Hayes Valley Historic Mini Golf Extravaganza

Twas fun while it lasted.

What fun! It’s too bad it’s temporary… I’ve always believed that SF needs a good mini golf place. Mini golf makes people happy… or competitive… or frustrated… but mostly happy.
We dropped by one fantastically sunny day, picked up a couple clubs and learned a bit of Hayes Valley history. Windy, cheery atmosphere, proud artists, giggling children, cute couples, crazy cool golf clubs… a total SF experience.
Now if my cousins lived in town we would’ve had one helluva tournament… and of course the girls would have been the stealthy winners… kickin’ some butts off, folks.
Can’t wait to see what will make an appearance on the green next!

I’ve been called the Tiger of Putt Putt. What can I say, I may be tall but my short game is solid and all I got.
What’s up w/​4 star reviews? This course may only be 9 holes and fairly small but it’s a fun physical, artistic & educational experience oh and FREE. Makes for an excellent sunny Saturday afternoon activity.
Make an afternoon of it. Walk around Hayes Valley after, grab a slice from Patxi’s, a burger from Flippers or Fritz, a beer, some treats from Miette, or shop, whatever, many great choices in the Valley of Hayes.
Oh and I challenge you to get a hole in one on the Patricia Walkup hole!
NOTE: I was informed by the blue haired lady in picture in site
that there is discussion about making a permanent installment of putt putt, so if you go be sure to Unilocal and let the city and SF Arts Commission know that think it’s cool.
MUST CHECK OUT– Sat ⁹⁄₁₅ is the last Saturday it’s open.

The Hayes Valley Mini Golf Extravaganza is exactly what most mini golf is not. For one, it’s actually mini! The course sits in a lot, about a quarter block long and wide, in the corner of Hayes Green.
What’s more, it’s free! Every other Saturday (until Sept. 15), pick up complimentary clubs & balls at the Pavilion’s booth, and they’ll trust you bring them back after your game.
The course has nine golf holes/​art installations that tell a story of Hayes Valley. My favorite hole is a chalkboard etching of the Market Street corridor, showing the buildings demolished for the late 50’s freeway development. A close second is the zen garden, homage to San Francisco’s Zen Center.
As the coupled artists, explain on their website «We view Hayes Valley as a microcosm of San Francisco and its neighborhood history as representative of past and present settlement patterns inherent in Westward expansion.»
Ponder that one as you get your minigolf on!
Remaining Dates: August 18, Sept. 1, Sept. 15.
1 – 5 pm
More Information:

This is a pretty interesting concept. It is just a little difficult to figure out where the holes are to putt. It is, as with all things in life, inpermanent-nonpermanent.i.e. TEMPORARY. Go now and get yo putt putt on… Summer time fun in the City, where it can be warm in this Valley of Haze…

Even if you didn’t like all the cool shops and restaurants in Hayes Valley, you’d still have to admit that the revolving art installations at Hayes Green are worth checking out.
Right now, for instance, there’s a mini golf exhibit (sadly only 9 holes) that you can actually play through on certain Saturdays through September. It was created by the artist team Wowhaus (
), and was sponsored by the SF Arts Commission (link to their gallery:
), and each hole reflects something interesting about the Hayes Valley neighborhood.
Even if you don’t get a chance to play, there is a fun self-​guided walking tour that gives you some interesting history of the area, buildings, etc.
Did I mention it’s free? As someone who has wanted to open a mini golf course in San Francisco (complete with batting cages and beach volleyball, East Coast style), this might be as close as I get to that dream.