Bring math to life with this hands-on Mini-Mini Golf Design Challenge! Students design one hole for a class mini-mini golf course while practicing slope, the Pythagorean Theorem, triangle types, and triangle area.

Students begin by planning a possible hole-in-one path that bounces off the walls 2–3 times. Then they calculate the slope of each path segment, use the Pythagorean Theorem to find segment lengths and total path length, and add three triangle obstacles: one right triangle, one acute triangle, and one obtuse triangle. Finally, students build and test their course using a pom-pom or crumpled paper ball.

This resource is designed to be low-prep, engaging, and math-focused. It works well as a geometry project, review activity, enrichment task, end-of-unit project, or a fun hands-on activity before a break.

What’s Included

• Teacher instructions
• Student instruction pages
• Printable mini golf course template
• Path planning and slope work
• Pythagorean Theorem path length page
• Triangle obstacle and area page
• Final checklist and reflection
• Rubric

Math Skills Practiced Students will practice:

• finding slope using rise/run
• using opposite slopes to model wall bounces
• using the Pythagorean Theorem to find segment lengths
• finding total path length
• classifying triangles as right, acute, and obtuse
• calculating triangle area

This project gives students a reason to use the math. Instead of solving disconnected practice problems, students apply geometry and measurement skills to design a playable mini golf hole. The structured student pages help keep the project manageable while still giving students room for creativity.

It can be completed in about 1.5–2 class periods, depending on whether students only test their own courses or also play classmates’ courses.