About Garnet Carter
Lived 1883 – 1954 (aged 71). Garnet Carter was an American engineer and businessperson.
John Garnet Carter (Feb. 9, 1883, in Sweetwater, Tennessee – July 21, 1954) was an American inventor and entrepreneur who is considered one of the fathers of miniature golf. In 1927, Carter was the first to patent a version of the game which he called "Tom Thumb Golf". His course was built on Lookout Mountain in Georgia where Carter owned a hotel. Within a few years, thousands of Tom Thumb courses opened all over the United States.
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Important facts
People in Garnet Carter's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Garnet Carter's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Garnet Carter?
American inventor, father of minigolf (1883–1954)
When was Garnet Carter born?
Garnet Carter was born on 9 February 1883 in Lewis County.
When did Garnet Carter die?
Garnet Carter died on 21 July 1954 in Lookout Mountain.
What was Garnet Carter's occupation?
Garnet Carter was an engineer and businessperson.
What nationality was Garnet Carter?
Garnet Carter was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Garnet Carter. https://biography.guide/garnet-carter/
MLA: "Garnet Carter." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/garnet-carter/.
Chicago: "Garnet Carter." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/garnet-carter/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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