Desert Island Mini Golf: Gear & Obstacle Guide

Even on a desert island, you can create a playable mini golf course with just natural materials. Here’s what to use and how to make the most of it.

1. Your Putter

Materials: Sticks, bamboo, driftwood, or branches

How to Make:

• Choose a straight, sturdy stick about chest-high

• If possible, carve a flat or slightly rounded end to hit the ball

• Test it for strength and comfort before starting the course

2. Golf Balls

Materials: Coconuts, round stones, packed sand balls, or large shells

Tips:

• Coconuts work well if small enough to roll easily

• Smooth stones give a predictable roll

• Pack sand tightly into a leaf wrap to make a lightweight, soft ball

3. Hole Markers

Materials: Coconut halves, shells, rocks, or small pits dug in sand

How to Make:

• Dig a small depression in sand or soil for the hole

• Outline the hole with shells, stones, or coconut halves

• Make it clearly visible from the tee

4. Obstacles

Materials: Driftwood, logs, rocks, shells, palm fronds, leaves

How to Make:

• Use logs as bridges, tunnels, or barriers

• Rocks can form ramps, walls, or tricky angles

• Leaves or palm fronds can act as ramps or decorative hazards

5. Ramps and Slopes

Materials: Sand mounds, rocks, driftwood

How to Make:

• Create a small sand hill or slope for elevation challenges

• Prop a stick or log to form a ramp

• Experiment with angles to make shots fun and varied

6. Scorekeeping Tools

Materials: Flat stones, sticks, shells, sand

How to Make:

• Carve numbers into a flat stone with a stick

• Use small piles of shells or rocks to mark strokes

• Draw tally marks in the sand for simplicity

7. Safety and Stability

Tips:

• Anchor logs or sticks to prevent rolling hazards

• Check that rocks and obstacles are secure

• Avoid sharp sticks or broken coconuts that could cause injury

8. Optional Extras

• Themed holes: Create a “volcano” from sand, a “cave” from driftwood

• Decorative flair: Use shells or palm leaves to mark start points

• Creative hazards: Arrange crabs, coconuts, or leaves for moving challenges (safely!)

Final Thoughts

With a little imagination, even a deserted island can become a mini golf paradise. Coconuts for balls, driftwood for putters, and sand for slopes — who knew survival could be this much fun?