The 3D glasses combined with paint and lighting effects at Schwartzlichthelden Minigolf in Mainz, Germany, create illusions of false boundaries and obstacles on many holes of the course. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
With the temperatures dropping, I had been looking for an indoor activity near Wiesbaden, Germany, that my teenage son and I could enjoy as his birthday approached.
We found what we were looking for at Schwartzlichthelden Minigolf outside Mainz’s old town. The place’s name means “black light heroes,” hinting at the twist we would get from our first German miniature golf experience.
The place is easy to miss. As we drove up on a recent Sunday evening, my son and I realized we had driven by several times in the past year without realizing what it is.
Schwartzlichthelden Minigolf in Mainz, Germany, puts an unusual spin on the game with 3D effects and vibrant paint jobs on an 18-hole indoor course. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
Since we arrived about 10 minutes before our scheduled tee time, we ordered drinks to tide us over. Once we were ready, the desk attendant handed us our scorecard, two pairs of 3D glasses and — much to my confusion — only one ball and club.
I was also a bit puzzled because the “scorecard” was just a blank piece of paper on a clipboard.
Scorecards at Schwartzlichthelden Minigolf in Mainz, Germany, initially appear blank. But under blacklight, they become visible. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
She explained the course rules, clarifying that a group shares the ball and putter, playing the hole in turn with a six-stroke limit per person, per hole. She added that the scorecard would make sense when we got on the course.
We donned our glasses and stepped into a neon landscape. As I looked down at the scorecard, the chart illuminated under the blacklight.
The neon spray-painted murals at Schwartzlichthelden Minigolf in Mainz, Germany, depict battles between superheroes and monsters. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
Many of the course holes at Schwartzlichthelden Minigolf in Mainz, Germany, appear simple but are deceptively challenging. Wearing the provided 3D glasses adds to the difficulty. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
The walls were painted with city landscapes, superheroes and mutant monsters. The subject matter was a bit kitschy, with my son describing it as an “uncanny mashup of generic-brand Marvel and DC characters.” I thought the graffiti-style artwork was well done and on theme.
I’d presumed that the use of only one ball and putter per group would cause congestion on the 18-hole course, but thankfully the other groups playing ahead of us were also mostly pairs, with one group of four being the exception.
I could see, though, how traffic might pile up on the course if players get behind a larger group or one with younger kids.
There were a couple of short downtimes for us during the first few holes, but those pauses allowed us to examine the artwork and 3D effects that surrounded us.
The sixth hole at Schwartzlichthelden Minigolf in Mainz, Germany, requires players to hit the ball through a small window on a ramp. Many of the course’s holes appear simple in design but are deceptively challenging. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
The lights and paint created entertaining illusions that played with my depth perception. Although the holes were small and appeared simple in design, they were deceptively challenging.
By the third hole, I was questioning my senses, as the paint and visual effects created false corners and barricades on the course.
More than once, I used my putter to tap on some barriers and obstacles to help me determine whether they were real or illusion. The 3D glasses added an extra layer of difficulty as well.
The hard, smooth floor was quite a contrast from the artificial turf or carpeting at most mini golf courses I’ve played. It made for some faster speed on putts that took a few strokes to adjust to.
My son said that while he had fun, it was the most difficult course he could remember playing, and I’m inclined to agree with him. I don’t think we were alone feeling that way, either, as I heard a few exasperated shouts of the German word for “impossible” ring out.
The current course record is an impressive 25 strokes. Neither of us was anywhere close to that score.
The 13th hole at Schwartzlichthelden Minigolf in Mainz, Germany, requires players to hit the ball into a cup and then lift it using a pulley system. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
While I fared a bit better than my son, I took the maximum score on three of the holes and managed two strokes only one hole. The prized hole-in-one eluded us both on this outing, which involved a little over an hour of playing time.
Scwartzlichthelden isn’t a place I would likely visit more than a couple of times a year, but it is entertaining and makes for a fun date night or occasional family outing.
We made online reservations in advance. The website was easy to navigate despite being in German. Although customers don’t have to make a reservation, that’s the best way to guarantee a play time.
As far as price, it is a bit more than what I would consider great value. That said, the 2-euro discount coupons we received for a future visit might entice me to return in search of a better score.
Schwartzlichthelden Minigolf is located near the old town area of Mainz, Germany. The unassuming facility is home to an 18-hole mini golf course filled with blacklights, neon colors and 3D effects. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
Schwartzlichthelden Minigolf
Address: Holzstrasse 24, Mainz, Germany
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 2-10 p.m.; Friday, 2 p.m.-midnight; Saturday, 10 a.m.-midnight; Sunday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Prices: Adults, 13 euros; students, 12 euros; kids up to age 5, free; drinks range from 2.50 euros to 5 euros.
Information: +49 61314929275, info@schwarzlichthelden.de, www.schwarzlichthelden.de/schwarzlicht-minigolf-mainz
