Some Milwaukee things come and go, while some become icons. Mandatory Milwaukee is all about the latter. This week: Driving ranges and miniature golf courses.

Late spring and early summer is when Milwaukee County truly shines. This rare and heartbreakingly brief blip of outdoor pleasantness gives way to an endless array of festivals, block parties, fairs, recurring music series, and other ambitious outdoor celebrations. It’s also a time for farmers markets aplenty, a gaggle of garage sales, a bounty of beer gardens, and an infinite arsenal of patios.

The region’s beaches, trails, and exceptional menagerie of public parks add even more enjoyment to the warm weather months. Oh, and this is also perfect time of year to get out there to take some swings and sink some putts. Though the greater Milwaukee area is home to a rich abundance of respected public golf courses and even a few PGA-caliber sites, we recognize there are some barriers to entry and other obstacles that prevent some from partaking in the sport.

If any of those reasons—prohibitive cost, lack of equipment, mobility issues, insufficient time to play nine or 18 holes, inexperience, and so forth—make it tough to get out on the course, or you’re just looking for a way to have fun with people who aren’t avid golfers, Milwaukee County has plenty of other places where you can get your golf fix. For example, driving ranges and mini golf courses.

No matter where you live in Milwaukee County, you’re a short drive (pun intended!) from a place where you can unwind, practice your swing, and get at least a little physical activity outdoors for the fraction of what it would cost for a round of golf.

There are driving ranges in Milwaukee proper, as well as some in nearby Milwaukee County suburbs. Hell, a few of them are even open all year long and offer heated golf bays. And if you’re willing to leave the county to hit a bucket of balls, you can also find some driving ranges in Waukesha, Mequon, and Brookfield.

In true Wisconsin fashion, most also sell refreshments, making these driving ranges active and fun alternatives to the typical bar-going experience that can either be enjoyed solo or in the company of others…as long as you’re cool with them seeing your golf swing. Also, some ranges—including Gastrau’s in Oak Creek, which is pictured above—have clubs on-site that people can use for no additional charge.

If you’re looking for some golf-adjacent activity that’s open to players of all skill levels, is geared toward children, and is typically even less expensive than a driving range, Milwaukee County (and yes, quasi-close locales like Waukesha, New Berlin, and Germantown, etc.) is also home to a few miniature golf courses.

Get the kids away from screens and onto the course for a bit, embark on an innocent and unconventional date, or enjoy a nostalgic day on the artificial turf links with some friends. You’re just a few bucks away from being able to practice your short game and navigate man-made water hazards at one of the area’s mini golf destinations. Oh, and you can keep the putts rolling all year long by visiting one of greater Milwaukee’s indoor courses.

Don’t get us wrong…golf rules, and Milwaukee County is blessed with some legitimately excellent courses. However, if traditional golf isn’t your thing or it’s simply not in the cards for you right now, it’s also nice to know there are places in our midst where one can whack some balls, tap in some putts, and get a taste of the sport. Check out these Driving Range and Miniature Golf guides we whipped up fore, er…FOR you and get out there, Milwaukee!

Driving Ranges in Milwaukee County

Brown Deer Park Golf Course
7625 N. Range Line Rd. (Brown Deer), 414-352-8080
Open dates and hours are based on conditions

Dretzka Park Golf Course
12020 W. Bradley Rd. (Milwaukee), 414-354-7300
Open dates and hours are based on conditions

Gastrau’s Golf Center
1300 E. Rawson Ave. (Oak Creek), 414-571-7002
Open all year, heated bays and Toptracer tracking available

Luxe Golf Bays
7065 S. Ballpark Dr. (Franklin), 414-908-6363
Open all year, heated bays, TrackMan Range Technology available

Oakwood Park Golf Course
3600 W. Oakwood Rd. (Franklin), 414-281-6700
Open dates and hours are based on conditions

Mini Golf Courses in Milwaukee County

Big Putts Mini Golf
4251 S. 27th St. (Greenfield), 414-373-0505
18 Holes, Indoor

Gastrau’s Golf Center
1300 E. Rawson Ave. (Oak Creek), 414-571-7002
18 Holes, Outdoor

Holey Mackerel!
5401 W. Layton Ave. (Greenfield), 414-497-0222
18 Holes, Outdoor

Nine Below
1905 E. North Ave. (Milwaukee), 414-929-8592
9 Holes, Indoor