Puttshack and Five Iron Golf
Tech-Driven Play Awaits in Michigan and Minnesota
by Barry Zelickson
Fun Across America continues its exploration of unique golf experiences with two modern takes on classic games. We stopped by Puttshack in Edina, Minnesota, where mini-golf meets high-tech innovation, and then headed to Five Iron Golf in Detroit, Michigan, where state-of-the-art golf simulators and a full social experience redefine what an indoor sports venue can be. Both offer a glimpse into how tech and hospitality are combining to create new kinds of fun.
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Puttshack – Edina, MN
Walking into Puttshack, the energy hits you right away. It’s mini-golf, sure – but this isn’t your glow-in-the-dark Putt-Putt from the ’90s. The Edina location is one of Puttshack’s newest, and it shows. Each ball contains proprietary technology that tracks your strokes automatically, eliminating the need for scorecards. As Bob Eisenbart, director of operations, told us, “The ball has 5 million lines of code in it. It tracks everything you do, and there’s no cheating allowed.”
The courses themselves aren’t just loops and windmills either. Each hole offers a unique, often pop culture-themed challenge, from trivia to air hockey-style putting games. You’re actually trying to earn points here, not keep your score low, which flips the usual format in a fun and refreshing way.
The Edina location features four full courses: Emerald, Amber, Ruby and Sapphire. You don’t have to play them in order, and staggered tee times mean you’re never stuck behind a slow group. We only got through one course, and already wanted to come back for the others.
On the food and drink side, it’s more than an afterthought. “We have globally inspired small plates, craft cocktails and desserts that keep people coming back,” Bob said. His favorite? “The bao buns. Absolutely amazing.” Nate took the recommendation seriously – and Bob wasn’t wrong. Add in a cocktail like “The Breaking Bad,” served with smoke and a crystal-blue popsicle, and you’ve got a venue that’s as strong on culinary creativity as it is on putting power.
Between the tech-infused golf, sharp visual design, serious attention to hospitality and an amazing outdoor patio, Puttshack Edina offers an experience that’s playful without feeling gimmicky. Whether you’re on a date, out with coworkers or entertaining out-of-town guests, it’s the kind of place that makes you want to play one more round.
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Five Iron Golf – Detroit, MI
Our next stop took us to the basement of the Cambria Hotel in downtown Detroit where Five Iron Golf has created a space that feels like a mix between an urban country club and a gamer’s paradise.
With 13 TrackMan simulators, high-speed camera and access to over 250 real-world courses, Five Iron caters to everyone from scratch golfers to total beginners. “This is kind of a golfer’s paradise,” said Annamarie Storbeck-Pelc, the community outreach manager. “And being in the city center, our members can store their clubs here, use the showers and go straight to work or dinner after a session.”
The simulators don’t just replicate real golf courses, they also offer games like target practice and even non-golf options like dodgeball, frisbee challenges and hockey shootouts. I had a blast flailing my way through a few of those and learned the hard way that “play the bounce” isn’t just for real grass.
In addition to golf, the Detroit location has duckpin bowling, ping pong, a putting green, three bars and a food menu strong enough to stand on its own. Flatbreads, sandwiches and a bucket of cookies make it easy to hang out even if you’re not there to work on your swing.
One thing that stood out right away was the art and atmosphere. “We work with local graffiti artists to showcase community icons,” Annamarie explained. “The Stevie Wonder mural was done by Detroit artist Dez Kelly. And we’ve got Aretha Franklin up front, too.”
It’s these touches – plus the full PGA Superstore fitting studio – that make Five Iron more than just a golf spot. It’s a well-rounded destination for both practice and play. And if Detroit isn’t on your travel list, don’t worry. Five Iron has more than 20 locations, including a brand-new one in Minneapolis. We were especially excited about that since it’s taken over the former Thr3 Jack space (check out our Thr3 Jack episode: www.you tube.com/watch?v= 9m9JAnE_65E). This means the avocado bruschetta and bucket of cookies
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How They Compare and Why You Should Visit Both
From the tech-powered mini-golf of Puttshack to the immersive golf-and-everything-else experience of Five Iron, this month’s stops prove that the future of entertainment is interactive, high quality and always thinking about how to make things more fun.
Whether you’re a golf lover, a casual gamer, or just looking for a great night out, both of these venues deliver experiences that feel polished without being pretentious.
See you next month for more Fun Across America.
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A heartfelt thank-you to our amazing sponsors: American Specialty Insurance, Amusement Entertainment Management, Birthday University, Foundations Entertainment University, Rhode Island Novelty, Rides-4-U, Roller, Semnox and TrainerTainment. Their continued support helps make Fun Across America possible.
Barry Zelickson, is the co-creator of Fun Across America, a YouTube channel travelogue show. Zelickson has worked in the entertainment field for almost 30 years and has been awarded several IAAPA Brass Ring awards including one of the association’s highest honors, Family Entertainment Center of the World. His other projects include commercials, infomercials, feature films, documentaries, live events and entertainment centers.
Nate Reinhart, host and co-creator of Fun Across America, is a content creator for NalterDeeds and NalterCards on YouTube and content consultant for creators and businesses alike. After a shoutout from MrBeast, Nate has accumulated over 250,000 subscribers on his YouTube channels.