story by MANDY HOWARD | photos courtesy of BATTLE & BIRDIE
Growing up in the Midwest and vacationing at Myrtle Beach, I was pretty sure I knew mini-golf. I’ve braved dinosaurs, volcanos, pirate islands, and jungle landscapes across many states. I’ve celebrated holes-in-one aplenty and endured the agony of finally picking up my ball after it stopped being funny that it rolled back down the hill for the hundredth time.
Yes, you could say I enjoy mini-golf, and I thought I had seen it all. That was until I walked into ParTee Shack and Battle & Birdie in Raleigh and experienced “mini-golf reimagined.”
From immersive challenge games that determine ball placement to technology-driven obstacles, and from bonus activities like laser tag and arcades to genuinely delicious food and bar options, family-friendly entertainment in the Triangle has officially leveled up.
People Want More
A 2025 study by the Gensler Research Institute revealed that “audiences are seeking high-quality, innovative experiences.” Namely, people want to spend their time and money on things that provide a high level of interactivity, overall uniqueness of experience, and a purposefully built environment.
It’s a movement that John Berger and Jimmy Garcia, co-founders of ParTee Shack and Battle & Birdie, have tapped into successfully in the Triangle. They founded Challenge Mini Golf, the parent company, in 2019 after Berger traveled the country discovering unique offerings at mini-golf courses.
Chief Marketing Officer Dante Valor says, “[These] are family entertainment centers with mini-golf like you’ve never seen before. They offer something totally different than what people are used to.”
While both ParTee Shack and Battle & Birdie provide unique takes on mini-golf, they cater to slightly different audiences.
ParTee Shack is a premier destination for visitors of all ages, with two Triangle locations and one in Greensboro. There are also plans to expand to Charleston by the end of the year.
What makes ParTee Shack unique is that every hole includes a mini-game or challenge that determines where the ball is placed. From zip-lines to shuffleboard, cornhole to balance challenges, the courses help equalize play by allowing different skill sets—and sometimes a little luck—to determine the advantage.
Meanwhile, at Battle & Birdie, guests walk into a modern lounge with a bar front and center, with some of the most creative mini-golf holes you’ve ever seen on the left. Groups gather at tables, order drinks, and move through the course battling goalies, rocket ships, and roulette wheels.
“The rocket ship was definitely my favorite hole,” says Suzanne Feldman, 16, after visiting Battle & Birdie on a date with her boyfriend, James Howard, 16. Howard noted that, in addition to the unique obstacles, the food—especially the French fries—was delicious.
Family Atmosphere is Key
To ensure top-notch service and a welcoming environment, Berger and Garcia are intentional about hiring.
“It’s a true family business,” Valor says, noting that many senior managers were recruited from family and friend networks. “They really want to build a family-oriented culture.”
They also prioritize paying staff as competitively as possible. That foundation helps employees feel respected and appreciated, something that translates directly into the guest experience.
“It was really easy on the customer,” Howard says. “We were able to navigate the space easily and just focus on having a good time.”
Just as Berger and Garcia were clarifying their vision for indoor challenge golf venues, the pandemic took hold. Whether driven by intuition, business acumen, or just bringing people together again, they pressed forward and the results have been astounding.
“Battle & Birdie opened in November of 2025 and within 45 days, we had over $500,000 revenue, which, for our industry, is pretty crazy,” Valor says. He added that, in part because of their near-viral social media following, people fly in from all over the country to experience the Triangle’s newest take on mini-golf.
All-Ages Adventure
The unique balance these locations strike—fun for kids yet engaging for adults—is central to the concept’s appeal.
Children can race through mini-golf courses, play in the arcade, or jump into laser tag, while parents have options: join the action or relax in nearby lounge seating while enjoying genuinely good food and drink.
The laser tag arena at Battle & Birdie, in particular, stands out. Built at a cost of more than $1 million, the two-level space resembles a clean, crisp, cinematic sci-fi set rather than the dark, carpeted mazes of the past.
Designed like a spaceship command center, it features glowing lights, control panels, and multiple vantage points for strategic play. Matches last about 30 minutes and include a variety of game modes beyond the classic “team vs. team” format. Players might capture a flag, hold strategic positions, or complete objectives that require exploring the entire arena.
Another attraction, a full-sized arcade featuring more than 60 games, is set to open by this summer.
For parents opting for food and beverage, it’s a chance to watch their kids engage in something active rather than screen-based. Especially as there is a beautiful lounge space with large picture windows overlooking the arena.
As for ParTee Shack, both Triangle locations offer arcades, and the North Raleigh location also features VR laser tag and duckpin bowling.
Why Families Are Embracing It
Ultimately, the popularity of places like ParTee Shack and Battle & Birdie comes down to something simple: families want shared experiences.
Parents want spaces where kids can stay active and engaged. Kids want immersive, exciting activities. And everyone appreciates a place where they can spend hours without running out of things to do.
It’s part playground, part restaurant, part hangout, and part adventure.
As more entrepreneurs explore experience-driven entertainment, this model may represent the future of family outings.
For many Triangle residents—where the weather swings from scorching to freezing, and through what we recently survived, the great pollening—the question isn’t whether these concepts will succeed, but which one to try next.
Learn more at parteeshack.com and battleandbirdie.com.