Mini golf making a comeback in Tyler with city’s final approval
Published 5:45 am Thursday, October 23, 2025
After a year of no outdoor miniature golf plaguing Tyler, the city council approved the final zoning permit for a new one.
The Tyler City Council on Wednesday unanimously voted to move forward with the Sandu Investments request and authorize a special use permit for 2.51 acres at 6110 South Broadway Ave. for a new putt putt facility and concessions.
The city requires the indefinite use permit to ensure the new golf facility remains compatible with the surrounding area and taking into account conditions such as rogue golf balls.
“We’ve heard through various methods that there is a desire to have more outdoor entertainment activity within the city,” said Kyle Kingma, the city’s planning director. “So we think that this will probably check that box for a lot of people.”
The mini golf venue will be replacing the old fitness center, Woodcreek Athletic Club, which closed at the end of 2021 due to economic pandemic impacts, by demolishing the existing building. Putt-Putt Golf and Games, the only mini golf course in Tyler at the time, closed down after around 64 years in August 2024, so the new facility fulfills the long vacancy in both aspects.
“The proposed use will bring that site back to activity, so that’s going to be good for the area,” Kingma said. “There’s a lot of retail and restaurants within the proposed area, so you might be able to do a lot of things in one location at the same time, so that should be a benefit.”
The proposed site will be oriented toward the commercial area and not near the West Mud Creek and South Tyler Trails, to ensure there is no impact on nearby residency. The Tyler Planning and Zoning Commission recorded it did not receive any letters in favor or against the venue from any nearby residents.
There is currently a conceptual layout showing the plan of where the courts and concessions will be located and Sandu Investments plan to move forward with the concept.
“We think it’s going to be well received,” Kingma said.
To watch any of the city council meetings, visit the city’s website at cityoftyler.com, YouTube or Facebook page. The Tyler City Council meetings are held at 9 a.m. on the second and fourth Wednesday monthly on the second floor of City Hall located at 212 N. Bonner Ave. in downtown Tyler.