Pros 
Cons A Unique Spin on Mini Golf: First Impressions
Playground Mini Golf in Huntington Beach offers a decidedly different experience than traditional sprawling miniature golf courses. Located on the second floor of the Pacific City shopping center, this venue prioritizes maximizing a smaller footprint with a creative, segmented layout. Guests shouldn’t expect a vast, grassy landscape; instead, Playground HB presents a series of uniquely themed, compact holes. At $15 for unlimited play, the pricing is competitive, making it an accessible entertainment option.
However, parking can be a point of contention. While the Pacific City parking structure charges $8/hour, Playground Mini Golf does offer validation, mitigating that cost. It's worth noting the venue is proudly Asian-owned and aims for inclusivity—identifying as LGBTQ+ and transgender safe space, and offering active military discounts. Accessibility is also a feature, with wheelchair accessible entrance and parking. Other amenities include onsite services and restrooms, but a restaurant isn't available. This place is reportedly "Good for kids" and welcomes families.
Gameplay & Beyond the Green: What to Expect
While some reviews mention the quick completion time – with nine holes taking as little as 10 minutes – many highlight the fun factor. Several patrons specifically enjoyed the creative design of each hole, appreciating the effort made to utilize the limited space effectively. But it's not just mini golf.
Playground HB cleverly augments its core offering with other entertainment options.
- Pinball Paradise: A significant draw for many visitors is the assortment of pinball machines, a mix of classic and modern. These arcade classics operate on a per-play basis ($1 per game).
- Birdie’s Backroom: This private party space features a golf/soccer simulator, offering a different kind of interactive entertainment.
- Snacks & Drinks: A selection of reasonably priced snacks and beverages, including craft beers, are available.
The venue maintains a clean and well-maintained environment, with safety protocols in place to provide a worry-free experience.
Stellar Service and Community Buzz
A consistent theme across many reviews is the exceptional customer service provided by Playground HB’s staff. Employees like Kortney and Scarlett receive frequent shout-outs for their friendliness, helpfulness, and willingness to go the extra mile.
"Scarlett was SO friendly and gave us lots of tips for the mini golf course."
"The girl at the front desk, Kortney was super sweet and helpful. She made me feel very welcome…"
Geoff, the manager, is consistently praised for his accommodating nature, particularly when coordinating events. The venue has proven popular for company outings, providing a fun and engaging activity for interns and new graduates. Its a welcoming environment, regularly hosting groups and parties. This strong emphasis on customer experience is clearly a defining characteristic of Playground Mini Golf.
| Staff Member | Positive Traits Highlighted |
|---|---|
| Kortney | Sweet, Helpful, Welcoming |
| Scarlett | Friendly, Helpful, Knowledgeable |
| Geoff | Accommodating, Communicative, Passionate |
Mixed Signals: Areas for Improvement
Despite the overwhelmingly positive feedback on service and entertainment variety, some concerns are evident. Several reviewers mention the small scale of the mini golf course, noting that the website photos can be misleading. A few individuals felt the $10-$15 price point wasn’t justified for the short playtime.
One particularly negative experience detailed a situation where a staff member asked a child to move from a hole to accommodate another group, even though the child wasn’t asked why. This interaction led to a significant reduction in the reviewer's rating. There seems to be an issue with how wait times or hole sharing are being handled. Furthermore, one review specifically noted that advertised food and beverages were unavailable during their visit. While the vast majority of feedback is positive, these inconsistencies suggest areas where Playground Mini Golf could focus on improving the consistency and accuracy of their offerings.