SHANX Mini Golf – South Lakes Golf Club | Goolwa | Review

SHANX at South Lakes Golf Club is the latest addition to their mini golf family-friendly locations in South Australia. This impossibly scenic mini golf course looks just like a real golf course and it’s perfect for kids and adults alike.

Review by Claire Davill

We’ve already sung the praises of SHANX Mini Golf at Paralowie and Regency Park, and the latest offering from SHANX at the South Lakes Golf Club in Goolwa might be their best course yet. You’ll find the same signature “real golf course, but shrunk” layout as the others, and the same dual options on each hole, but the Goolwa course has the added bonus of a beautiful setting, sand dune-like landscaping, and a fantastic cafe overlooking the course.

The check in for mini golf is at the Pro Shop just past the main golf club building, and here you’ll find a variety of different sized putters and golf balls in every colour (perfect for keeping track of whose ball is whose).

After receiving your scorecard, enter through the gate and follow the signs to the first hole (holes 1-9 are to the left, and 10-18 to the right).

Like the other SHANX courses, there are two options at each hole, one closer to the tee and one further away. At Goolwa, the Pelican option is the closer, easier option, with white flags, and the SHANX option (further away and more difficult) has yellow flags. Both options are par 2 for every hole.

We found the course very forgiving, with the holes in particular sitting in gentle depressions. This means they’re perfect for little kids, who are much less likely to get frustrated with multiple attempts to get the ball in the hole. It also means scoring a hole in one is achievable for anyone, but the course still provides some challenge for more advanced mini golfers.

The course is easy to navigate, with wooden plank pathways leading from one hole to the next. While playing, you’re surrounded by the bigger golf course and a scenic lake. There was a black swan swimming around when we visited, and if you’re lucky, you’ll also hear the “toot toot” of the Cockle Train nearby.

Within the fenced area of the mini golf course are a couple of cornhole games, shaded picnic tables, and a podium to pose on when the scores are added up.

The pro shop (where you check in) also sells ice creams and snacks, but for something more substantial, head over to the clubhouse. This large facility provides all day dining, with tables inside and on the veranda that overlook the mini golf course. We recommend the egg and bacon rolls, and the coffee is good too.

What we like about SHANX Mini Golf at Goolwa

• The mini golf area is fully fenced, and the smooth turf makes it easy for little ones to move around.
• Kids aged 6 and under play for free!
• The golf course is perfect for little kids, without being too challenging. The dual options on each hole ensure there’s plenty of challenge for older kids and adults.
• The “shrunk down golf course” concept is a fun alternative to other mini golf courses, and makes the setting very scenic.
• The turf is smooth and in top condition – no crimped carpet or uneven seams to disrupt your play.
• The course is open in the evenings with excellent lighting if you want to avoid the sun.

Things to consider

• The golf course can get busy at times, so we recommend booking ahead online if you can.
• There is no shade on the course, so sunscreen and hats are a must.

Coffee and food options nearby

• The South Lakes Golf Club provides a large range of food and drinks, with plenty of seating and views of the mini golf course.

Location:

Billabong Road, Goolwa South

SHANX AT SOUTH LAKES GOLF CLUB SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN

For more information such as pricing and opening hours please visit the South Lakes Golf Club website.

At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.

As per all our Play & Go reviews, this is not a sponsored post and our review is done completely independently. All photos are by Play & Go (unless specified).

SUBSCRIBE

Follow Play & Go Adelaide on Facebook and Instagram

Want to get all the latest events and activities straight to your inbox?

Subscribe to our weekly email newsletter below to keep up to date with our latest posts and find out all the best events & activities for Adelaide families. Newsletters are only sent once a week, and you may sometimes get a special offer exclusively for our subscribers only!