Holey Moley is an entertainment sports competition series that films primarily at Sable Ranch in Santa Clarita, California. The show also uses miniature golf venues and partner sites across the United States, depending on season and production needs. Holey Moley is produced by Eureka Productions and combines athlete competition with playful course design and executive production oversight. This evergreen explainer clarifies where each segment is filmed, how locations are chosen, and how the show is produced in a repeatable, verifiable way.
Primary filming location: Sable Ranch, Santa Clarita, California
The main studio for Holey Moley is at Sable Ranch in Santa Clarita, California. This working ranch and active production facility provides backdrops, controlled lighting, and infrastructure for set construction. Sable Ranch supports both interior set pieces and exterior miniature golf shots. It is used consistently across seasons because of reliable access, experienced crew, and established production logistics. Filming at Sable Ranch allows the team to build, test, and adjust course setups efficiently.
Additional U.S. golf venues and regional shoots
Miniature golf partner locations
Beyond Sable Ranch, Holey Moley leverages existing miniature golf courses across the United States for themed challenges and special episodes. These partner locations are vetted for visual appeal, safety, and compliance, and they must accommodate set requirements for camera rigs, lighting, and audience flow. Using established venues reduces build time and preserves the playful, immersive feel of each hole. When needed, production may also design temporary builds on suitable lots to create controlled environments.
Regional and destination episodes
Some seasons include destination or regional episodes that highlight specific cities or venues, adding variety and local culture to the format. These shoots often coordinate with local partners, tourism boards, and city permissions to ensure access and compliance. Location choices prioritize visual identity, logistical feasibility, and broadcast standards for sound and lighting. Destination episodes are planned well in advance to align travel, permits, and talent availability.
Set design, course construction, and safety protocols
Course layout and obstacle design
Each Holey Moley course blends regulation miniature golf elements with entertainment obstacles such as ramps, curves, moving parts, and themed features. Designers balance playability with visual spectacle, ensuring each hole tells a story while remaining golfable. Obstacles are engineered for consistent ball behavior and predictable outcomes, which is essential for both competition and broadcast clarity. Safety reviews are conducted for every new element before public taping.
Build timeline and preproduction
- Preproduction week: finalize layouts, permits, and vendor coordination.
- Build days: construct greens, install obstacles, and calibrate electronics.
- Test and adjust: ball runs, timing checks, and safety inspections.
- Taping days: shoot content, manage talent and audience, and capture B-roll.
- Strike: remove course and restore venue to original condition.
Safety, permits, and insurance
Production secures location permits, liability insurance, and safety certifications for each venue. On-site safety officers oversee electrical setups, moving parts, and crowd management. Courses are inspected before each episode, and protocols are followed for weather, equipment failure, and medical scenarios. Compliance with local regulations helps maintain long-term access to partner venues.
How the show is produced: crew, roles, and decision flow
Key production roles
| Role | Responsibility | Typical experience |
|---|---|---|
| Executive Producer | Oversees budget, schedule, and creative direction | 10+ years in entertainment or sports formats |
| Showrunner | Manages episode creative, talent, and on-set decisions | Background in competition or sports television |
| Course Designer | Plans layouts, obstacles, and gameplay flow | Miniature golf, architecture, or themed entertainment |
| Director | Frames shots, cues talent, and oversees live-like broadcast feel | Multi-camera sports or entertainment directing |
| Producer | Coordinates logistics, scheduling, and vendor management | Reality or live-event production |
| Safety Officer | Ensures compliance, inspections, and incident response | Set safety or amusement ride background |
| Audio/Visual Lead | Handles sound, lighting, and camera systems on site | Broadcast AV for sports or competition formats |
Decision flow and on-site process
Each episode follows a structured decision flow from pre-tape planning to live-like broadcast execution. Producers lock course layouts and shot lists during preproduction, then confirm safety and logistics with venue and crew leads. On shoot days, the director and showrunner make real-time calls on retakes, camera moves, and contestant pacing. Post-production adds graphics, commentary, and editing to emphasize drama and clarity. This workflow supports consistency, quality, and efficient turnaround across seasons.
Audience, sound, and broadcast standards
Holey Moley records in front of studio audiences to preserve energy, reaction, and competitive atmosphere. Audio teams use a mix of lavaliers, overheads, and crowd mics to capture clear play-by-play and reactions. Lighting packages are designed for indoor consistency while accommodating outdoor shoots when venues require it. Broadcast standards for color, audio levels, and graphics are maintained to ensure each episode meets network or streamer specifications regardless of location.
Scheduling and travel considerations
Filming dates align with venue availability, talent contracts, and production timelines. Travel plans account for equipment shipping, crew movement, and local permits. Because Holey Moley relies on repeatable setups, production schedules are built to minimize reconfiguration time. When episodes are filmed at different venues, standardized workflows and checklists help preserve quality and safety.
Frequently asked questions about filming Holey Moley
- Where is Holey Moley filmed most often? The primary studio is at Sable Ranch in Santa Clarita, California, supplemented by partner miniature golf locations across the United States.
- Are episodes filmed in one take? Episodes are shot in continuity, with necessary retakes for safety, quality, or broadcast pacing, but core play is captured live in front of an audience.
- Do locations change by season? Some seasons include destination or regional episodes that use local venues, while other seasons remain primarily at Sable Ranch for efficiency.
- How are venues selected? Venues are chosen for visual character, playability, safety compliance, and logistical feasibility for set build and audience management.
- Are course designs reused? Signature obstacles may be revisited across seasons, but each episode typically introduces new layouts to maintain freshness.
Closing context and next steps
Holey Moley films mainly at Sable Ranch in Santa Clarita, California, and augments that base with miniature golf partners and occasional destination shoots across the United States. Production follows repeatable workflows for course design, build, safety, and broadcast quality to ensure consistent viewer experience. Understanding these locations and processes helps clarify how each episode is produced and why certain venues are chosen. To learn more about specific seasons or venues, consult official press kits, showrunner interviews, or production notes from Eureka Productions.
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