‘Difficult shape for a mini golf hole’ NYT Mini Crossword clue Aug. 17 answer and hints

Oddly shaped holes come few and far between when it comes to the New York Times Mini Crossword, and this is one of the more challenging clues to figure out in the somewhat more complicated Saturday version of the popular word game.

If you’re not a mini-golf enthusiast or just tend to prefer playing rather than naming the elements on the course, we’re here to help you with today’s 12-Across clue in the Mini Crossword, “Difficult shape for a mini golf hole.”

‘Difficult shape for a mini golf hole’ NYT Mini Crossword clue Aug. 17 hints and answer

• Hint 1: The answer relates to insects in some way.
• Hint 2: The answer also contains a geographical feature.
• Hint 3: The answer starts with an A.
• Hint 4: The British version of the phrase “making a mountain out of a molehill” features this.

This is your final chance to stop reading and solve the puzzle for yourself. But if you’re looking for the precise answer for the 12A “Difficult shape for a mini golf hole” clue and the other the Mini Crossword puzzle answers for Aug. 17, we’ve got them all ready for you.

The answer to 12A “Difficult shape for a mini golf hole” is ANTHILL. Much like the real-life object built by ants, this mini golf hole has a conic shape with the hole on the top. Looking at it, it must be infuriating to try and make the putt, since even the smallest digression to the side, or a slightly too weak or a little too strong shot will set you right back where you started.

“When you see the Ant Hill on a hole, check where it is placed. If it is not over the cup, then putt normally. If it is placed over the cup, then mumble under your breath profanities at the mini golf course designer for your event,” reads the summary from a mini golf rental site, and I couldn’t agree more.

All NYT Mini Crossword puzzle (Aug. 16) clues and answers

Across

• 1A Stuff chewed by a cow — CUD
• 4A Bakery offerings — CAKES
• 6A Corporate makeover — REBRAND
• 8A 100% — ALL
• 9A __ De Jing (philosophical text) — DAO
• 10A Like restrictions you might mention to a waiter — DIETARY
• 12A Difficult shape for a mini golf hole — ANTHILL
• 13A Ah, this takes me back! — REVERSE

Down

• 1D What the Disney Channel and the Golf Channel appear on — CABLETV
• 2D Kyiv’s land: Abbr.— UKR
• 3D Awkward silence in a broadcast — DEADAIR
• 4D Dion, who performed atop the Eiffel Tower at the 2024 Olympics — Celine
• 5D Responds in an aggressive and threatening tone — SNARLS
• 6D Weather-detecting technology — RADAR
• 7D Writer Arthur Conan ___ — DOYLE
• 11D The “t” of btw — THE

What else is there to play after completing the NYT Mini Crossword?

If you are looking for more word games and crosswords to play, you can either head on over to the LA Times or the Washington Post for more of the same or check out other word games from the New York Times, like Strands and Spelling Bee.