Gatlinburg is a mini golf lover’s paradise. You don’t have to walk very far down the street to find a place where you can swing some clubs (or, you know, lightly tap a ball as the case may be). Tucked away on a hill running parallel to Parkway (where we’re located), behind the Reagan Terrace Mall, is a fantastic entertainment complex called Gatlin’s.
Gatlin’s has the following attractions:
- Mini golf
- Laser tag
- Escape games
- Rope course
- Bumper cars
- Laser maze
- Atomic rush
For our purposes here, we are going to discuss Gatlin’s mini golf. We may review the other attractions in future articles.
Gatlin’s mini golf offers the most holes of any mini golf location in the area, with 45 holes. They are divided into three courses:
- Old Mountain Trail
- Old Town Square
- A glow-in-the-dark indoor course
The two outdoor courses are quite beautiful. Each course winds it way up a hill. Each hole is framed by vintage-looking aged timber. The courses are well shaded by oak trees that are over 100 years old. You are also treated to a nice view of downtown below.
Gatlin’s claims that one of the courses is better for traditionally skilled players and the other is better for trick shots. We did not find there to be a huge difference between the two. Both were great fun.
Another aspect that we loved about the two outdoor courses is that each one educates you about the area. Each hole features a plaque with historical facts related to the founding of Gatlinburg. As you work your way up each course, you are provided a timeline that tells the story of Gatlinburg.
The Old Mountain Trail course tells the story of Cherokee Indians, early settlers of the Smoky Mountains, and the creation of the National Park.
The Old Town Square course tells you about the grist mill, Primitive Baptist Church, the Pi Beta Phi school, Little River Railroad Company, and the first Gatlinburg jail. The course also features replicas of those early structures.
The outdoor courses are located right next to an old Gatlinburg cemetery that contains numerous headstones with names that you will see on the historical plaques. You really will feel like you are standing in a historical spot.
The indoor course features 9 holes lit by black lights and numerous glowing props. Gatlin’s provides you with clubs and balls that are brightly colored for easy viewing.
One more HUGE benefit of golfing at Gatlin’s is that it is the best value in Gatlinburg. Mini golf costs twenty bucks and is unlimited for TEN days!
Gatlin’s is located at 716 Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg, behind the Reagan Terrace Mall. Like most things in town, it is an easy walk from the Historic Gatlinburg Inn.
Recommended.
