A two-block radius in the Strip District is now home to not one, but two indoor mini-golf venues that promise a fresh take on the game paired with upscale fare.

Puttshack officially opened its location at the Strip District Terminal on Wednesday morning, around a quarter mile from Puttery Pittsburgh, which moved into The Vision on Fifteenth in February. Both businesses combine recreation with food and drink in a model similar to Topgolf and Dave & Busters, representing the growth of what Puttshack senior brand manager Angelina Gradilla called “social entertainment.”

“People are looking for something to do other than eat and drink at a bar,” Gradilla said.

Chris Rockwood, chief operating officer for Puttshack, declined to comment on any direct competition between his company and Puttery, but said he expects the market to continue growing over the next three to five years.

Puttshack opened its first location in the United Kingdom in 2018, and has since expanded to three other cities in the UK and eight in the US. The company’s website lists another 11 locations as “coming soon.” Puttery has enjoyed even faster growth, going from zero to 10 locations in less than two years.

The Terminal, a former produce distribution hub that developer McCaffery converted to retail space in 2019, is part of what drew Puttshack to Pittsburgh. If it hadn’t been for this 23,500 square feet space, Rockwood said the company “might have looked elsewhere.”

Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review The mini-golf course seen inside Puttshack on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 in the Strip District.  

Rockwood added that he feels Puttshack will help bring buzz back to the redevelopment project after lukewarm reactions from some locals.

“I am confident that we’re going to deliver on that promise of making the Strip District a destination for people in Pittsburgh,” Rockwood said.

Despite the venues having similar concepts, mini-golfers will find some differences in the execution. Puttshack emphasizes a “tech-driven” experience and eschews any particular themes for its courses. The company’s patented Trackaball system allows for automatic, digital scoring and interactive games at each hole, such as trivia, bowling and “Puttman,” a twist on the arcade game Pac-Man.

“We feel several years ahead of most people in this space because of our technology,” Rockwood added.

Puttery opts for a different vibe, with three, more muted courses that are decorated like a ski resort, library and garage full of vintage vehicles. There are no windmills or clown mouths, but Puttery still makes for a more traditional mini-golf experience compared to Puttshack.

Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review Jeff Dugan, who was working in downtown with Lightning Productions, tries his hand at a round of mini-golf during the grand opening of Puttshack on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 in the Strip District.  

Puttery representatives did not return requests for comment.

Guests at Puttshack can play 24 unique holes across four, nine-hole courses, two of which are accessible for guests with disabilities, but mini-golf is just one part of the company’s so-called “triple threat.”

The menu includes 40 food items and 10 signature cocktails. There are even a few Pittsburgh-specific options, including a Primanti’s-inspired flatbread and a Fussfungle, a cocktail popularized by Slavic immigrants to McKeesport in the 19th century — Kingfly Rye Whiskey, brown sugar molasses syrup, orange bitters and an orange peel garnish.

Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review BBQ Korean bao buns with pork or a vegetarian jackfruit are seen on display during a media day and opening at Puttshack on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 in the Strip District.  

Puttshack is family-friendly during the day, but becomes limited to guests 21 and over after 8 p.m. The venue will host a DJ on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

The rate for a round of mini-golf is $14 for adults and $9 for guests 12 and under. Puttshack is open from 11 a.m. to midnightSunday through Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. The venue can accommodate walk-ins, small group reservations and large gatherings like corporate or charity events.

Ashleigh Mitchell, a North Side resident, and Jeff Dugan of Mt. Lebanon both said they enjoyed their experience as some of the location’s first customers.

“The courses are not too hard, which is nice,” Mitchell said after winning a round of mini-golf against Dugan.

If it’s up to Dugan, who called himself “competitive,” they’ll be visiting Puttshack again soon.

“It’s one to zero for now. We will be back until I get that win,” Dugan said.

---

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)

---