As mini-golf connoisseurs, my tribe (aged, 9 and 12) and I have putted our way from Halls Gap to the Hunter Valley, but we’ve never putted in a secret ballroom. Swingers is an indoor mini-golf experience, featured as part of the RISING festival, that transforms a hidden basement with luxe decaying cavernous halls and ornate heritage furnishings into a femme-powered, creative golf wonderland.
Inspired by the evolution of mini-golf, originally played by 19th-century Scottish women who were banned from real golf courses, to becoming whimsical, obstacle-filled rooftop courses and attractions in Los Angeles, Swingers, is another incarnation altogether. It’s a fusion of vibrancy, sport, social commentary and adventure. Part competition, part contemplation. Think miles of tartan, quirky lighting, sensory soundscapes and unexpected curves, everywhere. It’s kind of like dropping radical immersive arts installations into the local country club lounge.
Nine artists, carefully curated by RISING Senior Curator Grace Herbert, were invited to put(t) their spin on creating the perfect hole.
Herbert says:
“It’s been incredible to see how each artist has taken this on. Alongside playing mini-golf and experiencing the artworks, you might have your fortune told, travel to desert country, become a human-animal hybrid, or even find yourself singing along to Dolly Parton.”
As we make our way through the myriads of colour and craziness, putters and balls in hand, we were somewhat apprehensive about the journey ahead. We started at Kaylene Whiskey’s desert bus, flanked by Cathy Freeman and Tina Turner. We were immediately struck by the juxtaposition of the old Victorian Railway building (built at the height of the Victorian gold rush by white males) and Whiskey’s poignant female characters shouting freedom and equality. The irony was not lost on the kids who eagerly learned about Whiskey’s journey through the outback from the knowledgeable RISING staff.
We meandered through mirror balls and hairclips until a strangely familiar Teletubbies tune lead us into an eerie and spooky neon-lit putting maze. The kids were put on high alert and hastily retreated after seeing a Teletubby melt into red paint. It’s a little to OTT for them (sorry Soda Jerk). Once they found some fake grass and don Japanese latex artist of Saeborg’s plastic tails (which double up as golf clubs) and plastic poos, they’re in fits of laughter. We finally made our way to hole number 9. Here we were greeted by US filmmaker Miranda July’s Wave of Fortune that forced us to rethink contentment. After easily sinking the last ball we all must read a special message that speaks to us with random singularity. Our balls our sunk but not our spirits.
Tickets are available until August 31st, from $26.
https://2025.rising.melbourne/program/swingers
