Cityscape

Play mini-golf surrounded by ‘dinosaurs’ at this new KC area entertainment center

Will a 15-foot Brachiosaurus looming nearby throw off your swing?

At the new Prehistoric Putt mini-golf course in Independence, customers are surrounded by nearly 30 dinosaur models.

It has two “family friendly” 18-hole courses, along with a nine-hole course for people 21 and over — so they can drink beer while they play.

“They’re big. We have the Brachiosaurus, a T. rex, some of the more mainstream dinosaurs that people would recognize,” said Tyson Summers, operations manager and a minority partner. “Everyone is captivated, I think, by dinosaurs.”

The newly opened, Prehistoric Putt features three separate courses, including two for all ages and one for adults only, with alcohol offered.
The newly opened, Prehistoric Putt features three separate courses, including two for all ages and one for adults only, with alcohol offered. Rich Sugg rsugg@kcstar.com

Fees are $10 for 18 holes and $15 for 36 holes for customers over 12. For children (ages 3 to 12), it is $6 for 18 holes and $9 for 36 holes. The nine-hole adult course is $12.

Prehistoric Putt also has a few arcade games such foosball and Skee-Ball, as well as immersive golf and sports simulators. It has vending machines for snacks.

It also has a private event space for birthday parties and other celebrations.

Prehistoric Putt features interactive obstacles, including an 11-foot-tall loop, zip line, pinball, ball maze race, halfpipe, warped wall, beer pong, batting cage, foosball, ski-ball, plinko, and basketball.
Prehistoric Putt features interactive obstacles, including an 11-foot-tall loop, zip line, pinball, ball maze race, halfpipe, warped wall, beer pong, batting cage, foosball, ski-ball, plinko, and basketball. Rich Sugg rsugg@kcstar.com

Michael Worley is the majority owner and brother-in-law of Summers. They have three mini-golf locations in Nebraska.

The Independence Prehistoric Putt is in the 16,000-square-foot former FYE space at 13907 E. U.S. 40 highway.

Nolan Ellis, a co-manager at the newly opened Prehistoric Putt in Independence, organizes a variety of putters for children and adults.
Nolan Ellis, a co-manager at the newly opened Prehistoric Putt in Independence, organizes a variety of putters for children and adults. Rich Sugg rsugg@kcstar.com

Summers said they picked Kansas City for their expansion because they have family in the area and it was a reasonable drive from their Omaha base. They plan to make frequent trips to check on things.

“Independence is a good hard-working economic demographic. We wanted to bring clean, quality, family entertainment to that area,” he said.

They may add more area locations in the next few years.

Prehistoric Putt is in the former FYE space on U.S. 40 in Independence
Prehistoric Putt is in the former FYE space on U.S. 40 in Independence Rich Sugg rsugg@kcstar.com
At Prehistoric Putt in Independence, this hole features a “Jurassic Spinners” wheel with a variety of fun options.
At Prehistoric Putt in Independence, this hole features a “Jurassic Spinners” wheel with a variety of fun options. Rich Sugg rsugg@kcstar.com
JS
Joyce Smith
The Kansas City Star
Joyce Smith covered restaurant and retail news for The Star from 1989 to 2023.
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