This North Carolina Spot Offers The World’s Only Night Golf Experience Of Its Kind With Giant Glowing Balls

A 4.5-inch glowing golf ball flying through the dark is not how I usually picture a round of golf.

That is exactly why this place sounds so fun to me.

The course keeps the grounds mostly dark while the holes and flags glow around you, which makes every full swing feel a little more ridiculous in the best way.

This is not miniature golf, either.

Players use oversized clubs to launch giant foam balls surprisingly far down the fairway.

I like how the whole setup strips away the serious side of the sport.

Nobody has to worry about looking polished when everyone is chasing glowing balls through the night.

Then there is the biggest surprise.

This North Carolina course is billed as the only one of its kind in the world.

For me, that makes missing the fairway feel completely acceptable.

The Lights Go Out And The Whole Course Starts Glowing

Softgolf at Tanglewood Park saves its best trick for after dark. The grounds stay dark, but everything you need to play lights up.

That list includes the giant illuminated balls, the flags, the holes, and the scorecard stands. Even the tee markers join the glow party.

It creates a strange, fun scene where only the game itself shines.

Darkness actually helps here. The darker the night gets, the brighter the gear looks against it.

It’s all about contrast, so a moonless evening can make the colors pop even more.

Night play does come with a twist. It’s a bit harder to see the ground, so your aim gets tested in new ways.

Daytime play makes it easier to study the course, while nighttime adds the challenge of following illuminated equipment through the darkness.

Still, that challenge is part of the charm. You’ll track a glowing ball as it sails through the sky, then hunt for the lit-up hole in the distance.

It feels part golf, part space mission.

A smart move is booking a tee time near sunset. You can learn the layout while it’s light, then watch the course transform as night settles over the fairways.

Nine Holes, One Hour, Plenty Of Bragging Rights

Nine holes stretch across 6.5 acres here, and most of them play as par 4s. The average hole runs about 100 yards long.

That’s a real course with real strategy. Some holes bend with doglegs, so you’ll need to plan your shots.

Patches of high grass act as hazards instead of sand traps or water.

Those grassy areas often sit right in front of the greens. One sloppy shot can leave your ball tangled up in trouble.

Suddenly, you’re thinking like a pro golfer, which is a funny feeling with a foam ball.

A full round usually takes around an hour. That makes it easy to fit into an evening without eating up your whole day.

It’s long enough to feel satisfying and short enough to keep kids interested.

Groups of friends tend to get competitive fast on a layout like this. Keep score with care, because someone will want proof later.

One tip worth following is to pace yourself on the tee. Swinging harder isn’t always better.

A smooth swing often sends that ball straighter, keeping it clear of the tall grass.

Your Driver Has Never Felt This Generous

Three clubs. That’s the whole bag, and each one has a big, forgiving face built for a big ball.

You get a driver, a wedge, and a putter. The driver handles your long shots off the tee.

The wedge helps you chip close, and the putter finishes the job at the hole.

The ball measures 4.5 inches across and is made of foam. It’s far larger than a regular golf ball, which makes it easier to hit cleanly.

Missing it entirely becomes much less likely, and that’s great news for your pride.

Don’t let the foam fool you about distance, though. A good hit sends the ball 75 to 85 yards through the air.

That’s a real full swing, not a gentle tap like mini golf.

The 12-inch holes help balance things out. They’re wide enough to give everyone a fair shot at sinking a putt.

Yet you still need decent aim to get there in a few strokes.

For anyone nervous about golf, this setup removes much of the frustration. You can focus on swinging, laughing, and maybe bragging a little when one flies.

Grandparents And Little Kids Can Tee Off Together

Softgolf recommends the game for children ages six and older, with oversized clubs designed to make swinging easier for younger and inexperienced players.

Softgolf was designed to be accessible for people of all ages and mobility levels. No golf experience is needed at all.

You show up, learn the basics, and start playing.

That makes it a rare activity where everyone can truly compete. Experienced golfers still use their real skills, like swing control and course strategy.

Beginners get bigger equipment that makes the game far less frustrating.

So the family golfer and the total newbie can share a round. Nobody has to sit out or wait on the sidelines.

That’s a nice change from activities where one person dominates and everyone else just watches.

It also works for lots of outings. Families, friends, couples, and coworkers can all find something to enjoy.

A date night could be just as fun as a birthday crew.

If you’re planning a group trip in North Carolina, this is an easy pick for mixed ages. You won’t need fancy gear or lessons, just a willingness to swing and laugh.

An Orlando Idea That Found A Home Decades Later

Back in 1974, a father and son in Orlando, Florida, started dreaming up a new kind of golf. Ray Baldorossi Jr. and his father, Raymond Sr., co-invented the game.

