The History of Miniature Golf

Keturrah Betts || Corcoran School of Arts + Design at the George Washington University || MA Exhibition Design || Thesis 2017

Table of Contents

Purpose and Message...... page 1 Goals and Experience...... page 2 Brief History...... page 3 Site...... page 4 Audience...... page 7 Site Floor Plan...... page 8 Precedents...... page 9 Interpretive Goals...... page 10 Content...... page 11 Design Strategy...... page 12 Bubble Plan ...... page 13 Floor Plan...... page 14 Renderings...... page 15 Graphic Treatment...... page 32 Marketing...... page 35 Model...... page 36 Conclusion...... page 38

Purpose of the Exhibition Why Miniature Golf?

“Ready, Steady, Putt!” is a playable history Miniature golf was an important cultural exhibition that explores the history of miniature institution during the Roaring ‘20s and the golf, its place in the context of the history of Great Depression. While popular fads like recreation, and its lasting cultural significance dance marathons and flag-pole sitting in America. By studying miniature golf we can faded away, miniature golf endures. Today, learn about who were and how we used to we can see miniature golf played in movies have fun. and TV shows and can play miniature golf video games, lawn games and board games. This exhibition pairs interactive participation and traditional collections-based display to explore the history of the game and its influence on recreation.

Message

The history of miniature golf is as quirky as the game itself.

The game of miniature golf has become part of our cultural narrative and it has inspired the creation of other miniature golf-themed activities and entertainment. 1

Goals

Allow visitors to experience historic miniature golf through play.

Connect the style and design of the courses with historic events and recreational trends.

Use toys, games, memorabilia, imagery and media to show the evolution of the game, connect it to the history of recreation, discover how world events and social trends shaped its history, explore its influence on recreation. Playful

Experience Friendly

This is achieved thorough playing a themed 9-hole miniature golf course Energetic in 1920s and ‘30s micro-environments paired with interactives and displayed collection materials.

A Brief History

The miniature By 1930 there golf craze began were between 25,000 in 1925 when Garnett and 50,000 courses in the Carter built the first country. Movies and mini golf miniature golf course at were major competitors. Box- office sales dropped 25% and his resort, Fairyland Inn. film producers banned their celebrities from playing. By late 1931 interest in the game had When diminished and courses the Great closed. Depression hit, miniature golf was an escape from reality and was a cheap form of entertainment. Children used to make their own courses in alleyways out of discarded building materials.

Location: The Strong

The Strong National Museum of Play is the largest museum in the world about play and the history of play. It combines collections and interactive learning.

The museum has over 100,000 square feet of exhibition space and more than 450,000 collection items.

Location: Rochester, NY

Rochester Facts Finger Lakes Tourism Recreation near The Strong

• Rochester is the third largest city in This region, which features a group of lakes • Cinema Theater 1.3 mi. New York and seat of Monroe County. between Buffalo and Syracuse, is a major • Little Theater 0.3 mi. tourist attraction with activities such as • Population: 210,565 (2010) • Seneca Park Zoo 3.8 mi. museums, camping, hiking and water sports. • 30% of households had children under • Rochester Museum Science 1.4 mi.

• Red Wings Baseball Stadium 1.9 mi. the age of 18. (2010) In 2014 the region generated $2.9 billion from tourism, with Monroe County amassing $1 • Rhinos Stadium 2.1 mi. billion, almost a third of the total. • Blue Cross Arena 0.6 mi. 5

Location: City Center

e Stro Th ng

The Strong is located in the Center City neighborhood, which is the cultural and educational hub of Rochester. The museum is a major attraction for the region, serving over 550,000 visitors per year.

The museum has its own parking lot, and is accessible by car, bus and taxi. It is within walking distance of a few hotels and is a short drive from the airport and train station.

Audience 56% of households who play miniature golf have children under 18. The target audience for this exhibition is the visitors already attending The Strong National Museum of Play. It is one of the most popular attractions in the city, 30% of households in especially for families. It draws in visitors Rochester had children locally and from around the country. under 18. (2010)

The age range of visitors at the museum is broad because of the diverse exhibitions ranging from preschoolers, A 9-hole miniature golf primary schoolers and middle/high course typically takes schoolers. Generally, adults find the between 15 and 45 content and collections interesting, while minutes to complete. the children and teens enjoy imaginative play and the interactives.

“Ready, Steady, Putt!” is for children The average time ages 6-12 accompanied by their adult spent in The Strong guardians for supervision. is 3 hours.

The Strong Floor Plan

The exhibition space for “Ready, Steady, Putt” is located on the first floor. The exhibition space, highlighted in orange on the map to the right has over 8,600 square feet with 14-foot high ceilings. A wall separating two exhibition spaces will be removed marked on the map by the dotted line.

Precedents

Franklin Institute: SportZone The exhibition uses athletics to teach physics kinesiology. Visitors run, jump, climb and throw balls while learning about the human body and physics.

NYSCI: Rocket Park Mini Golf A miniature golf exhibition using golf physics to teach science concepts related to a rocket launch, such as propulsion, gravity and velocity.

