Settler’s Mill Adventure Golf

   Settler’s Mill Adventure Golf 300 Taylor Ave, Beach Haven, NJ 08008

Settler’s Mill is another mini golf course on Long Beach Island, but it’s one of only two on the south side of the island (the other being another 36-hole course called Mr. Tee’s). We understand that the course just finished re-carpeting before the season, so it was definitely in good condition, and we were excited to see what this course had in store!

Settler’s Mill is actually a part of the Thundering Surf Waterpark, similar to the OC Adventure Golf in Ocean City, although the mini golf here sits alongside rather than under most of the waterpark. The course has the obvious markings of a Harris Mini Golf course, but seems to have plenty of land to work with, so the holes are always a pretty decent length. As we mentioned, we found out that the course has just finished being completely re-carpeted so everything was in top condition. The course did have some issues with leaves, but we didn’t expect anyone to be manicuring a waterpark course.

There are actually two 18 hole courses, the “Cave” course and the “Waterfall” course. They both have unique hole designs that make each course feel separate, but unless it’s in your best interest, it probably isn’t totally necessary to play both courses. Although the turf was in top conditions, quite a few of the metal cups sat above the turf or had clearly been warped, and several interfered with our game.

There are also smaller things that just irked us about this course. There is also one scorecard for the course, and it lists all holes as a par 2, which is not only absolutely false, but is just a bit lazy and unimaginative. Also, the design of the scorecard even just made it difficult to read and write on it. Finally, the course has some elements of a mining town, but there is really no structured theme or story, despite a passport-like scorecard that gave us some indication there was a story behind it.

As we mentioned, the par listed for both of these courses is 36, which is not realistic, but alas, that is what is on the card. On the Cave course, our winner was able to a record a 44 with an ace. On the Waterfall course, we didn’t manage a single ace, and our winner logged a 47. The course is a little steep compared to other courses on LBI; Adults are $13 for 18 holes ($19 for 36) and $10 for children ($16 for 36), but Settler’s Mill is probably is one of the more polished establishments compared to the smaller or more family-owned courses around LBI.