If you have played golf, you may have played pitch and putt but you have almost certainly never played anything like Bigfoot Pitch and Putt. Tucked deep into the mountains of Southwest North Carolina, this course defies every expectation. One green. Nine tees. Sixty-three ways to play.
If you are trying to figure out whether it is worth planning a trip, this guide covers everything. Course layout, booking process, who it suits, and what to watch out for. Let’s get into it.
What Is Bigfoot Pitch and Putt?
Bigfoot Pitch and Putt is a semi-private, mountain-based pitch and putt course in the Cashiers/Highlands area of Southwest North Carolina. Designer Jonathan Calhoun built it on approximately 21 acres of Chimney Pond Farm, a working tree farm in the Appalachian mountains.
Pitch and putt, for those new to the format, is the shortest version of real golf. Players use a pitching wedge and a putter on holes measuring under 100 yards. It focuses entirely on the short game, stripping full golf down to its most essential skills.
Bigfoot Pitch and Putt takes that concept further than any other course in the world. Nine synthetic teeing boxes surround a single synthetic green. That green has 7 pin positions. The combination produces 63 distinct tee-to-pin combinations, meaning no two rounds ever have to play the same way.
Where Is Bigfoot Pitch and Putt Located?
Bigfoot Pitch and Putt sits on Chimney Pond Farm in the Cashiers/Highlands area of Southwest North Carolina. The Appalachian mountains surround the entire property, making the setting as remarkable as the course itself.
The location puts it within reach of several major cities:
- A few hours’ drive from Atlanta, Georgia
- A few hours from Charlotte, North Carolina
- Under 90 minutes from Greenville, South Carolina
- Under 90 minutes from Asheville, North Carolina
The farm itself sits in a remote, pristine part of the southern Appalachians. Majestic mountain ridges, cascading waterfalls, and pristine lakes surround the area. Whether you plan a day trip or a longer stay, the region offers cabins, lodges, hiking trails, and wildlife tours nearby.
How Does the Course Layout Work?
The layout is what sets Bigfoot Pitch and Putt completely apart from every other course you have played.
Most courses have a separate green for each hole. This one uses a single central green with 9 tees positioned around it at varying distances and angles. Seven pin locations sit within that green. Every session, your group selects which tee-to-pin combination to play on each hole. The total yardage across 9 holes comes to 419 yards, with a par of 30.
Here is the full breakdown:
| Spec | Detail |
| Tee Boxes | 9 synthetic tees |
| Pin Positions | 7 per green |
| Playing Combinations | 63 |
| Total Yardage | 419 yards |
| Par | 30 |
| Shortest Hole | 9 yards |
| Longest Hole | 86 yards |
| Course Size | Approx. 21 acres |
| Surface | Synthetic tees and green |
| Bunkers | 6 sand traps |
| Walking Only | Yes |
The terrain adds serious challenge. Natural, untrimmed ground cover wraps around the entire green. Six sand traps guard the target. A full forest borders the playing area. The topography will humble scratch golfers and high handicappers equally.
The Named Holes
Each hole carries a name rooted in Bigfoot mythology. The round opens with “The Sighting,” throwing players straight into fight-or-flight mode. Hole 2, “Little Foot,” creates a brief false sense of security before the course shows its real character.
From there, “Monster Truck 7th” crushes confidence, “Anaconda 8th” eliminates hope, and the final hole, simply called “Bigfoot,” unleashes maximum chaos on whoever dared to feel comfortable.
Who Is Bigfoot Pitch and Putt Designed For?
Bigfoot Pitch and Putt works for a surprisingly wide range of people. It suits beginners who want real golf without the overwhelming scale of a full course. It challenges experienced golfers trying to sharpen wedge precision. Families find it welcoming, especially since children 12 and under always play for free.
Groups between 4 and 12 players receive exclusive use of the entire course. Singles or pairs may get paired with other players, though special occasion requests reviewed in advance can arrange private access regardless of group size.
