In expressions such as Tom Thumb golf, Tom Thumb golf course and Tom Thumb tournament, the name Tom Thumb is used attributively in reference to a form of golf played on a small-scale course, or to a novelty putting course consisting of a variety of obstacles.

Tom Thumb golf is now usually called crazy golf, miniature golf or minigolf.

Tom Thumb golf courses were patented and manufactured by Garnet Carter (1883-1954), proprietor of the Fairyland Club on Lookout Mountain, near Chattanooga, Tennessee, where the first such course opened in 1928.

The following description of Fairyland’s Tom Thumb golf course is from Fascinating Tom Thumb Golf Course Fairyland’s Chief Asset, published in The Chattanooga Sunday Times (Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA) of Sunday 16^th September 1928—Garnet Carter’s wife was Frieda Carter (née Utermoehlen – 1880-1964):

The Tom Thumb golf course at Fairyland is the only one of its kind in the United States or the world. It was designed and originated by Garnet Carter and laid out in what was formerly called Rock Village. The natural rock formations, many of them grotesque and most unusual, have been turned into hazards and locations for putting greens.
So popular has the Tom Thumb golf course proved, that it is now rated as Fairyland’s chief amusement asset. It has meant more to Fairyland than the delightful swimming pool, the regular golf links, the orchestral musical and dancing programs. Men who have enjoyed games on the course have decided to buy and build a home in order to have the pleasure at will; whole families of local people and out-of-town people have found that it appealed to all from grandmother to the children and so have contendedly [sic] sojourned at Fairyland throughout the summer and are planning to remain until late in the autumn, and groups of young people compose parties on the miniature links, morning, afternoon and evening.
One charm of the Tom Thumb golf course is that it may be used at night. In fact, the evening is a particularly pleasant time to go traveling over its intricate area of wonder rocks and novel hazards following the little white ball. Electric lights have been threaded through the trees and special large lights placed directly over the greens so that the players have all the advantage that daytime light affords in addition to the bracing, cool air and the subtle mystery that night brings with it.
Eighteen Putting Greens
Each With Unique Hazard.
The course consists of eighteen individual putting greens, each one entirely different from the last and each one offering a unique and surprising hazard. The total length of the course is 1,000 feet and covers an area of about two acres. The game is played with regular golf balls and regulation putters. Par on the course is 50, but it is said that very few players have ever made as low a score as that.
As the name implies, the course is a miniature one. Mrs. Garnet Carter, wife of the originator of the course and promoter of Fairyland development, is credited with giving it the fitting name. The game offers numerous advantages over regular golf in addition to the fact that it may be played at night as well as in the daytime. No special golfing costume is necessary or required, although signs posted on the links warn players against high heels. No caddies need be employed, for the game is confined to putting and there are no long drives that take elusive balls into untold hiding places and there are no bags of golf sticks to be carried. The players are each furnished one ball and one putter when they start out on a game. That equipment is all they need through an entire game, and that simplicity is one of the game’s attractive points.
Easy accessibility is another winning point. Tom Thumb golf course borders the main Fairyland drive at two sides. It is located only a short distance from the clubhouse and right at the starting point of the course stands the Gingerbread house. At the latter, the players, in addition to getting their tickets, may also obtain bottled drinks, ice cream, fresh gingerbread or tobaccos before or after their games.
Rustic log seats are placed here and there over the course, far away from the greens not to interfere and yet close enough to make watching interesting for the spectators. Members of parties not playing find other idlers sitting there, and the result is that practically always there are congenial groups here and there over the course watching the game or talking. Especially at night, the course is a mecca for Fairyland residents, and it becomes a gay and happy gathering place.

The earliest occurrences that I have found of Tom Thumb used attributively in reference to golf are as follows, in chronological order:

1-: From The Chattanooga Sunday Times (Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA) of Sunday 22^nd April 1928:

FAIRYLAND

New home, just finisheu [sic] 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, large living room; very artistic in design and conveniently arranged; within easy walking distance of club, swimming pool and Tom Thumb golf course. Price and terms within easy reach. Buy now and enjoy Fairland this summer.

GLASCOCK-BRIGHT & CO.
REALTORS.

2-: From the Chattanooga Daily Times (Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA) of Friday 4^th May 1928:

FAIRYLAND OPENS NEW ATTRACTIONS
First Tom Thumb Golf Tournament Saturday.
Course Unique, “Nothing Like It in the World”—Gingerbread House Ready.

Opening of the Tom Thumb golf course and the Gingerbread house, two new adjuncts at Fairyland, Lookout Mountain, is a theme of interest this week to members of Fairyland club and their friends.
Members of the club are receiving through the mail yesterday and today announcement that the opening tournament on Fairyland’s Tom Thumb golf course will be held Saturday, Saturday night and Sunday. The contest will be open to all members, men and women, at Fairyland club. Suitable prizes will be awarded the three lowest scores turned in.
The course is most unique, nothing like it in the world, letters announcing the tournament say. There are hazards which make it possible for “duffers” to beat Bobby Jones and Walter Hagan. It will make experts “cuss” and amateurs “grin,” members are also being advised in letters from the club offices. Clubs and balls will be furnished free to players.
Mrs. Garnet Carter, whose imagination and creative ability has had full play in the planning of grounds and buildings at Fairyland and the naming of the streets and houses, is the originator of the newest feature at Fairyland, the Gingerbread house.
Cards have been issued as follows:

Mrs. Garnet Carter
announces the opening of
Hansel and Grethel’s
Gingerbread House
Fairyland
Gingerbread fresh every day
Ice Creams       Bottled Drinks
Drug Accessories       Toilet Articles
Silk Hosiery       Candles

Mrs. Carter has been superintending the building of the ten new and picturesque cottages which compose “Mother Goose Village,” the section near the clubhouse and which will afford living quarters for members staying only for a short time on the mountain and wishing the privacy of a home. Each of the ten houses in the village is named for a Mother Goose rhyme character, as “Old King Cole” for one, “Little Tom Tucker” for another and so on down the row.
Several bungalows in Fairyland are in progress of erection.