They spent five years on research, prototypes, and patent approval. In 1979, the first official Softgolf course opened in Delran, New Jersey.

It ran for ten years before closing.

After the original New Jersey course closed in 1988, Softgolf eventually returned for nighttime play at Florida golf courses in 2011. The game later found a permanent home at Tanglewood Park.

In 2008, Raymond Baldorossi Jr. helped advance the game by developing a process for producing more durable closed-cell foam balls. Further improvements followed, including a new mass-produced ball introduced in 2023.

Softgolf returned in March 2019 at Tanglewood Park in Clemmons. Over time, the game added glowing equipment for nighttime play.

That twist turned an old idea into something that feels brand new.

I like how this history gives the course real heart. It’s a family invention that waited patiently for its second act.

Playing here means joining a story that started almost fifty years ago.

Only One Place On Earth Lets You Play This

Tanglewood Park is described as the only place in the world to play Softgolf. That’s a bold title for a course in a county park.

Softgolf calls itself The World’s Most Fun Golf Game. That’s a big promise, but awards back up its popularity.

It won the Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award in both 2024 and 2025.

That honor places it among the top 10 percent of attractions worldwide. Not bad for a game played with foam balls the size of grapefruits.

You’ll find Softgolf at 4035 Clemmons Road, Clemmons, NC 27012. The course sits inside Tanglewood Park, right next to the Tanglewoof Dog Park.

Yes, that’s really the name, and yes, it’s delightful.

Getting there is simple for travelers. The park is easy to reach from Exit 182 off I-40.

That makes it a handy stop on a road trip through North Carolina.

The permanent course at Tanglewood offers the full nine-hole experience, while portable versions bring Softgolf to private events elsewhere.

Timing Matters, So Plan Before You Grab Your Clubs

Calendars matter with this one. Softgolf at Tanglewood Park runs seasonally from April through October.

Right now, the Tanglewood Park course is closed for the season after wrapping up on November 8, 2026. Softgolf typically operates from spring through fall, so check the official schedule for its 2027 reopening date.

During the season, hours lean toward evenings and weekends. Weekday sessions start in the late afternoon, while weekend play begins earlier.

Check the schedule before heading out, since hours can shift.

Booking a tee time ahead is a smart move. It helps the round run smoothly and lets you pick the timing you want.

Want the glow experience? Choose a slot that lands near sunset.

A late tee time gives you a little daylight to learn the course. Then the lights take over as the sky darkens.

You get two versions of the game in one round.

Summer evenings in North Carolina can get warm, so dress for the weather. Comfortable shoes help on grass.

Bring water, too, since you’ll be walking a 6.5-acre course with clubs in hand.

Can’t Make It To The Course, The Course Can Come To You

Portable Softgolf is the year-round answer when the park course is closed. The game can travel to your event.

These portable courses work for all kinds of gatherings. Team-building events and corporate appreciation days are popular uses.

Birthday parties and special celebrations fit right in, too.

That means your office picnic could include giant golf balls. Your coworkers might reveal hidden talents, or hilarious lack of them.

Either way, it beats another round of awkward icebreaker games.

Birthday parties get a fun boost as well. Kids can try full swings without needing real golf experience.

The large clubs and foam balls keep things safe and approachable for younger players.

It’s also a good option for groups that can’t easily travel. Instead of moving everyone to Clemmons, the experience arrives at your spot.

Planning gets a lot simpler that way.

Since it’s available all year, you aren’t stuck waiting for spring. A winter office party or fall celebration can still feature this unusual game.

Reach out ahead of time to plan details, because good events usually need a little lead time.

Make A Whole Day Of It Around Tanglewood Park

Hungry after nine holes? Softgolf doesn’t serve food, but the 19th Hole at Tanglewood clubhouse is close by.

Its menu covers breakfast sandwiches, burritos, coffee, and smoothies. Later in the day, you’ll find brisket sandwiches, smash burgers, wraps, and salads.

Shareable sides round things out nicely.

The clubhouse runs daily from 8 a.m. until sunset. That timing works well for a meal before an evening round.

Fuel up first, then go chase glowing balls.

Tanglewood Park itself offers plenty more. There’s an Aquatic Center, BMX racing, disc golf, and tennis courts.

You can also try fishing and boating, mountain bike trails, multi-use trails, playgrounds, and stables.

Want to stay longer? The park has an RV campground, a Manor House, a Guest House, and cabins.

That makes a weekend trip easy to build around one round of golf.

Dog owners get a bonus with the Tanglewoof Dog Park next door. Your pup can run while you plan your next swing.

It’s a full day out in North Carolina, with Softgolf glowing as the grand finale.