Mini Golf Meets Happy Hour: How One Chain Rewrote the Rules of Fun

Back in the early 2010s, a Wall Street trader named Greg Bartoli bought three mini-golf courses in Florida with a simple goal: create a place where parents could watch sports while their kids played safely nearby. The first spot, Lighthouse Cove, paired two 18-hole courses with a sports bar and ice cream shop. It did so well that Bartoli opened two more locations under the same name. But Bartoli saw bigger potential. In 2013, he started an investment firm focused on leisure and real estate. By 2019, that idea grew into PopStroke—a chain blending mini-golf, drinks, and games like cornhole and ping pong. Today, it has 21 locations in seven states and keeps expanding fast. Bartoli jokes that the first five years were just the warm-up; the next six will be even crazier. PopStroke’s name comes from Bartoli’s dad, a scratch golfer who taught him the game. The chain’s putting greens mimic real golf courses, complete with tricky slopes and breaks. But unlike traditional mini-golf, these courses feel like a real challenge. The secret? A mix of casual fun and skilled play that attracts everyone—from toddlers to grandparents.What sets PopStroke apart is its tech. A custom app handles orders, loyalty rewards, and even tracks player stats. Soon, a special golf ball with a chip will auto-score putts, and hole-in-one cameras will capture wild celebrations. Bartoli calls it a "mobile app that runs the whole experience, " giving the chain an edge over competitors. The company’s growth isn’t just about putting greens. Bartoli sees PopStroke as a gateway to golf for beginners, where mistakes don’t feel as harsh as in a real course. But it’s also a hit with serious golfers who enjoy the challenge. The chain sells itself as a place where "75% of guests just want cocktails and music, while 25% are avid golfers. " Future plans include 250 U. S. locations by 2030, with indoor venues, smaller "Pop 60" spots, and even food trucks. International expansion is on the horizon too. Bartoli admits scaling up is tough, but he’s confident PopStroke’s mix of fun and familiarity will keep families coming back.