Cedar Rapids’ ‘Mini Pines’ golf opens Friday

CEDAR RAPIDS -- Mini Pines -- an 18-hole mini course at the city’s Twin Pines Golf Course -- will hold a grand opening from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday.

The miniature golf course, 3800 42nd St. NE, includes a 9-foot waterfall and four holes with water play. The course comes full circle back to the clubhouse.

According to Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation, the course is accessible for those with mobility disabilities. The course also boasts multiple photo opportunities for social media sharing.

Reservations aren’t needed during normal hours but are required to rent the pavilion pad and host large parties. These reservations are available in three-hour time slots.

The cost to play at Mini Pines varies by age: $3 for toddlers (up to age 4); $6 for students (ages 5-18); $8 for adults (ages 19-64); and $7 for seniors (ages 65 and over). Punch cards also are available for a maximum of 10 rounds, ranging in cost by age. Student cost is $50, adult cost is $70 and senior cost is $60.

Putters are provided, but players can bring their own.

The mini course is open 10 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

The new miniature course is an attempt by the city to at least partially address ongoing revenue shortfalls in its municipal golf operation. The city has closed another of its courses, the flood-prone Jones Golf Course, while it considers other uses for the southwest Cedar Rapids property. Ideas for re-purposing the site include, among others, devoting some of the land to pickleball or disc golf in the summer and sledding and skiing in the winter.