During our July 2025 trip to Boston, our family visited Puttshack Boston twice, courtesy of Meet Boston, and I’m happy to share our honest review. Located in the city’s swanky new Seaport neighborhood, Puttshack is best described as an upscale, technology-driven take on miniature golf. It’s colorful, competitive, and efficient—exactly the kind of indoor activity that works well for families wanting to escape a hot summer afternoon or when you need an active indoor activity during bad weather.
We didn’t just try it once. The kids lobbied hard for a return visit later that week, and we obliged. That repeat visit became its own endorsement: in a city filled with tons of kid-friendly things to do, they still wanted to come back here.
The Experience
Puttshack’s format is straightforward. When you check in, the system assigns you one of four nine-hole courses. Each round takes about 30 minutes for a group of four, and most bookings include two courses. The four courses are really variations of two different basic ideas, so you will usually get assigned to one of each course type to avoid repetition. The pacing is well designed—it moves quickly so that you don’t get bored, but not so fast that it feels rushed. On both of our visits, we never found ourselves waiting on other groups.
The golf balls are embedded with an RFID chip. This is where Puttshack sets itself apart. The chip tracks every stroke automatically, updates a live leaderboard on screens at each hole, and eliminates the need to keep score manually. It also creates opportunities for clever gameplay: trivia rounds, bonus points, and penalties for hazards. Interestingly, at Puttshack you are trying to get the highest score, not the lowest like in normal golf.
Our kids, 11 and 8, were fully engaged by the system. They loved seeing their names climb (or drop) on the leaderboard, though not without some drama. Our younger son accidentally discovered that if he “scooted” the ball rather than hitting it, the system sometimes undercounted his strokes and gave him a higher score. His older brother was incensed, insisting it made the game unfair.
Course Design
The design of the courses is what makes Puttshack a genuinely fun outing. Each hole has a distinct concept. One is Pac-Man themed. Another requires answering trivia questions (we appreciated that some were Boston-specific). Still others send the ball flying up ramps and dropping down to a lower level.
The overall aesthetic is bold and modern—bright colors, geometric patterns, playful obstacles. It felt like a nice, updated version of minigolf with the fiberglass windmill aesthetic.
One important note: the courses are not designed for very young children. Puttshack recommends ages seven and up, and I think that’s accurate. The holes can be challenging, and our 8-year-old did experience some frustration after a series of missed shots. Parents should plan for this and decide whether their child will enjoy the difficulty or struggle with it. One set of courses is easier than the other, and while they usually give you one of each type, we opted to do both of the easier ones so that our younger son would have a better experience.
Food and Drink
Puttshack markets itself as both an entertainment venue and a restaurant. Food and drink can be ordered during play, though the logistics of how servers locate you between holes are less than clear. I opted out of ordering while we were playing because I couldn’t figure out how they would know where we actually were. You move between holes and I wasn’t sure if they could track you. I’m sure they have a solution for this but it wasn’t made clear and I didn’t want to risk it.
After the game, we stayed for dinner. The food is best described as elevated bar fare. My fried chicken Cobb salad was fine but not memorable. In fact, I had to look back at pictures to remember what I ate! The kids enjoyed their meals, which was kid-friendly standard stuff. Drinks were the standout—I tried a strawberry-lime mule that was light and crisp and quite nice.
In short, you don’t come here for the food, but it rounds out the experience and is very convenient to have in the same venue.
Accessibility Considerations
Puttshack Boston is located on the second floor of a building with elevator access. However, once inside, some courses include holes that begin on raised platforms only accessible by stairs. With one child temporarily on crutches, we managed with assistance, but it was not effortless. Families or groups with more significant mobility needs should be aware that the venue is not fully step-free.
Practical Details
- Pricing: Adults and teens (13+) are $18 per 9-hole course; children 12 and under are $10. Each booking typically includes two courses. Monday through Friday, the second round is 50% off, which is a great hack for traveling families.
- Hours: Open daily from 11 a.m. Closing hours are 11 p.m. Monday–Thursday, 1 a.m. Friday–Saturday, and 10 p.m. Sunday. Children are welcome until 8 p.m., with the last family-friendly tee time at 7.
- Location: 58 Pier 4 Boulevard, Boston, MA 02210.
- Age Guidance: Recommended for ages 7+. Children under 7 may find the holes too difficult.
- Dining: Full restaurant and bar on-site, with a menu of family-friendly dishes and craft cocktails.
Good to Know
- Reservations are strongly recommended. Both times we visited, the venue was busy, and walk-up play would have meant a wait.
- Two courses (about an hour) is the sweet spot. One round feels too short; more than two can start to feel repetitive.
- Food is functional, not destination-worthy. It’s best viewed as a complement to the golf rather than a standalone dining experience (but kids will be plenty happy)
- Noise level is high. Families should expect a lively, almost arcade-like environment.
- Evening transitions to adults-only. After 8 p.m., the venue shifts toward an adult social scene.
Pairing Puttshack with Other Seaport Activities
Boston’s Seaport district has transformed into one of the city’s most dynamic neighborhoods. If you plan to spend a few hours at Puttshack, here are some ways to extend your day nearby:
- Boston Children’s Museum (308 Congress St.)
A short walk from Puttshack, this museum offers hands-on exhibits that are particularly well-suited for families with younger children. This might be one where you divide and conquer…Puttshack is going to be advanced for kids who enjoy the Children’s Museum, and the museum will be boring for kids old enough for Puttshack. - The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) (25 Harbor Shore Drive)
For families with older children, the ICA provides an engaging introduction to modern art, with a stunning waterfront setting. - Fan Pier Park
A perfect spot to let kids run and take in views of Boston Harbor. The wide boardwalk paths are stroller- and scooter-friendly. - Tea Party Museum (306 Congress St.)
We loved our visit to the tea party museum, where you take part in a reenactment of the Boston Tea Party. The museum tour after the interactive portion is interesting even for kids, and you get to see the last remaining actual chest that held tea and was thrown overboard into the harbor. - Levain Bakery (107 Seaport Blvd)
Grab a cookie on your way out of Puttshack. This NYC staple has made its way to Boston and I was so happy to see it! - Museum of Ice Cream (121 Seaport Blvd)
Across the pedestrian street from Levain is the MOIC. We loved the NYC version a little bit more than Boston, but Boston’s location is definitely worth a stop. Just don’t try the lobster ice cream…you’ve been warned!
Final Thoughts
Puttshack Boston isn’t without its limitations: food that is functional rather than exceptional, accessibility challenges, and gameplay that can frustrate younger children. But what it delivers, fast-paced, tech-enabled competition in a lively, colorful environment, is enough to make it worth a spot on your Boston itinerary. It reminds me of our visit to Swingers in London, which we also loved and which has many of the same elements.
For our family, it struck the right balance of novelty and efficiency. In about an hour, we experienced something distinctively different from the city’s historic attractions, which was a nice way to keep the kids engaged and feeling like we were truly on vacation. And most importantly: the kids asked to go back, which is rare.
If you’re visiting Boston with children seven and up, Puttshack Seaport is an excellent choice for a midday or early-evening outing, particularly when weather makes outdoor plans less appealing. It is not the city’s most cultural or educational stop, but it is one of the most entertaining.