The Strong: eGame Revolution Visitors explore the history of video games through playing arcade games, and pinball; and look at related artifacts, games and memorabilia. This exhibition blends collections-based exhibitions and hands-on experiences.

Interpretive Goals

• Experience an historic recreational activity by playing miniature golf as it was played at the height of its popularity. • Expose visitors to the recreational history of America by discussing cultural and social reasons for miniature golf’s popularity. • Discover how the game inspired miniature golf-themed games and toys from the 1920s to present day.

• Create a playful atmosphere to encourage and foster learning and active engagement.

Content

The exhibition is divided into three content areas representing the major shifts and trends in the design of the course, and social ini Golf dynamics present during the time. M

Arcade oy Stor The first area serves as a staging and waiting T e area where visitors can play replica 1920s arcade games, learn about early miniature golf, or pick up their golf equipment: putter, ball, and scorecard.

The second area consists of a 9-hole miniature golf course representing three different design styles from the 1920s and ‘30s. The primary content in the exhibition is the playable 9-hole miniature golf course found in the second content area. It covers In the third area, visitors discover how the the height of popularity of miniature golf, between 1926 and 1931. game has influenced recreation through miniature golf-themed toys and games. The course is divided into three sections, each representing a different time and style. Each section has a theme featuring style-related collection objects and factoids about miniature golf, historic events or other recreational activities.

Design Strategies

• The design of the exhibition will mimic various design trends from the 1920s and 1930s.

• The Arcade will look and feel like a 1920s Penny Arcade and establishes the tone of the exhibition.

• The hole design in each section of the Miniature Golf area will be modeled after real holes from the specific time 1926, 1929 or 1931. Each section will have 3 holes, making 9 in total.

• The space surrounding the sections will be decorated to create thematic period atmospheres. The changes in the look and feel of each space indicate to the visitors the end of one section and the beginning of the next.

• The Toy Store will have a comfortable atmosphere with games to play, and places to sit. Visitors can reminisce over games they played as children.

Bubble Plan and Visitor Flow

The Strong Museum First Floor

Mini-Golf

“Ready, Steady, Putt!” will be Mini-Golf Arcade located in the orange area.

Entrance Toy Store Treatment Exit Entrance

The exhibition has a linear flow. Visitors enter into the Arcade. There are several different activities to choose from. Then the visitor continues to the Miniature Golf Area where they will complete each of the 9 holes sequentially. Lastly, the visitor will enter the Toy Store area. Visitors will leave the Toy Store and flow back into the Arcade area. The entrance and exit are on opposite sides of the curved wall panel. 13

Floor Plan

The Strong Museum First Floor

“Ready, Steady, Putt!” will be 14 located in the orange area.

Entrance

Floor Plan

Green Carpet Title Graphic Putter and Ball

Visitors enter the exhibition through a wide opening next to a curved display wall. The ends of the panel extend into the wide hallway of The Strong. Visitors will enter on the right-hand side of the curved wall and exit on the left-hand side.

Inspiration Image 15

Arcade

Floor Plan

Distressed Wood Graphics Wrought Iron

The Arcade is decorated like a 1920s-style penny arcade and has playable replica arcade games on the opposite side of the curved panel. The clubhouse close to the course entrance is where visitors will pick up their scorecards, putters and balls. A large puzzle interactive is on the floor near the clubhouse. Historic Inspiration 16

Large graphics decorated with colorful golf balls, life- size photography and arcade game patents will cover two walls: the curved entrance wall and the right-hand side wall pictured above. Visitors can watch a short video as they enter. 17

Along the right-hand side visitors are introduced to two early versions of miniature golf, and improvements made in golf putter and ball design. Topographic maps allow visitors to interact with the course, feeling the rolling mounds of the historic courses. 18

Interactive

Aerial view of visitor building the puzzle

A large tile-laying floor puzzle allows visitors to design a “miniaturized golf course” in the same style as the famous Thistle Dhu course in Pinehurst, North Carolina. There are multiple solutions to the puzzle, which allows the visitor to be creative. The interactive is inspired by the tabletop game Carcassonne where players lay tiles to build cities. 19

Mini Golf: Section 1

Floor Plan

Green Carpet Graphics Fake Foliage

The first miniature golf section lets visitors play 3 holes designed like the first-ever miniature golf course at Fairyland Resort atop Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It will be a forest-like setting with natural-looking foliage. Large fake mushrooms provide seating. The green carpet will simulate grass and the walls will be covered in a woodland graphic wrap. Historic Inspiration

The first three holes of the course the feature topics such as toys and games inspired by fairy tales, activities for children at resorts in the 1920s, and the significance of the automobile for the family vacation. 21

Location: Rochester, NY

Mini Golf: Section 2

Floor Plan

Grey Carpet Graphics Brick

The second miniature golf section lets visitors play a rooftop course in New York City in 1928 right before the Depression. It features the mass-manufactured courses popular during this time. Graphics of the NYC skyline cover the walls and the gray carpet mimics the color of concrete. A short brick wall runs the perimeter of the rooftop. Historic Inspiration 23

Section two (holes four, five and six) of the course features topics such as mass-manufactured toys and games for children during the Roaring ‘20s, celebrity-endorsed products, and the competition between the movies and miniature golf for the family’s leisure time and money. 24

