For most weddings, I'd start by looking at three holes. Guests usually want a quick go between drinks, photographs and catching up with everyone. They aren't necessarily looking to spend half an hour working their way around a full course.
Why three holes can be plenty
Three holes give guests a proper little round. They can pick up a putter, have a go at different obstacles and compare scores without disappearing from the reception for too long.
That's particularly useful during the drinks reception. People can join in when they fancy it and then get back to everything else going on. If the course is available for much of the day, guests don't all have to squeeze their turn into the same hour.
A smaller course is also easier to fit into a courtyard, a marquee or part of a lawn. It leaves more room for people to stand around, chat and move between the games and the rest of the wedding.
For me, that's the main advantage. Three holes can feel like a complete activity without taking over the day.
When would six holes be worthwhile?
Six holes give guests a longer round with more variety. I'd consider them if mini golf is going to be one of the main attractions, especially if you've got plenty of suitable space and your guests are likely to enjoy playing more than once.
There is a trade-off, though. A longer course asks more time of each group, and the extra holes need proper playing space, not just enough room to put the equipment down. If most guests only want a quick go, six holes may be more than you need.
What about nine holes?
A nine-hole course makes sense if you want mini golf to be a big feature of the wedding. Perhaps you're planning a golf-themed day, a more organised competition or a dedicated games area where people will spend a fair bit of time.
With enough space, a larger course can also allow groups to spread out, depending on how it's laid out and how the supplier manages play. But nine holes won't automatically mean nine times as many people can play. You still need to think about the route around the course, how long each group takes and whether people are waiting to start.
I'd choose nine holes because we wanted that bigger experience, not simply because the guest list was big.
Does the number of guests change things?
It matters, but not as much as the number of people who will want to play at the same time. At a wedding with 100 guests, some will be at the bar, some will be talking and others will be having photographs taken. You aren't trying to get all 100 round the course in one go.
I'd look at when the course will be available, whether there are other activities and how keen your guests are on golf. If it's a short, busy drinks reception and everyone loves a competition, you may want more capacity. If it's casual entertainment available throughout the afternoon, three holes could be perfectly adequate.
Space and cost matter more than you might expect
Before booking any course, I'd ask for its actual dimensions and then allow extra room for people holding putters, waiting their turn and walking past. The equipment fitting on the lawn isn't enough if it blocks the route to the bar.
It's also worth comparing what's included. Does the price cover delivery, setup and collection? How many hours can guests play? Are putters and scorecards included? Is someone needed to run it? A bigger course is only better value if you'll actually use what you're paying for.
What would we choose?
For a typical wedding where mini golf is part of a relaxed drinks reception, I'd choose three holes and make sure they're set up somewhere guests will naturally find them. I'd consider six if I wanted golf to be a bigger part of the day, and nine if I was planning a proper golfing attraction.
We hire a compact three-hole course ourselves, so naturally that's the setup we know best. You can see the actual holes on our wedding mini golf page. But even if you're comparing different suppliers, I'd ask the same question: will your guests get more enjoyment from extra holes, or would a short, easy-to-play course fit the day better?
