Are you looking for low-cost profitable UK side hustles that doesn’t involve sitting behind a desk or paying thousands in recurring franchise fees?
As we move through 2026, the “experience economy” is at an all-time high. According to recent data from the World Economic Forum, the ‘Experience Economy’ is no longer just a trend – it is a fundamental shift in how people spend money. A staggering 78% of millennials now choose to spend their disposable income on desirable experiences over physical products.
People aren’t just booking venues for their weddings, corporate days, and parties; they are looking for interactive entertainment that breaks the ice. While the market for traditional rentals like photo booths and bouncy castles is becoming oversaturated, portable mini golf has emerged as the high-margin, low-competition “hidden gem” of the event industry.
At Putterfingers, we don’t just manufacture golf courses; we provide a “Business in a Box” that allows you to start earning from day one. Here is why a portable mini golf business is a genuinely smart investment you can make for under £5,000.
Why Mini Golf? The Universal Appeal
Ask yourself this: Have you ever played mini golf? How about your family, your friends, or your colleagues? The chances are, you answered “yes” to every single one.
Unlike niche hobbies or complex high-tech entertainment, mini golf has a zero-learning curve. It is a rare “low barrier to entry” game that perfectly blends nostalgia, fun, and just the right amount of competitiveness. From toddlers to grandparents, everyone knows how to pick up a putter. For you as a business owner, this means your target market isn’t just a specific demographic—it’s everyone.
The Financial Roadmap: Your Path to ROI
An important question you may ask: “How quickly will I see a return on my investment?” When you buy a Putterfingers course, you aren’t paying a franchise fee. You own the asset 100%. Here is an example of what your first year could look like:
1. The Initial Investment
If you purchased a 9 hole mini golf course. The cost to you would be £2,990 (including VAT). This would include all tiles, bumpers, obstacles, putters and balls. You would own it all!
2. Potential Revenue
Average Hire Price: £600/day
If you hired your course out for 3 days per month, you would have fully paid for your equipment in under 2 months – even faster with more hires! Anything after that would be profit!
Initial Investment: £2,990
5x Hires at £600: £3,000
= Cost of mini golf course paid for!
Scaling Up: Anything after those first six hires is pure profit (minus your transport costs) and other fees like insurance or taxes.
How to Get Your First Booking
We don’t just sell you the gear and leave you to it. To succeed in the event rental market, we recommend three “low-hanging fruit” sectors:
- The Wedding Market: Connect with local “Dry Hire” venues. They are always looking for entertainment that doesn’t require a power source.
- Corporate “Ice Breakers”: Office managers are moving away from “drinks at the pub” toward inclusive, sober-friendly activities. We’ve found great success marketing towards christmas party hire or charity fundraisers.
- School Fetes & Charities: Because our courses are STEM-friendly and safe for all ages, they are a magnet for school fundraising committees.
To make your course even more attractive we offer themed obstacle bundles for an extra cost.
– Premium Wedding Obstacle Bundle: £1,195.00 + VAT
– Wedding Themed Bundle: £950.00 + VAT
– Seaside Obstacles Full Set: £475.00 + VAT
– London Landmarks Bundle: £545.00 + VAT
The Course Options
All courses come with putters, balls and obstacles.
Bitesize Mini Golf Course
(4 Hole)
£1,165.83 + VAT
Funsize Mini Golf Course
(9 Hole)
£2,499.17 + VAT
Supersize Mini Golf Course
(9 Hole)
£3,207.50 + VAT
Monstersize Mini Golf Course
(18 Holes)
£4,165.83 + VAT
Logistics: A Business That Fits in Your Boot
One of the biggest hurdles for UK startups is storage and transport. You don’t need a warehouse to run a Putterfingers business.
- Transport: Our modular 1m x 1m tiles stack flat. You don’t need a trailer; a standard SUV or small van is more than enough to transport a full 9-hole course.
- One-Person Operation: There is no heavy lifting or machinery involved. One person can load, unload, and set up the entire course in under 30 minutes.
- Low Maintenance: Unlike inflatables that require professional drying and “PIPA” testing, our tiles are made of industrial-grade, wipe-clean materials. Maintenance costs are practically zero.
Mini Golf vs. The Alternatives
If you’ve searched for “best rental business to start,” you’ve likely seen the same ideas: Bouncy Castles, Photo Booths, and Party Hire packages. Here is how Putterfingers compares to the profitable uk side hustles:
| Pop-up Mini Golf | Bouncy Castle Hire | Photo Booths | |
| Startup Cost | £1399.00 – £4999.00 Prices vary based on course size | £1,500 – £5,000 – Cost of inflatables – Insurance | £2,500 – £6,000 – Cost of Photo Booth – Props/Backdrops |
| Weather Risk | Low (Indoor and Outdoor) | High – (Wind/Rain hazards) | Low – (Mostly Indoors) |
| Infrastructure & Utilities | Zero (Off-Grid Ready) | High (Constant Electric/Fuel) | Moderate (Requires power & Wi-Fi) |
| Set-up Time | 30 minutes (One Person) | 45 minutes (Heavy Lifting) | 60 minutes (Setting up the tech) |
| Annual Costs | Very Low – Cleaning of tiles | PIPA Testing required every 12 months | Software and paper costs (for printing) |
| Market Saturation | Low – Niche, but loved by all | High – Competing with party planning | High – has become very popular in last 10 years |
Ready to Start Your 2026 Side Hustle?
Starting a business is about managing risk. By choosing a product that is durable, weather-proof, and has no recurring fees, you are setting yourself up for long-term profitability. Mini golf is one of the top profitable UK side hustles.
Stop searching for “business ideas” and start building one.
Get in Touch with our team, we would be happy to talk more about the industry and discuss our course options.
?? 01842 337 100
?? office@eventstuff.ltd
FAQ’s
A 9-hole course can be stored in a space roughly the size of a standard garden shed. The tiles stack vertically, making them incredibly space-efficient.
Our modular system is designed to be flexible, but for the best “pro” experience, a relatively flat surface (grass, tarmac, or carpet) is ideal.
Yes, like any hire business, you will need Public Liability Insurance (PLI). Because mini golf is a low-risk activity, premiums are generally much lower than for inflatables.
Our mini golf courses can be used indoors or outdoors. During heavy rain, it may be optimal to move the course inside. During heavy wind, it would be advised to use small sandbags.