The course works especially well for:
- First-time golfers looking for a real but accessible entry point into the sport
- Experienced players sharpening their short game under genuine pressure
- Families with children thanks to the free entry for under-12s
- Corporate groups wanting a private, outdoor team activity
- Birthday or anniversary celebrations that need a genuinely memorable setting
Golf participation continues rising globally. According to R&A research, 42.7 million on-course golfers played in R&A-affiliated markets in 2023, up 44% from 2016.
Short formats like pitch and putt play a growing role in bringing new players into the sport. Bigfoot Pitch and Putt sits right at that intersection of accessibility and real challenge.
How Do You Book a Round at Bigfoot Pitch and Putt?
Advance booking is required at Bigfoot Pitch and Putt. Walk-ins are not an option. It is because only one group plays at a time on the single-green layout, slots are genuinely limited and fill up fast.
Booking options:
- Email BIGFOOT@PITCHPUTT.org directly
- Submit a request through pitchputt.org
- Call 678-210-8040 for personal assistance
Access to Bigfoot Pitch and Putt runs through a PitchPutt membership. The course describes the chance to play as “as rare as a Bigfoot sighting,” which is equal parts clever branding and genuine warning. Plan early.
Booking options by session length:
- 2-hour session
- 3-hour session
- Half-day experience
Booking Bigfoot Pitch and Putt also comes with a bonus. Every session includes a complimentary half-day farm pass to Chimney Pond Farm. This covers miles of hiking trails, farm animal viewings, and other outdoor activities on the property.
What Game Formats Can You Play?
One of the strongest features of Bigfoot Pitch and Putt is the range of formats available. The single-green design actually supports multiple game styles without any modification to the course itself.
Available formats at Bigfoot Pitch and Putt:
- Stroke Play – Standard golf scoring; lowest total wins
- Mulligan Madness – Mulligan allowances soften mistakes and keep beginners engaged
- Closest to the Pin – Pure shot-making competition across each combination
- Knockout – Elimination format for competitive groups
- Moneyball Madness – The course’s signature format, adding a money-ball twist to every hole
Beginner groups get the most out of Mulligan Madness. Competitive players gravitate toward Stroke Play or Knockout. The format variety alone justifies repeat visits to Bigfoot Pitch and Putt, especially since the 63 playing combinations mean the course itself already changes between sessions.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Bigfoot Pitch and Putt?
Take a look at what the course genuinely delivers and where its limitations show.
What Makes It Worth the Visit
Bigfoot Pitch and Putt offers things that almost no other course does:
- Singular design – No other course in the world combines a single-green layout with 9 tees and 7 pins at this scale
- Private access – Your group gets the course entirely to themselves
- Free entry for kids – Children 12 and under always play free, making it a genuine family value
- Five game formats – Replay value stays high because the format changes the experience
- Mountain setting – The Appalachian backdrop turns every round into something scenic
- Farm pass included – A half-day farm experience adds serious value to every booking
- Accessible to beginners – No prior golf knowledge is required to enjoy the course
Where It Falls Short
Every course has limitations. Bigfoot Pitch and Putt has a few worth knowing:
- Limited availability – Exclusive access means demand consistently outpaces the number of open slots
- Advance planning required – Spontaneous visits are not possible; you must book ahead
- Remote location – Getting there requires deliberate travel planning
- Group minimum – Solo players or pairs may end up playing with strangers unless a special request is approved
Is There a Difference Between Pitch and Putt and Mini Golf?
Yes, and the difference matters when you understand what Bigfoot Pitch and Putt actually involves.
Pitch and putt uses real golf clubs, specifically a wedge and a putter, on holes measuring up to around 100 yards. Players pitch the ball through the air toward the green, mimicking the short-game demands of full golf.
Mini golf uses only a putter on a flat or near-flat surface. Holes are much shorter, usually under 25 metres, and courses feature themed obstacles like windmills, tunnels, and ramps. The skill element focuses on angles and bounce rather than real golf technique.
