Before golf was invented, grassy pastures were viewed as the exclusive territory of roaming sheep, herds of cattle, and overzealous Civil War re-enactors. Celebrate turf's competitive utility with today's Groupon at Ultimate Golf & Academy. Three options available:

• For $6, you get a day of unlimited mini golf for two (up to a $12 value).
• For $6, you get two 55-ball baskets and club rental on the driving range (up to a $12 value).
• For $25, you get a 30-minute golf lesson from Chad Westra (a $60 value).

Ultimate Golf & Academy's 22 verdant acres sport all-ages arenas for competitive and recreational play, including a year-round lighted driving range and an outdoor mini golf course. Pairs of putt-putters stride through scenic prairie landscaping as they conquer 19 holes of mini golf over the course of a day, dominating the lilliputian fairway with daring bank shots and airborne forays into historical British political sand traps. Or, players wielding their own or rented clubs can send 110 dimpled projectiles soaring across the sun-soaked driving range, building their long-distance might and ruffling unwary pigeons.

Alternately, opt for a 30-minute lesson with Chad Westra, an instructor with over 20 years of experience and the author of a recent book on his hit-centered golf technique. On the driving range, Westra coaches students to clear their minds of swing anxiety and aligns bodies and batons for solid impact with the ball. The chance to develop smooth, powerful strikes and zen-like disinterest in hairstyles can be scheduled any time during Ultimate Golf & Academy's regular hours.