies. There has been some change at Golf N' Stuff Norwalk and the big water slide is just one of the major casualties of progress, but it looks as if the movie could have been filmed yesterday! If you are in the area, go and recreate your own Karate Kid date at  Golf N' Stuff at Norwalk at 10555 E. Firestone Blvd.

This made me curious - are there any other prominently displayed miniature golf courses from the movies that are still standing, and where in the world are they? We're happy to post any information you might have and for starters, here's a list to chew on:

• BATTLEFIELD EARTH 2001
• BLACK KNIGHT 2001
• BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER 1997
• DUDE, WHERE'S MY CAR? 2000
• FRANKENWEENIE 1984 Disney Tim Burton.
• GOOD BURGER 1997
• LOVE STINKS 1999
• ME, MYSELF, & IRENE June 23rd, 2000 Starring Jim Carey
  They stayed at the 'Cheeky Cheese and miniature golf resort'
• OVERBOARD 1987 Cast: Kurt Russell, Goldie Hawn.
• STUART LITTLE 1999 ­ Stuart's fake parents, the Stouts, have a summer home in the castle overlooking the ninth fairway of a miniature golf course.
• THE FLINTSTONES 1994
• THE JERK 1979 Steve Martin
• TWISTER 1988

Any additional miniature golf movies or real-life locations can be submitted to info@thePmga.com