Goofy Golf: Florida’s Blast From the Past
If you love vintage seaside attractions, Goofy Golf in Panama City, Florida should top your list of places that you must visit. Goofy Golf was designed and constructed by a quirky artist named Lee Koplin in the 1950s. Lee Koplin strived to create a miniature golf course populated by magical creatures that would transport visitors to a fun and fantastical world. Over 5 decades later, Koplin’s enchanted golf course punctuated by oversized mushrooms, giant purple dinosaurs, and an enormous yellow dragon still brings untold joy to countless people.
Miniature golf courses which feature large, colorful statutes of mythical beings and elaborate putting greens are pretty standard these days. It is important to remember that Lee Koplin was a pioneer in the world of miniature golf. Prior to the construction of Goofy Golf, nothing quite like it existed. Even though Koplin’s stately Sphinx replica is no longer one of the tallest structures in Panama City, the bright colors and piercing eyes of the Panama City Sphinx never fail to stop onlookers in their tracks.
An afternoon spent putting at Goofy Golf is a surprisingly affordable and relaxing way to bask in Florida’s famous sunshine. If you’re a night owl, Goofy Golf lights up at night. A gigantic monkey with glowing red eyes lights the way for nocturnal golfers. Goofy Golf even features a psychedelic cave lit by purple and green lights. Day or night, Goofy Golf enchants miniature golfers who crave a little bit of retro magic. Your Florida beach vacation can include a brief visit to the past if you spend a few hours admiring Goofy Golf’s enormous green octopus, golden Buddha, and tiny chapel. Many have tried to emulate Lee Kolpin’s whimsical miniature golf course vision, but the truth is that nothing quite compares to Panama City’s original Goofy Golf.
Address: 12206 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL 32407, United States
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Goofy Golf, 12206 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, Florida, USA
- Coordinates
- 30.190483, -85.83015
- Access
- The Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau lists Goofy Golf at 12206 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, and gives the attraction phone as (850) 234-6403. This is the Panama City Beach course, not the separate Goofy Golf in Fort Walton Beach. The course is outdoors and weather can affect play; call before making a special trip.
- Admission
- Paid miniature-golf play. The Convention & Visitors Bureau calls it value-priced but publishes no current amount. Roadside America’s 2015 field report said $12 per person, cash only; that is historical and is not presented as today’s rate. Call (850) 234-6403 for current price and accepted payment methods.
- Time needed
- No current official visit duration is published. The attraction has two 18-hole courses; time depends on whether you play one or both, group size and pace. Treat any time estimate as your own planning allowance, not a posted course duration.
- Best season
- No official preferred season is published. The courses are outdoors and play may be affected by weather; call ahead if storms or seasonal hours could affect your visit.
- Opening hours
- The local Convention & Visitors Bureau listing confirms the address and phone but does not publish current operating hours. Roadside America’s 2015 field report said daily 8 a.m.–10 p.m., weather permitting; those hours are historical, not a verified current schedule. Call (850) 234-6403 before travelling; weather can affect play.
- Location checked
- 2026-10-20
- Facts checked
- 2026-11-02
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