Putt Putt

For many years, Putt Putt was a familiar miniature golf destination and casual family outing spot in Elk Grove Village, located at 408 E. Devon Avenue — just east of the village’s central shopping and dining corridor. The site was part of the national Putt-Putt franchise of par-2 mini golf courses that offered affordable, skill-focused putting fun for kids and adults alike.

The Course and Experience

The Elk Grove Putt Putt featured the classic concrete-and-carpeted miniature golf holes bordered by low wooden or metal frames, standard to the Putt-Putt franchise’s design. Players would walk through 9 or 18 holes of putting terrain with gentle slopes, small obstacles, and decorative bits that made the course a popular summer activity for families, birthday parties, and neighborhood kids.

While it wasn’t a large theme park, Putt Putt stood out in the suburban landscape because mini golf courses like this were relatively rare in the area, giving Elk Grove Village residents a simple outdoor destination beyond typical parks or playgrounds. The location became a regular stop for many weekend outings, often paired with ice cream runs or trips to nearby Devon Avenue restaurants.

Years of Operation and Memories

Putt Putt was active into the 2000s, but like many small amusement and leisure businesses in the suburbs, it gradually saw declining use and challenges maintaining amenities. According to historical listings and roadside documentation, the course had already closed by around 2008, and by the mid-2010s the greens and decorative elements had been removed. By around 2019 there was little left on the site beyond traces of concrete and the building structure itself.

Local memories of the place vary: some recall it as a fun summer treat, while others remember it as a quirky roadside spot with faded obstacles and a bit of nostalgic charm. Though the formal Putt Putt signage and course features are long gone, the address remains a touchpoint in Elk Grove Village history as one of the few places where families could play mini golf right in town.

After the Course

After the closure of Putt Putt, the main building was repurposed — in recent years it has been taken over by a nearby private school expanding its campus next door. This transition reflects how Elk Grove Village’s commercial and leisure landscape continues to change, with older, standalone amusement venues giving way to civic or educational uses.