History of Indoor Golf

The Mini Indoor Golf game is modeled after two indoor golf games from the past. The first inventor of the idea was the toy company in the 1920’s called Schoenhut.  This game became an immediate success. In the very beginning consumers were able to purchase a variety of combinations, but the basic game of Indoor Golf consisted of a golf figure, three little insertable clubs, a ball and layout of a hole. They were encouraged to buy additional golfers, holes and obstacles so that an interesting layout could be set up in the home and a number of people could compete. There were two golf figures available, a male and a female, named Tommy Green and Sissy Lofter. The game was very successful and was followed in 1923 by a children’s version, Kiddie Golf. The game was essentially the same but smaller. The figures, a boy and a girl, were named Bill Caddie and Mary Hit-It.  The 1920’s version made by Schoenhut was followed by an indoor golf game made by Marx’s Toys in the late 1960’s.

Arnold Palmer Indoor Golf Game

The original Arnold Palmer Indoor Golf Game was produced in the 1960’s by Marx Toys and licensed by the one and only Arnold Palmer Enterprises. They successfully sold nearly a million units. The original game came with a foam green with a built-in water hazard, smaller sized clubs, 2 sand traps, and an Arnold Palmer shotmaker.

It was revamped though in 1996 by Jay Danner and his company Classic Golf Gifts.  Jay kept the original name of the game and gained a 15 year license with Arnold Palmer Enterprises.  He updated the game by changing the foam green to a felt one and adding an actual water hazard that can hold water.  He even oversized the clubs to match the clubs of today’s market.  After 15 years of being the Arnold Palmer Indoor Golf Game, through demands of consumers wanting a younger golfer, Jay Danner came out with the M.I. (Mini Indoor) Golf Game.