Top Golf – Does it belong

Last night Kathy and I went to Top Golf for the first time. We were invited by friends and family. Aaron and his girlfriend play Top Golf every Tuesday evening. They hit some balls, eat some food and it turns into a few hours of an active date night. Knowing that Kathy and I love golf, they invited us to Top Golf while we were visiting them. We said sure and while we are at it let’s invite more family and friends.

I have heard of Top Golf, but I have never been to one and I had no real idea what I was in for. When we got there we were escorted to our playing area. A staff member helped log us into the system and sold us a $5 lifelong membership. She told us that we would be charged by the hour and not for the amount of balls we hit. After that Aaron was in charge. He picked the game that we were all going to play. Gave us some brief instructions. And told us we would be taking turns like bowling. While that was going on, a waiter came over and started taking food and drink orders.

Then the fun began. There were six of us and we took turns hitting balls five at a time. The skill level was from never hitting a golf ball before, to a 12 handicap player. We all had fun. There was laughing, talking, visiting, eating and drinking. All of the reasons Kathy and I started golf in the first place. I even thought it had real golf range practicality. There were targets and they had a score attached to them that made you focus on what you were doing. I think even more so than a range. The evening turned into three hours of fun. 

As I looked around I could see that we were not the only ones enjoying the Top Golf facility. Some people brought their own clubs and others used the ones provided. Some people were there for serious practice and others were there to eat, talk and hit some balls. There was even a company event there. Maybe a team building event, I’m not sure. What I do know is that everyone was having fun.

This was a real golf experience and it has real golf applications. When you are focusing on the targets, not only do you want to get it to the target but you want to get it in the middle of the target on the fly. And there are targets for chipping, pitching, distance control and even the driver. The better the shot, the higher the score. I didn’t get to play the simulator portion, but I was told I could play a simulated round of golf on a course. There was a player next to us that was playing on a course and got a hole in one. He was so excited. The Top Golf manager came over, verified the hole in one via the computer chip in the ball. Then Top Golf awarded him with a giant $1000 check like he was a PGA pro. Everyone around him was jumping up and down, clapping and celebrating. 

As mentioned, the balls have computer chips in them. This gives great feedback on each strike, ball speed, carry and other stats that most golfers are interested in. There was a group of players using the stats to calculate everything about their swing. They would hit a ball and gather around the screen and analyze each other. Then one of them would arbitrarily give a swing tip or note. When one of them had a pure hit the others would scream out, “that was the best one yet”. 

I don’t see this kind of enthusiasm on a regular driving range. Normally people are on the range alone hitting ball after ball. Or they are there with an instructor hitting one or two balls then getting instruction on how to fix whatever they are working on. Sometimes people are on the range with the group they are going to tee off with chatting and warming up. But, I have never seen the kind of fun at a driving range that I saw at Top Golf. That can only be a good thing for golf. I am not saying golf is a boring sport. Kathy and I love it. But it is a little difficult to get a new player interested. Top Golf makes it a lot easier. 

Top Golf has hit a hole in one. It has enabled people who would not normally play golf an opportunity to give the game a try in a place that is built for fun. It has allowed golfers to invite friends to go hit some balls with them even if they have never hit a ball before. Top Golf has done what I think golf should be doing. Offering a place where people can come and enjoy every part of getting acquainted with the sport without any of the pressure of being on the course with “golfers” intimidating you. I think every golfer who wants to introduce a friend to golf should take them to a Top Golf range first. That may be the best first introduction to golf. Fun and food are a great motivator. 

Fairways and Greens, we are 18 Holes and Counting.  Written by: Marc Festa