If you are looking for a fun activity to fill up one of your nights, I would give Putts and Pins a try. Putts and Pins is a very new entertainment facility that opened in December 2023. The new destination includes gamified mini golf, duckpin bowling and a restaurant that gives off an ’80s-’90s electric pop vibe including neon lights. 

Gamified mini golf:

You have probably played mini golf a time or two in the past, but I’m sure it wasn’t the same as Putts and Pins. They have two sides of mini golf with 9 holes on each side. Each hole includes some different type of challenge. In normal mini-golf, points are kept by how many putts it takes you to get the ball to the hole. In the gamified mini golf, there are opportunities to score more points or even lose them. The greens are electronically controlled, so there’s no need to keep your own score as they will be shown on the TV’s overhead. The up-tech technology allows you to scan your golf club before you go, and the TV will know it’s your turn. Some of the different holes include asking you questions and hitting your ball into yes or no, moving objects that you have to hit your ball into, enlarged plinko and pinball and much more. These new and gamified greens add aspects to mini golf that you don’t normally find elsewhere. 

Duckpin bowling:

Putts and Pins also include duckpin bowling. If you are not aware of the activity, duckpin bowling is essentially the same as regular bowling, except miniature. Duckpin bowling is accessible to anyone of any skill level as the pins are much smaller. Since the pins in duckpin bowling are smaller than in normal bowling, you get three rolls instead of the usual two, however, the scoring is very similar to regular bowling. The next time you’re thinking about going to the bowling alley, try this verified version instead to bring in something new. 

Arcade and Games:

What type of entertainment place would it be if there were no arcade games? Putts and Pins includes many nostalgic games for those of all ages. An arcade is pretty self-explanatory, so I think you can guess what they have. Their arcade has anything from pinball to pool, shuffleboard to air hockey; they have it all. 

Restaurant:

Putts and Pins have many food choices on their menu. It starts with their “opening acts” starters ranging from nachos, wings, mac n’ cheese bites, and many other unique choices. Another section on their menu is the “green room” which includes various types of fresh homemade salads. Their salads are special and set aside from your usual ones. Their green room includes an Autumn Kale salad, Southwest Cobb salad, Bacony Wedge, and an Asian Twist salad. Their menu also has your basic handhelds, which are not so basic. Some ingredients vary from bacon jam, smoked gouda, jalapeno popper mix, caramelized shallots, and more. The Headliners is the main part of the menu which features steaks, chicken, and pastas. Before you leave, don’t forget to purchase one of their encore menu items for dessert. 

Overall, Putts and Pins is a great place to get together with friends and family and enjoy some quality time. With their variety of activities and many food choices, it makes for an enjoyable time for everyone. You can find it in West Des Moines, near Jordan Creek Town Center, so you can try it sometime.