Inventor, Pioneer. In 1927, he built and opened the first miniature golf course at the Fairyland Club on Lookout Mountain, Tennessee. To his surprise the course was taken over by adults, who liked the fantasy setting and enjoyed the challenge of putting a ball through the miniaturized fairways. Carter soon began manufacturing courses for national distribution under the patented name Tom Thumb Golf to continue with the fairyland theme of elves and gnomes. By 1930 there were over 25,000 miniature golf courses in the U.S. In 1932, he sold the patten rights, and with his wife used the profits to open Frieda's Rock City Gardens. By 1940, Rock City was a roadside institution. "See Rock City," was painted on barns and birdhouses throughout the Southeast. Miniature golf has gone on to be a main stay in about every theme and recreation park world wide. Garnet Carter died in his home at Lookout Mountain in 1954.
Inventor, Pioneer. In 1927, he built and opened the first miniature golf course at the Fairyland Club on Lookout Mountain, Tennessee. To his surprise the course was taken over by adults, who liked the fantasy setting and enjoyed the challenge of putting a ball through the miniaturized fairways. Carter soon began manufacturing courses for national distribution under the patented name Tom Thumb Golf to continue with the fairyland theme of elves and gnomes. By 1930 there were over 25,000 miniature golf courses in the U.S. In 1932, he sold the patten rights, and with his wife used the profits to open Frieda's Rock City Gardens. By 1940, Rock City was a roadside institution. "See Rock City," was painted on barns and birdhouses throughout the Southeast. Miniature golf has gone on to be a main stay in about every theme and recreation park world wide. Garnet Carter died in his home at Lookout Mountain in 1954.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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