Takin’ dates and makin’ memories

 

The Tiki Putt is one of Gresham’s scarce fun activities. As soon as you pull up in the parking lot, you notice a huge abandoned-looking building; this building is actually The Tiki Putt. The front doors and windows are covered with glowing puff paint and tasteful Hawaiian images. As soon as you walk in the door, there is a front desk where you can pay. Going between noon and 3 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays is going to be your best bet, because it will be less packed and costs $7, instead of the usual $10.

Putt-putt golf is a serious sport and you need to challenge your friends, because it makes it way better. The 18-hole course has everything from jumps and secret tunnels to long, straight shots. The course has a lot of variety, but some holes take longer than others. This can start an annoying hold-up, where you are waiting for the group in front of you to finish at that hole before you can go on.

If you are feeling thirsty or hungry, there are assorted candy and drinks at the front for cheap.

The real highlight of attending The Tiki Putt is when the volcano goes off. The homemade volcano is at least 25 feet tall, spits smoke, and makes sounds that will blow your hearing aids out of your ears.  If you close your eyes while the volcano goes off, you feel like you’re back on the Big Island, just waiting to run away from the lava. Oh, did I mention that there is a hole that makes you shoot into the volcano, and inside is a trippy, spinning walkway?

The 18th hole was the hardest — you shoot your ball uphill into an hole that collects your ball, then you’re done. I swear, this hole will take you 5 minutes, so stay calm and try not to throw your club at your friends.

In sum, this would be a good place to take your significant other on a date – for twenty bucks, you both can play, and get candy and a drink. I give The Tiki Putt a 4.1 out of 5, because of the low-key, ghetto, homemade volcano, but also it’s a fun environment to play, putt and eat some candy at.