Miniature Golf and Pirates

It seems like most (or at least a good number of) miniature golf places are pirate-themed. Why is this?

Did pirates have a particular affinity for mini-golf? Maybe back when the pirates roamed the high seas, they played mini-golf on deck, or below deck, or in the caves where they would hide out. At least, that's the impression we get from playing mini-golf nowadays. No pirate treasure was complete without a collection of colorful golf balls.

Or, maybe miniature golf has a strong connection with piracy. Mini-golf uses only putters, which is the golf club most like a sword (especially when you hold it backwards/upside down). Plus, there's all that water and sand. And pirates surely loved fake grass and artificial rock structures ... and windmills.