Mini Golfers
GRADES 6-8

Mini Golfers

Driving Question:

How can architects use measurement, scale, and geometry to design a miniature golf course?

Activity Overview:

Great mini golf holes don't happen by accident, they're planned, measured, and built! In this lesson, students explore how architects use scale drawings and geometry to design obstacles, then build their own playable cardboard golf hole using the ChompSaw. After classmates test each course with a golf ball and share feedback, students redesign one feature and put it to the test again.

Exit Ticket

Learning Objectives

  • I can explain how architects use measurement, scale, and geometry to plan a design.
  • I can create a scaled design plan.
  • I can build one miniature golf hole that meets design requirements.
  • I can improve my design using testing and feedback.

Slide Deck

Get the Slides

Full Materials List

Lesson Plan

Lesson Slides

Individual Design Worksheet

1 per student

Team Design Worksheet

1 per group

Exit Ticket

1 per student

Chompsaw(s)

1 per 5 students

Cardboard sheet for base

1 24"x18" sheet per group

Cardboard for obstacles

1 sheet per group

Tape

6 feet per group

Rulers

1 per group

Ping pong ball

1 per group

Preview/Background Knowledge

  • Students should be able to measure length accurately using a ruler in standard units
  • Students should have a basic understanding of scale and ratio; that a drawing can represent a larger real-world object proportionally
  • Students should be able to identify basic 2D shapes and have some understanding of how angles affect direction and movement
  • Students should be familiar with the engineering design process: plan, build, test, and improve
Prep Instructions

Time Required for Prep: 15–20 minutes

1. Prepare Student Groups

  • Decide whether students will work:
    • In pairs, or
    • In groups of three.
  • Small groups encourage collaboration while allowing every student to participate in planning, building, testing, and redesigning.

2. Print Student Materials

  • Print the following materials before class:
    • Mini Golf Design Plan — Individual (1 per student)
    • Mini Golf Design Plan — Team (1 per team)
    • Course Testing and Redesign Log (1 per student)
    • Exit Ticket / Assessment (1 per student)

3. Gather Building Materials

  • For each team, prepare:
    • One 24" x 18" cardboard base sheet (can be two smaller pieces taped together)
    • One additional cardboard sheet for creating obstacles
    • Approximately 6 feet of masking tape
    • One ChompSaw
    • Pencil
    • Ruler
  • Optional decorating materials:
    • Construction paper, markers, paint, or felt for course theming

4. Prepare the Testing Area

  • Before class:
    • Designate one or more open areas where students can test their miniature golf holes.
    • Provide a ping pong ball at each testing station.
    • Allow enough space for students to gently flick the ball from the starting point to the hole.
  • Optional: as groups finish building, combine individual holes into one class miniature golf course for everyone to test.

5. Check Technology

  • Before class:
    • Open the slide deck and test all animations.
    • Confirm that any videos or interactive elements play correctly.
    • Make sure presentation materials are ready before students arrive.

6. Review Lesson Timing

  • The planning, building, testing, redesign, and assessment portions require approximately 80–90 minutes.
  • If your schedule is limited:
    • Complete the Explore and Plan sections during one class period.
    • Finish the Build, Play Test, Improve, and Assessment sections during a second class period.
    • This allows students time to thoughtfully redesign their hole using player feedback while reinforcing the design process.
Extensions

Create a Class Mini Golf Course

  • After every team completes their hole, work together to arrange all holes into one complete class miniature golf course.
    • Students must:
      • decide the order of the holes
      • determine how the course should progress from easier to more challenging
      • choose an overall theme for the course

Ancient Civilizations Mini Golf

  • Students redesign their miniature golf hole using architectural features from a civilization they have studied.
    • Example Inspirations
      • Roman arches
      • Egyptian pyramids
      • Greek columns
      • Mayan temples
      • Chinese gates
    • Students must:
      • explain how their design was inspired by that culture's architecture

Universal Design Challenge

  • Students redesign their hole so it is accessible and enjoyable for people of all ages and abilities.
    • Students should consider:
      • pathway widths
      • obstacle placement
      • visibility
      • how to keep the course both inclusive and fun

Hole-in-One Challenge

  • Students redesign their course so it can be completed in exactly one flick.
    • Students must:
      • carefully adjust the layout, distances, and course features
      • explain how geometry influenced their redesign

Mini Golf Commercial

  • Students create a 30-second commercial advertising their miniature golf hole.
    • The commercial must:
      • introduce the name and theme of the hole
      • highlight their favorite course features
      • convince others why their design would be a fun and memorable experience

Mini Golf Design Awards

  • Host a Mini Golf Design Expo where students present their holes and vote on design awards.
    • Award Categories
      • Most Creative Course
      • Best Use of Geometry
      • Most Challenging Hole
      • Best Theme
      • Best Player Experience
      • Architect's Choice Award