Mini Golf Section 3

Floor Plan

Grey Carpet Decoration Brick

The third miniature golf section allows visitors to play an urban, homemade course from 1931 during the Great Depression. To create the effect of an alleyway, brick walls surround the space on three sides. False windows create the illusion of apartment windows. Clotheslines hang between two walls. Trashcans, bicycles, and other materials decorate the space. Historic Inspiration 26

The third section (holes 7, 8 and 9) features topics such as games children in cities played, homemade toys during the Great Depression, and the decline of miniature golf. 27

Toy Store

Floor Plan

Tile Awning Brick

The third and final content area, the Toy store, is reminiscent of 1920s commercial architecture. It is clad in brick and has a large, central entrance. A long red and white awning runs the length of the facade. False windows create the illusion of upstairs apartments. A large bay window displays vintage toys. Historic Inspiration 29

To the right of the entrance is a chronological display of toys inspired by miniature golf from the 1920s to modern day. Along the back wall are video arcade machines. The floor has a patterned tile, the door and bay window have leaded glass, and the display case has an Art Deco design. 30

Section Panel Connected panels an display cases located between each hole and connect various social 4 ft. themes with the holes and the overall design. Each of the three sections is color-coded: red, blue and green. The number in the top corner 7 identifies the hole number. Section title Section 1: Holes 1, 2, 3 Subtitle Fairyland Inn

Volupita tureces molupta sum que re autem hiciis es minctet faccuptas sunt prorunt aut quo et odiam voloribus, serovitio eos ipsam rem serupis esequis aceaquam a el ea pla dolorit ommosa net utem haruntem lab int aperspeleste explaut omnihillab inum veles illatibusam, volor arionseque plautatist, et hil ma sae alibus estistrundus restemodit, custe pel iusaniet venimus et #57a650 videnda doluptatios cus consentem.

Caption

6 ft. 6 Section 2: Holes 4, 5, 6 NYC Rooftop

#27a9bd

7 Section 1: Holes 7, 8, 8 Section title Subtitle

Caption #d32f2c Display case

Display case

Object Label

6 in.

Ford Model A Sedan Object Neumann 20 pt.

Cast iron, 1927 Year, Material: Neumann 14 pt

Omnis etur as inis estenimus corecero is autesti Body Text: Neumann 16pn adia si nus, seque dunt exceatur. Omnis etur as inis estenimus corecero is autesti adia si nus, seque dunt. 4 in.

Object labels will be located in display cases in all three content areas.

Text and Graphics

Section T7itle Portico Vintage Exhibition Title Section200 pt Title 7 Section title Subtitle Section Title Text panelVolupita tureces molupta sum que re autem hiciis es minc- Volupita tureces molupta sum que re autem hiciis es minctet faccuptas sunt prorunt aut quo et odiam voloribus, serovitio eos ipsam rem serupis esequis aceaquam a el ea pla dolorit ommosa net utem haruntem lab int aperspeleste explaut omnihillab inum veles illatibusam, volor arionseque plautatist, et hil ma sae alibus estistrundus restemodit, custe pel iusaniet venimus et Subtitle videnda doluptatios cus consentem.7 tet faccuptas sunt prorunt aut quo et odiam voloribus, serovitio eos Portico Light

Caption Luckiest Guy ipsam rem serupis esequis200 p taceaquam a el ea pla dolorit ommosa net utem haruntem lab int aperspeleste explaut omnihillab inum veles illa- Under titleExhibition Subtitle tibusam, volor arionseque plautatist, et hil ma sae alibus estistrundus The History of UnderBody Text title restemodit, custe pel iusaniet venimus etMiniature videnda Golf doluptatios cus con- Noir Medium sentem. Itatius. 40 pt Peace Sans DisplayTo case intorum quam eici a similis suntion seriatus ipsum ab il minis et aliquo es sin perferaepudi aut pe paruptatiae parchitio berum aliquo 34 elenduntius adis res pra andesec estium qui to evella doluptat faccul- liqui aborro dessim qui coratur alis sum re earumquam nis quunt enim- porum ex et dis rehendu ciisit qui torepudantis rest, nam volupta tem- poreculla nis et es aut ex esciam eossita nos id quam, cuptis digenis aut assi aligent ant autestore, to illab iustruntus.

Marketing

Postcard Lamp post banner

Marketing will target residents of Rochester through physical mailed cards, bus stop posters, and street lamp banners. Regional visitors will be targeted through billboards.

Model

The scale model display is interactive, reflecting the nature of the exhibition. The model shows one example of a Depression-era hole found in the third miniature golf section.

Left: Top View Right: Right Oblique

Model

Designed to look like an urban street in the late 1920s, the model features brick walls, awning and bay window. Miniature golf courses were homemade and the obstacles were made from everyday objects.

Top Left: Detail of the windows Bottom Left: Detail of the bay window Top Right: Detail of the obstacles around the cup

Conclusion

While often perceived as just a fun and silly pastime, it has been part of our cultural landscape for over 100 years and offers insights into our past and present social lives.