Here is a direct comparison:
| Feature | Pitch and Putt | Mini Golf |
| Clubs Used | Wedge and putter | Putter only |
| Hole Length | Up to 100 yards | Under 25 metres |
| Playing Surface | Grass or synthetic turf | Artificial carpet |
| Skill Element | Real shot-making | Obstacle navigation |
| Par Range | Standard golf par | Simplified par 2-6 |
| Challenge Level | Genuine golf skill required | Beginner friendly |
Bigfoot Pitch and Putt falls firmly in the pitch-and-putt category. Its holes demand real wedge play, terrain reading, and short-game precision. Mini golf, for all its charm, does not come close to the same skill test.
Is Bigfoot Pitch and Putt Worth Visiting?
Yes, particularly if you travel with a group and want something genuinely unlike any other golf experience. Bigfoot Pitch and Putt delivers on every front that standard pitch and putt courses ignore: dramatic terrain, mythology-driven hole names, 63 playing combinations, and a private mountain setting that makes each session feel exclusive.
It suits anyone wanting real shot-making challenge without committing to a full round of golf. Families, corporate groups, and couples celebrating a milestone all leave with exactly the kind of story-worthy memory the course promises. The complimentary farm pass pushes the overall value even higher.
If you want a relaxed, close-to-home pitch and putt, easier options exist near most cities. But if you want something that earns every superlative people throw at it, Bigfoot Pitch and Putt genuinely delivers.
Final Thoughts
Bigfoot Pitch and Putt earns its reputation. The Chimney Pond Farm setting, the 63-combination course, the named holes dripping with cryptid mythology, and the exclusive private access combine to produce something that golf has rarely seen before. The team behind it built a course where the topography alone defeats expectations before you even account for the sand traps.
Beginners, experienced golfers, families, and groups all find something that works for them at Bigfoot Pitch and Putt. The free entry for under-12s and the complimentary farm pass make the overall value hard to beat.
Book early. Dress for mountain weather. And try as many of the 63 combinations as your session allows.
Key Takeaways
- Bigfoot Pitch and Putt sits on Chimney Pond Farm in the Cashiers/Highlands area of Southwest North Carolina
- The course features 9 tees around one green with 7 pin locations, producing 63 unique playing combinations
- Total course yardage is 419 yards with a par of 30; holes range from 9 to 86 yards
- Children aged 12 and under play free at Bigfoot Pitch and Putt
- Advance booking is required through bigfoot@pitchputt.org or pitchputt.org
- Groups of 4 to 12 receive exclusive course access for 2 hours, 3 hours, or a half day
- Five game formats are available: Stroke Play, Mulligan Madness, Knockout, Closest to the Pin, and Moneyball Madness
- Every booking at Bigfoot Pitch and Putt includes a complimentary half-day pass to Chimney Pond Farm
- Bigfoot and Vickery Creek are the only two Crusade PitchPutt-designated courses in the world
- The course is walking only, set in mountainous terrain with natural rough and six sand traps
FAQs
How far in advance should you book Bigfoot Pitch and Putt?
Book as early as possible. Bigfoot Pitch and Putt runs on an exclusive-access model, meaning only one group plays at a time. Demand is high and slots disappear fast. The team recommends booking well in advance through bigfoot@pitchputt.org or the pitchputt.org website.
Can beginners play Bigfoot Pitch and Putt?
Absolutely. No prior golf experience is needed to enjoy Bigfoot Pitch and Putt. Beginner-friendly formats like Mulligan Madness keep things fun and stress-free, while children 12 and under play for free. The course welcomes players at every level, from first-timers to scratch golfers.
How is pitch and putt different from regular golf?
Pitch and putt uses only a wedge and putter on holes under 100 yards, focusing entirely on the short game. A full round takes far less time than standard golf and costs significantly less. It gives beginners a real golf experience while giving experienced players a serious short-game workout.
What else is there to do at Bigfoot Pitch and Putt beyond the course?
Every booking at Bigfoot Pitch and Putt includes a complimentary half-day farm pass to Chimney Pond Farm. The farm offers miles of hiking trails and various outdoor activities. The surrounding Cashiers/Highlands area also provides mountain waterfalls, lakes, and accommodation options for extended stays.
